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Can we follow the truth in 2021?

Philip Young describes some of the challenges facing the new American President – challenges which we all need to face.

When Joe Biden becomes President on January 20 perhaps the whole world can utter a huge sigh of relief and we can look forward to a new era.
 
Donald Trump will most likely go down in history as one of the worst Presidents of the United States of America. The disaster of his Presidency has coincided with two challenges, neither of which he has competently handled.
 
The first crisis is the spread of COVID-19 and his response of denial, of not following the scientific advice, has made the situation far worse for his country than it could have been.
 
The second crisis is the challenge brought about by human activity leading to the climate crisis of global warming. Far from facing the scientific evidence, he has denied it and taken America in totally the wrong direction.
 
Perhaps now that Joe Biden is becoming President, America can take the lead in the fight against COVID-19 and in the fight to stabilise our ecological system. The signs are certainly looking good that they are going to re-engage with the world community in a positive way.
 
It is important to follow the truth. Part of following the truth is that you listen to evidence from the scientific community. False news, fake news, and conspiracy theories, peddled by Trump and others, must be exposed for what they are.
 
Jesus says the truth will make you free, and so Christians should be at the forefront of seeking out truth and following it. Christianity shines the light on other truths which challenge our complacency.
 
Christianity highlights that there is both good and evil in the world, but brings the good news that the good, that is God, always triumphs over evil. The triumph of the cross and resurrection is that the love of God has victory over all hatred. The promise is that the Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth. We have a God who cares about truth.
 
The truth is that there is too much inequality in the world. The Bible often points out that the rich should not be trampling on the poor. There's a challenge for Joe Biden and for all of us.
 
The truth is that there is far too much money spent on war. Nuclear weapons are totally immoral and should be outlawed. There's a challenge for Joe Biden and for all of us.
 
We are all God’s children - brothers and sisters - all of us. Any discrimination based on colour, race, or gender should be an abomination. There's a challenge for Joe Biden and for all of us.
 
Let us make 2021 a year in which we care about the truth. Let us ask God to lead us into all truth.
 
The image above is by PDPics from pixabay,com



Philip Young June 2014Philip is an Anglican, Quaker, and a member of the Third Order of Franciscans, and now lives in Felixstowe. Until July 2014 he was the Diocesan Environmental Officer for the Norwich Diocese. In June 2017 he stood as an Independent Candidate for the General Election in the Suffolk Coastal Constituency.  He is now Associate Priest at St. John and St. Edmund in Felixstowe and a freelance writer on spiritual and political matters. He is available to run Quiet Days, give talks, presentations or to preach and can be contacted at philipyoung@btinternet.com. Philip is developing a new website www.revolutionoflovenow.com.

 

 

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