I led a clergy study day in Leeds this week on the theme 'Theology of Hope'. I wanted to help us think about our ministry in terms opened up by the theologians Jürgen Moltmann and Walter Brueggemann. Inevitably, I dropped in my concise summary of Christian motivation – that we are drawn by hope and not driven by fear.
Driving over to an event in Ben Rhydding (Ilkley) this afternoon, I heard a political commentator on BBC Radio 4 say that the current UK general election campaign is not about hope, but about fear. Which, incidentally, is what the bishops were drawing attention to (and warning about) in the pastoral letter we put out ahead of the campaign.
I didn't catch who the commentator was, but she is right. The rhetoric – amid the daily eclectic throwing out of new and disparate 'offers' in what sounds like a playground competition – represents not a proclamation of vision or an awakening of (prophetic) imagination, but a play on fear. It basically comes down to: vote for X and terrible things will happen to you; vote for me and you will be 'safe'. The politicians clearly think that we will vote out of self-interest to avoid negative terrors, rather than vote for a positive vision.
The trouble is: they are probably right. Sadly.
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April 26, 2015 at 7:11 pm
The Conservative campaign has been designed by a noted Australian negative campaigner, brought here for that purpose.
The UK national newspapers are 85% by circulation owned by five billionaires: three Brits who “avoid” tax here and back the Conservatives, American Murdoch who has crimed his newspapers’ journalists for not attacking Labour enough, and Russian Lebedev who claims not to interfere.
They set much of the agenda thereby and their journalists are on the BBC very often, spreading the fears portrayed on their pages.
There have been positive elements, sometimes back handed ones from the SNP whose “backing” for Labour included recommended votes for Plaid and Greens.
I think Bishop Nick you might try reading some of the manifestos? Or other summaries? I may, albeit countering the negative campaigning is about all I am likely to find time for.
Anyway the campaign led to my meeting a noted Irish blogger, with whom I do not uniformly agree, and that is a plus!
April 26, 2015 at 8:45 pm
May have recommended this before, but Simon P Walker’s book ‘The Undefended Life’ deals with fear from the Christian perspective of knowing God to be ‘with us and for us in Jesus Christ.’ Really really good stuff!
April 27, 2015 at 7:44 am
Of course, we could just vote for the Christian candidates. I’m not interested in secular visions.
April 27, 2015 at 7:44 am
Reblogged this on hungarywolf.
April 27, 2015 at 9:38 am
Nick,
A very good observation with a profound insight. I often think that the Church of England walks more in fear than in faith and hope, but that’s another story! You’re right about the election, though some of the promises made in the ‘Dutch auction’ are scary!
April 28, 2015 at 4:28 pm
Do you really believe that most of the populace are really influenced by that elitist band of Oxford /Cambridge graduates.I for one decided months ago who I’d be voting for and have heard nothing to change my mind.
Nevertheless I think people should be fearful,the world is in a mess and will get worse until God intervenes.
May 12, 2015 at 7:38 am
Laodice1-if God didn’t intervene to prevent the holocaust, Hiroshima, and Nagasaki, how bad does it have to get?