  Spiritual
This week: Do Talk About Religion and Politics! Edited by: Kit of House Lannister  
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Religion and politics can lead to heated debates. That does not mean that we should stay silent...
This week's Spiritual Newsletter is all about speaking up.
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Some people say that you should never talk about religion and politics. Why? Because such discussions can be controversial and lead to arguments. Therefore, neither topic should be raised in polite conversation.
Perhaps it is needless to say that I disagree. I do feel that I need to explain why I disagree. We live in a world where both religion and politics lead to conflict on a far bigger scale than an argument over dinner. A rising temper or some hurt feelings can be walked away from. War and poverty are more difficult to avoid.
In the UK, an election is looming, and one of the main issues is that of the welfare budget. Cuts have already been made and some measures have been taken that have caused a lot of suffering, even death. There has been a steep rise in the use of food banks. People are facing sanctions – their money being stopped for weeks or months on end – because of incomprehensible reasons, such as running a few minutes late because a job interview took longer than planned, or a child having an accident at school and needing to be taken to the doctor. These sanctions then lead to hunger, and debt, the threat of homelessness, or worse. Faith organisations have spoken out about this, and have been told that it is not their place to comment.
I would argue that it is the place of faith organisations to comment when people are suffering. It is true that what faith people follow differs, and that many people do not follow any faith at all. It is also true that religion and politics don't always go hand in hand, and that there needs to be a separation of the state and religion. However, this does not mean that the voice of faith should be silenced. If religion should be anything, it should be a force for good, and that means standing up for the poor, and the vulnerable, and those in need.
Many faith organisations offer practical help. My local church runs a food bank
and my grandfather's organisation continues the good work he started, offering assistance to homeless people, the ill, the elderly and the poor. All such faith-based charities see the struggles people face on a day-to-day basis and they know that whatever help they provide, it is not enough. The real solution is political change – more genuine support, more equality of opportunity, more carrot and less stick.
After all, how much stick does a person need when they suffer from severe mental health problems, yet face a waiting list of more than a year (sometimes two) before they can access treatment? How would the loss of support benefit someone with a chronic or degenerative illness?
What else can people of faith do but speak out on behalf of those whose voices tend to be unheard, or ignored? Is it not our duty? Are we not (at least partly) responsible for the direction society is heading in?
We should always expect the best of ourselves, and of others. Some people will argue that the poor bring it on themselves, that they deserve it, and even that demonisation will give them the boost they need to change their lot. I don't believe that. Poverty is structural. Many, if not most of us reading this newsletter live in some of the wealthiest nations on this planet, and to have children growing up in poverty, to have people go hungry, to have people living in tents is not acceptable.
It is not enough to say that poor people have made mistakes, or that homeless people want to be homeless or have problems. Some poor people may have made mistakes, yes, but not all. And even if they have, everyone makes mistakes. Some outcomes of those mistakes are simply worse than others, and everyone deserves a second chance. Likewise, not all homeless people chose to be homeless, and if they have problems, should we not help them with those rather than shrugging our shoulders.
It is too easy to turn away from suffering. To think that it's not on us. To go to church, or mosque, or other places of worship, say our prayers, observe our festivals and be kind to those similar to us. Politics is not reserved for career politicians. You, and I, and everyone else has a political voice. To be a human being is to be political.
That doesn't mean that we have to stand for president, or prime minister, or to press for religious law. But we can speak up. We can write about issues that concern us. Surely we don't have to be meek all the time?
kittiara
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The Spiritual Newsletter Team welcomes any and all questions, suggestions, thoughts and feedback, so please don't hesitate to write in! 
I am still struggling with my broken finger, and therefore cannot respond to all your wonderful contributions right now, but I hope that by the time I write my next newsletter, the brace will be off and I'll be able to catch up. Many thanks for your patience and understanding. 
Wishing you a week filled with inspiration,
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Spiritual: March 25, 2015 Issue [#6899]
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