Thought for the Day August 28 - September 3

Thought for the Day

August 28 – September 2

Day One

In this series of reflections, in the context of an impending general election I will look at how Christians can engage with politics. Sadly, in past centuries, religion has been mis-used on occasion to fight wars or to distort political processes. Nevertheless, faith and religion remain as influences on voters and I maintain can be a force for good in helping believers to make constructive and rational choices consistent with both Christian teaching and the welfare of the wider community.  Freedom of religion, as a right, means individuals can articulate their beliefs in the public space. This is broader  than freedom of conscience which allows for a subjective, interior capacity to make choices. The way to do this I propose is to look at a series of unities that bring people together and help to overcome divisions that lead to conflict.

Day Two

The first of the unities we belong to is that of the human family. In the 1960s this was sometime referred to as the “family of Man.” We have a common origin and Christians believe that we also have a shared destiny since God: “... desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim 2: 4) The Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948 speaks of inalienable rights proper to every human being. They cannot be legislated for or bestowed by any government neither can they be taken away. The Church has had a part over the centuries in articulating these rights and has an ongoing obligation to ensure that they are safeguarded. It is through an awareness of our fundamental unity as human beings that we can have empathy, compassion and concern for each other that helps overcome prejudice, misunderstandings and fear.

Day Three

Another unity is that of Christians in Jesus Christ, which impels them to take his teaching to the world: “As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (Jn 17: 21) The Church does not compete with civil powers rather it looks to imbue society with holiness: “To sum up all in one word - what the soul is in the body, that are Christians in the world. The soul is dispersed through all the members of the body, and Christians are scattered through all the cities of the world. The soul dwells in the body, yet is not of the body; and Christians dwell in the world, yet are not of the world. The invisible soul is guarded by the visible body, and Christians are known indeed to be in the world, but their godliness remains invisible.” (Letter to Diognetus)

Day Four

The relationship of  the Church to civil society is best described as a cooperation which admits of various degrees. The two parties have different goals: in the case of the Church it is the salvation of souls while the state exists for the welfare of the citizens. Sometimes, they are clearly distinct, as when the Church gathers people for prayer or the state legislates for the road rules. Yet, other times they work closely together in education, social welfare and the promotion of public values: “Catholics should try to cooperate with all men and women of good will to promote whatever is true, whatever just, whatever holy, whatever lovable (cf. Phil. 4:8). They should hold discussions with them, excel them in prudence and courtesy, and initiate research on social and public practices which should be improved in line with the spirit of the Gospel.” (Decree on the Laity, 10)

Day Five

The last unity I will speak of is that among Catholics. As a world wide communion Catholics are united under the Pope and the College of Bishops. The hierarchy looks to inform the consciences of Catholics so that they exercise their rights according to the teachings of the Church.  Recently, the Catholic Bishops of New Zealand published  a  2017 Election Statement. They wrote: “Faith shapes our world view. Faith guides our political choices. Faith demands that we take our duty to vote very seriously. Your vote is not just a vote for you. Your vote is a vote for New Zealand. This means that we expect of our politicians and our political parties a vision for the home we call Aotearoa. Indeed, in scripture we read ‘where there is no vision the people perish’ (Proverbs 29:18). This is not a directive as to one’s vote but an exhortation to think.

Day Six

Some of the areas mentioned by the Catholic Bishops in their statement on the coming election include: pro-life policies, bicultural New Zealand, cultural diversity, caring for our planet, fair tax structure, mental health and affordable housing. None of these areas are monopolised by any political party. It is up to Catholic voters to use their reason and conscience, informed by Church values and teaching, to freely vote. I think this is the case for most Christians, too. Quite possibly this will mean different outcomes for different voters. Nevertheless, each will be informed by a faith response to how the unities mentioned in these reflections can be safeguarded. Faith and religion can be shown as motivators and guarantors of civilised political debate. They are a catalyst for the kind of  cooperation that unites all citizens to work together for a better and fairer society marked by justice, peace and goodwill.