Scotland's "So Macho" party of God
Guest blogger Neil Glover writes from Scotland.
Here in Scotland we are adapting to some features which have long been part of the Northern Irish political landscape: the single-transferable vote; the possibility of power being in the hands of a non-London based party (the Scottish National Party) and having another of our parties lead by an ordained minister. The party in question is the and their leader is the Rev. George Hargreaves (pictured).
The have enough candidates to qualify for an and this aired last week.
We were given statistics for juvenile drug crime; attacks on teachers in schools; deaths by MRSA and the link between breast cancer and abortion. Abortion was also to blame for Scotland鈥檚 declining birth rate. And at the end, just when we were recovering from a vision of Scotland over-run by drug pushing adolescents and drug-resistant superbugs, the Scottish Christians had one more nightmare for us: Adolf Hitler. We were even shown archive footage one of the Fuhrer鈥檚 speeches. This was not because the Nazis are standing in this week鈥檚 poll. Rather, Mr Hargreaves hinted that Scotland鈥檚 new sexual orientation legislation suggests Christians should expect persecutions akin to the Holocaust.
The broadcast left this viewer with two reflections:
1. We ought to have a general ban on Second World War analogies. When the history we talk about is dominated by what happened between 1939 and 1945, then it seems that every threat is compared to Hitler 鈥 whether that be Saddam Hussein or equality legislation. We should stretch ourselves and look for other parts of the past (the Korean war, the Boer war or the Suez intervention perhaps) with which to compare the present.
2. It's right that Christians pay attention to the Bible鈥檚 moral vision. We can debate what that vision is, but it is there, and it should be part of our politics. But why are we so good at trumpeting the Bible鈥檚 morality and ignoring its 366 exhortations not to fear?
One final thing. If you were really serious about arresting the decline British culture, a good place to start might be the eradication of reality TV shows like Big Brother and Simon Cowell鈥檚 鈥淴-Factor鈥. Cowell, of course, owes his success to a number of hits back in the 1980s, the first of which was 鈥淪o Macho鈥 by Sinita. And who wrote this dance anthem which propelled Cowell on the road to world domination? .
Comments
It looks like a well known Northern Ireland has a doppleganger standing for the Scottish Christian Party.
Good article and conclusions by Neil Glover.
Christian fundamentalists do have an unnatural obsession with homosexuals and what a paranoia comparing themselves to the Nazis.
Christian Hippy is right! a certain local journo(who writes in the Sunday world and whose wife writes in the tele)does have a double! Well spotted CH.
I agree with Dylan. Neal Glover's post has nailed the Scottish Christians. If you'll encuse the soteriological pun!
I agree with Dylan. Neal Glover's post has nailed the Scottish Christians. If you'll excuse the soteriological pun!
Neil I don't know you but you are obviously unhappy to see believers have their say in politics. Some of us believe that God has called us to stand for his God and his values in our society. Adolf Hitler tried to destroy democracy but the bigger threat today is from Tony Blair and his liberal human rights agenda. The only human right we have is a god-given right to live the life God created for us. Read your bible, Mr Glover, if you have one. If you don't have a Bible, I will send you a copy and then you can read the ten commandments in the original King James text. God bless you.
Why do I always find it so hard to visualize a man in a skirt as macho? ;-)
I don't know why anyone who has such a clear perspective of the problems would suggest solving them with such weak half hearted measures. Why stop at reality TV shows, get rid of TV and cinema altogether. Scotland can amuse itself sitting around in clans reading from the bible and singing hymns. It was good enough back when the world was right, it should be good enough today, right Angus? Of course, don't be too surprised if tourism falls off a bit, the heathens do like their decadent amusements but then they are after all sinners who are doomed to suffer eternity in hell.
It seems to me that it goes against the grain of what it means to be a Scotsman to look a gift horse in the mouth but that is exactly what Scotland would be doing if it ever becomes independent. All those tax revenues collected from the suckers south of the border flowing north easing Scotland's own tax burden and all because the British are afraid to be left alone in the dark (that is after all why they delude themselves that they have a special relationship with America, isn't it?) it would all be just a pleasant financial memory.
If Mullah Omar could be found and converted to Christianity, he could show Christians how a country like Scotland should be run. He knows the proper use for a soccer stadium and it isn't to kick a ball around, you can bet your tartan tamoshanter on that.
Hey Angus, watch me throw this sixty foot tree trunk across the river! With one hand! Backwards! Blindfolded! On one foot! No feet or hands!
As long as they continue to make the world's best whiskey (no e in Scotch Whisky), I don't care what else they do :-) Here's lookin' at you kid!
Bornagainbeliever- What you really mean by "stand for God and his values in our society is that you advocate politicians that will coerce other people in an attempt to enshrine your particular moral standards in law, do you not? In other words, if people wish to do things you consider immoral, you want to make those things illegal. Please tell me I'm wrong.
John Wright
Listen here laddie....if I were you....I'd duck. These guys don't fool around. I'm lucky to have gotten out alive myself with that crack about a man in a skirt.
They don't take kindly to that kind of talk. I know, let's challenge him to a whiskey drinking contest. He'll go for it for sure if we're buyin'. First one passed out under the table loses. Just remember to stay conscious, the future of Scotland is countin' on ya.
Mark- Yes, I'll take more care in the future! Thanks for reminding me who I'm dealing with!
Neil Glover's main reaction to a law-abiding group standing for election is a recommendation of far reaching censorship on freedom of speech and public debate.
Isnt that just a tad of an overreaction Neil?
Your determination to contrive some sort of relevance to the So Macho hit was a bit desperate, but your efforts did make me smile.
Once again, Will and Testament gives plenty of airtime to anyone knocking Christian endeavour in public life but apparently none to the group consistently targetted.
Where is the 大象传媒 impartiality Will?
;-)
PB
PB
Have a look at what Neil actually said not what you think he said. Neil is not talking about any ban, he made a tongue in cheek comment about Nazi analogies.
PB the minister did write the camp as Christmas anthem!
Will is merely putting articles on his blog that he finds interesting and could encourage debate.
PB
Thanks for the comments.
I do agree that the link with "So Macho" was a bit contrived. But it was irresistable. You couldn't not mention it.
My main problem with the Scottish Christian Party is that their election broadcast is about capitalising on fear, about portraying Scottish life as surrounded by numerous monsters and threats. I find that profoundly unChristian. Yes we are to be shrewd as vipers - but when does that become an unhealthy paranioa.
I also agree about the need for balance, and I hope the post about the Christian Peoples Alliance points to a group whom I feel are truer to the moral vision of the Bible.
Regards,
Neil
PS - what's all this about cabre tossing and whisky drinking?
PB would you calm yourself! You're paranoid about 大象传媒 impartiality. It's a blog, not the news page! The point of this is to raise interesting conversations. Iv'e never met anyone more in favour of censorship than PB. It seems that he wants every other article here removed because he doensn't like the sound of it!
As for the anti-christian claim, I don't get it. The blog piece about those two tiny parties in the election ISN'T anti-christian. Instead, the article makes some interesting points about what's happening in Scottish society. I don't know Neil Glover, but he's probably a christian for all I know. I am a Christian and I agree with what he's written. Not all christians agree with PB.
David- May I join you with an "Amen"?
David:
No, only the proper ones ;)
SG
Can I be an improper Christian?
Neil
I appreciate your candour, and yes this chap's top ten hit will follow him all his days no doubt.
But I also see that in your piece it was used to belittle and ridicule to be honest, which of course you are completely free to do.
I dont have the time or inclination to scrutinise this group of people, but they are addresses very real and serious issues causing real harm daily to real people.
You dont have to be motivated by fear to address such issues, the real Christian is motivated by love (agape) though not sentimentality.
However, it does appear to be a public service to highlight the dangers these issues are posing.
I detect from your writing you may well define yourself not having much sympathy for Christians addressing these issues in this way, which you are fully entitled to do.
But to imply a better attitude and response may primarily be not to fear is not in keeping with the New Testament.
This asks followers of Christ to be active salt and light in society; to pray for government; to uphold the law; and to develop their talents to serve God, whether that be in politics, the pulpit or writing children's books etc.
Are you really saying you support fully the endeavours of this group in what they are doing, but not the tone of their campaign; or are you saying you have reservations about their moral stance on issues mentioned?
sincerely
PB
SG
ref post 15
Is that a little bit of an religious intolerance / ad hominem from a libertarian?
where is your inclusivity and tolerance?
;-)
BTW surely you understand the difference between voting for biblical values in a theocracy and replacing a democracy with a theocracy?
PB
SG / Neil
SG
ref post 15
Is that a little bit of an religious intolerance / ad hominem from a libertarian?
;-)
BTW surely you understand the difference between voting for biblical values in a theocracy and replacing a democracy with a theocracy? I am a democrat not a theocrat.
Neil
I dont know either the party you are attacking or the alternative you are supporting.
I see the Christian People's Alliance you support are calling for a special place for traditional marriage in society and are also against abortion and euthanasia.
I also see it supports "Recognition of Christ's sovereignty over the nations and in politics"
and...
"Respect of God's law as the basis for constitutional government and a stable society".
Maybe they to are "proper Christians" SG??
;-)
I applaud all of this, and two different parties attempting to bring Christian values into politics.
However I am not so sure my critics on this blog -and your supporters here Neil- would have any time at all for the Christian Peoples Alliance, based on the above.
I would note though Neil, ridiculing your own arm and inviting people to abuse it is anti-biblical, wounding both the Bride and the Bridegroom.
That is, unless you totally disown the party you are ridiculing as not even being Christians and rejected by God.
Judging by your posts above, I doubt you would be doing that though.
sincerely
PB
Dear PB,
Thank you for your comments.
I do agree with you that Christians shouldn't be out to publicly ridicule each other (the 1 Corinthians 6 example being important). I do regret that my piece did cross that boundary at points (mostly in the last paragraph) and given the chance againm I would write it differently.
However, though there is not place for mockery, there is a place for critique.
I do stand by the main thrust of what I said. History has too often recorded that Christians are at their worst when they are fearful (the Crusades, the Inquisition, the actions of evangelically lead army units in Central America in the 1980s) and fear is a dominating theme in the Scottish Christian Party's broadcast. That concerned me.
I do think this fearfulness is a critical thing. It's not just a distinction between attitude and substance.
You also ask what I think about the moral component of the Christian Peoples Alliance's policies. The short answer is that I am not totally sure. I do have an opinion about these moral issues which is probably not too far away from yours. And I would want these values to be upheld within the Church.
However, I am not sure about what I think about Christians demanding that these values be upheld in society at large. We are into a whole set of issues to do with the separation of Church and State. How would I feel about a party which wanted to make it illegal to commit adultery or to worship idols or to neglect the poor? These are serious crimes, but I am not sure that punishing them should be the job of the magistrate.
What I do like about the Christian Peoples Alliance is that they seem to be in the right set of questions. In "God's Politics", Jim Wallis, advocates the blend of right and left that this party has and that is what I find attractive about them.
Best regards
Neil