In trying to understand the reasons behind the recent riots in England, the pundits have rallied behind two main arguments. At one end of the spectrum, they are all thugs and thieves out to get new trainers and ipods. At the other they are a disadvantaged that are demonstrating their frustrations. The problem with these extremes is that it is then very easy to play the blame game. If they are just criminals then it is because they have no parental guidance if they are a social underclass it is the governments fault. What if it is more complex than that, what if it is a combination of reasons? Some of the most damning and condemning arguments on facebook have been posted by Christians and that makes me sad and also question whether Jesus was in the blame game? It seems to me that He was on the side of the marginalised and the underclass. His wrath was reserved for the pious, the religious and those in authority.

To be clear, criminal damage is criminal damage. Robbery is unacceptable, violence is not the answer but the church needs to assist. It needs to be offering moral guidance and assistance to those who are crying out for help, for father figures and for authority.

The best response I have heard was a few broadcast a few days on Sky News. This guy understands the wide ranging issues, condemns where it needs to be condemned but offers hope to this broken society. Great work!