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Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland
  Orange Standard

Respect For Cultural and Religious Traditions

Article 2 ~ March 2006

Whatever one's views on the merits of the cartoons labelled as offensive by Muslims throughout the world, there is no denying the fact that perceived insults to the faith of Islam will not be acceptable.

No reasonable person would approve of the rioting on the streets of cities throughout the world, or the burning of buildings. Such reaction is totally reprehensible and undemocratic.

But, as in the reaction by Muslims some years ago to 'Satanic Verses', the clear message to the world opinion is that in no way will things considered offensive to the prophet Mohammed or to the Muslim faith be accepted.

In fact, it is enough to have huge crowds on the streets of cities throughout the world, and alarming proof that violence will be used to back up the protests.

Few Christians or people from the Christian tradition would agree with such extreme action, such as that witnessed in the aftermath of the cartoons incident.

But many Christians have been reflecting wryly on the fact that had such insults been used towards their Lord and Saviour, or their faith, it would have been accepted without much reaction.

Christians have been deeply offended by films, and other media coverage in recent times which showed insensitivity, indeed hostility, towards their religion.

Those writers and broadcasters behind the attacks on Christians did so in the knowledge that no violence would result, and they could easily deal with the low-key protests which usually marked such insults.

What the Muslim protests have proved, apart from showing just how fanatical many people of this faith are in their commitment, is the wide gulf between the European and nominally Christian society, and the deeply religious Muslim world.

Most of Europe is now nominally Christian, and apart from a few exceptions, including Northern Ireland, there is not the zeal and commitment to the Christian faith which once existed.

Nothing compared to the wonderful faith of the people of the Southern States of America's 'Bible Belt', where churches are packed and the gospel is preached day and daily to huge congregations.

Or to the marvellous outpouring of Christian belief in Africa, or in South America, where evangelical Protestantism is on the march like a roaring fire.

No, Europe, or most of it is cynical and apathetic, and in such a climate it is difficult to comprehend the fanatical belief of Muslims, who take offence at the lowering of moral and spiritual values.

Europe, including Britain, is now paying the price for the undermining and debasing of Christian standards and the abolition of laws governing sexual morality founded on Christian values.

Christians in the United States, Africa and other parts of the world would not tolerate the onslaughts on their cherished faith without making a firm stand. Not a stand based on terror or force, but an unwillingness to compromise with secularism, and an ability to speak out firmly against evil attacks on God, Jesus Christ, and everything which Christianity holds dear.

Ulster Protestantism is now under attack from various quarters, and Northern Ireland is being conditioned to accept things which, if implemented, will bring about a great lowering of moral and social standards.

Calls for the introduction of licensed brothels, easing of drug regulations, and further drink and gambling facilities, lap-dancing clubs, and increasing Sunday sport will open the floodgates to all sorts of corruption and antisocial activities.

The Orange Order and Royal Black Institution will continue to throw its weight behind those opposing easing the existing laws. But it would help a lot if all concerned with upholding Christian values, not least the Protestant churches, would speak out loudly with one voice on this issue.

When Sunday opening of public houses, shopping centres, and sporting venues was mooted, and then introduced by European laws, it was left to the smaller evangelical Protestant churches, and concerned individuals to stand up and be counted.

Protestant churches in Northern Ireland must not duck the issue or stand aside in case they are branded as 'reactionary' or 'out of date'.

If they become irrelevant, and don't make a strong stand, they will be in danger of suffering the fate of the Protestant churches in England and Wales, which have been reduced to a mere shadow of their once mighty Christian witness.

The Church of England, in trying to be all things to all men, has lost a great lot of its strength and its authority. The Methodist Church went down the road of compromise, departed from the teachings of John Wesley, and now has only one-third of the membership it had 50 years ago.

The contrast with the Baptists and other Protestant churches in the Bible Belt, or in African countries like Africa, or with South Korea in Asia is startling and illuminating.

Ulster must remain true to its great Protestant Reformed traditions and be the bulwark against not only Romanism, ecumenism, but also secularism and materialism.

It will be on the receiving end of ridicule and subject to all sorts of attacks by 'liberals' and 'intellectuals', but it will prosper and flourish as people turn to the biblical and gospel truths in a terribly mixed-up world.

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