Easter 2020-04-12
There appears to be a mistaken belief that Freedom of speech is the right to say whatever you like about whatever or whoever you like, whenever you like.
This was so evident when NHS worker, Siobhan was seen aggressively screaming at Trump supporter “Nazi Scum” at the time of recent Trump visit to the UK. Freedom of speech is about expressing rational views in a civilised manner. Hurling Nazi scum at Trump supporter on 04/06/2019 was just an ugly abuse of an innocent person simply because she disagreed with his views interfering with his right to demonstrate support for the statesman she disagrees with. She rightly understood as stated in her tweet, that she let herself down. She also let down the left who increasingly use abusive language and violence as they deep down realise their socialist agenda cannot be defended by a fair debate.
Recent anti-Trump protests as well as climate protestors blocking infrastructure consequently causing misery to hard working population on their way to work made me realise the significance of seemingly insignificant statement in the Passion of Christ: Mark 15:21: “Now Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and the soldiers forced him to carry the cross of Jesus.” Picture a scene of a wild crowd angry and aggressive towards an innocent man. The soldiers however did not ask the crowd to help Jesus when he was falling under the weight of the tree. Instead they saw a man on his way home to his family from a hard day’s work. Farming was a gig economy of that time 2000 years ago. The Bible was clearly saying that it was men like Simon who were the pillars of the society carrying the burden and not the angry crowd that wanted the blood of an innocent man.
However in no way do I compare the protestors to the Passion of Christ. Should Siobhan decided to claim welfare benefits she may have been sanctioned for leaving a job without a good reason.
It is therefore quite disheartening to learn that some senior clergy voiced their support for left Labour campaign. Most notable was Justin Welby’s speech to TUC Congress 2018: in September 2018.
I agree that Jesus was concerned for poor and treatment of workers by unscrupulous masters who would not feed them or pay them adequately.
The Bible is clear that the workers are to be paid for their work and not as a favour: “Romans 4:4 “Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favour, but as what is due.” The emphasis is here that those who work are awarded adequately.
Also Matthew 20:4 “and to those he said, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ And so they went.”
Also: James 5:4 “Behold, the pay of the labourers who mowed your fields, and which has been withheld by you, cries out against you; and the outcry of those who did the harvesting has reached the ears of the Lord of Sabbath.”
However, Thessalonians 3:10 “For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either.” However our Government looks after the deserving poor and disabled.
Contrary to popular belief, Jesus did not want to get involved into politics at the time. When challenged by Pharisees he said: “Mark 12:13-19 Paying the Imperial Tax to Caesar13 But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. “Why are you trying to trap me?” he asked. “Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” 16 They brought the coin, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”“ Caesar’s,” they replied.
17 Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” And they were amazed at him”
This was clearly not just about taxes. During that time there was a political protest against paying taxes to Rome. He therefore made it clear to Pharisees that he would not get involved into the politics of the time.
Therefore I consider Justin Welby’s comparison of the Trade Union movement to Jesus’s mission a poor judgment. Jesus was helping deserving poor but distanced himself from criticising Caesar. Indeed he made it clear that he came to serve and not to be served, Matthew 20:28.
Simon Jenkins, 14 Sep 2018: God aside, for whom does Justin Welby speak?, Guardian, stated that the Church of England has traditionally being pro-Tory: “For generations, the Church of England was rightwing.” It seem a bit hypocritical to voice support for the TUC when in fact the Church of England holds shares in companies such as Amazons.
This clearly suggests that the Church supports hard work and the “gig” economy, which is compatible with the teaching of the Bible.
Jesus enjoyed hospitality of tax collectors and “sinners”: 10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
He made it clear that he came because of sinners in need of mercy and not righteous as they did not need him just as a healthy person does not need a doctor. This was clear from the following conversation when he said to the rich young men if he wanted to be perfect he needs to sell his possession, give it to the poor and follow him saying to disciples afterwards: Mathew 19“Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 25When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” 26But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.””27
This was often misinterpreted averring that rich people cannot enter the kingdom of God. However Jesus said everything is possible for God and that was why he came.
It is evident that Jesus very much understood the role of wealthy hard-working men in the society. He was a regular guest of Lazarus and his family. What is perhaps most striking is that his resting place was provided by one of his disciples Joseph: [Matthew 27:57-60], “a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph,” …”60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.”
Conservative Party appreciates the importance of rich men and gig economy balanced against the rights of workers.
It was a Jewish philosopher who said that employing a man was the biggest deed. Indeed setting up and establishing a successful business is not something any individual can do whilst majority of us can successfully complete an undergraduate degree.
It is so obvious that employing other workers you support them whilst they contribute to your business. The business and its workers pay taxes supporting the public life. So for instance our NHS is a crowd funded, a contemporary term often associated with litigation funding.
Whilst some clergy insist on donating money as the deed and a ticket to the Kingdom of God, fr Peter, a Roman Catholic Priest, in his sermon insisted that serving others is the key to the eternal rewards. After all Jesus said Son of God did not come to be served but to serve. Fr Peter told us that politicians are those among others who serve the public. It may be open to debate as to what degree some politician server the voters. It is however not suggested that they provide this service for free. After all they are not missionaries.
Conservative party commitment to workers’ right and wellbeing was evident in recent article by Amber Rudd and Matt Hancock, May 12 2019, The Sunday Times, insisting “Bosses must play their part in mental health care” stating: “So we are working together on measures to encourage all employers to play their part in retaining employees who are struggling with their mental health. This includes measures to improve access to cost-effective and high-quality occupational health services.
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They concluded: “Aiming high, focusing on the future, believing in people: that’s how we’ll make a success of our country through the 2020s and beyond” outlining commitment for a modern, compassionate Conservative Party.
Back to the religion; whilst on the beginning of the 20st century socialist and communist leaders saw a religion and the church as enemies, persecuting many clergymen, contemporary preaching of clergy such as Justin Welby’s signifies a shift to the left.
This is unlikely to be favoured by the congregation. At the time of free speech and social media, one prefers to be kept freely informed and politically educated as a choice and not via a political oppression. Simon Jenkins in his article stated: “If the world offers any message at present, it is surely that God and the supernatural in all forms should be ruthlessly divorced from politics.”
Concluding: “Any attempt to reach a consensus between his ageing communicants and his radical evangelicals is likely to end in tears. But championing the partisan policies of Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell is surely a controversy he does not need.” with a message: ”It is a search for comfort and support, perhaps supernatural and outside the rituals of the formal church. Here surely is where an archbishop of Canterbury should direct his attention. Leave others to the evils of the gig economy.
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Vesna Cvetek, Non-Practicing Barrister and former Mass Reader, Roman Catholic Church
Easter 2020-04-12
TW14 9XB Greater London
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