Julie Trollope’s letter in last week’s Bath Chronicle newspaper implies that the Conservatives are promoting and practicing biblical values – the true Christian party of British politics!
Ms Trollope needs to be reminded that there are many things that are also un-Christian about the Tory Party. For instance, their support for the illegal invasion of Iraq, their lack of support for the poorer members of our society and their general disinterest in social reform programmes which foster better communities.
She writes to suggest that the Tory plans to give tax cuts to married families is biblical. I completely disagree! No Bible I’ve ever read says that only children of married parents are loved by God.
These Tory tax proposals are unfair. In a society that truly wants to help those that need help, shouldn’t a tax cut be given first to the single mother, or father, living in a social housing estate with four kids?
What about the individual who is the subject of domestic violence and is abused daily by their spouse? Under a Tory government this person would be better off in a violent marriage than he or she would be if they left.
These plans also indicate how little the Tory Party has come in accepting change in the 21st century. Couples who live together, and love each other, but chose not to marry and gay couples wouldn’t even get a look in.
And finally, Ms Trollope’s attack on the Liberal Democrats as being un-Christian is insulting to many Christians who vote Liberal Democrat, and the many Liberal Democrats who are Christians.
For many, Christian values and principles and a desire to see a more liberal democratic society go hand in hand. Both advocate a fairer society where the less well off have more opportunities and both believe in fighting for and defending the underdog. Jesus himself had a reputation for challenging the establishment and questioned the conservative status-quo of doing things.
Julie has ever right and freedom to support the Conservative Party if she chooses. But she shouldn’t do on the premise that other parties are wholly un-Christian.
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1 comment:
Well said. This Christian LD would like to pass on a message - in a spirit of fraternal love, you understand - to your correspondent to butt out and stop presuming that people of the same faith share her bizarre prejudices.
I'd say that philosophically a Conservative can't be a Christian since they accept the world as it is and don't seek to help people in need.
I'm sure Jesus would agree...;-)
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