"God is not a Republican or a Democrat"

Check out this press release from the Christian People's Alliance. Although we are not supporters of the Party, or any political party, as an organisation, we do agree with the general gist of what they are saying about the elections over in the US:

"God is Not a Republican or a Democrat" -
Lessons from Iowa for Christian Politics

Now that the people of the state of Iowa have chosen Republican MikeHuckabee and Democrat Barack Obama as their nominees for US President,
the Christian Peoples Alliance (CPA) party in Britain is saying there areimportant lessons for politics here. Many commentators have notedChristianity as an important factor in Iowa - especially as evangelicalsturned out largely for Huckabee. According to the CPA, religion will alsobe a crucial factor in British politics in 2008."It can never be said loudly enough - God is not a Democrat or aRepublican and He can't be captured in the UK by Labour or theConservatives either", said Councillor Alan Craig, Leader of the CPA
and opposition leader on Newham Borough Council. What matters is
authenticity, the values agenda and a commitment as Barack Obama
said to "change, change, change".In Iowa, both Democrats and Republicans underlined their Christiancredentials, with TIME magazine announcing "a levelling of the prayingfield". Democratic presidential candidates devoted more time reaching outto faith communities in the early primary states of Iowa, New Hampshire,and South Carolina - than the Republicans. US commentators pointed outthat faith outreach operations were central to the Democratic candidates'campaign strategies, with "faith forums", newsletters on family and valuesand even gospel music tours. Hillary Clinton and John Edwards both raisedtheir history as committed members of their denomination, while BarackObama underlined his membership of the United Church of Christ. All threeexplicitly connected their faith to a broad range of issues from povertyto health care, criminal justice, HIV/AIDS, human rights, and to war andpeace.Cllr Alan Craig says the distinctive approach of the CPA in Britishpolitics is to change the debate by combining a passion for social justiceissues, climate change and political change as the Democrats did in Iowa,with Mike Huckabee's emphasis on Jesus-centered ethics of personalresponsibility and speaking for the politically-marginalised."Christians in London need to hear this: with important elections for theLondon Assembly and Mayor coming up, they should never be in any party'sor candidate's political pocket. Ideally, church-goers in London will bethe ultimate swing vote because of their moral independence from partisanpolitics. The aim of the CPA in May is to be the voice of Christianconscience on the London Assembly and we'll be working hard from now untilMay to earn the trust of all Londoners and win their votes."

CHURCHES TO TACKLE CAUSES OF GUN CRIME

Councillor Alan Craig, leader of the Christian Peoples Alliance group on Newham Council, has spoken out against the government, but in praise of churches, in looking for solutions to tackle the causes of gun crime and gang culture. Cllr Craig said that the authorities have run out of ideas and solutions. “While the government buries its collective head in the sand and claims the recent spate of teenage killings is nothing more than isolated incidents, it is time for the churches to step back into the public arena to promote their distinctive people-centred approach to young people.and youth issues,” argued Cllr Craig. “Many churches are already bursting with people and activities that offer proven solutions to these intractable problems.” In Cllr Craig’s local area he highlighted the work of a Christian football academy, Saturday supplementary schools, a Street Pastor scheme, a young leaders academy, and the Peace Alliance.Although he is part of the political establishment, Cllr Craig said that, “The police and local authorities can now be declared officially bankrupt of any meaningful solutions to youth violence in our capital. It is time for the churches to ignore the authorities, to step into the breach and to take a lead in serving the community in their distinctive way in order to combat gang culture.”