	Why Christians need to make our Voice heard in our Society
	Until quite recently we could say that many of those in power in this country were influenced by Christian beliefs. Over the years, however, we have to say that our governments have become increasingly secular, and have less and less taken Christian considerations into account when framing legislation. Here is an example: We have heard for some time that many couples are better off financially if they do not get married. The message that is being given to young people entering into relationships and having children is that commitment is not important. In fact, you are better off financially if you are not committed! Of course marriage does not guarantee stability in family life, but I believe it is more likely to provide it. I think it is important that we enable couples through encouragement, example and prayer to take on the commitment that is going to lead to stability for all family members. As a church we can help to provide the context in which stability and commitment can be explored. Since my wife, daughter and granddaughter have begun regularly attending the toddler group here, I have become more aware of the benefits of this group to the parents involved. As I have talked with them, I have learnt how they get to know other parents in the groups, arrange for their children to meet together in each others’ homes, and so on. Even more striking has been the fact that parents have been able to share experiences and ideas. There are so many questions that parents of new babies have around family relationships, around potty training, around what nurseries and schools are good, around what toys to buy, places to go with very young children and so on. I have noticed that a lot of conversations about these matters are going on during the toddler group meetings. Cath Palmer and those who help to organise the toddler groups are doing an incredibly valuable job. Another message that our legislators are giving is that fathers are not important. There was a vote in Parliament on 20th May this year in connection with women getting IVF treatment in order to enable them to conceive a child. In that legislation the Government had scrapped the idea of asking women to consider a child’s need for a father, or for any kind of male role model in their lives. The requirement for a fertility doctor to ask a woman to consider this before giving IVF treatment was defeated.	I don’t think we should be cynical about this. MP’s might simply have been saying, We do not consider that the Government should be trying to tell people what to think, or how to behave in their personal relationships. Nevertheless, many people will get the message that men are not important in a child’s life. We already have the situation where fewer and fewer men are teaching in primary schools. So some children might have very little real contact with a man as they grow up. I believe that we need to enable boys to have good male role models, and for girls to have a positive and realistic view of the opposite sex as they grow up. There is no doubt that what we believe as Christians is being more and more rubbished or ignored by those who have influence in this country. A member of our church was listening to a radio programme recently, when someone phoned in, and referred to a part of the Bible. The radio presenter retorted that what is in the Bible is all a fairy story, and surely no one believes that kind of thing these days. We believe that when we take the time to study the Bible and really try to understand what it is about, we find vital wisdom for living. For example, in Luke 12:15 Jesus teaches, Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. We notice how much in our society gives us the very opposite message. One of the first credit cards, introduced in 1972, was advertised with the slogan Take the waiting out of wanting. That can so easily give the message that you should get something even if you can’t afford it, and I believe that that has been the strong message given to people over the last few decades. One thing it has meant is that people have stretched themselves beyond their limit not only with credit cards but also with mortgages, and now, sadly, many are losing their homes. We believe that lasting happiness does not lie in our possessions. I personally think that it is good to have possessions if they enrich our lives, but also to realise that our true happiness lies in our attitude to people and to life, not in the things we own. I believe that people are drawn to Jesus because they can see that the quality of life that he offers is the best. Let us show that our lives are enriched by him, so that people may want to accept what he offers. Martin Collins
	Norbury Parish Church, Hazel Grove, Stockport, Cheshire. Telephone: 0161-483 6325

Why Christians need to make our Voice heard in our Society

Until quite recently we could say that many of those in power in this country were influenced by Christian beliefs. Over the years, however, we have to say that our governments have become increasingly secular, and have less and less taken Christian considerations into account when framing legislation.

Here is an example: We have heard for some time that many couples are better off financially if they do not get married. The message that is being given to young people entering into relationships and having children is that commitment is not important. In fact, you are better off financially if you are not committed! Of course marriage does not guarantee stability in family life, but I believe it is more likely to provide it.

I think it is important that we enable couples through encouragement, example and prayer to take on the commitment that is going to lead to stability for all family members. As a church we can help to provide the context in which stability and commitment can be explored.

Since my wife, daughter and granddaughter have begun regularly attending the toddler group here, I have become more aware of the benefits of this group to the parents involved. As I have talked with them, I have learnt how they get to know other parents in the groups, arrange for their children to meet together in each others’ homes, and so on.

Even more striking has been the fact that parents have been able to share experiences and ideas. There are so many questions that parents of new babies have around family relationships, around potty training, around what nurseries and schools are good, around what toys to buy, places to go with very young children and so on. I have noticed that a lot of conversations about these matters are going on during the toddler group meetings. Cath Palmer and those who help to organise the toddler groups are doing an incredibly valuable job.

Another message that our legislators are giving is that fathers are not important. There was a vote in Parliament on 20th May this year in connection with women getting IVF treatment in order to enable them to conceive a child. In that legislation the Government had scrapped the idea of asking women to consider a child’s need for a father, or for any kind of male role model in their lives. The requirement for a fertility doctor to ask a woman to consider this before giving IVF treatment was defeated.

I don’t think we should be cynical about this. MP’s might simply have been saying, We do not consider that the Government should be trying to tell people what to think, or how to behave in their personal relationships. Nevertheless, many people will get the message that men are not important in a child’s life. We already have the situation where fewer and fewer men are teaching in primary schools. So some children might have very little real contact with a man as they grow up. I believe that we need to enable boys to have good male role models, and for girls to have a positive and realistic view of the opposite sex as they grow up.

There is no doubt that what we believe as Christians is being more and more rubbished or ignored by those who have influence in this country. A member of our church was listening to a radio programme recently, when someone phoned in, and referred to a part of the Bible. The radio presenter retorted that what is in the Bible is all a fairy story, and surely no one believes that kind of thing these days.

We believe that when we take the time to study the Bible and really try to understand what it is about, we find vital wisdom for living. For example, in Luke 12:15 Jesus teaches, Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. We notice how much in our society gives us the very opposite message. One of the first credit cards, introduced in 1972, was advertised with the slogan Take the waiting out of wanting. That can so easily give the message that you should get something even if you can’t afford it, and I believe that that has been the strong message given to people over the last few decades. One thing it has meant is that people have stretched themselves beyond their limit not only with credit cards but also with mortgages, and now, sadly, many are losing their homes.

We believe that lasting happiness does not lie in our possessions. I personally think that it is good to have possessions if they enrich our lives, but also to realise that our true happiness lies in our attitude to people and to life, not in the things we own.

I believe that people are drawn to Jesus because they can see that the quality of life that he offers is the best. Let us show that our lives are enriched by him, so that people may want to accept what he offers.

Martin Collins

Why Christians need to make our Voice heard in our Society

Norbury Parish Church, Hazel Grove, Stockport, Cheshire. Telephone: 0161-483 6325