Three lies of British culture

I am not a social scientist, statistician, or expert in trend analysis. I have no qualifications in psychology or anthropology. I am a simple pastor in the Welsh Valleys who has made a cultural observation, from my own experience, that has captured some attention.

There are three lies that British culture promotes, all of which sound lovely, and we all wish they were true.

1. You are good enough just the way you are.
2. You can be anything that you want to be.
3. Nothing is your fault; you are a product of your environment.

The average young British person from a relatively affluent family may agree with the above points. (1) They believe themselves to be “good” as they have never been in trouble with the police. (2) They will go to university and get the job, house, and car that they want. (3) They do smoke a bit of cannabis at the weekend with friends, but this helps them overcome the trauma of having two Christmases after their parents' divorce. 

The point being, their affluence and opportunity can sustain the lies.

In more difficult areas like the one I serve in, the three lies are revealed for what they really are.

If you tell a young person in the Welsh Valleys that they are “good,” they know that they are not. If you tell them that they can be anything that they want to be, they know that the opportunities are not available for them. They do, however, embrace the third lie, with good reason, being a product of multigenerational social decline.

The three lies that they receive from their teachers, social workers, and parole officers do not reconcile with what they know to be true about themselves or the reality that they live in.

But when they hear the gospel for the first time, it all makes sense.

1. You are good enough just the way you are.
   “No, you are not (Romans 3v10); only God is good (Mark 10v18). But the church is a safe space where you can be open and honest about your brokenness (Luke 18v13) and learn that your failures are what unite you to everyone else in our shared need of a Saviour (Romans 6v23).
2. You can be anything that you want to be.
   “No, you can’t. But God has a plan for you today (Jeremiah 29v11), and the church can give you purpose and accountability to live a productive life in the service of others (Hebrews 13v17).
3. Nothing is your fault; you are a product of your environment.
   Grow up! By faith in Christ, you are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5v17). Stop using your past to justify your bad decisions today.

The three lies of British culture cannot be reconciled with the reality of broken lives. This is made more obvious in places of hardship.

Preach the gospel, unashamedly, in all its fullness, and people will respond.