Jim Wallis heads Sojourners. He was an advisor to then Governor George
Bush when Mr. Bush was seeking help on how to relate and communicate
his own "faith" with the faith of his fellow Americans.
Given Mr. Wallis' opposition to the War in Iraq and his views on global
poverty he and Mr. Bush are no longer on speaking terms.
'God's Politics' in the U.K.
by Jim Wallis
I just returned from the United Kingdom, where God's Politics was
launched last week. Because the book was written primarily for an
American audience, we weren't sure exactly what the response would be
in Britain, a more secular country in which ? unlike the U.S. - the
subject of religion and politics is far less central.
Yet from the first day, it was apparent that something new and
important was happening. First, the media coverage was extensive, both
from political and religious sources?especially the mainstream
political media. British radio listeners and television viewers were
pleasantly surprised to hear a different religious voice from America.
Many people in the U.K. and throughout Europe suspect that most or all
American Christians agree with the loudest of America's television
preachers - such as Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell - and that almost
all Christians here probably voted for the Christian President George
W. Bush.
Suddenly they heard an American religious leader (an evangelical, even)
say God is neither an American, nor merely a Republican who cares
mainly about gay marriage and abortion. To hear an American Christian
link faith to the urgent issues of poverty, HIV/AIDS, the environment,
human rights, and the ethics of war seemed to the British public like a
breath of fresh air. I continually said that the two greatest hungers
in the world today were for spiritual integrity on the one hand and for
social justice on the other - and that the connection between the two
is what the world is waiting for. That struck a deeply responsive chord
in Britain. And to hear an American Christian critique the war in Iraq
was especially heartening to a country in which a majority opposed it,
despite the decisions of Prime Minister Tony Blair. The book talks
about the meeting several of us American church leaders had with Blair
just before the war broke out.
The big news story in Britain the last few weeks has been the likely
succession of Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown to become prime
minister. Blair has vowed not to run again and the British system
allows the ruling party to replace a prime minister with a new party
leader before the next election. Because my longtime friend Gordon
Brown had warmly endorsed God's Politics for the book's cover, the book
became part of the political succession story. There was much media
speculation about Brown, Blair, and Bush (whose praying picture was
superimposed on the book's front cover with the red, white, and blue
background of the stars and stripes). David Cameron, the new Tory
leader, even brought the book up in the weekly Prime Minister's
Question Time in Parliament, noting that Brown had endorsed the book
although it opposed the war in Iraq. What does that say about the kind
of prime minister he will be? the media kept asking. I said that I
greatly respect Gordon Brown's political values and especially admire
his moral leadership on Africa and global poverty. I believe Gordon
Brown could become the Western political leader who cares most about
global poverty. I wrote in God's Politics that both he and Bono often
remind me of the tones of the prophet Micah when they talk about the
subject.
But perhaps the most heartening aspect of the trip to me was the
turnout at the speaking venues. Not only were the crowds large, but
they were also full of young people, which is especially unusual for
events in Britain having to do with faith. Many of the event sponsors
were astounded and grateful to see so many young Britons coming out for
serious discussions of spirituality and politics. Just as we have found
all over America, a new generation is looking for an agenda worthy of
their gifts, energy, commitment, and lives. The best conversations I
had in the U.K. were with talented young men and women who really want
to make a difference in their world - just like in the U.S.
Soon the book was in the front of many key bookstores. Borders and
Waterstone's have already reordered the book, and God's Politics made
Amazon U.K.'s top 30 list in its first week - and remains in the top 10
for religion and spirituality. Because religious books don't often
reach broad popularity over there, according to the publisher, Lion
Hudson, our friends and allies in Britain began to hope that the same
thing would happen there that has happened in the U.S. - a book that
helps to open the space for many more voices talking about prophetic
biblical faith and its relationship to the urgent issues of our time.
That's why I wrote God's Politics in the first place, and nothing would
make me happier. And nothing would make my English wife, Joy Carroll,
happier than more opportunities for both of us, and our two boys, to
visit the U.K. more often!
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| User: "=?utf-8?B?SmEg4pml?=" |
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| Title: Re: So who is this Gordon Brown? |
22 Feb 2006 11:10:39 PM |
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I think he was probably Pat Robertson in drag.
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| User: "Uncle Treat" |
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| Title: Re: So who is this Gordon Brown? |
23 Feb 2006 06:51:31 AM |
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Ja =E2=99=A5 wrote:
I think he was probably Pat Robertson in drag.
I understand, Glenn, that Mr. Brown may be basically worthless because
he's had some nice things said about him by a Christian. I was just
wondering if our estimable British friends had anything to add to the
posted assessment.
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| User: "Werewolfy" |
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| Title: Re: So who is this Gordon Brown? |
23 Feb 2006 07:44:02 AM |
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" British friends had anything to add to the posted assessment."
Heya Unc..;)
I didn't reply earlier...The question seemed 'odd' to an Englishman.
Gordon Brown has been a foremost political figure and a leading
Government member for many years.
The religious report has not made the alleged impact in the UK press
that the writer seems to believe. A few tabloids of a sensational
variety made an issue of it...but these things are largely ignored by
the public.
Yes, he may well be the next Labour party leader..and potential Prime
Minister. These things are judged on political merit...not (generally)
on personal matters.
I care little for politicians...But Brown seems a reasonable enough
choice for Mr Blair. He has a wealth of experience. To quote the
original post;
"The big news story in Britain the last few weeks has been the likely
succession of Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown to become prime
minister."
Well, things such as this are misleading. Brown has always been thought
as being the likely successor. His religious convictions have nothing
to do with politics. The original writer is simply 'promoting himself',
and claiming an interest that doesn't exist. It has not been a
controversial, or intense news story.
Some English people are intense on political issues, but in the main we
are less interested in the parlimentary process and who is whom..than
are Americans in their governmental system.
I always find it amusing just how much importance the average American
places on a persons political affiliation. An Englishman (by and large)
cares not about such things. We look at the man..not his politics, when
addressing someone.
But then...We have the advantage over Colonials. We have won the
lottery of life by being born an Englishman.
;)
Ricky
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| User: "Uncle Treat" |
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| Title: Re: So who is this Gordon Brown? |
24 Feb 2006 06:27:48 AM |
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Werewolfy wrote:
" British friends had anything to add to the posted assessment."
Heya Unc..;)
I didn't reply earlier...The question seemed 'odd' to an Englishman.
Gordon Brown has been a foremost political figure and a leading
Government member for many years.
The religious report has not made the alleged impact in the UK press
that the writer seems to believe. A few tabloids of a sensational
variety made an issue of it...but these things are largely ignored by
the public.
I'm not surprised that Mr. Wallis may have been overenthusiastic about
his experience in the UK. :-)
Yes, he may well be the next Labour party leader..and potential Prime
Minister. These things are judged on political merit...not (generally)
on personal matters.
I care little for politicians...
Same here. They seem to inspire less and less interest for me the
closer you get to them.
But Brown seems a reasonable enough
choice for Mr Blair. He has a wealth of experience. To quote the
original post;
"The big news story in Britain the last few weeks has been the likely
succession of Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown to become prime
minister."
Well, things such as this are misleading. Brown has always been thought
as being the likely successor. His religious convictions have nothing
to do with politics. The original writer is simply 'promoting himself',
and claiming an interest that doesn't exist. It has not been a
controversial, or intense news story.
Not surprised about that either, I guess.
Some English people are intense on political issues, but in the main we
are less interested in the parlimentary process and who is whom..than
are Americans in their governmental system.
I always find it amusing just how much importance the average American
places on a persons political affiliation. An Englishman (by and large)
cares not about such things. We look at the man..not his politics, when
addressing someone.
But then...We have the advantage over Colonials. We have won the
lottery of life by being born an Englishman.
;)
Hahahaha! Well, we should all be very happy to know an Englishman or
two.
It's clear that many Americans put themselves in a box mentally.
Especially conservative American Christians, a block of people that
have grown in power and influence over the last few decades. . From my
perspective it's good to see an American Christian with a perspective
that runs counter to the trap that many supporters of the current
admnistration live in.
Thanks for taking the time for such a thoughtful answer, Rick. We
colonials need to pop our heads up out of the box from time to time in
order to be able to see some light. Even if it means getting out noses
bloodied from time to time. I appreciate the heads up.
Hope all is well with you and yours................
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| User: "Werewolfy" |
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| Title: Re: So who is this Gordon Brown? |
24 Feb 2006 11:43:47 AM |
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"Thanks for taking the time for such a thoughtful answer, Rick."
No problem at all John. It's good to have a few moments 'free' these
days to wander the 'net and apn.
"Hope all is well with you and yours................ "
Ahhh...Things have progressed well. My daughter has her baby back, she
has found a new boyfriend, passed her driving test, bought a car and is
living in a flat in town.
The traumas of last year remain though. It was a pretty awful affair,
and those involved in causing it, are...ummm...are being seen to. ;)
'Seen to' in a legal way that is....The father of the child is due in
Court soon for a paternity action. His own father, a senior Doctor, is
awaiting trial for assault, and is under investigation for mis-use of
his position to gain confidential information. That Doctor's best
friend, a local Gendarme, was under investigation for false
declarations to the Court. That one has already been won in an odd
way...The Gendarme has resigned and been allowed to leave on the
grounds of severe anxiety and depression! Pity in a way...I wanted him
in prison. I hate 'bent' Police Officers. At least that's the end of
one bad Policemans career.
Oh, there's lots more yet. A charge of unlawful 'enlevement' of the
child, and malicious prosecution as well as perjury has been 'filed'
against the local Head of Social Services..another of that good
Doctor's best friends by the way!
Me? Pretty good thanks! I thrive on this sort of thing...not the
experiences with my daughter, oh no, not that at all...The 'getting
even' bit. It's my nasty streak showing! I still see my daughter as I
found her with slashed wrists and a massive overdose of tablets thanks
to their heartless and vindictive behaviour.
Anyway, about the 'English Politics' information. I should soon be even
more 'knowing' as to UK affairs. I've found a buyer for this house, and
all should be finalised on or around 15 May. I've been back to England
twice in the last fortnight by car (ugh...5000 kilometres!) and looked
at a few houses in Somerset. Bridgwater seems favourite.
So, after 18 years in the S of France...time for a change.. and a
return to cricket, village pubs, (coffee only for me, sadly) and
perhaps time to allow some nostalgic thoughts to re-appear.
I've missed out on my Jan/Feb trip to the Far East though. Ah
well..next winter for that maybe ;)
Thanks for asking John...Thanks for everything.
Ricky
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| User: "Uncle Treat" |
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| Title: Re: So who is this Gordon Brown? |
25 Feb 2006 08:53:53 AM |
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Werewolfy wrote:
"Thanks for taking the time for such a thoughtful answer, Rick."
No problem at all John. It's good to have a few moments 'free' these
days to wander the 'net and apn.
Make sure you keep that going.
"Hope all is well with you and yours................ "
Ahhh...Things have progressed well. My daughter has her baby back, she
has found a new boyfriend, passed her driving test, bought a car and is
living in a flat in town.
Spectacular. She must have a bunch of her dad's grit in her.
The traumas of last year remain though. It was a pretty awful affair,
and those involved in causing it, are...ummm...are being seen to. ;)
Ha!!!!!
'Seen to' in a legal way that is....The father of the child is due in
Court soon for a paternity action. His own father, a senior Doctor, is
awaiting trial for assault, and is under investigation for mis-use of
his position to gain confidential information. That Doctor's best
friend, a local Gendarme, was under investigation for false
declarations to the Court. That one has already been won in an odd
way...The Gendarme has resigned and been allowed to leave on the
grounds of severe anxiety and depression!
Where have I seen someone you "know" use that before? :-)
Pity in a way...I wanted him
in prison. I hate 'bent' Police Officers. At least that's the end of
one bad Policemans career.
Oh, there's lots more yet. A charge of unlawful 'enlevement' of the
child, and malicious prosecution as well as perjury has been 'filed'
against the local Head of Social Services..another of that good
Doctor's best friends by the way!
Don't we love it when justice is being properly served? Well done.
Me? Pretty good thanks! I thrive on this sort of thing...not the
experiences with my daughter, oh no, not that at all...The 'getting
even' bit. It's my nasty streak showing! I still see my daughter as I
found her with slashed wrists and a massive overdose of tablets thanks
to their heartless and vindictive behaviour.
Strong fatherly instinct. We're always glad to see a good guy's nasty
streak working in high gear.
Anyway, about the 'English Politics' information. I should soon be even
more 'knowing' as to UK affairs. I've found a buyer for this house, and
all should be finalised on or around 15 May. I've been back to England
twice in the last fortnight by car (ugh...5000 kilometres!) and looked
at a few houses in Somerset. Bridgwater seems favourite.
So, after 18 years in the S of France...time for a change.. and a
return to cricket, village pubs, (coffee only for me, sadly) and
perhaps time to allow some nostalgic thoughts to re-appear.
Going home to roots can be a great thing. Hope it all works out
extremely well.
I think you deserve it.
I've missed out on my Jan/Feb trip to the Far East though. Ah
well..next winter for that maybe ;)
Keep us posted on your travels too. Your experiences add a lot of
spice to these dry boards. I loved hearing about that creepy night at
Vlad's castle.
Thanks for asking John...Thanks for everything.
Just another apn nutter here. :-) Keep giving 'em hell, Rick.
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