It's election time in England, Scotland and Wales this week and for Christians it is a time to take up our responsibility and ensure that the people elected into power best reflect God's commands to love and serve all people, and to care for the vulnerable.
While politicians on the whole strive for good and to serve the common good, what is defined as good is not always measured against the good as defined by the Bible. Likewise, many voters want to vote for the candidate who will do the most 'good' but how that good is defined is not always according to biblical truth.As important as it is for Christians to vote for certain candidates because they best represent Christian values, it is also important to vote for such candidates to challenge those looking to stir up racial and religious hatred.
As Christians, we may follow Jesus' words and say 'We are not of this world', but we are still in this world and it is important that the existing democratic structures remain democratic and remain vehicles for God's purposes. That can only happen if those who know of God's greater dream to build a world of love ensure that the ones coming into places of power and authority will use that power and authority in the correct way. That must include creating and protecting space for Christians to work as Christians and according to their Christian faith.
"We would encourage politicians to recognise that the Christian faith and faith-based social action have a crucial role in creating a truly socially inclusive society," says CARE for Scotland.
