Statement from Christians on the Left - June 2020

“You are all one in Christ Jesus”

As Christians on the Left we were shocked at the murder of George Floyd and we have been profoundly moved by the witness of so many to the injustices that are part of their daily experience. That we do not have genuine, deep-rooted equality in our society is to our great shame. We long for our country to be one where Black Lives Matter.

Christians on the Left exists to bring Christians and politics together to work for a society, and a world, based on the values of the kingdom of God. That starts with the equal worth of everyone, recognising that each one of us is made in the image of God.

The Christian message is about repentance and forgiveness. Transformation of society begins with transformation of the heart. We know we need to take time to hear God’s Word on this issue and we need to listen to those at the rough end of injustice in their lives, for whom change has come too slowly or not at all. We will continue to consider how we might need to change. We need to confess, as the Book of Common Prayer puts it, that “We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; And we have done those things which we ought not to have done”. And we will ask for forgiveness.

The Christian message is also about renewal and hope. We will continue to work in politics for the promotion of equality, the renewal of our institutions, and an end to discrimination. Our inspiration comes from our hope in the new creation in which “You are all one in Christ Jesus”.

Signed,

--- The Officers of the Executive, 12th June 2020