Boazy: "Am I missing something here?"

Yes, but there's not much hope that you'll ever get it.

Dear BD,

Isn't there something in the Bible about the prodigal son? And doesn't a shepherd value all of his sheep?( Especially the black ones that try to get away?)

I'm no expert but I seem to recall something along those lines ...

Anyway, economic refugees who don't go through the normal channels
will be sent back. The laws are quite clear about that, and they will be enforced . So, don't fret too much.

Hi Foxy.

actually this is a most important test case. It would be a refreshing change if we can stick to the issue rather than trying to undermine peoples character (no, I don't mean you, or Belly)

Romans 13:1

1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

Now..I see nothing there about exceptions for disgruntled Indonesian fish thieves :) sorry, but I don't. Notice the words "bring judgement on themSELVES" it could not be clearer.

The prodigal son, was about a young ratbag who took his inheritance and squandered it on whores and booze.. and then, after running out of $$$ found himself with the pigs...eating their food.

Rejection of legitimate authority, in this case Australia's maritime/border protection law, will bring inevitable problems as a matter of course.

What interests me though, is whether the Left will pick up on this and try to politicize it.

They did so with what they now describe as "The Barwon 13".. blokes soon to go on trial for alleged terrorist activities.
I watched the defense legal team in action. Rob Starry and gang, It was mind numbing. (at the committal hearing) They did not care a scrap for the significance of any evidence, just focused on how they might make it inadmissable due to some technicality. All I can say is God forbid it is HIS child blown to bits by the next terrorist bombing. How ironic it would be if it was planted by the person he defended..... in that way.

I raised this topic for the reasons in the title.. a litmus test for the Left...... dunk it in the liquid.. pink for alkali, blue for acid..

Please define what you mean by "the Left".

Surely you can't mean the Labor Party. Even the Greens seem to be hovering near the centre these days.

Then again, who is to "the Right" of the Libs?

"Left" seems to have become a generic term for everybody who is critical of any government policy or shows a bit of non-sectarian compassion or human decency.

Very good point Wobbles :) it is indeed becoming difficult to define the poles.
I don't consider myself 'right' economically, or even socially.. I see myself as Christian..and I find problems with the poles of 'right' and 'left'....

I guess the 'Left' I'm thinking of, is the hard nosed 'class struggle' union mob, the Greens, Democrats, bleeding hearts (when that compassion is self defeating or irrational, as would be the case re this specific topic)

The people who mount attacks on Detention centres.. the "Marylin Shepherd" types..

I'd also include a fairly health slab of the '9/11 conspiracy theorists' without meaning to annoy you :)

I guess I also mean those who would use any and all means of destroying the government simply so they can grab a slice of power...
rather than a genuine concern for the issues they use to achieve that goal.

LABOR...LEFT ? read this:

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22806913-601,00.html

"effective laws, effective detention arrangements, effective deterrent posture vis-a-vis vessels approaching Australian waters".

Mr Rudd also said that a referendum on Aboriginal reconciliation, a separate Aboriginal treaty and a republican referendum would not occur in the first term of a Rudd Labor government, if at all.

And he refused to give any commitment to a statutory bill of rights, saying Labor's only promise was to "consult the community" on the issue.

COMMENT.. I could easily vote for such a stand :) But I won't, because there are other 'fine print' issues I dislike.

BOAZ_David,

You observe in your second post to this thread that "So far the responses (except for brother Belly:) seem to be more about attacking me.. the old 'ur a bad Christian' ploy rather than engaging on the issue.". I'd like to comment about that, but first a nit-pick.

In that same post you also asked "Am I missing something here?".

Well actually, you did.

Your unattributed partial quotation with respect to the crucifixion (which had to have come from at least one of the four gospels) moved me to check the record. You were evidently quoting from Luke 23:39-43. The bit you omitted was the content of verse 42: "And he said to Jesus, Remember me, Lord, when You come in Your kingdom."

It makes a difference, that bit left out.

But wait, there's more. If you regard the collective record of the four gospels as being complementary, as opposed to conflicting, testimony, you will be compelled to note that only shortly before this exchange BOTH thieves are reported as having reviled and/or insulted Jesus. Matthew 27:44 and Mark 15:32 refer. (John must have been temporarily absent from the immediate situation, for he makes no reference to either event, but evidently returned shortly thereafter, for he was there at the end.)

Something evidently occurred to move one of the thieves to warn the other, ".... Do you not even fear God, you that are under the same judgement? And we indeed justly, for we are getting what we deserve for what we did - but this One did nothing wrong." From insult and reviling to defending the insulted and trusting request in at most a couple of hours! Luke 23:39 records where the other thief crossed the line.

I guess my point is that no matter how late in the day it is, its OK for posters to jump off the bandwagon of personal attack that seems to have been recently driven in your direction. I suggest some may be being taken for a ride. I smell a rat. More later.