Reports to the General Assembly of United Free Church of Scotland

United Free Church of Scotland

2002 Reports Index

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON ETHICS AND CURRENT AFFAIRS
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2002

INTRODUCTION
At the start of every new session of the Committee’s business there is a feeling of increasing inability to cope with the complexities of today’s world. This year has, of course, been no different in that respect, except that it has, if anything, intensified that feeling. In the event much of the time was taken up with ongoing matters, but always at the back of our minds was the realisation that some issues of momentous importance were not going to go away. In this report the Committee will offer some thoughts on these issues which are gleaned in good measure from sources outwith the Committee. We make no apology for that, because they are issues which tax and confuse the keenest minds.
In the first place much has been written about the tragic attacks in the USA on 11th September and the international response given to them. A great deal of analysis has been done, and much is available to the general public via the internet. There is wide agreement that these events have substantially altered the global context, but exactly how and on what terms remains unclear.
In the second place the Committee is very much aware that in the midst of terrorism and the many changes facing our culture, we cannot afford to overlook what some consider to be the greatest long-term challenge to human dignity. We are speaking about the field of Biotechnology. It may sound technical and theoretical, but in light of the incredible scientific advances in the field, we need to have principles already in place. Dr Nigel Cameron has said:- “Christians need to take the lead in these debates. We should be the best-informed and the most vocal. Our opportunity is unique, in that the key issue of the day is:- What does it mean to be human?”
This report deals initially with the ongoing business of the Committee and will then offer some response to the two matters just referred to, not to give a definitive answer, but hopefully to stimulate discussion and reflection.
FOOT AND MOUTH OUTBREAK
In response to last year’s plea from the General Assembly to remember those affected by the Foot and Mouth outbreak, the Committee was grateful to Mr Fergus Henderson for preparing prayer material for churches and for providing information on how to give practical assistance.
JAMBO KENYA
Jambo Kenya is of course the Denominational Appeal which succeeded “Hope for Cambodia”. It is now in its final year. At the time of writing the Appeal had raised the magnificent sum of £26,242. From the three participating denominations the United Free Church has provided a substantial part of the total givings. Thanks are due to all those congregations who gave to the Appeal, especially to those churches who gave very significant donations. The Committee has been considering future involvement in appeals of this nature and is of the view that the opportunity should now be taken to consider such matters collectively. We have passed the question of participating in future schemes to the Committee on Business and Administration for careful consideration.
The Jambo Kenya joint churches committee was delighted to co-operate with Christian Aid in bringing Mary Bunyasi, a community worker from the Anglican Church in Kenya to Scotland last Autumn. The Committee was grateful to those churches from all three Presbyteries who hosted meetings where Mary was able to relate something of life in Kenya. She has produced a very full report of her time in Scotland and clearly found her visit to be an inspirational experience.
The Committee is very grateful to Mr Fergus Henderson for producing the Jambo Kenya ‘Reachout’ Newsletters which were distributed to all the churches and kept the project to the fore.
THE SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT
Your committee has once again appreciated the very detailed and helpful briefings from the Churches’ Parliamentary Officer, Rev Dr Graeme Blount. These briefings have assisted the committee in responding to Consultative Documents from the Scottish Executive. Dr Blount’s report is attached as an appendix. It should be noted that ACTS has commissioned a mid-term review of the post. Among matters actively dealt with by the committee during the year were the following:-
1. Sectarianism: the committee responded to a Consultation Document on Sectarianism being a proposed Bill by Donald Gorrie, MSP. In general the committee were not convinced about the usefulness or effectiveness of such a Bill in tackling religious hatred.
2. Criminal Justice: the committee responded to proposals from the Scottish Executive dealing with the physical punishment of children. The view of the Committee was that the legislation pertaining to the physical punishment of children needs to be broadened in its interpretation to protect children from real abuse, but narrowed in its impact so that parents need not fear the interference of not only the state, but others with a particular agenda, when they are bringing their children up in loving discipline of which a smack may be only a part.
3. Education: the Committee responded with other U.F. representatives to a request from the Conservative Education spokesmen in the Scottish Parliament for a private dialogue on a number of Educational issues. We took the opportunity to voice our concerns about material which the Scottish Executive had sanctioned for use by schools for sex education. Many Scottish Education Authorities have decided not to make the material available but we were grateful to the Christian Institute for highlighting the matter. The politicians were interested particularly in our views on Faith-based schools which their group appear to favour in line with the situation that prevails in England. On a wider note we have been requested by the Scottish Executive to participate in a national debate on Education, and the committee intends to bring together a small group to prepare a response.
CARE OF THE ELDERLY
The committee set up a small group to draw together material on the Care of the Elderly. The conclusion was that rather than produce a pack it would be better to have an information leaflet outlining ideas for congregations to become involved in care in a practical way. The committee was pleased that Rev Helen Cook has agreed to expand material originally prepared for the committee particularly drawing attention to caring for the spiritual needs of the elderly. The material will be designed in such a way that local congregations can adapt it to suit their own particular circumstances.
SCOTTISH CHURCHES COMMUNITY TRUST
Rev Robert Owens, Vice-convener, continues to represent the denomination on the Trust. The Trust was launched last year and is involved with some many community projects throughout Scotland, and is looking to develop both urban and rural projects. The opportunity is there for individual congregations either on their own or in co-operation with other local churches or agencies to develop a project with significant financial assistance from the Trust. Mr Owens is available to brief churches on how to take advantage of this opportunity.
SCOTTISH CHURCHES HOUSING AGENCY
Rev Tom Ireland continues to represent us on the Agency. The Agency works under the slogan:- “No room for homelessness". It brings together 13 denominations and groupings. It organises “starter packs” for homeless people moving back into a house. The Agency sets up “rent deposit” schemes for those who are unable to get started in rented accommodation through inability to find the necessary deposit. It also campaigns on a national level on housing issues, and has welcomed the setting up by the Scottish Executive of a Task Force on Homelessness. The Agency supports Homelessness Sunday (next year 26th January 2003). Speakers are available to brief churches on the work of the Agency and how to become involved.
AFTER SEPTEMBER 11th
The Committee is grateful for the church’s membership of bodies such as “Churches Together in Britain and Ireland” through which we receive information and reflection on many international issues. A paper from CTBI entitled “Six months after 11th September, Hopes and Fears” contained a variety of responses and is a helpful document for engaging with some of the issues. The following selected reflections from that document are set out to encourage consideration of some of the issues involved:-
1. “Christians have struggled to determine their response to the events of September 11th. We are reminded of Paul’s injunction to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21), and to transform rather than eradicate those who use evil means to achieve their ends. Both good and evil reside in all human beings.” (Mennonite Central Committee, New York)
2. “Martin Luther King said that 'true peace is not merely the absence of tension, it is the presence of justice'.”
3. “Two days after the terrorist attacks the Chicago Tribune quoted a woman who said:- ‘It is hard to know what God intends in these acts.’ But one of the first themes we must offer is that God didn’t do this. God did not will the deaths of thousands of people. The Bible testifies over and over again that God wills life and not death for the whole Creation. Divine providence does not mean that God authors each and every act in the world. That would leave no room for the rebellion against God’s will that we call sin. God is present in human tragedy, but does not author tragedy.” (Professor of Theology, Chicago Theological Seminary)
4. “I do not agree with the conventional wisdom that says:- ‘The world changed on September 11th'. No, the world changed in 33 A.D. The question is how to narrate what happened on September 11th in the light of what happened in 33 A.D.” (Theologian Stanley Hauerwas)

5. “Following the attacks in the United States of America on 11th September, many states have taken legislative steps to protect their populations from similar criminal acts. In a number of cases the measures have undermined human rights. Vague and broad definitions of terrorism may infringe the rights to freedom of expression and freedom of association. (Amnesty International)
The Committee would encourage commissioners to involve themselves in this whole area of peace and justice, and commend organisations such as Amnesty International as a way of becoming involved.
BIOTECHNOLOGY
Bioethics as a discipline assists us in gaining a right perspective on some of the current developments in biotechnology, including research and experimentation on human embryos. In this complex field the Committee is grateful for its links with the Evangelical Alliance for the following brief reflections which may assist debate in the areas of human cloning, stem cell research and genetic therapy:-
“The fact that human beings are made in the image of God is pivotal in the debate. The Centre for Bioethics and Public Policy outlines a four-step Biblical framework:-
Creation: how was it in the beginning? (Genesis 1 & 2). Humankind was made in the image of God and all that implies about relationship with Him and dependence on Him.
Fall: how is it now? (Genesis 3). The context for bio-ethics is a real world of pain and suffering. Because of sin, God gives the law as a diagnostic instrument so we know what is right and wrong.
Redemption: how could it be? God redeems human beings through Christ and gives His Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:11). We have an earthly hope.
Future hope: how will it be? We are promised new bodies in heaven, where there will be no pain, tears, or suffering (Revelation 21:4). This eternal perspective should transform our approach.
As a society we need to step back and take the long view of biotechnology. Quoting T.S. Eliot - “O the wisdom that we have lost in our search for knowledge. O the knowledge that we have lost in our search for information” – the Centre for Bioethics and Public Policy points out that what the Human Genome Project gives us in itself is information, not knowledge. It certainly does not give us wisdom. We have to question the scientific imperative that says, because we can do it, we must do it.”
The Committee would reaffirm its view that life begins at conception. It would encourage commissioners to involve themselves in this complex area. Much assistance is available from CARE, the Evangelical Alliance, the Centre for Bioethics and Public Policy, the Church of Scotland’s Inter-denominational Science, Religion, and Technology Project, to name a few. To quote Dr Nigel Cameron again:- “Our decay-resisting ‘salt function’ is needed here more than anywhere, as we move from killing people – abortion and euthanasia – to making them in our own image, through cloning and the new genetics.”
DIGESTS
The Committee is grateful to Rev Ian Lloyd and Dr Donald McDonald for producing the material for the Digests on Post-Modernism and Genetics respectively. We are also grateful to Dr Mcdonald for representing us on a group set up by the Scottish Churches Parliamentary Office to brief MSPs on the cloning issue.
      In the name of the Committee
      ANDREW SCOTT Convener
       IAN F R LLOYD Vice-Convener
       ROBERT O OWENS Vice-Convener
       JOHN O FULTON Secretary

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