Do clergy have the right to pass by?

One of the interesting comments that continually challenges me is that which asks whether, as a cleric, I have the right to comment on things that I see wrong. My response is that I, as a citizen and as a Christian, have a duty to comment on and seek to resolve issues and situations that are contrary to the rule of law and the common good.

In this nation of ours the police do their job by consent rather than by force. They don't carry firearms or impose martial law but maintain the standards that society consider to be acceptable. We set the benchmarks and the laws seek to ensure that that level of behaviour is maintained come from that.

The problem is that we live in a world where limited morality (ie. there are always naughty people) and variable morality (ie. we all make exceptions and work on the basis of  'natural justice - had it coming' at some time) are to be found. This means that if we see something wrong and refrain from commenting and/or seeking to stop that wrong being enacted the we are condoning it and are, in effect, working to change the levels of acceptability.

Confused? Let me give a couple of examples:

i. A really lovely 'christian' person I know is happy to walk by when bad behaviour is engaged upon on the grounds of 'live and let live / none of my business'. Were whatever they saw affect them then they would act purely because it causes them distress or discomfort. This NIMBY* approach to life is one of the most frustrating I come across because the morality is variable and society, and the rule of law, are weakened.

ii. The, 'I don't have the right to comment - I don't want to be judgemental,' approach to life. I have real problems with this because it isn't taking a path of peace, its giving permission for people to be wrong and behave wrongly. This is the weak and rather than 'non-judgemental' approach people claim it to be, is the path to destruction of society, church and all stations in between.

We need to decide what is acceptable and work to maintain it - when we don't then we are the people who bear the responsibility for the decline in standards that people love to stop and talk to me about.

AND

If this is the duty of the 'ordinary\ citizen (is there such a thing?) then how much more are we whop acknowledge Jesus as Lord called to maintain the standards in our own lives and and to uphold the values and standards that society demands?

So, if you see that it's wrong - speak out.

If you are scared - then get someone who is paid to speak out (we call these Street Wardens, PCSOs, Vicars**, Police Officer) - but don't let it continue.

If you are one of those who complain at falling standards and say nothing and look the other way when same is visible then sad to say - you're actually the root of the problem.

Not going to be popular this, is it?





*Not In My Back Yard
**Because, of course, the same rules apply in church too!