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12 April 2010

Christians invited to share ideas for next Government as General Election kicks off

The General Election is underway and the Evangelical Alliance and Care are canvassing Christians for their views on the most important issue for the next Government on Twitter and Facebook.

Closing tax loopholes, water and sanitation for developing countries, strengthening support for the family and honesty are some of the ideas that have already been mooted on the My Manifesto page.

The best and most innovative ideas will be presented to the party leaders closer to the election.  You can share your ideas on the My Manifesto Facebook fanpage or tweet with #MyManifesto and follow @MyManifesto2010.

Christians should not only vote in the forthcoming election but seek to change the political system from the inside.  The Christians in Politics 'Join The Party' initiative was launched with video clips from the Prime Minister and the leaders of the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties.  Instead of simply shouting from the sidelines Christians are encouraged to become part of the political process. 

Steve Clifford, General Director of the Evangelical Alliance, says 'I cannot think of a moment in our history when it was more important for Christians to be asking themselves - and more critically God - whether they are called to play a part in politics."

Providing an introduction to the video the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, encouraged Christians 'to vote, to engage, to converse, to discuss' and added 'Christians have a duty to God, a duty to their nation; a duty to their neighbour and voting is one of those duties.'

The video is available for download (right-click here) and churches holding hustings over the next few weeks are encouraged to use it as an introduction to their event.

More resources for hustings, introductions to the political parties and their policies as well as the latest news are available on the Alliance's General Election website.

Press Release

Evangelical Alliance and CARE launch My Manifesto on Twitter and Facebook

12 April 2010

What's your manifesto? The Evangelical Alliance and CARE are canvassing Christians for their views about the most important issue for the next Government, on Twitter and Facebook.

Closing tax loopholes, water and sanitation for developing countries, strengthening support for the family and honesty are some of the ideas that have already been mooted on the My Manifesto page.

The best and most innovative ideas will be presented to the party leaders closer to the election.

Daniel Webster, Parliamentary Officer for the Evangelical Alliance, said: "Democracy isn't just about what politicians want - it is about voters deciding what issues matter and what we want the Government to do.

"It's so important not to let our disappointment in the behaviour of some of our politicians prevent us from raising the issues that matter in this election."

CARE's Development Officer Gareth Davies said: "In a closely fought campaign there is considerable pressure on politicians to focus on personalities rather than policies.

"We, the Christian community, should use our voice to ensure that candidates debate the issues of real importance for individuals, families, communities and nations at this crucial point of election."

You can share your ideas on the My Manifesto Facebook fanpage or tweet with #MyManifesto and follow @MyManifesto2010.
Ends

 

Media Contact:

Charis Gibson
Evangelical Alliance
020 7207 2117
c.gibson@eauk.org

Notes to editors:
The Evangelical Alliance, formed in 1846, is the largest body serving evangelical Christians in the UK, and has a membership including denominations, churches, organisations and individuals. The mission of the Evangelical Alliance is to unite evangelicals to present Christ credibly as good news for spiritual and social transformation. According to a Tearfund survey (Churchgoing in the UK, 2007), there are approximately 2 million evangelical Christians in the UK. For more information, go to www.eauk.org.

CARE is a well-established mainstream Christian charity providing resources and helping to bring Christian insight and experience to matters of public policy and practical caring initiatives. CARE is represented in the UK Parliaments and Assemblies, at the EU in Brussels and the UN in Geneva and New York. Election website: www.makethecrosscount2010.net General website: www.care.org.uk

Latest comments :
(The views below are the authors', and not necessarily those of the Evangelical Alliance.)

Written by Jonny Rose on 26 April 2010 at 22.01
Here is my manifesto:

http://thehappychurch.wordpress.com/2010/04/26/election-special-the-happy-church-party/

I [jokingly] suggest that EVERY Christian should vote for us :)
Written by mike barrie on 23 April 2010 at 01.52
PC Stork-Banks as a devout christain as you claim you should remember the 9th commandment (thou shall not bear false witness) But of course it is easier to bully a disabled 80 year old than to admit that a muslimcould be guilty of racial abuse
Written by Dan Stork Banks on 15 April 2010 at 20.24
It is morally important for Christians to engage parliamentary democracy and work on behalf of others. I worry however that all to often our voice is loudest about ourselves and the way we believe we should be treated. There has been a change in the cultural and religious makeup of the UK (indeed Europe), and so society is having to re-think whose rights should take precedence when our freedoms collide.

Sometimes, granted it is not in our favour (and occasionally mistakes are made) however we have also received massive influence over locally provided welfare provision which has been supported by both national government and local service providers (for example Street Pastors in most towns now patrolling the night time economy). These are things we have asked for.

I see it more as society re-organizing itself to cater for a new environment. When we enter in to the debate, if we spoke more for the others needs than for ourselves, perhaps society will be more positive about our rights when they bump up against the rights of others.

Not sure if anyone is interested but I blog about European culture and religious conflicts at www.sacredpolitics.com

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Date Created: 12 April 2010
Last Modified: 04 August 2011

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