The Press Saturday, August 24, 1985. No Moral... (Press, 24 August 1985)

An article published on 24 August 1985 discusses the challenges and implications of a perceived moral decline in society, particularly in the context of a rising coalition between the moralistic Right and Pentecostal churches. This coalition advocates for the replacement of "liberal" members of Parliament with those who hold "traditional" views. The author argues that defining what constitutes “liberal” versus “traditional” values is complex and subjective. They criticise the single-issue approach to politics driven by fundamental Christian beliefs, suggesting it is not a sustainable solution to the societal issues named in their discourse, such as personal greed and moral decay. The author posits that the root problem is not merely the vices commonly identified, but rather a more profound issue: the belief in the potential for perfecting humanity through political power. They assert that true salvation cannot be achieved through political means, nor can morality be imposed by legislation. Instead, they advocate for persuasion through education and positive example. The text argues against the coalition's presumption that its moral viewpoints are the correct ones, suggesting that such attitudes could lead to division and resentment among differing perspectives. The article further claims that while Christians must engage in moral judgement within their civic responsibilities, it is crucial to recognise that political views among sincere Christians can widely differ. It emphasises the importance of moral judgement as a personal rather than a collective phenomenon, warning that attempts to unify diverse political thoughts under a singular moral banner would likely lead to animosity. Moreover, the author highlights that the State has a role in promoting morality broadly but must not attempt to embody a secular religion. Parliament's primary responsibility is to govern effectively rather than enforce spiritual or moral standards onto individuals. The article concludes with the assertion that the well-being of society relies on individuals managing their own moral lives and making personal choices, rather than delegating these responsibilities to the State, which the author views as a sign of collective decline rather than responsibility.

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