Nuclear Debate

It is unfortunate for the Rev Peter Park (Nov 2016 issue) that his letter defending the renewal of Trident should appear just as the United Nations is preparing to prohibit the possession of nuclear weapons as well as their use.

It looks as though the nuclear states, including the permanent members of the Security Council, will be the principal opponents of this resolution.

His argument that the UK’s nuclear deterrent creates jobs is surprisingly secular from a man of the cloth. If valid, then it is valid for the whole of the armaments industry, and not only in the western world but everywhere else.

Mr Park cherry-picks Matthew to support his argument, so may I pick my own cherries? The Jesus he quotes is the same Jesus who healed the servant of an officer of an enemy occupying force (Luke 7:1-10; Mat 8: 5-13) and who, when He was arrested, forbade His disciples from meeting force with force and restored the severed ear of an assailant (Luke 22: 49-51).

Mr Park says that we should ‘… watch over the evils … [which] threaten the peace that Christ longs for’. That’s what the proposed UN resolution will do.

The problem for military chaplains is that they have to reconcile their discipleship to God with their oath of loyalty to the state of which they are citizens.

They often do this by convincing themselves that their government is godly and virtuous, but that of their enemy is evil. Thus, during the war commemorations for the First World War, army chaplains on both sides prayed to the same God to preserve them from harm, to grant them victory, and to smite their enemies. Militants of Daesh pray to the same God of Abraham that we do.

There certainly are evil persons, regimes and actions, and churches have tried to define the stringent conditions in which a war may be deemed ‘just’. They have not all reached the same conclusion, but a war waged by a government that pretends to be moral judge and jury in its own cause surely does not qualify.

Israel and Palestine

All of us should be concerned about anti-Semitism as detailed in Dr Borowski’s article ‘Being Jewish in Scotland today.’

Christian history is a shameful one in this regard and in the light of Brexit we should be aware of the licence given in that campaign to groups and individuals instilling fear on any in our society who do not conform to their stereotypes. But it is disturbing that Dr Borowski once again easily allies opposition to Israeli policy and anti-Semitism.

We have just returned from the olive harvest in the occupied West Bank, working alongside Christian and Muslim Palestinians whose situation is infinitely worse than when we were last there a few years ago.

The ever encroaching wall squeezes people into smaller and smaller spaces as the illegal settlers are given more and more of the land. Hundreds of military regulations prevent farmers from being able to work their land, curbs on movement are killing what little economic activity is possible, and destruction of Palestinian homes, schools, and livelihoods continues as people are cleared off their land.

Israel objects to the apartheid tag. The term apartheid is defined by the UN as ‘systematic racial oppression of one racial group against another.’

Someone with Jewish parentage from anywhere in the world can go to Israel or the occupied territories and have immediate full citizenship; Palestinians whose families have lived there for centuries can never have the same rights.

Pointing to this often leads to the charge of anti-Semitism. In a national newspaper recently Professor Henry Maitles of Scottish Jews for a Just Peace argued that it was legitimate to be critical of Israel and Zionism and be a strong opponent of anti-Semitism. Crucially he claimed that anyone could argue for Boycott, Disinvestment And Sanctions on Israel without being racist. Nelson Mandela supported the South African boycott but no one could ever accuse him of being anti-white.

Iain Whyte (Rev) and Isabel Whyte (Rev), North Queensferry, Fife

‘A Lonely Job’

I read the article “Lonely Job” by the Rt Rev Dr Russell Barr in the October issue relating to how he spent a day at the Royal Highland Show.

While saying that his visit was partly enjoyable he showed concern by highlighting the problems which continue to be faced by farmers, farm workers and those working in land based industries today. It should be recognised that is not a new situation but is a product of mechanisation.

From 1991 until 2003 I was the Welfare Secretary of the Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution (now RSABI). This was a very stressful time for farmers and the rural community as BSE, Bird Flu and the horrors of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) were experienced.

During FMD the RSABI was at the forefront of help, for those affected financially, mentally and physically all over Scotland but especially in Dumfries and Galloway.

Dr Barr talks about the suicide rate in farming which is a grim statistic.

Cartoon: Bill McArthur

Research has shown that part of the explanation is the fact that farmers have easy access to guns. During FMD the staff at the RSABI was comforted to know that there were no statistics in Dumfries and Galloway recording evidence of suicide. We liked to think that was due to our 24/7 effort, in partnership with D&G Council and others, to identify the vulnerable people.

An elderly farmer said to me: “You can talk to a horse and not look stupid but it is not easy to appear sane talking to a tractor!” Modern methods have made farming a lonely occupation.

The RSABI, having advertised in this magazine, recognise this and are still involved in helping those dependent on land based industries. The RSABI undertakes to treat all enquiries confidentially, whether it is financially, mentally or as a listening ear that is not local to the community. The charity will have been in existence for 120 years in 2017 so it is well experienced in helping rural folk. RSABI can be contacted at tel: 0300 111 4166 or by e-mail: rsabi@rsabi.org.uk To those working in land based industries relieve your problems. Don’t talk to your tractor, TALK TO THE RSABI TODAY.

Liz Brash, Edinburgh (Former Welfare Secretary)

Creating A Positive Future

Firstly I’d like to welcome the findings of the National Child Development Study which revealed how membership organisations contribute so positively to the improvement of mental health, even later in life.

The study is also very much reflective of the hard work The Boys’ Brigade does with around 20,000 young people in Scotland alone, where our priority is to provide support in a safe and fun learning environment, providing young people with the best start in life.

Researchers found programmes which help young people with skills such as teamwork, outdoor exploration and self-reliance can provide lifelong benefits.

These are all core factors in our structured programme we deliver on a weekly basis to our members. From problem solving and overcoming challenges, whether it be physically whilst out on an expedition or mentally through preparation for one of our awards’ programmes such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s award, we strive to provide the best over all experience for all our members.

Many are just five years old when they join the BB, but we are here to help set people up for life and help motivate self-learning and independence, both key indicators found in the study that result in better mental health in middle age.

Mental wellbeing is such an important area and our partnership with Young Minds UK really underlines our commitment to support adult leaders and young people with this work.

This study is also a reminder that the BB can be instrumental at building resilience not just in young people, but also provide the core skills that can create a positive future for thousands throughout their lives.

Bill Stevenson, Director, The Boys’ Brigade Scotland, Larbert