Liberal Democrat Christian Forum - Expressions of Faith in Lib Dem Politics

Expressions of Faith in Lib Dem Politics

Written by Tom Paul and Vicki Adamson
Sunday, 05 August 2007
LDCF members Tom Paul and Vicki Adamson argue that the Liberal Democrats have a powerful political message which is not only compatible with the Christian faith, but is often motivated by that faith. They outline the political principles that bring Liberal Democrats together and show how these can be drawn from scripture. An opinion poll for the British Election Study taken before the 2005 General Election found that before weighting the Liberal Democrats were the most popular party amongst Christians. Here is why… The Bible has much to tell about how to live in the service of Christ. Yet whilst there is much about how we are to approach politics, there is no blueprint for ‘Christian government’. The task facing Christian voters is to consider the principles by which God commands us to live, and to apply them in the world. Christians reason out their politics based on their reading of scripture, dialogue with other Christians and through prayer. Political views are born of faith, and are expressions of that faith. There are many places that we could start exploring this, but let us focus on Jesus’ words in John Chapter 15: "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." In order to know how we are to love one another we need to try to understand how God loves us. God’s Gift of Freedom It would be easy for an all-powerful God to make anyone follow him. He could simply over-ride our free will. But instead he chose to send his Son to offer salvation to mankind. Each of us decides of our own free will whether to accept and follow God or to reject Him. As creatures made in His own image, each with the capacity for knowing and appreciating His greatness, God respects our free will and independence. His thoughts are for each one of us, and no one is beyond His love. However much we err from the path of righteousness He is ready and waiting for us to acknowledge Him and ask for His help. He is the father figure in the parable of the lost son. He can forgive anyone anything. God cares for each one of us, and calls on us to do likewise. If we love others as He loves us, we will not force our views upon others but nurture them and give them the opportunity to consider things for themselves. The Liberal Democrats The guiding principle for Liberal Democrats is that each person, regardless of background or capability, should be respected and given the opportunity to flourish. Liberal Democrats do not wish to interfere with people’s lives, but to encourage people to think and act for themselves. Liberal Democrats do not use politics to tell people what to do but seek to protect their liberty. Government exists to protect people from harm by others; to ensure that everyone has access to opportunities; to arbitrate and to ensure that people stand by collective decisions. Government is a provision and blessing from God for our peace and security so that the gospel may be preached. There are Liberal Democrats of all faiths and none. Whilst differing in their reasons they all agree on the fundamental importance of respecting the freedom and opportunities of each individual. Since the Fall, we can all be sinful. Liberal Democrats believe in checks and balances to hold people to account for their actions, and in devolving power from an over-powerful centre. No one is beyond redemption and receiving God’s grace. In the same way Liberal Democrats look at criminal justice not just as a punishment for offenders but as a way of restoring criminals to society. Education and healthcare give people the opportunity to learn, think and discover for themselves. Liberal Democrats are adamant that the worst off as well as the better off need access to such opportunities. The History of the Party The Liberal Democrats’ predecessor party, the Whigs, was formed around the constitutional debates of the 17th and 18th centuries. Whigs believed in the importance of checks and balances to hold leaders to account and pushed for the supremacy of an elected Parliament over an authoritarian Monarch. The party was popular amongst Christians as it promised civil and religious liberty to Christians who were not members of the official Church of England. Throughout the party’s history there is a strong nonconformist tradition: particularly in the campaigns for fair votes, scrapping the slave trade, fair taxation and the creation of a welfare state. Today Christians are drawn to the party because of its consistent position on such issues as restorative justice, the protection of minorities, the freedom of the individual and an ethical foreign policy. Liberal Principles in Practice Liberalism’s motivating belief is a Christian belief; that all humans are of equal worth and significance, and all are due the same rights and respect. This truth is core to the party’s mission statement, the preamble to our constitution: “We champion the freedom, dignity and well-being of individuals, we acknowledge and respect their right to freedom of conscience and their right to develop their talents to the full. We aim to disperse power, to foster diversity and to nurture creativity. We believe that the role of the state is to enable all citizens to attain these ideals, to contribute fully to their communities and to take part in the decisions which affect their lives.” Prominent Christians throughout the history of the Party demonstrate how liberal principles and Christianity can work together. Welsh nonconformist and expreacher Lloyd George introduced the first state pension motivated by the belief in the value of all people. Shirley Williams (a founding member of the SDP and previous Leader of the Liberal Democrats in the Lords) has been a prominent politician and devout Catholic. William Gladstone, four-times Prime Minister under Queen Victoria, was a devout Anglican. Today many of the party’s Parliamentarians, councillors, party staff and activists are Christians whose faith finds expression in their calling to politics.

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