Dear Editor,
Re: ‘Would you break the law?’ (Simon Marsh, en November), I was glad that Mr Marsh did not indulge in the usual, knee-jerk response which characterises the attitudes of most believers to Extinction Rebellion (XR) (cf.Esth.4:15-16). Mr Marsh stated that XR considers that ‘they have a duty to disobey the system’, but this is because ‘the system’, as it is currently organised, will bring ‘untold suffering due to the climate crisis’. (See ‘Planet Earth is facing a climate emergency’, 11,000 scientists from 153 nations, BioScience November 2019.)
He would ‘personally draw the line at XR’s tactics’, because ‘in a democracy, there are many ways of making your voice heard’. There are indeed, and we’ve spared no effort to use them all for two decades, with precious little to show for our trouble! The ‘last straw’ for many came in 2015, when, at an M&S reception for campaigners I attended, the then climate minister, Amber Rudd, announced swingeing cuts in support for renewable energy – this after the biggest lobby of Parliament ever! I myself deplore the disruption caused by Insulate Britain, but this pales into near insignificance compared with the gross irresponsibility of the Government in failing to take effective action on this issue. I’m reminded of the old proverb: ‘What is the crime of the thief, compared with that of the banker?’
