Twice a year St Paul’s Church holds breakfasts for men at which speakers, who are well qualified in their own professional area, talk about an issue from a Christian perspective. The idea is to discuss how Christian thinking and practice can make an informed and realistic contribution towards understanding and dealing with genuine problems. We have looked at, for example, science and religion, genetics and the internet. These events are not just for church goers but for any who are interested in the topic.
In May the speaker was Denis Osborne, who had been an academic physicist in UK and African universities and from 1987 to 1990 was the High Commissioner in Malawi. He talked on ‘Good Governance and Corruption Prevention’, a subject on which he runs seminars in all parts of the world.
He told of a police force on the continent where newcomers were told that this branch was ‘on the bus’. This meant that they all took bribes and took part in different rackets; at the end of each month the takings were pooled and shared out. The newcomer was free to come on board, but if he did not, then it would be like being left at the bus stop. The interesting jobs and promotion would not come his way. If he was tempted to tell about the activity, this could be like stepping under a moving bus. What does the new recruit do? He inevitably, if unwillingly, joins the crew.
Denis also told of another police situation where corruption was rife but the new mayor was going to impose zero toleration. They were warned that there would be hidden cameras and other detection methods; all cases of corrupt behaviour would be dealt with. Zero tolerance worked. So many said that it was a relief not to have to go on deceiving others and living a lie. This is common experience, the sense of liberation once one can be honest and open about what is happening or has happened, and not have to cover up all the time.
Jesus spoke of ‘the light of the world’, which we need to open up the darkness and to give direction; also ‘the salt of the earth’, which is there to prevent things going rotten. It is the sort of relationship God wants us to have with Him and with those around us. It involves forgiveness, which is one of God’s specialities.
John King