Scandals and Injustices: A Call for Accountability in Today's World
If you’re anything like me, recent news of scandals and injustices might leave you shocked, disappointed, and even a little angry! Time after time, big names are in the spotlight being exposed for deception, corruption, or cover-ups in people and institutions we once trusted.
The commandment to love our neighbour compels us to care about the things that affect them, which include injustice, exploitation and corruption!
The list of scandals seems endless: the Post Office scandal, where hundreds were falsely accused of theft due to faulty software; Party-gate, highlighting government hypocrisy during lockdown; the Windrush scandal and Rwanda, exposing harsh immigration policies; and the MP expenses scandal, shaking public trust in officials. High-profile figures and major organizations continue to abuse power without significant consequences, such as water companies spilling sewage into our rivers and the more recent infected blood scandal affecting thousands.
These scandals impacting millions of people, seem to demonstrate a lack of integrity across our country. The divide between rich and poor has deepened post-Covid and many people are struggling to make ends meet. Foodbank use is at an all time high and we are seeing families borrowing money just to help them pay their monthly bills. We are seeing more people get out of debt only to go back straight into it as benefits aren’t covering the hike in energy, food and rent costs and for those living with long term health conditions where they are reliant on government support we see their sense of hopelessness. Global conflicts add to the instability of our country, leaving many wondering where to place their trust.
It's as if God is uncovering decades of deception, exposing wrongdoings, bringing about justice, equality, demanding accountability and drawing people to question where to put their faith and trust.
A Crisis of Trust and Integrity
These scandals and incidents reveal a deeper malaise across our country, where we can see that things are wrong but there doesn’t seem to be a quick or easy solution and it can be easy to think we have little power to change things. It seems that Trust, the cornerstone of healthy communities is eroding. When leaders and institutions fail to uphold ethical standards, the social fabric frays. People lose faith in systems meant to protect them, leading to widespread disillusionment and betrayal.
The impact is profound: families torn apart, careers destroyed, health affected and lives lost. The psychological toll breeds cynicism and despair, making it harder to believe in justice and accountability, something I sense we are seeing in play right now.
The Need for Accountability and Reform
In the face of widespread injustice, the call for accountability and reform is desperately needed and it seems many of us want to see transparency and integrity from our leaders and institutions, with systemic changes put in place to prevent future abuses.
While scandals and injustices shake our faith in institutions, they also present opportunities for profound change. Amid global instability, there is a growing desperation for certainty and trust. People seem to be seeking something or someone reliable, to help understand the world's happenings and life's meaning.
Finding Hope in Action
Amidst anger and disappointment, there is hope. With the announcement of the next General Election on July 4th, we have a unique opportunity to engage and bring about change. Politics might seem boring, frustrating, or hopeless. You might feel apathetic towards it or very passionate and freely share your views.
For those who care deeply about community issues, election seasons are challenging and tensions run high because leadership matters!
When we feel strongly about what our communities need, how can we behave in a way that honours and points to Jesus?
Micah 6:8 provides a framework for this in guiding our hearts, minds, and mouths:
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
I believe we are called to participate in politics as those in the world but not of the world.
Our friends at Jubilee+ have created an excellent resource to guide us through the upcoming weeks and beyond, reflecting Jesus' justice, mercy, and humility. Voting Like Jesus offers principles and practices to help us pray, speak, and act with justice, mercy, and humility, aligning our actions with the broader good as we approach the election, helping us to align our thinking, not just about ourselves and what will benefit our pockets but for the benefit of wider communities and the whole country. We are called to care about the state of our nation and our communities, to see those that are facing struggles or injustices and speak up. Politics is not the answer. Jesus is, but we know that the Bible sets out plainly some of the ways we are to express God’s care for the people around us.
It’s such a privilege to live in a democratic society where we get to have a voice and a vote, and by coming together in using our voice we can work towards a future where integrity, accountability, equality and justice are not just ideals but realities! I would love to see a world like this!
As i close in writing this article I just want to say 2 things:
This is not intended to direct anyone to vote for a particular party or candidate or to support any particular policies. We will all have our own political views for our own reasons. My hope would be however that this helpful resource (Vote like Jesus) from Jubilee+ would help us to lead ourselves in a godly, Christ-honouring way and to be a witness to those outside the church.
Jesus was radical! He called out things that were wrong and I believe we should do so too. The command to love my neighbour compels me to care about the things that affect them, which include injustice, exploitation and corruption.
Whatever your political stance, I hope this resource is helpful in thinking and praying over what God is leading you to do.
With much love,
Sarah Walker - Social Justice Lead