Manchester terror, the nation’s future, Thy Kingdom Come
by Andrew Symes, Anglican Mainstream.
Britain’s security services have been on high alert for some years now, anticipating terrorist attacks on the general population. We have felt that we have got off lightly compared to France, but today (Tuesday 23rd May) there is a sombre mood in the nation after the suicide bomb went off last night in the foyer of Manchester Arena, deliberately and cynically designed to kill predominantly teenage girl fans leaving a pop concert, causing devastation, panic and fear, injury and death.
The atrocity comes immediately after well-publicised speeches by Donald Trump in Saudi Arabia, calling on the Muslim world to drive the jihadist ideology and those who carry out these acts out of communities, and indeed rid the world of it. That would appear to be coincidental, as the Manchester attack would have been planned for weeks if not more. Coincidental too that the bombing occurred just after Channel 4’s screening of historian Tom Holland’s documentary analysis of the origins of the ideology behind ISIS.
Experts have been lined up to rehearse the usual lines about security implications; how difficult it is to constantly track all the individuals and groups being watched by police. Politicians and faith leaders have been quick to offer thoughts and prayers for the victims, to praise the swift and professional response of emergency services, and the community spirit of Manchester as posh hotels opened their doors to bleeding and traumatised youngsters, and taxis gave free rides to help people get away from the scene. They have also stressed the need for national unity, saying that the motive of the bomber is to divide and create hatred (See here for report in Church Times).
It is certainly a good thing to discourage feelings of antagonism and suspicion being stirred up towards Muslim people in general, and this has been helped by the swift and unequivocal condemnation of the bombing by Muslim leaders. But the enforcement of a politically correct narrative, that the terrorist act is “extremism” (religious component not mentioned) in the same bracket as a “right wing backlash” is unhelpful: by suppressing the discussion of real issues it may actually lead to an increase of anti-immigrant feeling. Also, as we have seen in this country for some years, it has led in some cases to conservative Christianity being viewed (for example by some over-zealous school inspectors) as another ideology harmful to the common good. In contrast to whatever it was that motivated the Manchester bomber, if a young person thinks Jesus and his way is the best, it does not mean he hates and wants to kill those who believe something different – rather the opposite.
Campaigning for the General Election, now only just over two weeks away, has been suspended. While the politicians should be able to resist the temptation to use the Manchester horror for overt political purposes, the main parties will major on national unity, and downplay the religion and ideology aspect. Grassroots Christians can play a part in shaping the nation going forward. Many churches and halls are used as venues for hustings, and people can use the opportunity to ask the politicians specifically about the implications of ignoring jihadist ideology, treating it as simply one of a number of ‘extremist’ beliefs, or whether it should be dealt with as a unique problem. Churches can take the lead in showing how it is possible, imperative even, to demonstrate love and welcome to one’s neighbour, especially if they hold to a different faith or no faith, and yet not brush very serious differences in worldview under the carpet for the sake of a false ‘unity’. It should be possible to address and debate these differences, not pretending we are the same, not being afraid to explain why we see the way of Christ as the best foundation for individual life and for society; understanding the beliefs that make us different, but also finding common humanity in desire for peace, security and protection of the vulnerable.
Before the issues of Islam and community relations have been forced onto the political agenda, the talk leading up to the election has been about the management of Brexit, and domestic issues: the funding of tertiary education, the health service and care of the elderly perhaps top of the list of priorities. The Labour Party has been written off by most of the media as ‘loony left’ and unlikely to trouble the serene march of Prime Minister Teresa May to a landslide victory. But Labour’s unashamed advocacy of a return to ‘big government’, promises to provide whatever public services are required, especially for the poorest, funded by a huge increase in borrowing and taxation of the wealthy, has begun to gain traction.
The Conservatives are historically vulnerable to accusations of putting fiscal discipline and commitment to low-tax, free market economics before care of the needy. Last week’s Church Times featured a number of letters from clergy [£] insisting that Labour’s policies align best with the teaching of Jesus, while others suggest that it is better for the Church to remain neutral on party politics. If something good can come out of the Manchester attack, perhaps it could be a shift towards a “what can I do for my country and community?” sort of attitude, with churches leading the way, as opposed to the tedious bidding war among politicians, trying to out-promise the other side on how much they can provide for us.
The Archbishop of Canterbury’s call for a united initiative of worship and prayer during the season from Ascension to Pentecost was launched last year, and had already been promoted for some months in 2017 before the announcement of an important General Election. This year’s publicity has emphasised that “Thy Kingdom Come” (see also here) is not a C of E thing, but a way of encouraging as many Christians as possible to make prayer a priority, to focus on the risen and ascended Christ, to ask the Holy Spirit to renew, refresh and send out in witness.
The gatherings that will occur round the country, big and small, will take on extra significance now as people join in prayer for the outcome of the election, the new government and the issues facing the nation. The appalling scenes at the Manchester Arena could help draw more people to focus on and cry out to God rather than would-be human messiahs, and motivate repentance, spiritual warfare, and evangelism.
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