A senior MP commenting on the revelation that a significant number of MPs have disregarded parliamentary rules regarding free trips and similar benefits from foreign governments commented that they did not need the rules to be changed what they needed was for MPs' attitudes to be changed.
That made my ears prick up. We live in a society in the UK where many regard rules as something of an optional matter. We are also much more concerned that others keep the rules than that we are made to obey them. If you drive a car you will almost certainly know what I mean! So long as no one gets hurt (as far as we know) and we get away with it then it's OK. But is it? Having such a light attitude towards regulation is being one step away from anarchy.
"What we need is for people to change their attitude", he insisted. Now that's interesting because that was exactly the message that Jesus proclaimed - especially to the hypocritical religious and civic leaders of his day who thought that they could "bend the rules to suit themselves". The Greek word used in the first editions of the New Testament is "metanoia", which means a change of attitude. It is still usually translated into an old English word - repent. That carries some baggage that sadly gets in the way. But the message is as needed in our society today as in the society into which Jesus was born.
If we want to be a part of a better society maybe we could all do with a bit more honest change of attitude. What do you think?
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