Shout about it!
By Esther Stansfield and Catherine Thomas

Imagine there is a tap filling a bucket of water in front of you. Your task is to stop the bucket overflowing, and you have a teaspoon in your hand. What do you do?

Ron Sider describes this test in Rich Christians in an age of hunger. An Indian mental institution used it to establish whether patients were well enough to go home. If they frantically scooped at the water with the teaspoon, then further treatment was required. If they turned off the tap, they could go home.

In the same way, campaigning on behalf of the poor requires us to tackle the causes of poverty so we can stem the flow of injustice to the poor.

Unless the root causes of poverty are tackled head on, efforts to alleviate the effects are like shovelling water with a teaspoon. Behind every family struggling to feed itself are structural injustices, such as legal systems, economic policies, and debt repayments, which trap them in a disadvantaged position.

As we've seen in the Personal article of this edition, Isaiah describes the chains of injustice and the cords of the yoke that bind people to a life of poverty. He also describes compassion and practical help for the poor as the true worship God requires:

Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Isaiah 58: 6-8

Practical concern for the poor comes as a package. Emergency relief during times of disaster is essential to save lives. Development strengthens communities, working for long-term physical, social, economic and spiritual change

Evangelism is crucial especially in last this respect: lasting justice and freedom cannot be experienced without the love and hope of Jesus. The role of campaigning is to address the causes of injustice, and this can mean writing to a multinational company, signing a petition, attending a demonstration or meeting your MP.

History-makers

Sam Moore, a student in Northern Ireland, started a letter writing campaign to members of the Northern Ireland Assembly when he discovered that they did not use fairly traded tea and coffee in Stormont.

He drafted a letter and collected hundreds of signatures from members of his CU. Weeks later, he was invited to the Assembly to witness the launch of the new fair trade catering policy permanent change with a benefit to the poor.

Some people dont think that Christians should be getting into political campaigns in the light of Romans 13. In this passage Paul says that we should submit to governments rather then challenge them. However it's really important to remember that Paul's teaching depends implicitly on those in power responding to Gods commands and authority themselves (Romans 13v1, 6); rewarding good and punishing evil according to his holy standards.

Taking the bible as a whole, there are some situations where it is more appropriate to challenge the authorities on behalf of those who are suffering rather than keep quiet. Looking at the lives, actions and words of the prophets, especially, Amos, Isaiah and Jeremiah, we read of God inspired individuals who challenge Kings and rulers when they fail to endorse God's standards. However, advocacy is not always confrontational. MPs, authorities and governments are often aware of problems and welcome suggestions to change them.

Christian MP Stephen Timms MP says, 'so much of what the Bible says touches directly on political questions'. It's quite hard to look at the Bible seriously and then look at what's happening around us and not want to take an interest in politics at some level or other.

Soul Action supporter Tearfund was a founder member of the Jubilee 2000 coalition which spear-headed the campaign for the cancellation of unpayable debt for the worlds poorest countries. Tearfund is now an active member of its successor, the Jubilee Debt Campaign. The very basis of these initiatives is a belief that God hates the physical poverty and poverty of opportunity and hope that unjust debt has created. While this kind of campaign is dependent on letters, petitions, demonstrations and other practical action, it is equally dependent on prayer.

Prayer and campaigns are the Richard and Judy of social justice one without the other is just a bit embarrassing, but together they somehow work!

Campaigning isnt only about challenging others, like decision makers to make changes so that poor people are treated fairly- it can, and should, also be about changing ourselves and making sure our lifestyle choices are benefiting the poor.

In light of this, Tearfund is continuing it's ethical living campaign, 'Lift the Label'. Supported by Soul Action this campaign aims to help you connect your thinking about God, justice and the lifestyle choices you make every day. It challenges you to make positive choices which benefit the poor and gives you the info and the action ideas you need to help challenge your friends, family, church, school or uni to do the same.

Campaigning is not an optional extra for us as Christians. It is our response to Gods call for us to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves - and love our neighbour as ourselves. God is the ultimate power we appeal to - he's already deeply involved in transforming lives and he invites us to join in with him.

If we are to truly show love for our global neighbours facing injustice, poverty and oppression around the world then we will want to demonstrate that by standing up and speaking out.

Thanks to our supporters Tearfund for the use of this article.

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