I find myself wondering, in the light of the recent election in the UK, what the result of this changing of the guard will be. I remember well the vote in 1997, when we were all enthused with the idea of voting out the old Tory government and bringing in New Labour. In retrospect, I suppose there were many shades of the promises of ‘change’ that brought Obama to power. In the UK we also got change, but to the better? I think not.

Any that read this blog will know I have followed the increasing chilling of Christian expression in the UK. The pressure of course has come from our enlightened, tolerant, inclusive and progressive masters. However, as I said back in 2007,

It appears that the inclusivity that we have been asked to sign up to is one simply of the current zeitgeist – the spirit of this age. The spirit, however, is jealous for its space, and will not long tolerate opposing forces. Those who do not bow the knee will soon find that the much vaunted inclusivity does not stretch to include them.

More recently, we have seen this chilling and marginalisation increase, for instance:

Another UK Street Preacher Arrested, Charged, for Views on Homosexuality

Clergy could be sued if they refuse to carry out ‘gay marriages’, traditionalists fear

Lest it seem that these concerns are taken out of context and overblown, these issues are gathering some significant attention:

The religious rights of Christians are treated with disrespect

Britain is persecuting Christians, say bishops

Church leaders head for showdown with top judges over bias against Christians

In what might be the most damning aspect, this progressive persecution of Christian expression in the UK has taken place during the tenure of two Prime Ministers – Blair and Brown – who lay claim to the faith. Of course they did not have control over every aspect of the country, but for better or worse, they were our leaders and as such were responsible for setting a course. The port of infamy to which they have sailed us is their legacy and their shame.

What will happen now, I cannot say, though I don’t have any great enthusiasm for the new masters. A line from Yeats poem, the Second Coming, may be appropriate:

The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.

Perhaps there will be a situation similar to that here in Canada where, ‘lacking all conviction’, the demolition of society is at least put on hold for a while.

Lest this be all doom and gloom, I pass on to you the same verse that I gave at the beginning of the year.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16 v33 NIV.