Notes and Comments

The Fall of Saddam Hussein

The war in Iraq is, at the time of writing, at the mopping-up stage. Over its course British and American servicemen have lost their lives, and we hope it will be clearer in the future than it is now that the cause they died fighting for was a good cause - one which, whatever political reasons are and were advanced to justify the course of action taken, may yet be seen as having been linked to the advancement of the cause of Christ in the world. Politicians are at pains to deny that the war was in any way connected with religion but it is difficult to sustain that position when one bears in mind that Muslim terrorists were responsible for the destruction of the twin towers of the World Trade Centre in September 2001. Their religion taught them that, beyond this life, their reward would be great - in a carnal, sensual paradise where every desire would be gratified. It is evident it was that terrorist attack in New York that set in motion the train of events which brought the Americans to Baghdad and the British to Basrah. So far it would appear that the greatest care has been taken to ensure that not a single mosque would be reduced to rubble.

If, as some maintain, the protection of Israel from its enemies underlay to some degree the decision taken to topple Saddam Hussein, then we would feel all the more disposed to fall in with it. Why? Because "as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes". If we were more able to discern the signs of the time, perhaps we would see in these events taking place on the soil of ancient Babylon, and in the vicinity of the Euphrates, the God of heaven overruling the actions of men and hastening the time when spiritual Babylon shall fall and the Jews will be gathered in.

Scottish Parliamentary Election

When, in 1997, the Referendum was held on whether or not a Scottish Parliament should be set up, we urged people to vote for the status quo. This was not, however, the outcome, and we in Scotland have now had almost five years of devolved government. The next Parliamentary election is now drawing near and we have the opportunity of casting our vote. We believe that the God-fearing find it difficult to choose between parties as they see in their manifestos so little acknowledgement of the fact that there is a supreme Lawgiver and that any laws placed on the statute book which ignore His claims are not only dishonouring to Him but detrimental to the true interests of the nation. There are a few notable exceptions among members of the Scottish Parliament who are concerned over Sabbath desecration, for instance, and they are worthy of our support.

Five years ago some political observers expressed the view that devolution would prove to be the beginning of "a relentless slide to separation" and we fear that events may yet prove them right. Our Scottish Reformers cherished the hope that there would come a time when there would be uniformity of worship and Church government throughout Great Britain and Ireland, and the Solemn League and Covenant was drawn up as a means to that end. We continue to hope that our forefathers' desire will yet be fulfilled and, that being so, we believe that it is vitally necessary that the United Kingdom remain united.

Saving Marriage

A writer in The Scotsman of 8 April 2003, under the title, "Why can't our politicians help to save marriage?" refers to studies (including one by the Economic and Social Research Council) which have shown the value of marriage for promoting a stable society, for providing the best framework for raising children, and for its socio-economic effects. Amidst some more flippant and unfounded assertions, the article wisely contends that politicians should not argue that marriage is no business of the state, whether they do so because they believe it is a matter of morality with which they should have no concern, or out of regard to feminist or other lobbies. However, the writer erroneously concludes that "politicians should not be promoting marriage from a religious or moral standpoint but purely from an evidence-based practical one and for exactly the same reason as they might champion the wearing of seatbelts: it works".

Marriage is a divine ordinance and its recovery in our land will be secured along with the restoration of the piety and morality which will recognise its divine authority. How we should pray and labour for politicians to be raised up who will realise the importance of basing their view of society and economics on the principles of the Bible, which, being a revelation of God's will, are true to the basic needs and interests of human individuals and society.

HMC