Scottish Christians face prejudice because of their beliefs

The vast majority of Scots Christians are deeply concerned about abuse, negative comments and attitudes experienced by Christian politicians in the media according to a survey by think tank Logos Scotland and more than 70% feel the Scottish Government does not support them.  With faith and politics increasingly in the headlines we thought it timely to ask Christians and non Christians about how they felt in Scotland today, living and expressing their faith, and viewing politics and the news.

Labour In Tray – “What’s Next?”

We need to earn the right to speak with a massive swathe of new MPs.  In my 30 years of lobbying politicians one thing I have learnt is that they will listen to you more if you have proven to be a solid friend.  Not someone who is only in touch when you want to complain about something, but someone who will write and say – well done, thank you.

Political Roundup – Hold my coat

But, when someone exits the political stage, something really interesting happens, everyone develops a grace and compassion that is rarely seen in politics.  People start being nice to each other and leaving the stage with a graciousness that has been previously unseen.  Gone are the jibes across the Parliamentary chamber, and now everyone is saying that they were best buds really and how much respect they actually hold for each other.

A Biblical Perspective on Asylum and Immigration

This report is not about politics, it is about policies.  It does not favour one political stance over another or agree with one party or another, but instead asks those in power to think about where do we begin from?  What is the lens through which you are seeing this issue?  What should the founding principles of any asylum policy be?

Holding them steady

It is hard to be in this space of politics.  It has its own rules and its own ways of working, it isn’t for everyone, and sometimes it is better left to the professionals.  But we cannot allow those who take the lead to feel unsupported or isolated.  I am sure I am not alone here in thinking about the verse Exodus 17:12   When Moses’ arms grew tired, Aaron and Hur brought a stone for him to sit on, while they stood beside him and held up his arms, holding them steady until the sun went down.

Programme for Government

Last week was a big week in the Scottish Parliament.  Humza Yousaf delivered his first Programme for Government which sets out the proposed Bills and policies for the coming year for the SNP/Green coalition Government.  We asked some of friends to tell us whet
her they think it will deliver for Scotland.

We do do God

Twenty years ago this week that Alastair Campbell famously said “We don’t do God”.  On 5th May 2003 Tony Blair was giving an interview to Vanity Fair when his head of communications interrupted the interview with what was probably a throw away quip but it has gone down in history as a mantra to live by for many politicians.
Twenty years on, do politicians still not do God or have times changed?

The Politics of Faith

Over the last couple of days I think I have had more spontaneous conversations about faith and politics that I have ever had before.  A light has been shone on the tolerant society that we claim to be, a light that has discovered that we are tolerant of everything except faith and religious views. 

Symbols Matter

Freedom of expression is key in our modern society and the freedom to wear symbols of our beliefs or causes that we support is also of paramount importance. No one can own or claim a colour to be their own, the gender critical movement do not own the suffragette colours, any more than the SNP own the saltire or Conservatives own the colour blue.  To suggest such a thing is nonsense, and to exclude someone from public debate because they are wearing a particular colour is quite frankly outrageous.

Grief is the price we pay for love

So, echoing down through the ages, from the death and resurrection of Christ to the five stages model proposed by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross in the 1960s, right up 9/11 attacks in the early 2000s and upon the recent death of our most beloved Queen Elizabeth II, the enduring message is thus:

“Grief is the price we pay for love”

Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory

Her life was one of duty and service, but never a burden, never did she feel that her calling was a burden or heavy. She felt God’s calling on her life and to her it was a joy. How much then can we learn from this life of service, this life of duty.

Should Christians go on strike or cross a picket line?

It looks like we are about to embark on a turbulent time for public sector workers.  Strikes on our railways over the last few weeks and months, post office workers, waste operators all striking and more ballots happening every week.

Every church and every congregation in Scotland is likely to have someone who is facing the decision on whether to withdraw their labour or cross a picket line and continue to work. 

Leadership Qualities – What do we want from our politicians

Politicians are a funny breed (I should know as I was one and know lots).  You have to be a certain kind of person to put yourself willingly through selection and an election campaign.  Having your face on tens of thousands of leaflets, walk miles and miles delivering them, put yourself through local husting meetings, put yourself out there on social media, make speeches to rooms of people who disagree with you, only to lose very publicly, humiliatingly, and with crowds of people cheering your defeat – I’m not selling this am I…?

The Breakfast that Brought Down a Government

Over croissants and bacon rolls participants heard a sermon referencing Psalm 23, led by Rev Isaac who is the founder and CEO of Ascension Trust and also a pioneer of Street Pastors. Many politicians were there including all the main players in what is now a leadership race, one of them has said that it was this sermon that moved him to resign and effectively put the final nail in the coffin of Boris Johnson’s Prime Ministership.