12th July 1996 Resolutions

THE FAITH: Personal commitment to the Protestant religion is required of every Orangeman.

This will be evidenced by the value he places on the Christian faith for his life; how it moulds his character and governs his conduct in both public and private life.

As an Institution we are convinced that unless the Christian provides in his life such evidence of the benefits of the faith he will not persuade others that what it offers is obtainable no where else. Unless the Christian resists the evils and corruptions in society these things will flourish unchecked.

As Orangemen we resolve to be more diligent in our practice of the faith, and more determined to support every effort being made to bring people to God and to patterns of behaviour Christ-like in their treatment of others.

Our secularised, selfish, society with its inhumanities, imbalances and injustices is in need of the cleansing power of the Lord Jesus Christ and the acceptance of the principles and precepts He gives us.

We believe that Christianity brings health to body and soul. It gives not just soul salvation but whole salvation.

THE STATE: As Orangemen we stand for the Union and the unity of unionists in the common cause of maintaining the Union which is not negotiable.

We regret party squabbling over lesser things and warn against conflicts personal and pernicious in the impression they give of unionist disunity. Our Saviour said "If a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand". We need that sensitive insight which can understand the problems of others. We want peace and prosperity in our country. Peace making needs the right atmosphere. If people come together to hate they will hate; to refuse to understand they will misunderstand; to consider no view but their own they will see none other.

As Orangemen we determine to work for the making of a country in which its citizens live peaceably together while holding beliefs and aspirations different and dissimilar. We want co-operation not compulsion on ourselves or on others to accept the unacceptable. No one must demand the unobtainable. Only by agreement, without threat of violence, can we have peace and prosperity in this country.

The reality of our situation is that the people of Northern Ireland must decide their own destiny. Others may help us to make decisions necessary to bring us to an agreed settlement but interference from any source which denies this consent of the people is to be rejected and condemned.

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