Critics of Trump, and of his British acolytes, correctly point out that their pretence of alignment with Christianity forgets that Jesus commanded love of the other. Fundamental to Christ’s teaching also is that we must repent - Trump, like many of instinctively feel, that our own morality suffices, but he should remind us that subjective morality is inadequate. That objective morality exists is posited by some philosophers as an indicator (in contrast to the notion that theism merely evolved) of a moral law giver - God - and Regan utilised a Biblical phrase when he asserted that America should be a “shining city on a hill”. Trumpism is antithetical to The Gospel, but demonstrative of broader trends; we’re reverting towards Stone Age individualism.
Trump has now declared that only "his own morality" constrains him. What is this, exactly? Reagan in referred to America as "a shining city on a hill". Arguably this was a misuse of an originally Biblical phrase partially about sharing the Gospel of what Jesus offers beyond this life, yet its use was demonstrative of an aspiration to be a positive entity in the world. Contradictorily, numerous US institutions and power holders have instead avariciously exploited less wealthy nations. But Trump cares only about "his way" and has abandoned any notion of benevolence entirely.
Prior to the secularisation of our society, one might have pondered the mysteries of the Universe’s Creator (science enabled novel discoveries as we deepened our understanding of the creation around us). In recent decades, materialism has superseded, and our culture presumes that there is nothing beyond this life whilst ubiquitous advertising manipulates us into constantly craving novelty. But unending social media content in itself doesn’t satisfy, and something in our design longs to feel that we are on the side of a moral cause - whatever new moral framework we’ve constructed for ourselves. In quest of ever more extreme stimuli (and assurance that we’re on the side we deem good, wrestling what we deem evil), we can fall down rabbit holes - we might need to touch grass.
Whilst we observe a pretence from opportunistic political agitators that Christianity is a matter of identity politics by which one distinguishes oneself from Muslims (reminiscent of the faux religion against which Jesus railed in its hollow and proud exuberance), in reality it is first and foremost a personal commitment to repentantly follow Christ.
It may be difficult to feel certainty of God given that we cannot observe Him with the sensory tissue nor scientific instruments with which we perceive the natural world - He is not comprised of the matter and energy that these detect. But those who don’t believe might evaluate for themselves the reasoning advanced by theistic scientists and philosophers for concluding God to be reality, just as a certain radio station exists irrespective of its signal waning in the Chilterns.
It may be difficult to feel certainty of God given that we cannot observe Him with the sensory tissue nor scientific instruments with which we perceive the natural world - He is not comprised of the matter and energy that these detect. But those who don’t believe might evaluate for themselves the reasoning advanced by theistic scientists and philosophers for concluding God to be reality, just as a certain radio station exists irrespective of its signal waning in the Chilterns.
Is it not inevitable that celebrities increasingly influence public discourse? Cambridge Dictionary’s word of the year is Parasocial, many people are emotionally attached to celebrities and in turn look to them for direction on deep issues. Where else would they look, in our secular society? We seem to have been designed to instinctively crave a moral framework - and the Government’s numerous recent references to “moral mission” are indicative of this. But who determines what is moral? In lieu of an ultimate Creator of morality, people seek to follow favourite celebrities, and in turn politicians feel obliged to adhere.
I certainly recall the Twitter skirmish between JD Vance and Rory Stewart, I was heartened to see the latter's gently worded but comprehensive and astute rebuttal to the former's risible assertion about Christian principles.
A phrase from Jesus' teachings was utilised by Reagan in his oft quoted reference to America as "a shining city on a hill". Arguably this was a misuse of the phrase, which was partially about sharing the Gospel of what Jesus offers beyond this life, yet its use was demonstrative of an aspiration to be a positive entity in the world. Indeed there's been rife hypocrisy in that numerous US institutions and power holders have instead grossly exploited less wealthy nations (including plundering of natural resources). But Trump has abandoned any notion of benevolence entirely. Millions will die due to his Aid cuts - and now the world is being taught that avarice rules. The "good old days" were preferrable.
A phrase from Jesus' teachings was utilised by Reagan in his oft quoted reference to America as "a shining city on a hill". Arguably this was a misuse of the phrase, which was partially about sharing the Gospel of what Jesus offers beyond this life, yet its use was demonstrative of an aspiration to be a positive entity in the world. Indeed there's been rife hypocrisy in that numerous US institutions and power holders have instead grossly exploited less wealthy nations (including plundering of natural resources). But Trump has abandoned any notion of benevolence entirely. Millions will die due to his Aid cuts - and now the world is being taught that avarice rules. The "good old days" were preferrable.
Indeed, Christianity has shaped Western society - and we can be oblivious to this, just as we might not consciously contemplate the air we breathe having always been immersed in it. Though, whilst it has permeated civilisation, Christianity is not primarily defined by civilisational battles (contrary to what certain political voices increasingly imply). Christ did not seize territory nor implore battle against conflicting religions, He urged His listeners to personally repent and follow Him. This is of one's volition, irrespective of being in a "Christian country". I was taken to Church as a child, but did not believe until I encountered rational reasoning for concluding God's existence, and Jesus' resurrection, to be realities. Many Brits presume Christianity to be myth - and defiance against perceived restraints on liberty might render one hopeful that there is no God, yet many Christians experience greater freedom upon turning to Jesus "So if [Jesus] sets you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36).
No, *the Christian God* loves humanity so much that Christ died for us.
People misappropriating *religion* for power are the issue, Jesus argued with them frequently.
Because
the job market and economy are tougher. And plenty of public voices and
media outlets think normalising it is compassionate - it isn't. Women
should not be stigmatised, but the industry itself should be.
What's
incomparably more concerning, as much as I love chocolate and hate
price rises, is that labourers (including children) are grossly
exploited in the production of cocoa. We should be angry with the
corporations mistreating and underpaying those workers, not that we
ourselves need to search further for bargains on chocolate.
you can buy fair trade..
Indeed,
but that won't solve the problem. The exploitation will still exist, as
other customers are buying non Fairtrade. The issue isn't my
conscience, it's the reality for those suffering - what's needed is for
the corporations to be forced to end the abuse.
Jenrick
says that the country is broken. The brokenness of our country is the
departure from previously held values. On Thursday, Jenrick lied
outright when he told the Tory Whip that he wasn't about to defect
(reported by The Times).
Reform
says that we need to return to "Christian values" and we do, but Reform
doesn't know what they are. First and foremost is repentantly following
Christ, Farage can't even apologise for saying that Hitler was right -
of course, actual Christian values also include honesty, selflessness,
and loving one's neighbour (from elsewhere)
(For clarity, I am by no means suggesting that these values are exclusive to Christians)