Stand Up and Be Counted

Voting Line, Charly Palmer, 2000

My introduction to the June 2024 edition of The Pelican, the Parish e-Magazine of St Giles-in-the-Fields:

As I write, family and friends in South Africa have been standing in line for over three hours to cast their vote. They are not alone. This month, votes cast by 20% of the world’s population will be counted. The result of India’s three-month long general election will be revealed. The population of Mexico goes to the polls in an historic election widely expected to return the country’s first female President; and voters in the European Union will elect a new parliament.  

It is interesting to see how prospective political programmes are prioritised. In India, Narendra Modi’s BJP begins with promises to Garib Parivar – the poorest families, followed by guarantees on women’s empowerment, support for young people then senior citizens. The manifesto of the main opposition Congress Party, led by Rahul Gandhi is organised into ‘Pillars of Justice’, beginning with ‘Equity’ - promising reforms for those oppressed by India’s caste system and freedoms for religious and linguistic minorities.

Writing in 1942, Archbishop William Temple prioritised the reasons why Christians should engage in politics:

1. Because we are concerned with the plight of those who are poor;
2. Because we are concerned with people’s lives and their values and both economics and politics affects these;
3. Because we are committed to justice for all;
4. Because nothing is exempt from the work of God.

Guidance which may be useful as the manifestos of the parties vying for our votes in the forthcoming General Election here are released over the next few weeks?

The Church of England has prepared a series of daily reflections called ‘Pray your Part’ which will be sent by email for three weeks in the run up to polling day. Each day explores a different theme, with a short Bible reading, reflection and prayer for a different aspects of our common life. Find out more in this video recorded by The Archbishop of York and sign up to receive the email bulletins at this link.

There are a number of online and in person events taking place this month focussing on the intersection between faith and politics. Details of the ‘Festival of Public Theology’ organised by the William Temple Foundation on 21st and 22nd June can be found at this link. Modern Church and the Church Times are jointly hosting two seminars; ‘A Political Faith?’ takes place on Monday 3rd June at 6pm. ‘Participating in Democracy’ takes place on Monday 10th June at 6pm.

Image : Voting Line by Charly Palmer, 2000