It is more than 1000 years since Christianity was introduced to the
people in this drawn-out land. Still we see churches in every village. It does not mean that each and every
individual calls himself or herself a Christian. But it does mean that the
basic ideas of Christianity have made an impact on how we think, what we value,
how we relate, how we decide upon the powers of government, to mention some
important factors. General ethics is based on the unsurpassed value of each
individual. The double commandment: ‘Love God, love your neighbour’ is
fundamental for all other commandments, like ‘you shall honour your mother and
father; you shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness; you shall not
murder; you shall not covet (neither your neighbour’s wife and employees or any
of his belongings), to mention some. The notion that the political leader is a
servant of the common good is one reflection of the ideals found in the Bible
about being a king and a public servant.
The good society rests on common
respect for each other in accordance with these values. Democracy in itself,
the idea of shared power, will not necessarily prevail, if there is no basic
trust between people, where to lie is not condemned, where the value of a life
is questioned, where there is no equality because some define themselves as
born better than others.
Political theories, ideologies, be it capitalism or liberalism or
socialism, must be curtailed by the Biblical ethics and values in order to have
a chance to function for the benefit of the people.
We face Islamic ideologies of various strands these days, some radical, some
moderate. The vast majority of the migrants are from Muslim countries, and they
bring with them the Islamic mind-set to a varying degree. There is no tradition
of democracy in the Muslim world; the leaders have in many cases been corrupted
by greed and power. There is a good reason many have left and are still
leaving. In the wake of the effort to bring democratic change into the Muslim
world, the forces of democracy lost. The ‘Arab spring’ turned to winter.
The migrants come from many different countries, different cultural
backgrounds – different food traditions, different social setting, and much of
this is enjoyable to meet and experience. But they did not come here to be in
cultural exchange. They fled. They gave up on their own life in the land of
their fathers.
And we shall receive them – as we are. We shall share our Christian
faith, our ideals and our heritage. It has been a very good source of ideology
for our society. We have much to share: and the best is the truth about Jesus
Christ. We have basic values, and these are valid for all – whether you call
yourself a Christian or not. These values are good and valid for the migrants
who may settle here, too. We should never assume that they should remain in the
hold of their former societies. They have broken out of that mould. They have
an opportunity to rethink their life; and our government should not take it
away from them.
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We have a well-meaning government, the leaders of the UDI branch, but in
their naiveté, they demand the reception centres to be ‘neutral’, and if there
are any Christian symbols, they must be removed. I say it is naive, for there
is no such thing as neutral values.
In addition, by removing the signs and symbols of our faith, we rob the
newcomers from the opportunity to learn about it. Does the government also
edict gags on workers, so that they are prohibited from telling anyone of the
migrants about our great faith and culture? If so, our government is digging
their and our grave; for if the Muslim migrants do not meet the Christian ideas
in words and deeds in our land, they will naturally bring in their old ones to
fill the void. They have no other choice. They know no other way.
So, what is it going to be? Where the UDI directives fail, we must
contribute, and show them a better way.
Let me
share a quote from the prophet Isaiah, ch. 58, where the Lord God says:
6“Is not this the fast that I
choose:
to
loose the bonds of wickedness,
to
undo the straps of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and
to break every yoke?
7
Is it not to share your bread
with the hungry
and
bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover
him,
and
not to hide yourself from your own flesh?”
8
Then shall your light break forth
like the dawn,
and
your healing shall spring up speedily;
your righteousness shall go
before you;
the
glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.”…
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