Have you been following the Post Office scandal? If you’ve never heard of it, here’s a summary. I’ve been listening to the Public Inquiry* for weeks. That means listening to key witnesses being grilled by barristers for hours. It’s an easy thing to have on while I’m hanging the washing out etc. because it’s very calm and methodical – although occasionally totally gripping. I keep bringing in my children to watch key moments. (The boys got quite into the Paula Vennells bit but I think they’d just watch anything to be honest.)
There’s so much we can learn from the whole situation, as a society and as individuals. But specifically from the Inquiry I have a few thoughts I’d like to share:
- People do not like to admit bad motives. It’s hard to say “I’m sorry”, but saying “I’m sorry that happened,” “I’m sorry we didn’t realise” or “I’m sorry I was too trusting” are all much easier than saying an absolute sorry. For example: “You’re right, I cared more about myself than those other people so I lied. I’m so sorry.” Nobody has said that (yet). Of course we see this right back in Genesis. Adam and Eve didn’t say sorry at all, they just blamed someone else. Since I know I’m a sinner, I should be able to admit when I’ve done something that’s just plain wrong. And since we know true forgiveness, we can give true apologies. What freedom!
- We should be careful not to say or do things that we’re not prepared to defend. Some of the witnesses have had a really hard time in the box, and I’d hate to be them. So it’s worth wondering, ‘Could I be in that position?’ I hope and pray that if I ever have to explain myself in court, it will be over something I’m willing to die for. I’d love people to be able to say of me what they said of Daniel: “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.” (Daniel 6:5)
- I’m so thankful for our justice system. This whole inquiry must be costing a fortune. And it won’t lead to any convictions because it’s a fact-finding process. If the Crown wants to charge someone they will have to go through a trial. More money. But isn’t this wonderful? I’m so glad we live in a country where justice matters enough to spend money on. And we have lawyers that say things like, “What your reaction was is a separate question to what the facts are” (Mr Beer, KC). Facts! Which leads me onto my final and favourite point…
- The truth matters. Our culture likes to pretend that truth is relative. It’s all about interpretation; nobody can tell me I’m wrong. But when it comes to people going to prison for crimes they did not commit, the whole country is united against that. Suddenly we all see the difference between true and false. The postmasters themselves can’t get their lives back, but they are desperate for people to know the truth. If your whole community thought you were a thief, the truth would matter to you, wouldn’t it? Because there is truth, and there are lies. And they’re different, and it matters.
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
This isn’t a plug for the Post Office Scandal, but if you are interested I recommend the Great Post Office Trial podcast on BBC sounds. It’s not for the faint-hearted.
Mum in Zone One 