Uturn by Paisleyism leaves followers baffled

Paisleyism U-turn leaves Followers Baffled



Like most leaders who change their mind, Rev Ian Paisley’s past actions has left his followers with a major problem.

For Free Presbyterians, the situation since political power sharing, is one of confusion and division. Confusion, because they once adhered to the doctrine of separation which prohibited such a power sharing arrangement with law breakers; now they find themselves part of that compromising arrangement. They witnessed their founder and former moderator condemn anyone that compromised with Roman Catholicism and Irish Republicanism over the period of the troubles, then suddenly turn and embrace all that he originally condemned. The question must be asked; was Free Presbyterianism wrong regarding the doctrine of separation in the past? Is Free Presbyterianism wrong now regarding the doctrine of separation? This is the dilemma for Paisley’s followers today, the issue cannot be buried in silence, and neither can it be explained away by clever tricks.

For all that followed the political aspirations of Paisleyism, their dilemma is just as poignant. How can they now support a party that has lost the moral authority which it once claimed? Secondly how can they support a party which sold out all their political principles? How can they support the TUV without incurring the wrath of the Free Presbyterian DUP?

The present Free Presbyterian moderator has promised to carry on the fight against Roman Catholicism, ecumenism and apostasy; how can this be done when his church is found to have compromised the doctrine of separation? Clearly he has a major problem on his hands when two Free Presbyterians are fighting for the same Westminster seat; some of these two people have compromised the doctrine of separation and therefore must be disciplined as Rev R Johnston is well aware.

Rev Mervyn Cotton (Heb13:6)