Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali on engaging with the election process

Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali

In the past few Parliaments, many groups disproportionate to their size have had major influence on politics in this country and the political process. Now is the time, in the run up to the General Election 2010, for Biblically-minded Christians to let the Government know that we have a voice and that we want to be heard. 'Christians and Candidates' provides a forum for the Christian voice to be heard, by gathering Prospective Parliamentary Candidates together and asking them what they believe about key issues, such as: the sanctity of life, the importance of marriage and the need for religious liberty. It has received support from a number of Christian leaders, including Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali. Here Bishop Michael explains why it is so important for Christians to engage with the election process.

CCFON: Why should Christians take an interest in the upcoming election?

Bishop Michael: Christians need to take an interest in this coming election because they're good citizens, because they need to pray for their rulers; but also because there are specific issues that concern them. There are many groups disproportionate to their size who have an influence on politicians and on the political process. It's time that likeminded, biblically minded Christians also got together, to listen to the candidates and also to voice their concerns about a number of matters.

CCFON: What issues should Christians be concerned about?

Bishop Michael: Well of course many issues that Christians are concerned about also concern their fellow citizens. But there are specific issues which have arisen for Christians in the last few parliaments because of legislation. These have to do with the status of marriage and of the family, and how breakdown in family life is affecting our life together as a nation. They have to do with the dignity of the human person for example, and how this affects the way in which we treat life at its very earliest stages, and also, with the debate on assisted suicide, how we treat people at the later stages of life.

CCFON: Which issues have affected Christians?

Bishop Michael: In a whole number of ways, we have found the Christian has come under pressure. For example, in witnessing to their faith in their place of work. They have been prevented from wearing symbols of their faith, like a cross, or from praying with people at a time of need. If they believe that marriage is the right context for bringing up children, they may find it difficult to be appointed for example to adoption panels. If they believe marriage is between a man and a women, and therefore they're unable to officiate at ceremonies for civil partnerships, they may become ineligible for appointment for example as civil registrars. Good Friday processions may be refused permission because they're regarded as a minority interest and not worth police time. So we have to affirm Christian freedom, and Christians at the workplace, their place in the community and indeed their place in the nation.

CCFON: What should Christians do?

Bishop Michael: One of the ways in which Christians can make a difference is to respond to this initiative that we are now launching; that is to attend meetings prayerfully and with preparation, with candidates in local constituencies, to listen to those who are standing for election. And also vigorously, clearly but also charitably to put specific Christian concerns to them. If you cannot attend one of these special election events happening near you, please consider prayerfully, writing to the candidates who may be standing for election in your constituency, putting to them these Christian concerns that we have about the coming parliament. We pray that we and many others along with us will know that it is God who rules.