On Wednesday 14 June, Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron resigned as the party’s leader. He was continually pressed during the general election about his Christian beliefs and scrutinised constantly as to whether he believed homosexual sex was a sin.
Farron, in his resignation announcement, stated that “remaining faithful to Christ was incompatible with leading his party.” It is reported that his decision to step down was as a result of being urged to step down by several senior figures. He continued in his announcement saying:
“From the very first day of my leadership, I have faced questions about my Christian faith. I’ve tried to answer with grace and patience. Sometimes my answers could have been wiser.
“The consequences of the focus on my faith is that I have found myself torn between living as a faithful Christian and serving as a political leader” Obviously challenged and maybe being felt let down by some of his party members he continued saying that,
“To be a political leader – especially of a progressive, liberal party in 2017 – and to live as a committed Christian, to hold faithfully to the Bible’s teaching, has felt impossible for me.”
He concluded in his announcement saying, “I seem to be the subject of suspicion because of what I believe and who my faith is in. In which case, we are kidding ourselves if we think we yet live in a tolerant, liberal society.”
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today program on Thursday, Simon Hughes, the former Lib Dem justice minister, said Farron’s position had become unfairly difficult. “It would be the same for people of other faiths who have strong faith views, where there are issues that are very controversial within that faith community.
Following Farron’s resignation, Brian Paddick, the party’s home affairs spokesman told the Guardian: “It is very sad that he feels he cannot be a committed Christian and leader of the Liberal Democrats.”
Sean Kemp, former Head of Media for the Liberal Democrats stated, “I wish he hadn’t made this decision but it was always going to be the most difficult issue for Tim, as leader, to balance his faith with what it means to be the leader of a liberal party in the 21st century.”
All Christians will face some degree of challenge when it comes to their faith, often feeling there is a tug of war happening within and without. We are often called to stand in the face of adversity whether subtle or blatant – whatever our actions they need to be such as give glory to God.
“When you start compromising yourself or your morals for the people around you, it’s probably time to change the people around you.” ~ Billy Frank Alexander.
St Paul in his writings to the church in Colosse wrote, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” Colossians 2:8.
This week, be strong, stand firm, let go of some things and hold on to others but always keep Christ at the centre of what you do.
