the responsibility of government

Today on BBC Radio Ulster‘s Stephen Nolan Show, Iris Robinson, a local politician, said that she believed government has a “responsibility to uphold God’s law” [listen here]. I believe she was referring to the so-called Moral Law laid down in the Ten Commandments. Her remarks were, in my opinion, ill-considered especially given they were made during a debate on abortion. I mean, the essence of the debate on abortion will be forgotten about quickly now; instead, people will focus on this sound bite… just like I’m doing now.

I didn’t listen to the Nolan show but I did hear much comment on it on the way home in the car on BBC Radio Ulster’s Evening Extra programme. The show welcomes responses from listeners through the media of text messages and, to a lesser extent, email. I was disappointed because the reaction of the apparent majority of responses was as I expected: typical, traditional, conservative and very Northern Irish. Most listeners who responded seemed to be in support of Mrs Robinson’s view. (Some were supportive of her stance on abortion, which is a separate matter; these listeners obviously didn’t catch onto the subject of the debate, which was on her remarks about her views on government responsibility.)

I find it difficult to believe that people who cannot think through things like this are governing our country. Obviously I disagree with Mrs Robinson’s remarks on governmental responsibility.

Think about it: if it was the responsibility of government to uphold God’s law then surely we should all be in prison because no one follow’s God’s law perfectly! The Bible, in which God’s law is quoted, tells us this! I am a Christian and have faith in the same God as Mrs Robinson but I cannot share this view. Jesus never forced anyone to listen to Him or obey Him, and neither should His followers. Submission to God’s law is up to the individual and should not be impressed by the church, the state or anyone else. I believe that there is plenty of good within God’s law, but just because it’s God’s law shouldn’t mean it’s civil law. The responsibility of government is to ensure order within the state, and equality, security and opportunity for all people within that state.

Remarks like Mrs Robinson’s only help to build up walls and cause friction. I pray that she will come to her senses over this and that those who supported her stance on this will realise the mistake.