A Vision for the Nation - a Christian Manifesto

(A Christian Manifesto)

from: George Curry, David Phillips, David Banting, John Burn, David Ford, Stephen Foster, Paul Gardner, Graham Harrison, David Holloway, David Jackman, John MacPherson, Martin Perris, Maurice Roberts, David Samuel, Geoff Thomas, Melvin Tinker, Simon Vibert, Malcolm Watts and others

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people (Proverbs 14.34)

The following is an initiative sponsored by Church Society and now assented to by 1000 church leaders


Introduction

We the above Christian ministers and church elders, who believe that God has made himself known to mankind, who hold the truth of the Ten Commandments and teach the Christian ethic of the Bible, are resolved in the power of the Holy Spirit that the Lord Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life.

We shall proclaim God's Word (the Bible) knowing it is able to bring people, whatever their past, into a right relationship with God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and that it teaches the right way to live. In doing this we will encourage all people to be good citizens, to do all things to the glory of God, and to enjoy him for ever.

We state the following principles which we believe are of first importance to all people.


The manifesto

We affirm that, in his goodness, God has given to the peoples of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland relative security, stability and prosperity.

We affirm that civil government is a means ordained by God for maintaining good order in communities.

We affirm that the prime duty of civil government is to uphold truth and virtue and to restrain wickedness and vice.

We affirm that civil leaders are called by God, the supreme Lord and King of the world, to honour him in all that they do so as to serve him and people not with pride but in humility.

We affirm that Christians are to pray for all people, including especially those in authority, and to demonstrate in their lives that God's way is the best way.

We affirm that the moral relativism and libertarian values which dominate public life have had disastrous consequences for our nation. The institution of marriage has been seriously undermined and deep damage has been done to family life. The abortion rate continues to rise, especially among young women and teenage girls. Since 1995, despite efforts to promote "safer sex", diagnoses of sexually transmitted diseases have risen dramatically. The rising levels of crime provide evidence of a lack of respect for people and their property.

We affirm that the institution of marriage is the God ordained basis for a well ordered society and that the only form of marriage that should be recognized in civil law is the union of one man with one woman voluntarily entered into for life to the exclusion of all others.

We affirm that heterosexual marriage is the most conducive to good and stable family life and that a recognition of this should be seen in both adoption law and the tax and benefit system.

We affirm that sex is a gift from God which is to be enjoyed only within lifelong heterosexual monogamous marriage and that the failure to teach chastity within marriage and abstinence by those not married is an affront to Almighty God and has encouraged the promotion of promiscuity.

We affirm that same sex sexual activity is always sinful and contrary to God's law and, therefore, call for the retention of the legislation that prohibits the promotion of homosexuality in schools.

We affirm that responsibility for the upbringing of children lies primarily with parents and that it is important for schools to respect and help them in this duty.

We affirm the need for and value of an education system which is based on and respects core Christian values and that the teaching of the Bible provides the best moral instruction for children.

We affirm the importance of daily corporate acts of Christian worship in all state schools, the vital place of teaching the Christian gospel and Christian ethics in the basic curriculum, and that local and national government should facilitate the provision of Christian schools whether church or parent controlled.

We affirm that human life from the moment of conception is a gift from God which has a dignity because it reflects God and, therefore, that the use of human embryos for experimentation and cloning and the deliberate killing of unborn children in abortion seriously undermines the claim that we live in a civilized society.

We affirm, as life is God-given, that proper care should be provided for the handicapped, elderly and terminally ill in a way which respects the dignity of the individual, and that euthanasia should not be legalized in any form.

We affirm that the preservation of the Lord's Day, the first day of the week, as a day of godly rest and worship is essential for society, that its character should be protected, and that proper and suitable safeguards should be given to employees.

We affirm that the depiction of violence, blasphemy and immorality on television and the internet, and in newspapers and magazines, is destructive and that proper restraints and clear moral guidelines are required.

We affirm, in this age of digital communication, that full opportunity should be given to Christians to hold broadcasting licences thus giving them freedom to provide interesting and wholesome alternatives.

We affirm that they use of drugs for recreational purposes is both dangerous and destructive and that appropriate sanctions should be enforced to restrict the supply and use of them.

We affirm that the state promotion of gambling through the National Lottery is wrong in principle and detrimental to society.

Being grateful for help already given, we affirm that every assistance should be made in tax and regulation to enable Christian charities to prosper in the vital work undertaken by them, be it at a local, national or international level.

We affirm that support should be given to the needy and persecuted in countries such as Burma, Indonesia and the Sudan.


Conclusion

We list these principles to encourage informed debate. We call upon our political leaders and parties to include the concerns of these key issues in any future legislative programme. We urge voters to consider them carefully as they use their vote at an election. At the same time we encourage all Christians to make these issues a matter of prayer and to continue in prayer for our nation and its leaders.