SCANA DISCUSSION MATERIAL

 

THINKING ABOUT TRIDENT

 

A poll conducted at the Greenbelt Christian festival (2009) suggested that many Christians wanted to see an end to UK arms exports, an end to our possession of nuclear weapons, and a more positive and decisive stand for peace taken by the churches in general. And only 3% of those Christians attending the festival agreed with the statement that nuclear arms had “kept the peace.”

 

Do these Christians reflect your views? 

 

Jesus seemed to be angered by hypocrisy more than anything else. Is it not extremely hypocritical for the UK to demand the right to continue and develop a newer nuclear deterrent whilst denying that right to other countries?

 

At the General Assembly of 2007 The Church of Scotland endorsed a report by the Church and Society Council which ended with the words “We will continue to ask the basic question of Trident or any replacement: what is it for?”

 

Can you think of an answer?

 

Given the Church of Scotland’s consistent voice on this subject for well over 20 years, should the Church be doing more to press for change?

 

What actions could you or other members of your congregation be asked to consider in order to make a Christian voice heard on this issue?

 

DISCUSSION: PEACEMAKING/ DIRECT ACTION

 

DID JESUS HIMSELF ENGAGE IN NON-VIOLENT DIRECT ACTION?

 

Read Matthew 21:1-11 (Jesus’ Palm Sunday Demo!) 

 

Jesus entered Jerusalem at the start of the Passover Festival, when numbers of people in the city would rise enormously. The Roman authorities would send extra troops each year to bolster security. They would march into the city with great ceremony to show their strength. Many scholars believe that Jesus’ arrival into Jerusalem was a planned alternative demonstration on his part to show that his kingdom values were counter to that of Rome.  

 

Read Matthew 21:12-17 (Jesus in the Temple)

 

The religious and political racket at the Temple meant that the poor were being exploited, others segregated and discriminated against, and some even excluded altogether. It was just the way things were done, but Jesus did not accept it.

His action must have been non-violent. Had anyone been hurt Jesus would surely have been arrested on the spot. But as it was, this action sealed Jesus fate in the eyes of the religious and political authorities. He was a troublemaker! 

 

A DIFFERENT POINT OF VIEW?

 

Read Romans 13:1-7 (Obeying the authorities)

 

St Paul is often quoted by those opposing civil disobedience. But where was he when he wrote these very words? He was in jail for civil disobedience, having failed to obey the authorities who ruled that speaking about the gospel was not permitted!

Clearly Christians should normally be law-abiding citizens, but there are times when the laws of the state may contradict the law of God. Then we must decide what for us is the higher authority. 

 

What kind of situations in our world today might cry out for more direct action on the part Christians?

 

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Jesus said “Blessed are those who work for peace – God will call them his children.” (Matthew 5:9)

 

Do you think it is significant that Jesus should talk about “working” for peace rather than just “hoping” or “longing” for peace?

 

Peacemaking might appear as an easy option. Yet in 2007, Stephen Cottrell, the Bishop of Reading, preached a sermon outside Faslane on the subject of peacemaking. Citing the examples of Jesus, Desmond Tutu, Trevor Huddleston, Nelson Mandela and many others, he declared that peacemakers tend to look like troublemakers!

 

Do you agree with his statement?

 

In a time of conflict, soldiers are willing to leave their families, travel far, endure incredible hardships, and risk their lives in order to wage war. 

 

Are we, as Christians, ready to make costly sacrifices for the cause of peace? In the words of American writer Jim Wallis, are we prepared to “wage peace”?

 

Should the Church in Scotland, which already provides chaplains to the “armed” forces, additionally create a post of chaplain to the “unarmed” forces, to liaise with and show Christian support for aid workers, the peace movement, and those who try to bring help and hope to others without resorting to violence?