Welcome

At our plurality service (parishes of East Cowes, Whippingham and Wootton), on Sunday 29th June, we sang a hymn with the words ‘My chains fell off , my heart was free’ and it set me thinking about freedom. What is freedom? One definition might be that it is the power to speak, act and change as one wants, without restraint. We are fortunate in this country that we are able to worship freely without hindrance. This has not always been true for Christians as, throughout history, many have suffered persecution and even death. It wasn’t until the 4th century CE that Christianity became an official religion under the guidance of the Emperor Constantine halting his previous persecution of Christians.

Of course, this does not mean that Christians are free from persection or imprisonment for their beliefs today. In North Korea, for example, it is estimated that since 1949 over 50,000 Christians have been interned in prison camps for their faith, despite multiple resolutions by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.

So, when I was challenged recently that if the Christian Faith was banned in this country, would there be sufficent evidence to convict me? Or would the CPS be unable to prosecute? Pause for thought for us all I feel.

Steve Beynon

Service Details