As the presidential campaign continues, political tensions are rising. Both in the US and the UK, our society is becoming ever more polarised, says Jamie Gillies. The Church must pray for those in power, and live like Jesus
On Sunday morning, as news about the attempted assassination of Donald Trump hit headlines worldwide, I was in church, talking to a woman from New York City who now lives in Scotland.
When I asked her about the shocking scenes emerging from Trump’s political rally in Pennsylvania, she immediately became tearful. “It’s so horrible what’s happening in my country”, she said. “What a mess.” I’d guess that this reaction is very typical among our neighbours across the pond.
In the wake of the assassination attempt, there are huge questions to answer, primarily about the event itself. The US secret service will have to address the serious errors of judgment that led to an attempt on Trump’s life, and the tragic death of a bystander, firefighter Corey Comperatore.
While the job of protecting political candidates as they travel around the US is no small task, it is concerning that a shooter was able to infiltrate a political rally, climb onto an open roof and take several shots before being stopped. How did this happen? And how will it be prevented from happening again?
Fuel for the fire
Commentators are also discussing the febrile political atmosphere that preceded the shooting this weekend. America has felt like a tinder box for several years. During Trump’s presidency, we saw the US Capitol stormed by Trump supporters. Before that, there were the widespread, sometimes violent protests that followed the death of George Floyd. Now we have an assassination attempt on the Republican nominee.
These isolated incidents are part of a concerning wider picture. There is increasing political polarisation in the USA. It is not a country at peace with itself and, humanly speaking, there’s little prospect of change.
Christians have a better story to tell – in politics and every area of society
As Christians responding to the scenes we’ve witnessed this week, we should pray against further violence and unrest. Let’s not forget that the presidential race will continue and either Donald Trump or Joe Biden will be elected as US President for the next four years – unless Biden pulls out of the race, as has been requested by some Democrats.
There is very, very strong feeling on both sides of the political aisle in the US, and this won’t disappear when the presidential election concludes.
Divided we fall
In the UK, we often follow America’s lead. We’ve imported US identity politics – what they call ‘intersectionality’ – and reaped the resultant division and hostility in our own public square. In the UK, there are similar tensions over cultural and political issues, including the war in Israel and Gaza, and immigration.
In God’s mercy, we have been spared the violent clashes that have played out in the States, but we ought to pray against these outcomes. We are sadly not immune.
At the weekend, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the House of Commons Speaker, expressed concern for the safety of MPs. It’s the state opening of Parliament on Wednesday – one of the most significant events in the Westminster calendar.
Our laws and customs in the UK are rooted in a distinctly Christian understanding
This is a huge concern for UK security services – especially when you consider that two MPs, Jo Cox and David Amess, have been murdered in recent years. Political violence is a sad, albeit very rare, reality on this side of the Atlantic too, and we ought to pray that the people who were elected to serve us earlier this month feel safe and are protected from harm.
Deep roots
I think there’s also a deeper point to make in regard to tension and violence in democratic nations. Part of the reason we have enjoyed long periods of peace and stability in the West – broken, of course, by ghastly conflicts – is a common adherence to Christian values.
Our laws and customs in the UK are rooted in a distinctly Christian understanding of what is morally right: peace over violence; love for one’s neighbour. Whether or not our fellow citizens have a living Christian faith, the majority unwittingly adhere to these values.
As Tim Farron MP has reflected: “human rights, equality and justice have been a ludicrous and offensive notions for most of history. These notions hold sway today only because the Christian world view won.”
The events of the last few days can serve as a reminder that Christians have a better story to tell – in politics and every area of society. The Church, as Christ’s embassy on earth, is called to point the world to Jesus as saviour and model his kingdom values.
Christians are to be peacemakers (Matthew 5); humble (Proverbs 3:34); servant-hearted (Romans 12:11); and pure (Psalm 24:3-4). History shows us that when the Church is living out its calling, it has a profound impact on culture.
As individuals, let’s pray that we may cling to Jesus, obey his commands more fully, and love God and others more truly. Let’s pray for the growth of the Church in the places where we live. And let’s ask for boldness as we seek to be salt and light. We worship a God who can do immeasurably more than we can ask or even imagine.
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