WWJD?

Emerging out of the Easter weekend, it's striking how spiritual realities can quietly invade our daily lives. Millions in this country go to churches, mosques, synagogues and temples, professing that the power of higher belief is essential to a religious life. I'm not so sure. Into politics for over two years now, I'm hardly an expert on the nuances of power, but I do have some experience in religious thought and its powers of persuasion and I've come to a singular conclusion: more important than higher belief is higher, more noble conduct. Without that, we have never really understood power, whether in politics or religion.Outside of Parliament, many bemoan the fact that MPs or Senators lack a true religious or ethical base. Yet I've repeatedly heard "inside" the House, that there are now more religious people than ever. Really? I'm no expert, but I'm having trouble seeing it. We can believe in Jesus, Mohammed or Moses, Gandhi, or other leaders in a deep and meaningful way that leads to a respectful appreciation. But that's not really what Easter is about, is it? We can stand in admiration of great lives even more greatly lived, kind of like when we admire a beautiful painting. But to believe like that is to fully miss the point. Jesus, or the others, demanded a sincere revolution, not of beliefs, but of conduct and no deep appreciation of such individuals can amount to much unless we first "buy in" to altering our lives in accordance with such revolutionary challenges. Jesus or Mohammed took things that might seem subsidiary to us and elevated them to the forefront of noble living.I have watched as religious people in the House of Commons have maligned the character or even intentions of other MPs. I have witnessed them gathering in places of worship only to watch them do things in Parliament that they would never even subtly attempt in church, or that they would want their children to witness. It remains no accident that the increased amount of individuals of faith in the Commons has also coincided with one of the meanest and cutthroat Parliaments in recent memory - the link is clear for any to trace.Christians often ask "What Would Jesus Do?" (WWJD). Well, here are some rudimentary and simple ideas of what he would do as an MP - things we all, including me, seem to have missed:

• speak kindly and respectful to others
• forgive as you would want to be forgiven
• encourage the instruments of power to serve the most downtrodden, not the elites
• don't offer formal apologies that you have no intention of making right
• refuse to fall into the trap of merely opposing the government for sake of seizing power yourself
• seek true justice first instead of only appealing to those who you hope will vote for you
• refuse to pray for someone if you are going to cut them to ribbons in QP - pray for yourself instead in that case - you'll need it
• pursue the benefit of citizens and not just your party
• speak of the equality of women and legislate so that equality is more than a sentiment to be trotted out at election time
• love your family and be willing to sacrifice your political prestige in order to inspire your spouse and children
• leave a legacy for the next generation that isn't about you, but them
• care for the most desperate people in the world by committing yourself to their betterment through your legislative efforts - Jesus would do that, as would the other great leaders
• practice power as service, not authority

Let's try just a few of these things and watch how Parliament will change because we changed ourselves. Those "better angels of our nature" need the stone rolled away so they can emerge. That power is the greatest thing we possess as MPs and it is in our hands.