What is God and Politics in the UK?
God and Politics in the UK is on a mission to get Christians talking about and engaging proactively with current issues relating to faith and society in order to be an effective witness beyond the church walls.
Jesus constantly engaged with the society around him during his ministry. Sometimes he’d be teaching, sometimes demonstrating compassion and healing and sometimes he’d be meeting with those in political and religious leadership. He didn’t shy away from the issues of the day and he definitely wasn’t afraid to speak his mind highlighting hypocrisy, abuse of power and oppression.
Can the same be said of the church today? There are plenty of Christian individuals and organisations doing just this, but Christians face a constant battle to make their voice heard message amongst all the others in the public arena. God’s agenda for society is the best one. Those in positions of power need to be reminded of it and the church needs to lead and live by example.
The United Kingdom has a rich Christian heritage. Most of our laws and values are based on biblical principles. As our society continues to become increasingly secular, moral values inevitably erode to the detriment of everyone who lives in this country. At this time in our history it is crucial that the Church stands up and delivers God’s message even when it is counter cultural and likely to cause offence.
Who runs this blog?
This blog is run by Gillan Scott. Most importantly, I’m a Christian who wants to live a life for God that makes a difference. I have a keen interest in politics, which I always try to view from a non-partisan angle. When considering my views on political issues, I’m constantly asking the questions, “What does God think about this? What is in the best interest for society as a whole? How could/should Christians be engaging with this issue? What should I be doing about it?”
I live in Suffolk and am currently a teacher, a husband and a father. In the past I’ve been a youth worker, worked for RBS and trained as an architect. I’m actively involved in my local church, St John’s Woodbridge, and am passionate about worship and music.
As well as running this blog I also write for the Premier New Media Centre of Excellence.
If you want to know more about me, you can read my Twenty Questions to a Fellow Blogger at Paul Burgin’s Mars Hill.
December 10, 2011 at 5:00 pm
Gillan this is very good indeed thank you.
January 17, 2012 at 1:47 pm
Well done Gillan i worship at all saints wickham market and have felt for some time that we need to engage at the political level in the face of an increasingly aggressive secularisation. I follow the work of christian concern very closely. I visit the on line forums of many national newspapers and get very concerned about the attitudes i see there. We need to be loving prayerful and compassionate in our approach and not get involved in slanging matches with Atheists humanists secularists. I will pray for your work and support it in any way i can. Best wishes Graham
January 18, 2012 at 7:47 pm
Graham, thank you for your support! I am trying to run this blog in an objective way without making inflammitory posts. God is perfectly capable of defending himself, but we are responsible for getting his message across. God’s influence in politics is not going to bring our nation to its knees, as some may think, but rather give it direction and hope.
January 25, 2012 at 4:38 pm
Fully agree with you Gillan – very well said.
January 28, 2012 at 9:26 am
Delighted to have discovered your blog – I’ll be following it. Some Christians seem to forget what the word ‘politics’ actually means i.e. it is about people. I think God cares about people, don’t you?
January 28, 2012 at 3:18 pm
Thanks Nancy. I’m glad you like it. Politics covers so much of what life is about as a society. Why wouldn’t God want to be involved in it?
Your blog has plenty worth reading too. I’ve added Seeker to my Blog Links and recommend others go take a look.
February 19, 2012 at 9:30 pm
Hi Gillan,
Glad to find another British blogger who’s talking about God and politics. I do just this over at greenchristian.co.uk – blogging as both a Christian and an active member of the Green Party.
God bless,
Steve
February 20, 2012 at 10:12 am
Glad that you’ve found us! Your site has some great content. I’ve now added a link to it on the front page under the Blog category.
March 13, 2012 at 3:51 pm
Ditto all of above – at UN Human Rights Council for CSW where our staff are advocating for persecuted Christians and those of other faiths. Great to read of your blogs on CSW’s work in the field of faith and politics. Keep up the good work! Andrew Johnston Advocacy Director CSW
March 13, 2012 at 9:10 pm
Thanks Andrew, I appreciate your support. Thank you too for all the work you are doing on behalf of CSW and the job you do defending persecuted Christians around the world.