Speaking Up When it Matters Most

When I was in college, there were two things you were not allowed to discuss at a formal meal before dessert: politics and religion.
Well, OK, there were actually four things. A chivalry predating the co – ed institution also said you could not speak about a woman who was not present. And you couldn’t talk about the pictures on the walls. I never did figure that one out. (And I won’t go into the method of public shaming for violators ….)
In Canadian society, religion and politics are also the two things you don’t discuss at a party, at least not unless it’s election time, and even then. And religion? Never.
What made me think of this were several articles in Britain’s The Economist.
The magazine ran a column about the role of the church leaders in British society. It’s a piece that should resonate with Canadian Christians.
The column argued that while church leaders are not reticent about attacking government policy, they tend to shy away from discussing God, at least in public. The column noted that when Margaret Thatcher was criticized for putting economic efficiency ahead of welfare, she replied that church is not about “social reforms and benefits” but about spiritual redemption and God.
Pierre Trudeau had a similar view. His mantra was that “God and religion have nothing to do with public and political life.” And he defended that by asking the princes of the church how many votes they could deliver.
Game, set and match.
In Canada, it seems as if church leaders have never quite gotten over that, and discuss neither God nor politics in public. Oh, there have been a few United Church moderators who launched an occasional broadside, but when the church has been in the media, too often it’s been about sexual – moral issues, and too often the church’s own.
Morals are not mostly about sex. Morals are about how we behave with our neighbours in the broadest sense.
The Bible has relatively little to say about sex but a great deal to say about our common political life. It has a lot to say about economic disparity. It has a lot to say about injustice. It has a lot to say about creation and our role in it.
Which brings me to the other articles in The Economist that pricked my interest. Not exactly known for its left – of – centre stance, the paper has exposed the federal government’s crime bill for the sham that it is. (As have most Canadian print media.)
But it also notes that there has been little public outcry, indicating that Canadians appear to have been duped into thinking that their country is insecure. Or, as the justice minister said: the government “does not use statistics as an excuse not to get tough on criminals.”
Translated: we don’t let facts get in the way of retribution.
Not to mention the hugely increased costs that could go towards education and improving the wellbeing of our poorest citizens.
Did I mention Attawapiskat?
And the church’s voice? Any correction? Any challenge?

Or what about the oil sands?
I’m not suggesting the church should mount a wholesale opposition to their development, but their potential value to the economy cannot be the only factor in the equation. And, once again, it is in a pro – free – market publication that Canada is shamed internationally for abandoning Kyoto on a pretext.
Don’t church leaders have anything to say?
Or do they realize that their old, overbuilt, inefficient buildings that cost as much to heat as the ministries they undertake would expose them as hypocrites?
If Christians are serious about their faith, and if they want others to take their faith seriously, then reading our cover story might be a start. It is full of challenges.
We need to speak up about our God of love and faith and how He demands that we build a society based on principles of justice, fairness, income redistribution and generosity.
We need to shake ourselves and stop being shy about commenting on our common life or our faith. They are inextricably linked.
It’s time to change our old ways. And it’s time to speak up.
Many blessings this new year,