Engage
Engage with Campaigning
Micah Challenge will be leading a number of campaigns in the run up to 2015. Blow the Whistle is the first of these focusing on the half way point of the 15 year period. In participating in the Blow the Whistle campaign, Christians will be following in the footsteps of some of the church’s most celebrated figures – those who, when they saw people suffering, did not only do what they could do to relieve the effects, but also worked tirelessly to heal the causes.
Prophets past and present
Prophets speak out God’s truth. In doing so, they often make their society feel uncomfortable because they remind listeners that God’s priorities are not the same as the world’s. They attack injustices of their day and criticise hypocrisy and pride. These case studies remind us that God calls all sorts of people to speak out for Him. How could God use us to speak out for justice in our generation?
William Wilberforce, 1759–1833
Wilberforce used his skills as an orator and his social position to speak out for the rights of slaves. Wilberforce himself said that the Clapham Group ’made goodness fashionable.’
Background
William Wilberforce and his friends, called the Clapham Group, were born into a repressive, cynical and violent world. In 18th century Britain, children could be hanged for stealing a handkerchief, members of Parliament bought their seats, slavery was accepted as the norm, riots over economic conditions were common, and living conditions for the poor were so bad that in some areas three quarters of babies died in childhood.
Life and prophetic role
Wilberforce came from a privileged background, and at the age of 21 he bought a seat in Parliament. In his late twenties, he found God in a fresh way. He believed that God had called him to ’two great objects: the abolition of the slave trade and the reformation of manners.’ For the next 35 years, he and his supporters worked to show the evils of slavery and called for moral reform. They faced considerable opposition from planters and merchants who made huge profits from the trade in slaves. Wilberforce managed over many years to turn the tide of public opinion against slavery.
While he spoke out in Parliament, others did meticulous research on the conditions of the trade. Some wrote pamphlets, collected signatures on petitions and lobbied MPs, whilst others provided theological arguments against slavery. Others used their resources to fund the campaign. The Clapham Group argued from a justice standpoint, but also showed that abolition would not lead to financial and social chaos. In 1807, the slave trade in Britain was abolished and in 1833, days before Wilberforce died, slavery was ended throughout the British Empire.
Elizabeth Fry, 1780–1845
Elizabeth Fry believed that ’nothing short of the Holy Spirit can really help forward the cause of righteousness on earth.’
Background
Prisons in the 18th century were desperate places. In the women’s prison at Newgate, there was severe overcrowding, vice, squalor and desperation.
Life and prophetic role
Fry was brought up in a privileged Quaker home, and in her late teens had a life-changing experience of God; she knew he was ’real’. Marriage and 11 children took up much of her time and by the age of 30 she felt that her life was ‘slipping away to little purpose.’ A short time later, a friend asked her to visit the women’s prison at Newgate. Shocked by the conditions, she began the work that would be her life’s purpose.
A few years later, she formed the association for the improvement of the female prisoners in Newgate, which aimed to provide proper supervision, adequate provisions and humane treatment. Her accomplishments led to the extension of similar methods in other prisons, hospitals and asylums. She also called for more opportunities for women and strongly condemned the death penalty. She testified to Parliament and her evidence helped to achieve improvements.
Bono, 1960 –
Bono uses his fame as a rock star to promote the cause of the poor. He describes himself as ‘a scribbling…Bible-reading band man…an activist travelling salesman of ideas.’
Background
During the 1984-5 famine in Ethiopia, which killed one million people, Bob Geldoff and Bono pulled together the Live Aid concert in 1985. This increased awareness about global poverty and raised over US $200 million for famine relief. Watched by 1.5 billion people in over 100 countries, the concert helped to crystallise Bono’s stance on justice issues.
Life and prophetic role
Bono (Paul Hewson) was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland. In his late teens, he became part of the band U2 as songwriter and lead singer. The band has enjoyed phenomenal success. Beyond U2, Bono has extended himself to other projects and causes, and has emerged over the years as a spokesman on global poverty. He has rallied numerous actors, artists, political leaders and ordinary people to his cause, most importantly as spokesman for the Jubilee 2000, the campaign to end Third World Debt.
Two passages drive his message Bono says: the call in Leviticus 25 for a year of Jubilee and debt forgiveness, and the command in Isaiah 58 to share with the hungry and provide for the poor. Bono jokes about the contrast between his rock star status and his faith: ’I appreciate the absurdity of being a rock star and quoting the Scriptures.’ He has a special passion for Africa and has called the poverty there ’stupid’. He speaks out with prophetic directness, ‘Imagine a so-called Christian society with the absolute capability to save lives in Africa that fails to act. You can explain that to the budget appropriators, but you can’t explain it to God. He will not accept that excuse, and history won’t.’
