Life

Norman Hamilton: Recovery of goodwill just as important for our wellbeing as Covid-19 vaccines

Christmas goodwill is in short supply in parts of our society, including its politics, says Norman Hamilton. He argues that poor relationships are undermining our democracy - but that a focus on rebuilding good working relationships would strengthen it

 In this 'season of goodwill', Niall McDonnell, a member of the 31st Rathfarnham Scouts Group in Dublin, prepares Christmas trees and wreaths for sale to raise funds for their group and charity. Goodwill, however, seems to be in short supply in other parts of society, including politics, says Dr Norman Hamilton. Picture by Brian Lawless/PA Wire
 In this 'season of goodwill', Niall McDonnell, a member of the 31st Rathfarnham Scouts Group in Dublin, prepares Christmas trees and wreaths for sale to raise funds for their group and charity. Goodwill, however, seems to be in short supply in other  In this 'season of goodwill', Niall McDonnell, a member of the 31st Rathfarnham Scouts Group in Dublin, prepares Christmas trees and wreaths for sale to raise funds for their group and charity. Goodwill, however, seems to be in short supply in other parts of society, including politics, says Dr Norman Hamilton. Picture by Brian Lawless/PA Wire

CHRISTMAS is often regarded as the 'season of goodwill'.

The description comes directly from Luke's gospel, where we read that as the shepherds were being told of the birth of Jesus: "Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men.'"

The 2020 Christmas season has arrived, but goodwill seems in increasingly short supply.

The news is dominated all too often by very public disputes amongst elected leaders and celebrities.

On top of this, many public figures have to endure dreadful abuse on social media, to say nothing of the growth in 'cancel culture' where support for them can be withdrawn at a moment's notice in response to what is seen as their objectionable behaviour or opinions, even stretching back many years.

Add to this the phenomenon of 'truth decay', to which former US President Barack Obama referred in a recent BBC interview.

It is a growing trend where truth takes a back seat to opinion, and where abuse is targeted at both people and institutions who rely on fact and objectivity as central pillars of their work.

A clear picture is emerging - what is true or untrue does not really matter at all, for herd instinct and personal preference and opinion are king.

Right before our eyes we are seeing the erosion of the need to build and maintain good relationships with people and groups with whom we disagree. Wisdom and graciousness are relegated to the back benches of public opinion.

Yet, with that said, it is very important to acknowledge that there have been many examples of goodwill in neighbourhoods and at community level during the current pandemic, alongside the selfless service of so many in the health and social care sector who have gone far and beyond what was expected of them.

Nonetheless, these many expressions of love for neighbour are being outweighed by the very strong forces in wider society that are constantly driving people apart.

A clear picture is emerging - what is true or untrue does not really matter at all, for herd instinct and personal preference and opinion are king

As these increase, the damage that inevitably follows is enormous. The breakdown of good relationships, whether at home and amongst family, at work, with neighbours, friends or people who see things differently takes its toll in mental health, anger, fear, and deep distress.

Of all the examples of poor relationships, those in government trouble me the most, because every one of us suffers as a result.

Disunity, backbiting, pointless point scoring, avoidance of truth and fact make the lives of ordinary citizens much more difficult than they need to be. Poor working relationships make good governance virtually impossible.

The Nolan principles of public life - to which all elected representatives have explicitly signed up - are designed to enhance the building of trust and good working relationships.

Those principles explicitly include selflessness, integrity, openness and honesty. When these are sidelined or absent, we are left with a toxic diet of partisanship, equivocation, secrecy and suspicion.

There is a second and even deeper cause for concern. Poor relationships in government underpin partisan politics, since upholding 'identity' becomes more important than almost anything else.

Any love for neighbour and working for the common good is replaced by protection of the tribe at the expense of wider society.

Difficult, but necessary, long-term decisions are avoided. Care for the vulnerable, the needy and the oppressed falls ever further down the list of priorities.

Yet, if good working relationships were valued, this would allow good listening to other perspectives and so enable good policy and decision-making.

Indeed, I would go so far as to suggest that poor relationships are currently undermining our democracy, whilst a focus on rebuilding good working relationships would strengthen it.

Disunity, backbiting, pointless point scoring, avoidance of truth and fact make the lives of ordinary citizens much more difficult than they need to be. Poor working relationships make good governance virtually impossible

Christian teaching is very clear about the need to build and promote good relationships both in wider society generally and in the church.

The Old Testament prophet Isaiah called his fellow citizens to: "Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; (and) plead the case of the widow."

And within the Church, the Apostle Paul said: "In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus."

Is it not self-evident that as we hurtle into 2021 with so many huge challenges facing us, (Covid-19; massive unemployment; sinking mental health; rising levels of poverty and debt; to name but a few) that we all need to take increasing care about how we relate to and connect with other people?

Those of us who are committed Christians, cannot avoid God's call to help make all 12 months of the year a perpetual season of goodwill.

And those in authority need to do so as well, so that real hope will emerge during 2021.

Recovery of goodwill and good relationships is just as important for our wellbeing as the recent discovery of vaccines for Covid-19.

The Rev Dr Norman Hamilton is a former Presbyterian moderator.