The note is sent to more than 80 representatives in the Democratic Party; party leader and party leadership, the Central, the Storting, county leaders and county offices, mayors, head of KrFU and KrFK.
The author’s wish is that the note will contribute to a constructive input into the debate on the new party program 2017-2021, and about important crossroads towards next year’s elections.
– by Arnfinn Clemetsen, pastor and author, with the municipal council for the Christian Democratic Party, Sola.
Overview:
Introduction
1. Identity and standpoint
2. History and the way forward in a new era
3. Christian and political center
4. New party program and important choices
INTRODUCTION
The Christian Democratic Party is in an important phase. In recent years the party has been in a process of renovation and modernization which in many ways has been necessary and positive, but that also have created tensions and revealed disagreements and sometimes conflicts both on where the party stands or should stand in some ethical questions, and about the way forward.
the starting point of this paper is to contribute to the debate and thinking about KrF role in Norwegian politics today, and a desire to look into the Christian Democratic Party and its relationship to what we might call ” Christian Norway “where the majority of voters probably are. This significant group of people in our society also represents a growth potential for the party while it’s here a lot of failure in support for the party in recent years lies. Putting theme KrF and “Christian-Norway” on the agenda is thus highly relevant.
I wish in this paper to provide some considerations in relation to the processes party has been experiencing in recent years, and come with some thoughts on the new party program to be drawn up to congress in 2017 and possible policy options for the parliamentary elections in 2017.
such a note obviously can not in any way pretend to provide a comprehensive analysis of these conditions, and it is based not on statistical material. Although I would like to highlight the situation and developments in the Democratic Party as objectively as possible, of course, my personal assessments and observations be clearly stated. There is also opinion.
I have emphasized Christian Democratic values, perspective and location in relation to the Christian landscape, and in relation to the political landscape.
KrF, so far as I can see, in an important and crucial phase with regard to the future of the party and the party’s mission in our country. KrF has played an important role in Norwegian politics and society. Meanwhile, not last year’s attempt to renew and width out party given gain, although the political influence is considerable, both in parliament and in county and municipal councils.
My hope is that this report can help inspiration in the work to strengthen the Democratic Party for the good of our country.
1. IDENTITY AND PErsPECTIVE
Of course you want a party like the Christian Democrats to embrace the broadest possible that a people’s party with a Christian values at the bottom. Basically everybody is welcome to vote Democratic Party, and “voting machine” before the last election have indicated that a larger portion of the population wants “KrF policies” than those who actually vote for the party.
I think it is important to define what is the Christian Democratic Party’s main target group.
One can in the eagerness to capture wide, sometimes losing both the main target group and the larger banks. “If you are chasing two rabbits at the same time, you will not catch any of them” (quote: John C. Maxwell).
I believe that the Christian Democratic Party history, values and mission in political life in Norway, clearly shows that “Christian-Norway” or “Christian church” in its breadth and in its diversity is the party’s main target group. The party’s select group also has been within this definition.
At the same time the party will not be a “niche party” or “cult party” but a party with a coherent policy that obtains votes and support from broad choice masses. Clearly Truth in history, foundation, values and mission, will create the confidence both within the party and outside of the electorate that makes you embrace much broader than what I call the main target group. The point is that without a defined core and target group can lose a lot more than you win. I thus see no contradiction between “Christian” and “popular”, but rather a muliget!
Christian Democratic Party and “Christian-Norway”
It is quite natural that Christian Democratic Party has a special and close relationship with the Christian church and Christian organizations and environments. This has been true from the party’s inception. It can be compared with the Labour Party has a special relationship with the labor movement, the Centre has traditionally had the same to farmers and agricultural organizations, and Right to businesses and their organizations.
Today this is not nearly as “segmented” as before, and various select groups loyalty to parties is not so clear and strong today as it was some decades ago.
It is in many ways positive. Yet I would argue that this is still relevant for a party KrF considering the voter base located in Christian churches and organizations, and the many similarities that exist in shared values. I would argue that KrF depends on preserving and increasing the number of voters in this large constituency.
Church and politics
It should be clear demarcation between church and politics . The difference between the nave and the Parliament Hall, and at the chapel and the town hall. Church and politics do not mix, but for a “Christian Foilkeparti” is of course in the nature of a wish as much as possible of Christian values and practical Christianity into politics. It is the reason for the party’s existence.
We find people with the Christian faith in the whole spectrum from right to left on the political axis. Nevertheless, KrF is totally dependent on nursing his close relationship with Christian leaders, churches and organizations. It is in these environments Party bedrock exist, and here’s the party’s voter base and probably also growth potential.
It is within and through the Christian communities that KrF has the greatest opportunity to influence the social responsibility and political commitment, verve managers and list candidates, and bring voters. Here there is an interdependence. The strong focus on valuables and degree of clarity in this makes many active Christians will gather in KrF, although one would otherwise belong to different political wings. This is of course positive, but also a political challenge for the party.
Christian and popular
At the general election in 1997 was KrF as high as 13.7% of the vote, but at the last election the party has unfortunately had to see the 5th century. I shall not give any in-depth analysis of this, but in my estimation was party nineties on one side more value conservatively than today, yet popular and “edible” in broad environments. The slogan “You do not have to be a Christian to vote Democratic Party”, was both true and good. This duality, “Christian and popular”, located in the party’s name, represents no contradiction, but rather a positive voltage that should and can be utilized for the growth and development of the party. We also know that since the nineties has been a major development both in society and in politics, which has increased the challenges at many levels for a Christian value portion.
Nevertheless, I believe that there is a significant choice group outside the Christian church who would like to vote for a Christian value party, if it is “different” and a clear option in central ethical questions in relation to other parties.
Development and processes
In recent years, ie Christian Democrats been through processes with strategy selection (2010) manifesto (2014), and change of leadership. After Dagfinn Høybråten as a leader in the period 2004-2011 came Knut Arild Hareide as a new leader in spring 2011. In my opinion Dagfinn Høybråten received too little credit for the great efforts he made in a somewhat challenging time for the party. He stood for a security in relation to the party’s more conservative voters while he opened the door for innovation. Large parts of the media stamped Høybråten unfairly as a “dark man” and part impatient younger forces within the party believed enough that his leadership style and political standpoint not helped to renew the party to the extent that was desirable. I will not spend time speculating about the tensions that were in the party when Høybråten wanted replaced as party leader, but only conclude that Knut Arild Hareide came on as a unifying alternative. He has in my opinion done a good job. There is no doubt that his commitment is huge, his style and voice is refreshing, and he has great support in the party. He has managed the art of balancing between the more conservative and liberal groups within the party. Hareide’s participation in television debates and media have been more than approved, and he has also won the confidence of the broad political environment.
Greater confidence in party leader
As far as I understands it Hareide also won the confidence in the banks of Christian churches and organizations. This confidence was put to the test by Hareide’s participation in the gay parade “Pride” in June 2016. In particular, within the more conservative Lutheran organizations and Free Churches public has this created questions and uncertainty. It has also been made within the party.
I consider that Hareide’s participation in “Pride” was motivated by support for the victims of terror against the nightclub “Pulse” in Orlando that took 50 life, perhaps had created smaller conflicts if not statements from people within the program committee and the party leadership in recent months has led to some uncertainty around the party’s standpoint on marriage. Nonetheless, that participation in “Pride” made waves in both the party and the “Christian-Norway” is not surprising and may have helped to bring forth a necessary if painful debate in the party.
Whatever it takes more to than excitement around a new party leader to lift the party to old heights. The question is what is needed, and it keeps naturally not simple and easy answers.
Confession or obligation
Within the party is there is still some debate about the “confession clause” as the party left by congress in 2013. in its place came a commitment on the Christian values. Personally I supported this amendment, although I had wanted an even clearer commitment. Confession in church and commitment in politics, my assessment. Regardless, any representative and listekandidat in Krf stand for a Christian view of humanity and basic values derived from the Bible. In my opinion this is a prerequisite for the voters to be confident in the party’s standpoint and integrity. Here is perhaps a degree of uncertainty that should be cut off in relation to Christian leaders and churches, and potential voters both inside and outside the Christian church. It’s about credibility in relation to the base value.
Today we must realize that the change of confession of obligation not hoarded party support, but instead has created a lot of uncertainty. The forces in the party who wished KrF with this would be more “palatable” to new groups of voters outside the Christian camp, took in my opinion wrong. There is just clarity and strength of values and attitudes, both in the party program and with the people who represent the party, which makes people apply for KrF, also people outside the active Christian church. Strategy process and the modernization of the party has not given the desired results, although much of that in my opinion have been appropriate and necessary.
Christian community involvement
There is great need for Christian community engagement in our country. Here should KrF and “Christian-Norway” stand together and teaming. A strong Christian Democratic Party must in my opinion be in both churches and Christian organizations’ absolute interest, even though the church should not be partisan. There is no doubt that in many areas they have Christian values lost ground in our country, not least in the last ten to twenty years. It should encourage joint positive efforts.
Both the great need for Christian community involvement and the challenges Christian Democratic Party’s party, are important reasons to work with the party’s relationship with Christian churches and organizations on the broadest possible basis.
If successful it could help increase voter and recruitment of value-conscious leaders and politicians in the party.
2. HISTORY AND THE WAY FORWARD ON A NEW TIME
Is there any similarity between the time KrF grew and today? The answer is an absolute yes although enormously much has changed in society on the well eighty years since its inception. As well political as religious image is partially changed dramatically in our country.
The Christian Democratic Party was founded to defend spiritual, moral and cultural values in society. From the beginning our vision was strong to be a light and a salt both in political life and in the country. In other words, it was a strong stated desire among the party’s founders to seek influence from a Christian worldview. They would be salt and light in society. We read that the founders of the party bent his knees and prayed to God for the land and people. It must be said, though both “Christian-Norway” and society was quite different then than it is today, that the party’s founders were mostly what we positively can call healthy, Bible-believing, conservative Christians.
On the Christian Democratic Party website we read: “Material values ascribed particular attention of the political parties vied for power in the 1920s. Cultural and spiritual values thus came secondary. This worried many, and the idea of a separate Christian Democratic Party grew so forth. First, the party established in Hordaland county in 1933, and in 1938 became the party’s first National Board elected and the party soon became nationwide. “No doubt that the new party covered a need in the policy Norway.
lexicon “Caplex” writes: “ Christian Democratic Party see it as a mainly to protect Christian and moral values ” . Here shared the fledgling Democratic Party supremely mission and goals with the breadth of Christianity at that time was much more united than at present in ethical issues. There is little doubt that the majority of the electorate to KrF mostly came from the active part of The Norwegian Church with its various organizations and the layman’s, and from the many free church community with its various revival traditions.
“unwritten alliance”
There is reason to believe that in practice it was an “unwritten agreement” between movements like the Inner Mission and Norwegian Lutheran Mission, and the various free church communities on the one hand, and the Christian Democratic party as a political party on the other side. This unofficial alliance efforts to promote biblical and Christian values in society focusing on human and the nation’s best.
The Christian Democratic Party was and is an exciting project, and the first pioneers were brave men and women. Today we can state that much has been achieved over the years for the good of our country. Women and men have stood up for Christian values and a coherent policy, both locally and nationally, and the Party has won great respect in political circles and in society. KrF has served in several governments, and had Lars Korvald and Kjell Magne Bondevik as talented prime ministers, and by the way the party has done a good job both in opposition and position locally and nationally.
KrF for unappreciated
Yet there is reason to believe that much of what the party has achieved in its eighty year history in fact is too little known and too little appreciated in today’s Christian churches and organizations, especially for the younger generations. The same applies perhaps even more to the work carried today by party officials, not least in Parliament. It is a constant challenge for the party to reach the “Christian-Norway”, churches and organizations with the work carried out and the objectives achieved. The annual meetings of the party leadership and parliamentary group has invited leaders from churches and Christian organizations to dialogue, covers some of this need, and have, as I see it, very important.
history and vision
As I see it, there are a lot of interesting and important to bring in party history. It is always inspiration and power in the original vision. Historieløshet leads to rootlessness and identity crisis. When one does not know who you are and even less where to. Therefore it is important again and again to ask themselves the fundamental questions.
Here are some of them:
Why was the party founded? What was the original vision? What would the founders of the party? What was the purpose of the party? Why do we have a Democratic Party in today’s society? What is KrF special task in the political Norway today? Why should people vote for KrF today? What distinguishes KrF basics from the other parties? How will a society built on the Christian Democrat ideology look like? What can “Christian-Norway” expect the Democratic Party? What can KrF expect of “Christian-Norway”?
The new generations and a new time
new generations “standing on the shoulders” of those who have gone before and will take the party and politics ahead into a new era where many things are different. The policy must be developed and adapted to the world that is now, and be realistic and relevant, and communicate with people of today. This must succeed without departing from the basic elements of the original vision. In my opinion should KrF clarify and promote his vision, not least the “Christian-Norway”. It can create renewed life in the “unwritten agreement and alliance” to build Christian values into society.
“History and experience is a bad master but a good servant” (quote: Brian Houston). The story must be there as a stable factor that helps to navigate right in the current situation. There are principles of a Christian value party is based and which can never be waived. Nevertheless, the story must not act as a constraint or a hindrance for renewal and change, but it should be be a minister of the purpose and the strategies that are relevant in a new era.
the Christian Democratic Party has been important in recent years to undergo an evaluation of their identity and role in Norwegian politics. This work is not finished. It is also important that the process gets going in a proper pace and without creating too much uncertainty in key ethical questions. The party must return to the offensive at a time when both the political and religious picture has changed sharply in Norway. Hopefully KrF strengthened and invigorated out of this and win back lost ground, not least in relation to “Christian-Norway”.
A “different” party
In a party flora which in my opinion are too many parties, I would argue that there is still a need for a clear, value-based people’s party with a coherent policy – a Christian Democratic party. Party name says a lot about the party’s character. KrF is based on Christian values, and it should also be a wide People’s Party.
KrF must dare to think differently and try new opportunities without compromising the core values the party is based. It is namely the qualifying party for a place in the political Norway, and it is what makes the Christian churches and church leaders will feel safe in the party as an important alliance to build the country and win back lost ground relative to a Christian values. I understand very well what the Christian Democratic Party leader Knut Arild Hareide, meant when he at the Congress in 2013 said in his speech that the Democratic Party is a “normal party”. Obviously KrF not a church or a Christian organization, but a political party. It is also important that the Democratic Party is not a “normal party” but a “different party” than all the others, in values and in the development of policy! If not, many of the party’s voters or potential voters conclude that just as well or rather vote for another party.
Renewal and revitalization
The basic values from the party’s beginnings are still present in the political program and political thinking. The “Christian Democratic values,” human dignity, compassion and stewardship, is highly topical and influence in most policy areas. All politics is about people!
How these values will be disseminated and adapted to today’s society there are different views. Therefore need KrF renewal, both visionary and politically. I believe in a revitalization of the “good old core issues”, while new topical issues on the agenda.
The party’s leaders and members of parliament have a good ability to “take the ball” where the current debate here and now. We can only mention freedom of conscience for doctors on abortion, surrogacy, sorting society, child rights to parents, etc.
Democratic Party should be commended for that in every parliamentary term submits proposal to amend the abortion law, and that one of the program have found new positive approaches to legislate “right to life”. As an apropos to this I can mention that on several occasions I have heard Christian leaders and “church people” complain about the Christian Democratic weakness on abortion, but they are not aware of what is actually done in the parliament hall. There is thus a need for information to present, and perhaps also a need for party leaders more frequently when the opportunity arises “speaks against Rome” and says it “politically incorrect” media angled in a positive and natural way, whether it’s abortion , marriage or other important value questions.
Need for KrF
it needed a party who tirelessly and regardless of trends and opinions will work for the unborn child’s right to live . Fight against sorting society is currently highly topical, and the questions and cross upturns around biotechnology legislation is another example of areas where KrF makes an invaluable effort data. As mentioned, many are not aware of the dedication and professional skilled job done by party members of Parliament and politicians in this area.
Norway is built not only on a Christian heritage, but on a Christian legacy of faith. From the Christian heritage, roots and believe we can include and integrate people in a safe and diverse society where there is freedom of speech and religion. It means a society with the clear guidelines and responsibilities that protects freedom and options for each man. In this work can and should the Christian Democrats and Christian churches and organizations stand together, and Christian churches and organizations should provide KrF credit for the working party does in these areas.
Democratic Party is on the pitch in recent times current affairs, f. Ex climate and environment. With its strong focus on human dignity, the Party can see challenges and situations with fresh eyes and be politically innovative. The good stuff is there, but it must work with clarification and dissemination in a society where the media all too often set the agenda. My periodontal injuries without is that there is great need for a value-based party Christian Democratic Party in our country today.
Church and party in various roles
Although Krf from the start wanted to be “salt and light” in the country, I see it so that this task is not primarily belong to a political party. It is the church that should be “salt and light” in the country. When some conservative Christian groups blame the Democratic Party for “the wickedness of the country”, it falls on its own absurdity.
Church’s main task is, of course, the proclamation of Jesus Christ, and we can imagine what it would mean for Christian values if many more believed and there was greater growth in churches and Christian communities. Much of the strength we see in KrF’s history is linked to national revival and that the Christian faith was stronger in the country. Church are not to be partisan, but it is also a problem when churches and congregations do not dare to be positive on the court in social issues. It weakens the church, that weakens the community and it weakens indirect KrF. Here they have different roles, but still should work stronger for the same cause. It will serve both churches and Krf that work is to clarify this distribution of roles.
Within “Christian-Norway” made a number of good society engaging work as f. ex abuse services, social work, schools and education, but much more can and should be both practical and at distinct voice. Here is Krf an important partner that makes a big effort and open way in the politikse environment.
Most people want a church that is not only a master of ceremonies and a service institution, but a guide for life . This is fully in line with the church’s great leader and exemplar, Jesus Christ. With Jesus as a common example and model, “Christian-Norway” and KrF develop their different roles, working in a number of fields, and rise up in love and truth without judgmental attitudes.
Some conservative Christians have lost belief KrF. Some of them have chosen to leave the party and others have started small Christian wing portions. In that case one goes the same purpose as those who do not want a Christian value party at all! KrF should not use powers to fight neither them or others, but it challenges the party to justify its values and stand with even greater clarity and boldness.
3. Christian and POLITICAL CENTER
“Christian people” or “Christian-Norway” is ambiguous term, and the variation in both theology traditions and methods of the various Christian denominations, churches and organizations, is very large.
This may in some cases be a challenge for the Christian Democrats, and it will be impossible for KrF which political party to meet all different needs from Christian quarters. Some of these expectations are also outside the area of politics.
On the other hand, KrF sometimes take take a stand where theology, bishops and church come to different conclusions. In important value questions that have consequences for social development must KrF have a clear voice. The new marriage law is one example of this challenge as previously mentioned, and where Krf in my opinion have to find a way that clearly protects the historical and biblical marriage understanding, while it implemented a policy that works in today’s society.
in spite of differences, theological and methodological, there are several unit factors in “Christendom” that gathers wide. There are a wide Christian, interdenominational mainstream where Christian Democratic Party in my opinion has had and should have its strongest impact area, and also in practice find their closest partners in influencing social development. At the same time KrF work actively for the full range of Christian churches and organizations, and also be an important partner and support and all the “volunteers Norway”.
Conservatism and Christian humanism
We today we have what we might call a “Christian arch conservative wing” of “Christian-Norway”. If value conservatism goes into fanaticism and confuse church and politics, it lies outside the Christian Democrat area and what the party can identify with. Such Christian communities will never experience KrF as a party that is “Biblical enough” or “Christian enough” for them, and nor is it the kind of value conservatism that has characterized the development of the party since its inception more than eighty years ago. Meanwhile, I note that conservatism is not a negative word, and that healthy konservativsme have their place both within the church and politics.
There is also another extreme which might be called “Christian humanism” where you basically advocates a type of tolerance and humanism that neither lead the way or is evident in many value questions. The secular humanism of our time new people religion in Europe, and it has great influence in the political environment, but also far into the church and Christian circles. This represents a mindset that has neutrality and tolerance as trademarks, and differ in my opinion both the traditional Christian faith and of the ideology and the values that historically underlies the Christian Democratic Party politics. Unfortunately, we see more and more in our society that tolerance has “one way street”, for those responsible for Christian values demanded a tolerance that they did not even meet with. The issue of freedom of conscience for doctors on abortion is one examples of this. It may be called “the intolerant tolerance”.
Christian and political center
course should not the Christian Democrats identified with one particular type of church or theology, or with a narrow value conservative group of Christians. Nevertheless KrF as a Christian value party to some extent choose what kind of faith-party should have. KrF is politically a centrist. In my opinion belongs KrF core home in the city, both politically and in the Christian landscape.
It is not the Christian Democratic Party to interpret theological questions, or respond to what is sin, or right and wrong in every situation. This belongs to the church and theology area. But if the church fails and is indistinct, it will in some questions make it harder for KrF stand for Christian values.
My conclusion is that KrF will find their bedrock in the broad and diverse Christian center, both inside and outside the Norwegian Church. Meanwhile, a value-based and popular KrF be broadly based among people no matter where they are or are not in relation to the Christian faith.
Somewhere the limits of what a party that carries Christian name can accept in relation to morals and values. This is especially important in a changing world, and where the Christian foundation is no longer a matter of course, and how Christian faith and culture is challenged by a religious and cultural diversity.
No comments:
Post a Comment