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As Orangemen we have a contribution to make to the progress
of the Christian religion in this society. Ours is a Christian
organisation committed to the practice of the faith in the
worship, words and deeds expected from us on our possession
and profession of that philosophy for life and living. Because
of this commitment we must have a holistic approach to what
is important to ourselves, and to the people with whom we
share our lives. Christians are encouraged by the example
of Christ, the selfless Saviour, to live for others and not
just for themselves and their own. We are required on the
persuasion of Christ to live out our faith in the worship
of God, and in the service of our fellowmen. There is the
pattern for living a life with these dimensions, the spiritual
and the material. This has to mean a duality of concentrations
- on the profession of the faith in worship privately and
publicly, individually and collectively; and in being citizens
who take seriously our duties and responsibilities in community.
The Orangeman is at once a religious man and one concerned
for the quality of life for people in the place where he lives.
This is why there has always been in Orangeism the emphases
on religion and politics. In life there is no separation the
one from the other. It is inclusive of both, the spiritual
and the practical, for the practical is the outworking of
the spiritual in everyday living. As a man believeth so is
he. We use "politics" in that wider sense for everything
that matters to people in their lives from birth to death.
It includes all that concerns people and politicians about
how their country is governed, what they want to do with it
and to get from it. It means getting involved, contributing,
to the making of a good society in which everyone is valued,
respected and cared for, equal in opportunity and in responsibility
for ensuring that things are done decently and in order. There
is the ideal of a society, peaceful, prosperous and safe for
people who go about their legitimate business without let
or hindrance. This is the one we want, what we have is very
different. We see around us the evidence of a changing, evolving,
progressive society. We can be proud of its fine achievements
in so many facets of life. Many now enjoy living standards
very much better than what was available to their parents.
There are the positive, and the negatives. When we are proud
of the positives, we are shamed by the negatives. There is
an indictment on us when in our comparative affluence there
are those whose poverty prevents them from having what are
the ordinary necessities of life in a caring society; when
the safety of the citizen is insecure with the break down
of law and order, lack of discipline in some homes and schools,
and the horrific activities of muggers, vandals, gangsters,
who prey on the most vulnerable of our people. It is a most
unhealthy and unhappy situation when in some areas of the
country the lives of people are controlled by paramilitaries
on the make. Their evil deeds, killings and maimings, are
the continuing evidence of a terrorism which is still with
us, and a threat that remains while a political party retains
a private army.
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