By the time most people reach the ripe old age of sixty, it would be fair to say that the way one sees the world would be pretty much set in concrete....especially when it comes to sex, religion and politics! Three topics that were rarely discussed in my family of origin. It wasn't really until I had started my own family that my views and beliefs on sex and religion were challenged and changed....and they continue to be refined as I experience life from an older and hopefully wiser perspective. However, politics has held little interest for me. Politically I am very much of the same persuasion as that of my parents. I was not raised to be overly concerned for the welfare of others. I am a product of the 50s.... secure job, secure family, secure home....these were seen as the hallmarks of a successful life!
Apart from a minor burst of questioning regarding the morality of the Vietnam War, there has been very little to ignite any political passion within. I have never been one to sign petitions or jump on the political bandwagon for any cause......until now!
I have been transformed.
The awakening of my political passion began with the reading of a book and it is currently being fuelled by the heartless proposals being put forward by our 'new' Prime Minister.
The book, 'The People Smuggler' by Robin De Crespigny opened my eyes to the plight of asylum seekers in Australia. It is the true story of an Iraqi man and his desperate efforts to save his family from cruelty and incomprehensible torture. In the process of saving his family he becomes a people smuggler and is responsible for the safe relocation of hundreds of refugees all of whom were eventually granted asylum. He is described as the Oskar Schindler of Asia.
Regarding this issue, I have gained some new understandings...
In my ignorance of political affairs I did not know that 'seeking asylum' in another country is not illegal. It is a basic Human Right. I did not know that asylum seekers should not be detained for more than one month while they are being processed. I did not know that countries much poorer than ours are being far more generous in welcoming refugees into their country. But I do know that neither side of politics is willing to exercise compassion for fear of losing votes. I wonder how History will remember us in years to come.
It is somewhat of an anomaly that both our Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition would describe themselves as Christians yet in the New Testament we read....' Real religion, the kind that God accepts is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight and guard against corruption from the godless world.' James 1:27
The persecution and torture that many families face is not dissimilar to the suffering of the Jews at the hands of the Hitler. Will we be remembered as a compassionate and kind people or as a nation that is crippled by fear, greed and self absorption?
