Theological Reasons to Support First Nations People Before, During, and After the Referendum
Press release circulated on 22 Sep 2023. The full statement is at the bottom of this page, and can be downloaded from here.
The Executive Committee of the Anabaptist Association of Australia and New Zealand (AAANZ) calls on the Australian church to support the aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In a detailed position statement from an Anabaptist point of view, they give clear reasons for Christians to support the requests in The Uluru Statement from the Heart, which include “a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution”.
The AAANZ emphasises that Jesus is the centre of our faith, community is the centre of our life, and reconciliation is the centre of our work. Each of those themes inspire followers of Jesus to seek shalom: that is, a state of true peace, justice, wholeness, and rightness. In the current Australian context, this longing for shalom leads to five calls to action:
- We commit to bearing witness, by the actions within our own communities, to a society in which First Nations peoples are fully included and honoured. We call on the churches of Australia and the broader Australian community to do likewise.
- We commit to listening to First Nations leaders, expecting to find wisdom there that helps us to reconnect to each other, to God, and to this land. We call on the churches of Australia and the broader Australian community to do likewise.
- We commit to speaking boldly for justice in relation to First Nations peoples. We call on the churches of Australia and the broader Australian community to do likewise.
- The majority of AAANZ supporters commit to supporting the Referendum and to doing what we can to make the Constitutional change succeed. We call on the churches of Australia and the broader Australian community to do likewise.
- We commit to continued solidarity after the Referendum with First Nations peoples in general and personal protection and care for those First Nations people we know. We call on the churches of Australia and the broader Australian community to do likewise.
The AAANZ President, Matthew Clarke, noted that this is a significant step for the Association given that Anabaptists often stand back from direct political engagement. “We believe this statement adds theological insights to the current conversation and will help Christians understand the importance of demonstrating their faith in the way they relate to their indigenous neighbours.”
Personally I feel that my faith guides my decision making and I don’t feel that the church has a responsibility to influence my decisions around voting of any kind
I do believe however that the church has not engaged generally with many social and cultural issues of the day and have distanced itself from the very people it could be engaging with instead adopting a position in line with their own values and ideals
Unfortunately I feel that the church is responding towards current issues and has become entrenched in ideology
In no way can it be seen that the gap has closed even after decades of Christian missionary work and government funding
The problem of evil means that even Christians can falsely put their faith in governments to do the right thing by the people
Governments however works by the majority never the minority
This is what the Great Commission is all about
Going out into the world and seeking the minorities not to save them from their economic situation but their spiritual lacking
and salvation
Yes they must be fed clothed housed and given medicines for healing
But the greatest need is for spiritual transformation through salvation
By this will they know who they are and their purpose
My last words involve the Constitution
I don’t believe that changing the constitution can bring about real change
Why because their is no political will no people will and no spiritual values and ethics
All are like sheep and gone astray
The government is not a spiritual body and is a dark place even though there may be some good individuals how do they carry through their moral obligations without a moral compass
How will the people hold the government accountable after the referendum whether or not the constitution is changed
How does it happen now
No there is little chance that will happen
That is why I would hesitate for the church to urge the people to support one way or another
The church has its own biases and its timely for us to examine our real motives and intentions for our decisions
Have we really given great prayerful consideration for our own personal decisions and made them based upon good values or simply taken the lazy way out
Hear my heart not everyone is lazy but during recent years many have been frozen by a spirit of fear through the pandemic and I wonder whether they are spiritually ready for such high decisions
First the church needs to turn away from fear and towards the God of peace and sound mind
Not of passive acceptance but strong insight and clear thinking to make godly decisions
I’m sorry but the church needs to repent first seek God’s righteousness and His kingdom first and not jump into the culture making promises that may not be kept
Blessings and appreciation
In Christ
Stephanie Turvey