wfn.org | EA NEWS: Alliance urges respect on Northern Ireland differences

["EAUK Press Office" <press@eauk.org>]

Alliance urges respect on Northern Ireland differences
For Immediate Release: 12th May 1998

As divisions begin to emerge between Christians supporting and
opposing the multi-party agreement, the head of an alliance
representing evangelicals in Northern Ireland today urged Christians
not to disown those with whom they disagree.

Rev David McCarthy, speaking on behalf of the council of the Northern
Ireland Evangelical Alliance, today said that while Christians held
opposing views on the agreement, it was important that care must be
taken in how the debate was conducted.

He said: "It is crucial that Scripture should not be used to abuse or
spiritually blackmail other Christians by implying it is a sin to vote
either yes or no on the political agreement. Divergence of opinion is
legitimate and as Christians we must not disown those who come to
different conclusions to us on this issue.

"Christians are called by God to work through their differences in the
context of their unity in Christ.  This must be practised and not left
as mere theory."

The Northern Ireland Evangelical Alliance is part of the Evangelical
Alliance UK, an umbrella body covering more than one million
Christians in 30 denominations.

ENDS

For further information contact:

Rev David McCarthy, general secretary of the Northern Ireland EA on
01232-247920 or EAUK communications officers Keith Ewing or Gavin
Drake on 0171-207 2116 / 2117