SOUTHPORT SERIES -  ASSEMBLY ON JUSTICE

Continuing our Southport Series, Mr Miller (Head of Politics) spoke about justice. Here is his speech in full:

“Good morning. I’ve been asked to talk today about justice.

The idea of justice takes many forms. Saturday was International Women's Day. Every year, this day is used to not only celebrate women, but also to highlight and fight against the injustices that girls and women still face. This is in the realm of social justice, and includes fighting for change in policy, law and society.

Justice means something very different when it comes to Ukraine. For Volodymyr Zelenskyy and most Ukrainians, justice may mean forcing Russian troops out of their country before holding their leaders accountable for war crimes. For others, the most just solution would be ending the war, and achieving peace through diplomatic means, so that fewer troops and civilians die. In matters of justice of war, as with social justice, perspectives may differ, and is rarely straightforward, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that all viewpoints are equal in strength.

In the UK, as we have heard over the past two weeks, the tragic murder of three young girls in Southport has led to horror, grief, togetherness, disinformation and violence, but it has also led to questions over what justice is, and whether it has been served. Justice should be about fairness. People should be treated equally, only the guilty should face retribution, and that retribution should be proportionate to the crime. But when such an injustice occurs, what can make it fair? Is fairness the harshest possible sentence for the perpetrator? Is it a fair trial? Is it addressing the causes behind the crime, and if so, what are those causes: is it poverty? Discrimination? Radicalisation? The cause for many was to them seemingly obvious: it was immigration. The only just solution was to stop further immigration and to correct what they saw as an imbalance in society; an attack on their beliefs, their history and what England ‘should be’. Perhaps feeling unheard, and fighting this perceived injustice, some rioted. Others encouraged violence against asylum seekers and what they called ‘illegals’ blaming them for the breakdown in law, order and civil society. Were they fighting injustice, committing unjust acts, or a combination of both? It depends who you ask or what you read.

Lucy Connolly, the wife of a local councillor, was imprisoned for 2.5 years for an expletive tweet calling for mass deportation and to ‘set fire to all the hotels’ housing asylum seekers. She had read the disinformation that we heard about last week; when that disinformation had been shown false 3 hours later, she deleted the tweet. The length of the sentence which was justified due to the clear incitement to violence combined with the racist undertones, contributed to others perceiving unequal treatment in sentencing for those who hold so called ‘right wing’ views compared to those on the ‘left’. This became labelled as ‘two tier Keir’, expressing the belief in political bias from the Prime Minister within the justice system. Even the American Vice-President, J D Vance, has weighed into the debate, arguing that the UK criminalising such tweets is an attack on Free Speech, a central tenet of a just society. Again, what the issue is, and what justice means, is dependent on perspective.

So, what does this tell us? Justice is rarely simple. It is shaped by experiences, values, and politics. Cases like Connolly’s, criticisms from figures like Vance, and debates around Starmer all remind us that justice is not just about courts, it is about the structures that determine how the law is applied and to whom. It can seem easy to judge from a distance, to decide who is ‘good’ and who is ‘bad.’ But if we are to live in a fairer society, we must be willing to listen. That does not mean we have to accept every argument as valid: some beliefs are harmful, and some actions inexcusable. But it does mean we should ask questions. Why do people feel the way they do? What experiences have shaped their views? What are the historical, social, and political factors at play?

Justice is not just about laws and courts. It is also about how we treat each other in our daily lives. It is about tolerance: understanding that people come from different backgrounds, hold different beliefs, and see the world in different ways. It is about recognising that someone’s religion, culture, or immigration status does not make them more or less deserving of respect.

So how can we apply this to our own lives? First, by thinking critically. When we hear a news story, we should ask ourselves: what are the different viewpoints of this issue? Are we only listening to voices that agree with our opinions; that we are in a bubble? Are we considering the evidence? Second, by being open to discussion. If someone disagrees with us, do we dismiss them outright, or do we try to understand their perspective? And finally, by standing up for fairness: not just when it affects us personally, but when we see others being treated unfairly too.

The Southport case is not the first time a society has been divided by questions of justice, and it will not be the last. But what we can take from it is a reminder: justice, be it in society, in war, or in criminality, is complex. It requires thought, patience, and understanding. If we truly believe in justice, then we must be willing to question, to listen, and to reflect.”

In response to Mr Miller’s speech, Reverend Kate prayed:

God of justice and equality,
We pray for your wisdom to consider situations, disputes and decisions with a clear mind and an open heart.
In matters that are challenging and complex, we ask that you help us to be thoughtful, patient and understanding.
Help us to listen, to ask the right questions, to consider the evidence and so think critically. May we resist the temptation to rush to judgement.
Help us God to fight for justice and stand up for fairness.
Amen.

ACT OF WORSHIP

For our act of worship, Rachel F (9H) and Head Girl, Lisa O (13S), read from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 4 (verses 1-13) in which we encounter Jesus at a moment of great vulnerability. Having spent forty days fasting in the wilderness, and just when he is at his weakest, the devil tempts Jesus to rely on his own strength rather than trust in God’s provision, authority and protection. However, Jesus resists, using scripture to affirm his complete dependence on God.

Reverend Kate said that while she expects many of us have never been tempted to turn a stone into bread, or imagine that we could rule the world or jump from a tall building with nothing obvious to catch our fall, this moment in Jesus’ life mirrors the struggles we can sometimes face. During Lent - or other sacred times such as Ramadan, Yom Kippur or Navaratri (festivals observed by Muslims, Jews and Hindus) - Reverend Kate said that we may feel tempted to rely on our own thoughts instead of trusting God. As such, perhaps we might think:
‘If God really cares, then God will fix what’s wrong’; or
‘If I do something for God, then God will bless me in return’; or
‘If God is really with me, God will not let me fail’.

Reverend Kate said that this type of thinking is designed to test whether God will show up for us.

However, Reverend Kate said, Lent is not about testing God, it is about testing ourselves. Lent is about self-examination and learning to trust God more deeply, even when things do not go the way we planned. In Lent, instead of relying on our own strength, we are invited to surrender control and, in doing so, to grow in faith.

So, this Lent, Reverend Kate encouraged us to shift our mindset.

Instead of thinking that we find it difficult to do what God is asking us to do, perhaps we might think, ‘I will keep praying, fasting and serving others, even when it’s hard’.

Instead of thinking about what we are giving up for God and why, perhaps we might think ‘I will trust God’s plan, even when I do not understand it’.

And, finally, instead of thinking we are alone and unsupported, perhaps we might think ‘I trust that God is with me, and that God will see me through’.

Reverend Kate said that Lent is a season of humility, discipline and trust; it is an opportunity to strengthen Christian faith, not by testing God but by relying on God more fully.

So, this Lent, Reverend Kate encourages us: stop trusting ourself and testing God; instead, test ourself and trust God.

Reverend Kate prayed:

Heavenly Father,
Help us to trust you more deeply.
When we feel afraid or uncertain, give us the courage to persevere in faith.
When we are tempted to rely on our own strength, teach us to seek you in prayer, to surrender control, and to grow closer to you each day.

May we not test you but, instead, allow this time to test and strengthen us.
Amen.