Churches should not be ‘neutral’ about injustice

Friday 28th June 2024

Why are Christian leaders not speaking out more against politicians who sow division and hatred, asks Wan Gi Lee in the Church Times

WHEN I came to the UK in 2002, I spotted one distinctive feature in the Christianity of this country and across Europe: a tendency to be as politically “neutral” as possible. This is right, and makes sense, given that our belief in Christ is to be open to all and to embrace all. Such “neutrality” should not, however, be used as an excuse to tame the Church’s prophetic voice against the injustices of society.

This tendency to occupy “neutral” ground has been getting stronger, so that any Christian voice against politicians and parties with populist and divisive agendas seems to be effectively muted now. Christian denominations seem to be worried more about a “breach” of neutrality rather than a “void” of prophetic voice.

Picture from Church Times