Truth is not the only virtue in peril this election. Grace and justice are also at risk.
One
of the perils of being someone who speaks on Christianity is that I get asked to
pronounce on politics. Given that the more problematic the election the more
frequently I'm asked who to vote for, I find myself currently under a lot of
pressure. In truth I don't think it's my job to tell anybodywho to
vote for, but it's not unreasonable for me to make suggestions on how to
vote.
Underlying
the traditional Christian view of politics and society is the idea that all
human beings and societies exist on the moral equivalent of the down escalator.
If virtues are not constantly reinforced, vices will take over. And in the
fervour of electioneering it seems to me that three particular virtues are so
threatened that their defence is essential.
The
first imperilled virtue is that of truth. Let me remind you that 'post-truth' was
declared to be the word of the year for 2016. Building on its Jewish roots,
Christianity has always upheld the idea – if sadly not always the practice – of
truth as a non-negotiable absolute. The supremacy of truth is maintained for us
by a God who not only is true in himself but one who judges truthfulness.
Inevitably, as God has become a shadowy figure for many, so the high concept of
truth is also fading. Elections in particular provide an ideal opportunity for
truth to be bent or broken. Increasingly we are offered allegations that are not
believed, claims that are not justified and promises that are not meant to be
kept. The election-season trends towards unsubstantiated insinuations, imaginary
data and downright lies need to be resisted. Voters need to constantly demand
the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
The
second endangered species of virtue is that of justice.
I feel we live in days in which justice has not so much been marginalised as
redefined. The older concept of justice used to mean the ideal of righteousness
or fairness for all. Justice was an uncomfortable virtue that came with a price
tag. After all, to demand justice was to risk the possibility that you
personally might have to pay for it. Today's concept of justice is very
different and all too often little more than a legitimised selfishness. To say
you 'want justice' today is often little more than to demand more and better
privileges for yourself. Yet although we may – quite rightly – fight shy of any
notion of equality for all, we do need to seek for the good of more than just a
few.
The
natural trend in societies is for the rich to get richer and the poor to get
poorer, resulting in a pyramid that is increasingly unstable. That trend must be
combated by the moral force of justice. In the Old Testament book of Amos the
prophet commands, 'Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a
never-failing stream!' (Amos 5:24 NIV). We need to seek justice for those within
our nation who have not been given a fair deal by society and for those beyond
it who suffer the injustice of poverty and exploitation in many forms. We also
need a sense of justice for posterity: we should not loot or damage our world
for our wealth and leave future generations to pay the price.
Are
we in post-truth times? Possibly. But truth is not the only threatened virtue:
at election time neither justice or grace flourish. Those of us who are
Christians must stand up for all three virtues. But even those who do not
subscribe to our faith, or perhaps any other, should also consider them. If the
voices of truth, justice and grace are reduced to a whisper in society, then the
next sounds we hear may be the roar of the mob.Finally,
can I also make a plea for the preservation of grace?
Grace is the love for others. Grace is the disinfectant that stops the spread of
those diseases of anger, hatred and bitterness that are so virulent at election
time. Yet grace goes further: it encourages forgiveness, gentleness and
courtesy. Without grace it's all too easy to drag political debate down into a
grubby tussle in the gutter.
Canon J John is director of
the Philo Trust.
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