Rioting - should we be surprised

I watched an interview on Sky news yesterday where four young men described what they had done, when out rioting and looting. Their body language seemed to show some sense of guilt but their attitude and conversation indicated no remorse or regret.   I was wondering if the current lack of teaching of morals in society has played a big part in this way of thinking. Should we be surprised that that the rioters do not think that they did anything wrong? I believe that everyone is responsible for their own actions but there is a sense in which we have set people up for this crazy way of thinking. We spend years teaching amoral principles in our schools, colleges and universities. Things such as - there is no absolute moral code, we are free agents to believe what we want and right and wrong depends on circumstances! Most people would defend our right to believe whatever we want i.e. we create our own framework which is flexible depending on our persuasions in life. But this approach does not work in business, on the street or in money matters to name just a few examples. We all know in our hearts that we need structures, rules and parameters to maintain a civilised society.  The outcome of the current philosophy is that everyone does what is right in their own eyes. This ends in anarchy, social disorder and chaos!  I know that a high percentage of society are decent people trying their best and they are disgusted at what they have seen recently. The truth is that most of the rioters are either young people or from a sector of society where behavioural boundaries are non existent or very weak.    We need to get back to recognising that at the very least the principles of the biblical moral code are good for our society. No other structure has been discovered that works. 

 I believe that at an individual level the only hope we can give society is the change that comes through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  The change to better our lives and improve society starts within individuals. Look at the effect of christianity on societies over the centuries; the results are seen in hospitals, healthcare provision, schools, social care and many more benefits to any given society. As stated already nothing else effectively and permanently changes people for their good and the good of society. Biblical christianity recognises the flawed nature of humanity and offers the death of Jesus Christ as the power of God for salvation (the Bible - Romans 1.16). The change is firstly internal but if it is real (and there have been many false claims in the name of Christianity) it must manifest itself in behaviours and activity in society.   I appeal with our civic leaders and the general public to consider this message as it is the only hope that we have to offer. External reforming of society, improved conditions and better economic conditions all have a part to play but these will never reform the moral state of society. If individuals do not come to know the reforming power of the gospel of Jesus Christ then there is no hope. In periods of economic depression and social upheaval (which we all know are unavoidable due to the cyclical nature of world affairs and the greed of the human heart) we will always end up with social disorder but things can be different. The choice lies in the hands of the individual. We have been warned once again by these recent events!

Justification

On Saturday 26^th March the TUC organised a march in London to demonstrate against the government’s spending cuts. An estimated 250,000 people attended what was initially a peaceful good- natured rally, but an anarchic element turned some areas into a riot situation. BBC News reported on their website, that Police Commander Bob Broadhurst said: "Unfortunately we have had a group of approximately 500 criminals committing some disorder including throwing paint at Topshop in Oxford Street and at the police, and scaring the public who are trying to shop."

BBC News UK affairs correspondent Tom Symonds reported, ‘There have been separate incidents involving a number of protesters, some with their faces covered by scarves, away from the main march:

• A sit-in organised by the campaign group UK Uncut took place at Fortnum & Mason department store in Piccadilly. The group has previously mounted protests against tax avoidance measures by big businesses
• 
  
• A bonfire was lit by protesters at Oxford Circus, where earlier police said light bulbs containing ammonia were thrown at officers
• Topshop on Oxford Street had its windows smashed and was doused with paint

• Missiles were thrown at the Ritz Hotel, Piccadilly

• Bank branches including the Royal Bank of Scotland were attacked with paint and had windows broken, while branches of HSBC and Santander were broken into.

Scotland Yard said there had been 202 arrests for public order offences, criminal damage, aggravated trespass and violent disorder.’

The questions raised here are ‘Were the organisers justified in arranging the demonstration with the potential of an unlawful element using the occasion to commit acts of violence?’ Answer - Perhaps?

‘Were the rioters justified in stepping over the law and order line to commit serious criminal acts?’ The answer to that is unquestionably, NO!’

The United Nations Security Council felt justified in passing Resolution 1973 of March 18^th, against Muammer Gaddafi. The following quote was reported by the Press Association in the Guardian newspaper, ‘The resolution expresses the UN's "grave concern at the deteriorating situation, the escalation of violence, and the heavy civilian casualties", condemns "the gross and systematic violation of human rights, including arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, torture and summary executions" and says the attacks against civilians "may amount to crimes against humanity" and pose a "threat to international peace and security".

• A no-fly zone is "an important element for the protection of civilians as well as the safety of the delivery of humanitarian assistance and a decisive step for the cessation of hostilities in Libya".

The Bible says in Luke 7:35 “Wisdom is justified of all her children.” Time will tell whether their resolution will work for the good of all the people of Libya, the Middle East and the rest of the world.

The Book of Job is one of the oldest books of the Bible, ch.4:17 asks. “Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?” The answer is obviously NO!

Then in ch.9:2 the question is raised, “I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?” That is an excellent question because it leads a person on the path of getting right with God, of knowing all the past failings of one’s life to be dealt with, permanently.

The Epistle to the Romans is presented like a Courtroom scene and it is in that Book that we find the answer for our need in being made just with God. There are three essential fundamental facts for a person to be justified with God.

It is by GRACE. Ch.3:24 reads, “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” The source of justification is with God and not with man. His plan of redemption was determined before the world was made, and central in that plan is the Son of God Himself, the “Lamb slain before the foundation of the world.” Rev.13:8

It is by BLOOD. Ch.5:9 declares, “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” Redemption is by blood and by power; both were at work when God delivered Israel from Egypt, the blood of the Passover Lamb and dividing the Red Sea. The blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin; it is the basis upon which God can meet us with forgiveness and cleansing. Not by anything that we could do.

It is through FAITH. Ch.5:1 says, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Faith in Christ is our responsibility! We will never be justified with God other than by placing our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. To be justified with God it is all of HIS grace; HIS blood and YOUR faith. Got it? God bless

Written by Stan Burditt for Stephen Baker