The old saying ‘sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me’ sounds hollow in the present political climate. However stoic we may appear there are times when we’d have to be made of stone if we weren’t affected by harsh and unwarranted comments. By today, it’s not so much sticks and stones, but social media where in anonymity the internet provides a means of nastiness and threats for those who do not have the courage to admit to their warped and cowardly intentions. Many politicians have had to endure insulting and hurtful vitriol and this is wrong. The whole Brexit debate has, as we know raised this to an even more worrying level. The Prime Minister was rightly brought to task for his use of the word ‘humbug’ in response to an opposition MP’s comment about violence against women MPs. In an interview with Andrew Marr the Prime Minister did express some sort of apology claiming that his comments were taken out of context – but shouldn’t we expect better from our leading politicians? There are fears being expressed that we may never fully recover from this slide into insulting and hurtful rhetoric, so much so that many once intent of following a political career are now thinking twice – and who would blame them?
The Bible tells us the story of Saul of Tarsus whose was harsh and unmerciful in his condemnation of the early Christian believers. Advised by his superior to cool down, his single-minded determination of deadly action was unstoppable. He stood approvingly over the stoning to death of Stephen the first Christian martyr. His contempt of this young man whose gentle words of love and forgiveness infuriated him to higher contempt and hatred. However, on the road to Damascus, he was blinded by a great light because God was at work in his life. He met with Jesus – what a change! Later he was to write ‘I may be able to speak the languages of men and of angels, but if I have not love I am nothing’ and went on to speak of such life changing love as being patient, kind, never haughty, selfish or rude. Words which became the basis of one of the greatest declarations of democracy which we need to re-capture in our day. ‘I may totally disapprove of what you say, but I will fight to the death for your right to say it’ The Apostle Paul would have approved!
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