politics

First Up

You may want to use this in conjunction with the Assembly on the 10 Commandments..

Question

Who is interested in politics? I bet if I asked this question, hardly anyone would put their hand up. Truth is that increasing numbers of people choose to vote.. http://www.statistics.gov.uk/STATBASE/ssdataset.asp?vlnk=5204

VOTING PATTERNS		Percentages
2001
Ages	Males	Females
18-24	60	46
25-34	59	56
35-44	66	74
45-54	76	81
55-59	79	82
60-64	80	80
65 +	87	87

OK so you have to be over 18 to be able to vote. But does that mean that politics doesn't affect you? As a Christian, I believe it's really important you have your voice..

Some quotes on democracy, elections etc.

Edmund Burke: "All that is necessary for the forces of evil to win in the world is for enough good men to do nothing."

(Idea - You may want to put some of these quotes up on screen via Powerpoint, Keynote or similar)

While this quote is aimed at stopping evil men succeed, I think we can apply this to using our vote, letting our voice be heard on issues that are important to us.

An example is a skate park created in part of the city where I live. This was driven through by a Connexions worker who worked alongside a group of young people (some who were tough characters) who met the local councillor, talked to the police, did surveys of young people and residents and more..

Voting Issues

What do people most care about when they vote..

The BBC has a guide to some of the key issues.

HEALTH - IMMIGRATION/ASYLUM - EDUCATION

CRIME - WAR ON TERROR/IRAQ - PENSIONS

TAX/ECONOMY - EUROPE - FAMILIES

ENVIRONMENT - TRANSPORT - RURAL AFFAIRS

CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM - EQUAL RIGHTS - NORTHERN IRELAND

Question

What issues would be important to you? (Hands up or not)

SOME IDEAS - More facilities - better services for young people - concerns over bullying - crime - better equipment in schools - more to do - more investment in young people and youth services - more people that look out for you and you can talk to.

The BIBLE and Politics

Tony Blair said that faith should be kept out of politics. But this is very wrong - politics and faith cannot be kept apart. In the Bible, here are just some of the things God said:

- CITIZENSHIP -
Romans 13.1 - Be a good citizen. All governments are under God. Insofar as there is peace and order, it's God's order. So live responsibly as a citizen.

- MONEY AND TAXES -
Romans 13.6 - That's also why you pay taxes--so that an orderly way of life can be maintained. Fulfill your obligations as a citizen. Pay your taxes, pay your bills, respect your leaders.

- PRAYING FOR PEACE -
1 Timothy 2.1-3 - The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Saviour God wants us to live.

- LOOKING OUT FOR THE POOR, NEEDY, THE WIDOWS AND ORPHANS -
Zechariah 7:10 - Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other.'

Micah 6:8 - He (God) has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

James 1.27 - Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

- LOVE -
1 Corinthians 13.4-8 - Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not selfseeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

- IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEES -

2. Exodus 22:21 - Do not mistreat an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in Egypt.

Exodus 23:9 - Do not oppress an alien; you yourselves know how it feels to be aliens, because you were aliens in Egypt.

Leviticus 19:34 - The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.

Christian Faith and Politics

Many issues and modern day things we have - are there because of Christians taking a stand, making changes, helping people, fighting for the rights of the poor and the needy. Here are just a few examples...

IDEA - Get some pictures of these people / things off google images and use Powerpoint to click through them as you say things..)

End to Slavery in the UK - issue first raised by Society of Friends (Quakers / Methodists) then helped to be ended by a Christian called William Wilberforce. Incredible work.

Prison Reform - Elizabeth Fry did great work, first with women prisoners and their children, initiating prison reform for them, and then also for male prisoners. She also set up District Visiting Societies to work with the poor, libraries for coastguards, a training school for nurses and help for homeless women and children

Lord Shaftesbury - factoy reform, legislation to help women and stop under 13s working in factories, also helped Florence Nightingale on army and nursing reforms, set up schools in inner cities to help poor children.

Nursing Care - Florence Nightingale is a famous female pioneer with nursing care within the army / military hospitals. She wrote letters home for the troops and showed real love and concern for them. She also then set up the first nursing training college, raising standards to higher levels. She also had a big impact on public health.

Dedication of America - on many occasions, the founding fathers and those who set up governments and states were motivated very directly, even solely, because of their faith in God - for more click here (flash required).

Abraham Lincoln - one of the most famous Presidents of the USA (1861-65) had faith in God, prayed, and included God in many of his statements and things that he did. (Click here for more). (Note the first President was George Washington, 1789-97). Of course, George Bush, the current US President also has a faith in God.

Did you also know that many hospitals, schools, orphanages, housing and more - were driven by Christians who felt a really strong desire from God to help people - and help people help themselves to change bad situations. This still happens today across the world. Even where things are not Christian, the principles can be summed up by Jesus..

Mark 12:29-31 (New International Version) - “The most important commandment,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

Now just imagine a world where people lived this way!

Can I take action?

Yes. Are there issues you feel concerned about? Write to your local politician or councillor. Talk to someone about how you feel. Get involved in organisations that are trying to help people positively. There may be other ways you can make a difference. Talk to a youth worker, a teacher or someone you trust.