Thursday, January 19, 2012

Legislating Morality?

William Wilberforce is considered to have been the greatest social reformer who ever lived. If there is any reason to doubt the connection between legislation and morality, his illustrative life should once and for all reveal the relationship as inseparable. I'm currently reading Eric Metaxas' biographical account, “Amazing Grace,” named after the hymn written by the former slave ship captain, John Newton, who was Wilberforce's spiritual mentor. Wilberforce has permanently affixed upon the Christian conscience the moral obligation for political action. The idea that one cannot legislate morality should be forever banned as meaningless drivel.

“Is it not the great end of religion, and, in particular, the glory of Christianity, to extinguish the malignant passions; to curb the violence, to control the appetites, and to smooth the asperities of man; to make us compassionate and kind, and forgiving one to another; to make us good husbands, good fathers, good friends; and to render us active and useful in the discharge of the relative social and civil duties? ” 
― William Wilberforce

You can watch the trailer of the movie adaptation of Amazing Grace:



William Wilberforce's book, Real Christianity online or download.

William Wilberforce (Eric Metaxas mp3 download)

William Wilberforce, Wikipedia article

http://www.brycchancarey.com/abolition/wilberforce.htm

William Wilberforce, Christianity Today article

Eric Metaxas' Blog