|
Final Thoughts...
So this is my final blog from my week at the Christian Socialist Movement. I honestly can't believe that the week has gone so quickly and now I really don't want to leave.
It has been wonderful to spend some time here at CSM, and it has really opened my eyes to the world of politics and more importantly the role of Christians within politics. I have concluded that it is essential to have Christians in politics. Although it is a tough world to work in and be part of, I don't like the thought of important decisions being made without any kind of Christian input. I have also realised that there is a great support network for Christians who work in politics, particularly in Westminster, through organisations such as CSM, Christians in Politics and the Bible Society, which I experienced on Wednesday when I met with David Landrum and was greatly encouraged by the work he was doing in Parliament.
Not only has this week helped me to think more deeply about politics and the role of Christians within politics, it has also really encouraged me in my personal faith. Praying with the other members of the office team has been really cool and Andy and Jay have been a great source of inspiration to me. Jay and I have chatted loads over lunch and in the office about God and Christianity, which has really opened my eyes and made me think about things that I would not have thought about before.
Meeting such a diversity of people who work for CSM this week has been very interesting. I have met people from all levels of the organisation, and it has been great to talk to them about politics and their faith and observe how they mix the two.
Earlier in the week I wrote about how the Director, Andy Flannagan, challenged me to come up with the top five issues that I think Christians should prioritise. I have thought about it, but still can't pin down what I think they should be. It is something I shall continue to ponder and will get back to Andy at some point about.
Finally I would like to thank the visitors of this site for reading this blog. It has been such a priviledge and an honour to be at CSM this week, to have met the people that I've met and to have been able to write all about it on this blog.
Thank you very much.
God bless,
Grace
|
Grace Vanstone-Hallam, 24/07/2009 |
|
| | Jay (Guest) | 04/08/2009 11:16 | | Grace, having you here with us was absolutely brilliant. I have really enjoyed readig your blog. And, we miss your presence in the office very much. Come back when you can!
|  | rod macrorie (Guest) | 14/08/2009 17:42 | | hello from down the road at number 4! I enjoyed reading your blog, glad you had a valuable experience. maybe you could help csm in the west midlands reach more young people?
| | | Al Kafir (Guest) | 10/04/2010 23:14 | | Hi Grace, unfortunately I feel I must vehemently disagree with your conclusion that it is essential to have Christians in politics. On the contrary I think it is essential that Christians keep the hell out of politics. That way we would be able to get important things like the equality bill through without religious interference.In order to assist you though, I've thought of 5 things you should prioritise.
1.Get the hell out of politics and take your 26 bishops out of the House of Lords
2.Work towards abolishing faith schools
3 Work towards assisted dying legislation
4.Stop lobbying against equality legislation
5 Read something other than scripture
Cheers- Al Kafir
| | | Justin (Guest) | 07/07/2010 09:59 | | Just a comment to 'Al Kafir'.
It is a shame that you don't look at the history of CSM. Whilst I think your perception of the influence of Christians on politics is, from an equalities point of view, understandably negative, that isn't the whole story at all. And scripture, far from being a wholly negative thing, is the source and inspiration for all kinds of social action with which I imagine, you would agree - from the abolition of the slave trade, to Martin Luther King and onwards. It isn't a simple story, and Christians have been unfaithful to the radical vision of equality at the heart of our faith but then neither is the secular story that I imagine, from your words, that you support.
And finally, without being rude, those 26 bishops aren't mine and I agree entirely with you on that. But why would you assume that all Christians agree with them being there?
|
|
|
|
|
