This summer will see our Government's new Terrorism Bill become law. Let me quote from the bill:
3:17 The Government therefore suggests that terrorism should be redefined as "the use of serious violence against persons or property, or the threat to use such violence, to intimidate or coerce a government, the public, or any section of the public for political, religious or ideological ends". The term serious violence would need to be defined so that it included serious disruption, for instance.So let me parade before you the 21st century's newest terrorists: Greenpeace and their ilk, hunt saboteurs, animal rights activists, road protestors, political refugees, those sympathetic to sending aid to the Iraqi people, demonstrators against Chinese human rights abuses, industrial strikers. Do you support Ogonis in Nigeria, Amazonian Indians, Kurds, Tamil Tigers, Burmese and Tibetan freedom fighters? You too will soon be a terrorist.
You see, you don't actually have to use violence, but just be a sympathiser of a cause unpopular to the Government, and you might be arrested without access to legal representation. Even those involved in a movement like Jubilee 2000 could be branded terrorists! Sound absurd? This bill is effectively a charter for governments to put the label of terrorist on whoever they like, and it sets the scene for malevolent mischief.
Did you notice the three categories of subversion? Politics, religion and ideology. In police state Britain of the future you not only have to be compliant politically but you have to adhere to the contemporary moral and religious values too. You might have to be a pluralist humanist whether you like it or not. You might well have to curb your instinct to write a letter of protest to the papers or your MP about gay and lesbian marriages and child-rearing. Most churches presently support Christian workers in countries where our faith is seen as a threat. Such activity could officially be labelled as terrorism in a couple of months time, and we Christians become liable to some pretty unpleasant treatment.
How long it will it be before British governments use this legislation to stop all evangelism and proselytising, to round up outspoken churchmen, and to prescribe whole fellowships and Christian organisations? I hope it's not alarmist to say so, but this bill lays the foundation for the future wholesale persecution of Christians.
Friends, it's a wonderful thing to belong openly to a Christian fellowship and rejoice in our Lord Jesus Christ. It's a great thing to have free speech and to be able to speak the gospel without the fear of persecution or retribution. In many countries these things are not possible, and the tide of history in Europe is rapidly closing these freedoms for us too. All too soon, Sunday mornings might be very different.
Perhaps you would like to write to our MP Barbara Follet or the Home Office and express your indignation at this new Terrorism Bill. If you don't, how will you look your grandchildren in the eye when they ask you what you did to stand for Christ at the turn of the century? How will you feel when to acclaim Christ as Lord could be a real physical danger to you and your family?
It is to be hoped that my apocalyptic views are misguided, but I know that they are shared by a great many observers of society in the Church. We are commanded by Jesus, "I say to all; Watch!" Therefore, we should not let events overtake us by surprise but be ready as the Lord tells us.
If you would like to find out more about Labour's new law point yourbrowsers at www.new-labour.com