Ramon Arias | September 22, 2014
After the September 18th vote for independence from Great Britain, Scotland finds itself divided in such a significant way that many foresee an uncertain future. A high number of voters went to the polls, and 55.3% rejected Scotland’s independence from the United Kingdom.
No one should take for granted the 44.7% who wanted to secede from England. They will continue to be a force to reckon with in the days, months and years to come. Their dreams, hopes and vision for a better place are far from being defeated.
Europe has a long list of secessionist movements and the Scotland outcome is far from discouraging them, in fact it has provided more fuel for their cause.
People in America are not immune to the idea of resurrecting their secession movement. Reuters published the following headline: “Exclusive: Angry with Washington, 1 in 4 Americans open to secession.” The report in part explains: “The failed Scottish vote to pull out from the United Kingdom stirred secessionist hopes for some in the United States, where almost a quarter of people are open to their states leaving the union, a new Reuters/Ipsos poll found. Some 23.9 percent of Americans polled from Aug. 23 through Sept. 16 said they strongly supported or tended to support the idea of their state breaking away, while 53.3 percent of the 8,952 respondents strongly opposed or tended to oppose the notion. The urge to sever ties with Washington cuts across party lines and regions…” (To read the entire article click here.)
You better believe that the world’s establishment and rich elite are very concerned; they know the independence movements are only going to grow. However, the elite will continue to do what they do best by using their resources to stop the secessionist’s success at all cost, including the loss of lives, as they have done throughout history. Can they stop the separatist movements? According to history, not always.
When I study the separatist or independence movements throughout history, it is of great interest to look beyond the material motives and understand their ideological worldview. When they gained their independence or separation, their lofty ideas do not prevail and with time people are back to square one. Failed, recycled ideas remain a dominant factor. It does not have to be that way and history also teaches us there is a better alternative.
Very few nations have the right foundations where they could look back to rebuild effectively. Scotland and the United States of America are a part of those few nations with a strong foundation in their origin.
Scotland must look back to their 16th century biblically-based Reformation led by great men such as John Knox as one of the main originators and most recognizable. In his book “The History of The Reformation In Scotland” Knox stated: “We write that the posterity to come may understand how patiently God wrought in preserving and delivering those that had but a small knowledge of the truth, and for the love of the same hazarded all.”
It is the knowledge of the biblical truth that Scotland and the rest of the nations should aspire to once again. Christianity Today magazine has an important article titled: “What Evangelicals Think About Scotland’s Independence Vote” which quotes Fred Drummond, the national director of the Evangelical Alliance Scotland calling for Scots to “unite and build a new Scotland with Christian values at the heart.”
Drummond went on to say: “The Christian gospel provides the catalyst for reconciliation, and as Christians we recognize our responsibility to model grace, forgiveness, and reconciliation to our fellow citizens,” also stating: “During this campaign all Scots have rallied around a flag. But as Christians our identity is not based on a flag or a national boundary but on the radical grace of being adopted into God’s family.”
“As Scots now consider what kind of nation will now emerge from this campaign, the church must lead—and be allowed to lead—the way to ensure the new Scotland is one that reflects God’s values in the economy, the family, our communities and our environment,” he stated. “As Christians we passionately believe that these values will shape our nation for good.”
God’s Revealed Truth is the only source to build nations and its institutions for lasting stability and progress. The United States of America also needs to remember two significant years of its history, 1620 and 1776. Both dates are a reminder that without the knowledge of God’s character, justice and moral law there is no hope, and that Jesus is the only Savior and Lord of humanity.
Fred Drummond’s statement is the best statement of the outcome of the referendum and the true aftershock that the elitist media will not report. May the Spirit of our God move among His people in Scotland, America and the world.