Dark Brightness

Life is fairly hectic, but it is the first Sunday after Waitangi day. At this time there aer various claims that the treaty has a foundational, almost religious position in New Zealand Society.  This recent quote is a position held by many in the ruling elite, not just the greens.

“The Green Party is here to affirm that Te Tiriti o Waitangi is the founding document of Aotearoa New Zealand. To build a truly healthy nation we need to give new life to the Treaty relationship. It’s time to start a dialogue for the 21st century between Mâori and Pakeha, that’s grounded in truly honoring Te Tiriti o Waitangi,” said Green Party Co-Leader, Dr Russel Norman.
“We were deeply concerned with the direction that the previous Government took on the Treaty of Waitangi, particularly on such issues as the Foreshore and Seabed Act that stripped Mâori of their rights. We hope the National Party will do a better job of honoring the Treaty partnership.

I’m aware that many Americans feel the same way about the US consitituion: I’d argue that this is very human. We want to think our tribe or nation has God’s blessing.

The Good Dortors were quite sarcastic about this. Augistine argues that the main use of the Gods was to give people an excuse to invade:

Here, first of all, I ask, why even the kingdom itself is not some god.  For why should not it also be so, if Victory is a goddess?  Or what need is there of Jove himself in this affair, if Victory favors and is propitious, and always goes to those whom she wishes to be victorious?  With this goddess favorable and propitious, even if Jove was idle and did nothing, what nations could remain unsubdued, what kingdom would not yield?  But perhaps it is displeasing to good men to fight with most wicked unrighteousness, and provoke with voluntary war neighbors who are peaceable and do no wrong, in order to enlarge a kingdom?  If they feel thus, I entirely approve and praise them.

Yet God claims soverignty:

The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.

Psalm 103:19

Augustine argued that the City of God is not attached to any earthly kingdom, and that our loyalty lies elsewhere. So what is our duty? The Westminstr confession states:

It is the duty of people to pray for magistrates,to honor their persons, to pay them tribute or other dues, to obey their lawful commands, and to be subject to their authority, for conscience’ sake. Infidelity, or difference in religion, does not make void the magistrates’ just and legal authority, nor free the people from their due obedience to them] from which ecclesiastical persons are not exempted,

This does not excuse the people when they are unfaithful. IN fact we are all unfaithful and unrigheous in Gd’s eyes. There is a point where acknowledging the consititution or treaty melds into a form of idolatory. Isiaih notes =

You journeyed to Molech with oil,

and multiplied your perfumes;

you sent your envoys far away,

and sent down even to Sheol.

You grew weary from your many wanderings,

but you did not say, “It is useless.”

You found your desire rekindled,

and so you did not weaken.

Whom did you dread and fear

so that you lied,

and did not remember me

or give me a thought?

Have I not kept silent and closed my eyes,

and so you do not fear me?

I will concede your righteousness and your works,

but they will not help you.

When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you!

The wind will carry them off,

a breath will take them away.

But whoever takes refuge in me shall possess the land

and inherit my holy mountain.

We are called to be salt and light. Let us do good, let us honour our laws. But we should not pretend they are the works of God. They are works of men. Our final loyalty must lie with the final answer, which is Chris.

It appears that some radicals have invaded churches, because california passed proposition 8, which amends the California state constitution so that a marriage is defined as between a man and a woman.

WorldNet reports:

Decisions by voters in Florida, Arizona and California to join residents of 27 other states with constitutional protections for traditional marriage
have prompted threats of violence against Christians and their churches.

“Burn their f—ing churches to the ground, and then tax the charred timbers,” wrote “World O Jeff” on the JoeMyGod blogspot today within hours of California officials declaring Proposition 8 had been approved by a margin of 52 percent to 48 percent. Confirmation on voter approval of amendments in Florida and Arizona came earlier.

The amendments in all three states essentially limit marriage to one man and one woman. In California, the measure states the only marriages “valid and recognized” in the state are those between one man and one woman.

Thirty states now have adopted marriage amendments. However, in California, the vitriol appeared especially high since the state Supreme Court in May created same-sex marriage for homosexuals. Proposition 8 overruled the court decision, readopting the marriage definition California votersadopted in 2000.

Now the logic is that this is lobbying, which cannot be done by charities, which is bullshyt. Reformed churhc es attempt to influence the secular government: this is the reason for a” public questions committee”. From Huffington

Some pro-Proposition 8 folks may come to regret their not so private support of hate. And were you thinking about skiing in Utah this year? Hmmm, Colorado’s looking pretty appealing these days.

Yet somehow an economic boycott doesn’t feel direct enough; those who team up against gay people must learn that there are consequences.

That’s why we are seeking to strip the Mormon church of its status as a religious organization. According to IRS law, “no organization, including a church, may qualify for IRC section 501(c)(3) status if a substantial part of its activities is attempting to influence legislation (commonly known as lobbying).” [Emphasis added.]

Please join our efforts and show the world that gay people — and their friends and families — know how to hit back

I’m no Mormon. But they first came for the Mormons…
Now when the Church stands up as it should and says to our Muslim friends ““Brother, do not kill your son because he loves a boy. Pray for him, love him”

From today's lectionary: