Colin Parkinson
I recently wrote an article asking that we show respect for our leaders. I thought that my previous article might be difficult for some but, after reading through the comments, I realised that some people may have misunderstood some of what I said.
I did not say to blindly accept everything that we hear from the “Podium of Truth”.
I did not say to do nothing while they trample all over our legal system, ignoring the Bill of Rights.
I did not say, “Do not speak out against injustice.”
I have written some pretty harsh emails to members of parliament and some of what I have said myself has not always been as respectful as it should have been, so I was also talking to myself. I am trying to take my own advice.
To make it clear, I am not requesting that people blindly obey everything that the government says. I am saying we should respect the order (hierarchy) that we have in society lest it should fall apart around us. Perhaps the following may help explain better: it is a small section of an open letter that I recently sent to Christopher Luxon.
…try being a real leader, step up and be a man. Be an example and start the dialogue.
Are you not a Christian?
Read Isaiah 1:17 in the Bible where we are taught to seek justice, rebuke the oppressor, and to plead the cause of the widow and the orphan.
Please note:
- I am acknowledging his position as leader of the opposition.
- I am challenging him to be a “real” leader.
- I am asking for justice.
- I am telling him to “rebuke the oppressor”.
- I am NOT using insults.
I have battled within myself as to how to respond to what is happening and I have tried to explain a Christian perspective. I did acknowledge that I understand that not every reader is a Christian but I would ask that we try to also respect each other, even if we do not agree.
I would ask everyone but particularly Christians to respect authority. Christians are taught to “turn the other cheek”, but we are also taught to “rebuke the oppressor”. These are not actually conflicting commands. I have spoken against much of what is happening, and have suffered much myself. Perhaps I will share about my own situation later.
At the end of the article, I mentioned that we face the potential of anarchy if we do not respect our leaders. Perhaps I should have made this point more clearly.
Think about what would happen if there was no respect for authority and if the government and all of parliament were actually overthrown. Sure, it might end the mandates, but what would happen next? Our form of government was set up for a reason and without it, we would be left with anarchy and chaos.
Remember that the government was voted in. We should be looking at why that happened. How did we get a government that does not acknowledge human rights? I have also sent in an article looking at this and how we got here. I am not sure if it will get published, as it may be even more controversial than the simple (but difficult) request I made to respect authority. But perhaps we need a little controversy.