IntimidationWhether we like it or not, intimidation is a major factor in the present Free Church. A climate of fear has been created in which one dare not voice an opinion if it is not in line with those of a particular grouping, which claim to be the majority. This atmosphere makes it very difficult to ask certain questions, and virtually impossible to get free and rational discussion on many serious matters. Sad It is indescribably sad that a Church which has its roots in truth, and freedom from oppression, should now be characterised by intimidation and the suppression of the truth. It is questionable whether we still have the right to have the word "Free" in our title. The astonishing thing is that this has come to permeate the life of the Free Church in just a few short years. The rise in power and dominance of committees and the corresponding decline in the influence of presbyteries in the government of the Free Church has not helped. Surprising The surprising thing about this suppression of information is that this is supervised by those who shout about "free speech" and say that they desire everything to be out in the open. But in practice they will only allow openness as long as it is in the interests of their party line. Every attempt to inform the ordinary Free Church people as to the facts of the present mess has been stifled. The rejection of the proposed "Church Affairs Forum" at the last Assembly was a classic example. The Forum was aiming to unite the Church by open discussion of people's concerns. The argument against it was that it would provide: "Open season for every crank and complainer". So now any ordinary member wanting information or explanation is called a crank. Intellectual The situation is not helped by the "intellectual" factor in this intimidation. It is very evident at Assemblies. How many people without a higher education would dare try to address the General Assembly? Very few, because they know that they might be humiliated on a point of procedure or some such thing. When they should be able to count on the help and encouragement of the Moderator and Clerk, they are often in fear of them, and prefer rather to remain silent. An atmosphere is sometimes created in which any speaker must be extremely confident as a speaker before going to the rostrum. Again this especially applies to men whose opinions differ from those of the so-called "majority". This intimidation was very evident at the 1997 Assembly, and those in favour of it described it as "wonderful control" by the Moderator. Media Then there is the use of the Media, who are heavily biased in reporting Free Church matters partly because of the nature of their Free Church contacts. At the October 31st Commission of Assembly last year the presence of the Press throughout the proceedings had a very intimidating effect on those who would like to have spoken. That this affected the final vote is beyond question. In national politics we now have the very sad spectacle of the "spin doctor" controlling the way that the media report political matters. If the Press do not come to heel, the information on which their trade depends dries up. How sad to see the same relation between the Press and some Free Church spokesmen. The effect is to silence all "other" Free Church opinion, or to slant the reporting of it in such a way as to make it appear grotesque. Even our own Monthly Record is not totally objective in the information it provides. One only needs to look at the reporting of the last Assembly and the comments attached to see the bias. To take but one example, one person spoke many times at the Assembly, but not one mention was made of his contributions in the Monthly Record. He was on the "wrong side". Majority One of the things which we are now being asked to believe is that the present "ruling party" represents the majority in the Church. But the majority spoken of is simply the majority of those who attend Assemblies. That is only a small fraction of the Free Church, and these men do not necessarily reflect the views of most people in the Church. This is where Foundations can help, by providing people with unbiased and accurate information. The world of the "sound-bite" is not for us. We must look for lasting results rather than quick ones. We must fight the present attempt to control by intimidation. We must see through the slogan: "We are now the majority". We must encourage people to think for themselves, and to form and express their own opinions based on the facts. Ending Intimidation One thing is sure, there will never be reconciliation in the Free Church until this intimidation stops, and open and fair discussion is resumed. Surely one of the foundational necessities of a church is a love of the truth. We do not seem to have that in the present Free Church. Instead we have intimidation, party politics and "spin doctor" control of Assemblies, committees and the press, resulting in an atmosphere of suspicion and distrust, even among long-time friends. [Professor Macleod and Ordination Vows][Creation and Evolution][Concern for Justice] [True calvinism] Any comments or questions please E-Mail me or Rev William Macleod the Editor. [Back to Reformed Christian Pages][Back to Free Church Foundations] |