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The Question Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?

1958 France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg 1973 UK, Denmark, Ireland 1981 Greece 1986 Portugal, Spain 1995 Finland, Austria, Sweden 2004 Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia 2007 Bulgaria, Romania 2013 Croatia

A European vision? Peace and economic partnership

A European vision? Peace and economic partnership Is this vision of partnership, peace and prosperity good? If the vision is good, does the EU remain an effective institution for delivering it? If the EU isn’t delivering the vision, do we remain and influence, or leave to model an alternative?

‘“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’

EU REFERENDUM WHY MIGHT JESUS VOTE TO LEAVE? Thursday 9 th June 2016

A too simplistic argument to vote Remain – ‘Love your neighbour’ Who is my neighbour?

Facts EU citizens resident in UK = 3 million UK citizens resident in the EU = million

Facts In ,000 people entered the UK from the EU 277,000 entered from outside the EU

Facts The number of civil servants is 42,500 in the EU administration 439,000 in the UK administration

Facts The UK pays a gross £350 million a week into the EU budget Just over 1p for every £1 we pay in our taxes

What would Jesus think about immigration? ‘I am a foreigner and stranger among you.’ Abraham – Genesis 23:4 The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the L ORD your God. Leviticus 19:34

What would Jesus think about the economics?

What would Jesus think about our national identity ?

Is there a European identity? Can a centralised institution really represent 500 million people in 28 different countries?

EU as a modern empire

A pseudo democracy

Lord Glasman ‘It is gratuitous to remain part of a political union that is so hostile to diversity and democracy and so disposed to the consolidation of big capital that it has become a remorseless machine for …liberal economics… and the disintegration of society…. Perhaps it is time to think again.’

Summary - Main arguments to leave A failing project - immigration, terrorism, unemployment A failed vision of a European democratic identity The original moral vision replaced by a secular, capitalist agenda focussed on economic growth And neglect of global poverty, climate change, local democracy and its Christian heritage

Final advice Be wary of prophecy - especially when it’s about the future!

For all its many faults, since its inception in the wake of the Second World War, the EU has generally been a positive force for liberalism, prosperity, stability, rule of law and tolerance in a continent that devoted many previous centuries to internecine and murderous conflict. Andrew Rawnsley

Peace and Reconciliation

15 He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, 16 and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. Ephesians 2

Redemption and Participation

“You should be proud that the EU has helped spread British values – democracy, the rule of law, open markets – across the continent and to its periphery. The European Union doesn’t moderate British influence – it magnifies it.”

‘Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help.’ Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Solidarity and Faithfulness

‘If you see your neighbour’s house on fire, it is probably not the best time to turn up asking to borrow a cup of sugar.’ Rafael Behr

“Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?” What’s the most important idea you have heard tonight?