Fanny Street, Can the Christian Stay out of Politics?

What the love of Neighbour involves

[1] Practical guidance for the conduct …

[I don't have pages 2 to 5]

It is only … […] [2] Many who toil in the political … […]

The Responsibility of a Democracy

[6] Great changes in opinion and action have taken place, for instance, since the General Election in 1935, both among voters and in the Cabinet itself; much greater and sounder changes would be wrought if all Christians were carrying out their political duty.

It is only by such action that we can really discharge … […]

Many who toil in the political field would repudiate a religious motive.

[7]

What the Love of God Involves

That brings us to our third reason. It is not only the second of the two great commandments that lays on us a duty to take part in politics according to our power and ability, but the first which is bound up with it.

[8] How can we love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength … […]

The state of the world … […]

[9]

Practical Ways in which we can Work

What then can we do? Clearly we must at once take up our duty as citizens and no longer accept placidly … […]

[10] of getting at the truth about the conditions of the world and the lives of our fellow men. […]

[11] There are many faults in our … […]

Our Choice in the Political Field

Relatively few people are actually members of one or other political party. The final decision at a general election is due to the great unorganized mass of voters, swayed hither and hither by stunts and slogans, deceived by insincere promises, moved by often unconscious prejudices and fears. But Christians should be among the thoughtful and serious minority, who draft programmes and choose leaders, who work to rouse and illuminate their fellows, to save them deception and disappointment. Many of reforms already mentioned would never have been carried through by great leaders without the faithful unrecognized work of the rank and file, giving up hours of leisure to spadework that would seem dreary except to those inspired with a great ideal. Great changes may even [12] turn on a few votes; great chances be lost by the apathy and neglect of a few. […]

Which side shall we join? […] [13] … […] There can be little doubt on which … […]

It is impossible to measure the transformation that would come over national and world politics … […]

[Missing last pages]

Text Informations

Fanny Street, Christian Left Pamphlet No. 4, 1939
Src : British Library