A definition of Insanity - Australia's reponse to boat people

I consider the values of the Christian faith to be Justice, Mercy and Compassion. In the light of those core values I ask myself how anyone who calls themselves a Christian can support the major parties stance on boat people?

In the eyes of the law over 90% of boat people are found to be legitimate refugees and not illegal immigrants. We signed a treaty that says that a person fleeing persecution can enter a country without permission and claim asylum. We signed that treaty because we agreed with many other nations that it was necessary to do so to prevent evils like the holocaust from ever happening again. Justice dictates that these people have done nothing wrong and should not be incarcerated indefinitely. We are flying in the face of international law.

the man who jumped

Mercy and Compassion is also missing in our response to boat people. (check out the documentary that got me all riled up again-something everyone should see but it having been shown on SBS means that it will evade the masses) http://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/video/2189706100/The-Man-Who-Jumped-Full-Ep

Instead we utilise brutality and a regime of tormenting dehumanisation in an attempt to deter others, yet still they come. Benjamin Franklin said that 'the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.' I think Australia is going insane over this issue.

$90,000 per detainee per year to keep them in detention and subject them to months and months of mental anguish. This is supposed to protect us yet all it does is breed resentment and retaliation and riots. Insane.

What do we have to fear? Is it that they won't assimilate? that they don't speak english? Or is it just xenophobia being whipped up by some of the most irresponsible leaders of our time. We have been lied to for the sake of gaining power. Anyone who can get beneath the spin and see the truth like that conveyed in the 'the man who jumped' doco, if they still support the dehumanisation then somewhere along the way they may have allowed themselves to become dehumanised.

Here are some facts worth getting your head around:   http://www.aph.gov.au/library/pubs/bn/sp/AsylumFacts.pdf

 

a child's perspective of detention in Australia

If it's so important that they speak english then why isn't a detention centre more like a school? If it is so important that a refugee/immigrant is assimilated then why do we put them through hell? If I was mistreated so I would be resentful of, not thankful toward the nation that did that to me. Why would I want to assimilate? Why would I want to be like them? So we want them to assimilate and contribute to our society but our treatment of them ends with such a devastating ammount of mental illness that they become dependant on health and welfare and are a drain on our society. Again, insane.

Wouldn't it make sense to welcome them on arrival and treat them with such dignity and generosity that they would be so thankful as to want to belong to such a society and to contribute to it as a way of giving back what has been given to them? Ever seen the movie 'Pay It Forward? Well if you are giving and generous and compassionate that often results in more giving and generosity etc. It's how the world works as God made it. If we pay forward with mistrust and carelessness and brutality, where does that lead us?

Jesus said that what we do to the least of those in need we do to him. It is said that some have welcomed those in need into their homes and have welcomed angels in doing so. Our fear has become contagious and spread to our brains and in our insanity we want to turn the angels away. After loving God we are meant to love our neighbour. What is being done in Australia's name is not loving.

If you find this blog offensive then I'd like to talk with you about why (you should've seen the initial draft – much more scathing and dripping with sarcasm). I just can't see Jesus turning people in need away and I can't see him standing by in the face of racism, oppression and the spin and lies and abuse of those in power. I am trying to follow his way, trying to find a sane place.