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Church Politics and Society
Jesus -King of Kings and Lord of Lords' (Rev 19v16)
Gandhi's Seven Deadly Social Sins
Politics without principle • Wealth without risk • Commerce without morality • Pleasure without conscience • Education without character • Science without humanity • Worship without sacrifice
This page will include information about wider issues in the city and country and Christian prayer and action. In particular there is information concerning our Scottish Parliament and our local representation, Scottish Churches Parliamentary Office news and City and Community Councils.
The Scottish Churches Parliamentary Officer -SCPO- is Rev Graham Blount
The SCPO produce a monthly update full of information about what's happening in the Parliaments and regular briefing on Parliamentary issues.
Church and Society links
News from around the world from the World Council of Churches in Geneva can be obtained as a daily news service from-Ecumenical News Service or ENI . This gives one an overview of the Church in the world in a way no other news service can provide (,as far as I know) Further information and download from the website..
EKKLESIA is a London based news site (see News file) providing daily news by email It is a think-tank that promotes transformative theological ideas in public life.
The Bible Society is also involved in Politics and Culture and provides an email newsletter.
PARLIAMENTS
Scottish Parliament
Westminster Parliament
UK (Westminster) Parliament -
Nigel Griffiths MP represents Edinburgh South in the House of Commons in Westminster; he can be contacted via the Labour Party Office, 31 Minto Street, Edinburgh EH9 2BT. 0131 662 4520 He holds Advice Sessions there Monday and Thursday mornings at 9.15am and every Third Saturday 10am at Liberton High School, Gilmerton Road; and 11am at James Gillespie's High School
Mike Pringle MSP represents Edinburgh South in the Scottish Parliament, having just been re-elected in May 07 with an increased majority. More
Contact mike.pringle.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
Christians and Parliament
There are Christian groups within each main Party
The Christian Socialist Movement CSM is affiliated to the Labour Party
The Liberal Democrat Christian Forum LDCF
The Conservative Christian Fellowship CCF
and across Parties
Christians in Parliament (Westminster)
Christians in Parliament (CiP) Chair Andrew Selous MP. is a non-denominational and official all-Party body, working throughout Westminster with a clear vision: to encourage relationships in, with and through our Lord Jesus Christ.
You will be pleased to know that there is more Christian activity in the Palace of Westminster than generally assumed. Contrary to the media image it is a rather friendly place, and is home for a large part of the day to some ten thousand people more
Centre for Christian Democracy, (CCD) formerly the Movement for Christian Democracy publishes an informative paper-Christian Politics iand is developing a programme of lectures and conferences. They say "ideally there should be no such thing as Christian Politics- or a journal called 'Christian Politics'. Good politics are good for all people; not because they preach but because they inspire. Nor do we pretend thatChristian virtues are exclusive; we see them in people of all faiths or none.What we can - and must-say among ourselves, is that faith brings with it a responsibility to share Gods grace and gifts. Presentlyhowever, there does seem to be a need to bear a flag which proclaims the word 'Christian' very specifically.We believe Christian Politic has a unique and important role to playin keeping people informed and thus better able to carry out that responsibility. It also seems to be drawing people together in action and friendship---" more information from email christianpolitics@tiscali.co.uk
NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH
Christian Peoples Alliance (CPA)-which IS a political party!
The CPA was formed in 1999; the first election which they fought was the first election of a London Mayor when Ram Gidoomal gained just under 100,000 votes
"CPA is also a Christian Democratic party so we don't fit easily in the conventional left/right political categories. We stand foursquare in the tradition of the churches' social teaching and biblical values. This means we are strong on social justice, strong on promoting the interests of the powerless and vulnerable, and strong on family values and pro-life concerns. Confident in our Christian beliefs, we work willingly for people of all faiths and of none."
Currently Newham Council, one of the most deprived in London, has 3 CPA Councillors and are part of the main opposition.