Warning from Caledonia

Uncle Arthur is visiting relatives in Scotland. The week before the Scottish elections it appears that Labour's woes will intensify here. I attended a fund-raising event in Glasgow last night where someone said Labour will get 'gubbed' on 3 May, the Scots don't mince their words.

This socialist heartland may express its ire by backing the SNP and ushering in an uncertain time for the UK polity. The prospect of an independent Scotland, I think is folly and would of course present a major problem for the Labour movement.

Uncle Arthur has taken the time to peruse the rainforest of literature which arrives at homes courtesy of the STV electoral system being used in this election. This of course heralds open season for the minority parties. Uncle Arthur noted that the Scottish Christian Party is standing on an agenda which may alientate some voters but it will be interesting to see how much they poll..not a great deal I would imagine. However, how well this party fares on 3 May is of minor concern to Uncle Arthur. The principal question is why are they standing?

I would imagine that part of their narrative is built upon the analysis that neither of the major parties pursue policies which reflect biblical values. They would find a sympathetic ear in many churches, because this is largely true. Furthermore, Uncle Arthur can think of recent legislation endorsed by a Labour Government, which not only appear rooted in secular ideology but arrogantly make life difficult for the churches in pursuing their own mission, let alone in seeking to interface with the rest of the world. The legislation on religious hatred and the gay adoption debate spring to mind when making this point.

However, whilst empathising with this observation, Uncle Arthur does not support the creation of a 'christian' political party for a number of reasons. Primarily, I do not believe that the bible grants the mandate for a chrisitian political party. I am open to fresh revelation and being corrected if wrong but that is my understanding. Uncle Arthur believes, and is not the only one I would humbly suggest, that christians should engage in politics and if possible join the mainstream parties and each christian should perhaps contemplate joining the party with whom they identify with. It is challenging trying to be a christian in any political party but I think this is the best way forward.

Yet, in conclusion, Uncle Arthur will flag up a contemporary exmaple of the complex interaction between christian narratives and the secular/liberal mindset. It is most instructive. A recent event in North Wales, where a Conservative candidate's comments appear to have been leapt upon (Clwyd West) because he indicated what the bible actually teaches about a matter of sexual ethics demonstrates why some christians will be tempted to form and join christian parties. If Christian standpoints are distorted or treated with over-reaction by whomsoever
then we need to ask what is the real issue? Is it a matter of bigotry or civil rights and discrimination or are we talking about religious freedoms here? I think if religious freedom is increasingly constricted whereby even responsible, compassionate comments are met with villification don't be surprised if more christians make the error of mobilising round christian parties.

There has to be a better way.

Hurrah for Lord Winston

Uncle Arthur noted that recently Lord Winston gently chastised Richard Dawkins for his aggressive and puerile attitude to faith.

See the link below for the piece in this Wednesday's Guardian written in anticipation of a public lecture at the University of Dundee. Surely, we can foster a more mature attitude to science and evolution without ridicule and caricature. This distorted and sometimes narrow discourse propagated by some secular biologists' also has parallels with the sometimes warped discourse in contemporary politics. Perhaps Dawkins and Jeremy Paxman both fit the cynical post-modern age where deconstruction rules and makes great entertainment.

Lord Winston's contribution will hopefully give hope that the paramaters of the debate can change and the real inter-relationship between faith and science can be established. This should be a healthy and invigorating linkage not a catalyst for culture wars.

http://education.guardian.co.uk/higher/news/story/0,,2064899,00.html

Word for the week - Psalm 42v11

"Why are you downcast, o my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my saviour and my God"

Psalm 42v11.

Son of the Manse - For such a time as this

It would appear that the police files submitted to the CPS give the indication that personnel close to the Prime Minister may be facing criminal charges. We shall see.

Whatever has happened, we don't know, the whiff of corruption appears very close to Labour's door. Uncle Arthur fears dark days ahead for Labour, it is heading for a traumatic period and I don't simply refer to the inevitable rollercoaster of the electoral cycle.

Should Gordon Brown become leader of the Labour Party,as appears likely, he must demonstrate that he is the 'son of the Manse' and the church background in which was raised informs his leadership of Labour. The party of our non-conformist forefathers has been tainted by flirtation with the super-rich, the futile, singular pursuit of middle-england and grotesque plans for 'Super-Casino's'. It is heading for the rocks and needs a new direction.

Brown has recently written a book on the subject of courage. He profiles Mandela, Bonhoffer, Mandela and Bobby Kennedy and their respective character in the face of adversity. He now must show courage in cleaning Labour's stables and restore some integrity within the British system as a whole. Uncle Arthur believes he can show this resolve, for we must hope and pray that he does.

Facebook Craze

In the last week, Uncle Arthur has been inundated with requests to join other people's 'Facebook' networks. On one level this seems rather futile, all it is an online database of friends with pictures, rooms for messages and the ability to poke' your friends. What is the point of this on-line, elaborate contacts system?

Well, it seems to reveal some basic truths about us. We are human beings, who all crave, community and acceptance. In community we seek to find love, affirmation and equally importantly identity. The facebook network has political dimensions with peoole joining 'Im voting Labour 2007, 'Friends of Herbert Morrison', 'Fabians' and 'I'm voting Labour 2007' networks. On-line people are firming up their friendships and re-galvanising their individual and group identities. Perhaps political parties need to re-think through community, if this was done in an effective way, the political dividends could be huge.

Uncle Arthur believes that true identity and ultimate acceptance is found in relationship with God and this seeking after community secretly craves that original, fractured relationship with the father.

It will be interesting to see how this Facebook thing develops.

Word for the Week - 1 Timothy 6v11

"But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness"

1 Timothy 6v11.

Coming Soon - A Week of Prayer for Politics

In May a special week of prayer is being set aside to pray for parliament and Whitehall. This is an opportunity for christians to engage spiritually with politics and note the link suggests it is praying for and not against politicians. We are to challenge the world of politics so that it reflects God's wisdom not destroy it just because it is a mirror of this flawed world.



http://www.christiansinparliament.org.uk/

Word for the week - James 3v9

"With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mout come praise and cursing"

James 3v9.

Where have all the lefty Christians gone?

Hello,

This article in the New Statesman does indeed ask a pertinent question and I think the writer is sympathetic to the debt the UK left owes to christians. However, note the context he refers to. He recalls a friend who has the courage to admit having faith in that niche environment; the North London dinner party.

It needs to be said, Christians on the left, originally came from diverse social backgrounds, particulary the non-conformist working classes. Given the moral and spiritual confusion of the UK middle classes perhaps it is not surprising that there seem to be few christians at Hampstead dinner parties. More is the pity, says Uncle Arthur.


http://www.newstatesman.com/200704090023

Uncle Arthur

This is Arthur Henderson MP, Labour pioneer and a committed christian and trade unionist. He epitomises the generation of men and women who formed the Labour Party, inspired by their faith and trained and equipped in the training ground of the non-conformist churches and craft unions. He was a loyal and 'rock-like' figure within the Labour Party, keeping things together during the the traumatic period when Macdonald opted to join the National Government, leaving Labour stranded. Perhaps, the actions of Henderson and others kept the show on the road, particularly when the PLP was reduced to a rump.

He was known as 'Uncle Arthur' to many within the Labour Party, hence this website is run on behalf of a collective known as 'Uncle Arthur'.


We hope you enjoy this website.

Word for the Week

"One thing I do. Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on to the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward"

Phillipians 3v13.

Hope - against all the odds

Last weekend Uncle Arthur had the pleasure of visiting Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland for the wedding of two friends. It was a beautiful day and the entire chain of events; a wonderful wedding service, the marriage of two christians who are 100% right for each other, a superb reception at the Ulster Folk Musem and a hilarious best man's speech all combined to form a memorable and special weekend.

I had never been to Northern Ireland before and was struck by how warm the people are and walking through Belfast and viewing the City Hall and the Harland and Wolfe cranes where images familiar to anyone growng up in the 1970's and 1980's when in UK when in the mainland one primary associated Northern Ireland with the troubles and communities ravaged by sectarian violence.

Earlier in the week, the deal had finally been sealed to pave the way for powersharing between Iain Paisley of the DUP and Gerry Adams of Sinn Fein. To speculate such a prospect, twenty years ago would have been absurd or even be seen as a sick joke. Yet, in the past week we have seen another step in the recent politics of Northern Ireland that has the appearance of a modern-day miracle.

On the Sunday before I left Belfast, Uncle Arthur and a friend took a historical taxi tour of the parts of Belfast that had been associated with this notorious past. The guide a humourus and passionate man named Martin showed us the Shankill Road, Ardoyne, various Loyalist and Republican murals (many of them chilling) and the walls erected hastily that still divide communities. It was an educational experience and in places deeply depressing, yet it is a poignant reminder that the events earlier in the week at Stormont, truly are remarkable.

I wonder if whenever Tony Blair's 'legacy' is assessed whether the work on the peace process will ever feature, but credit must be given to him and John Major for their work, but this pales into significance compared to the endurance and spirit of the majority of the good people in Northern Ireland.

If you are ever in Belfast, ensure you take one of these historical tours.


Contact: Martin - 0771 2673178

www.allirelandtours.com www.belfastcityblacktaxitours.com