BBC Radio Leicester
Thought for the Day
© John Denney 7
February 2005
I
was intrigued by a story in yesterday’s papers about a new history book that challenges
a lot of accepted views about American history.
It claims, for instance, that the early English settlers bought land from the native Americans,
rather than stealing it. And President
Franklin D Roosevelt deepened the economic misery of the 1930s rather than
relieving it; and President Abraham Lincoln held decidedly racist views. Whether or not there is any truth in these
claims, I can’t say, ‘cause I haven’t read the book, and I don’t know enough
about the subject.
However,
it made me wonder what received views of British history we ought to
re-examine. Did King Alfred really burn
the cakes, or was he the scapegoat for an incompetent housewife? Was Dunkirk a disastrous defeat rather than a
glorious rearguard retreat? And might we
claim that the British Empire was on the whole a good thing, bringing social
& economic benefits and honest & efficient government to impoverished
peasants and alleviating oppression? Not
to mention cricket.
When
was the last time you heard someone say, “It’s not cricket!” when there has
been unfairness or injustice, or bigotry, or something underhand. We’re so used to all of these things
nowadays, what with spin-doctors; and being economical with the truth; and the
thin end of the wedge levering ever more open the door behind which indecency
and immorality lie. Sadly, even the game
of cricket itself isn’t what it used to be.
You know: playing a straight bat, walking when you know the ball snicked
your bat, and applauding the other team for a fine performance. Not winning at all costs.
Hutber’s
Law states “Improvement equals deterioration”. The “new, improved” product on
the supermarket shelf is usually more expensive, has cheaper ingredients and
tastes worse than its predecessors. The
Post Office improved its service by cutting down on its deliveries and making
them later in the day. Business
rationalisation usually means people out of work and less effective
output. “No new taxes” means higher
existing taxes. I could go on.
There
is, though, I’m glad to say, one unchanging constant. The Bible says Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today
and for ever.[1] And his love endures for ever.[2] So, whatever unexpected event happens today,
whether it’s an improvement or a deterioration, you can always look to God to
help you through it.