topic Re: Are churches above the law? in Community Spirit

Are churches above the law?

village_person — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 01:31:54 GMT

Peter Dutton warns churches over sanctuary to asylum seekers

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has warned churches and cathedrals offering “sanctuary” to asylum-seekers facing deportation to Nauru that the government expects them to obey the law “no matter who you are”.

As reported in The Australian today, more than 10 churches across Australia have today begun offering to shield asylum-seekers under the ancient Christian tradition that people fleeing unjust civil authorities can reside permanently inside a church.

With a series of rallies scheduled to commence starting today at 12.30pm in Sydney, Mr Dutton said the churches would receive no special exemptions from the law.

“Churches provide a lot of assistance to refugees and they feel very strongly about these issues, I understand that. In the end people have to abide by Australian law, no matter who you are,” Mr Dutton told Sydney’s 2GB radio.

[...]

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/peter-dutton-warns-churches-over-sanctuary-to-asylum-seekers/news-story/26476a7569e8c61d488ebf27ddeae9e4

It would seem that theomania is rampant in Dr Peter Catt's house of worship.

Re: Are churches above the law?

***super_nova*** — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 02:28:38 GMT

Actually it is not just a tradition, there is a law about giving sanctuary, which may apply.

Re: Are churches above the law?

moonflyte — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 02:37:17 GMT

They are bound by the law of the land.

Re: Are churches above the law?

debra9275 — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 02:52:53 GMT

Peter Dutton warns churches over sanctuary to asylum seekers

Dutton seems to be a fool

Re: Are churches above the law?

***super_nova*** — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 02:54:12 GMT

Law can be interpreted in many ways, and the goverment is arguing what they do is legal, but others say it is not. That is why it takes so long to become a lawyer.

Re: Are churches above the law?

Anonymous — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 02:58:35 GMT

@***super_nova*** wrote:
Actually it is not just a tradition, there is a law about giving sanctuary, which may apply.

which law is that?????

Re: Are churches above the law?

the_great_she_elephant — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 03:16:38 GMT

Dr Catt (Dean of Brisbane) said the concept of sanctuary had never been tested under Australian law.

"But my hunch is that if the authorities chose to enter the church and take people away, it would probably be a legal action," he said.

"So this is really a moral stand and it wouldn't be a good look, I don't think, for someone to enter a church and to drag people away."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-04/churches-offer-sanctuary-to-asylum-seekers/7138484

Re: Are churches above the law?

Anonymous — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 03:27:48 GMT

well, the church has in the past

provided sanctuary to those who

were considered to be breaking the

law and look how that ended up

Re: Are churches above the law?

the_great_she_elephant — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 04:29:49 GMT

@*julia*2010 wrote:
well, the church has in the past
provided sanctuary to those who
were considered to be breaking the
law and look how that ended up

Not sure exactly what you are referring to. How did what end up?

In England during the Middle Ages anyone being hunted by the law could seek sanctuary in a church, I guess it was a similar situation to Julian Assange seeking sanctualy in the Ecuadorian embassy. It was not permanent. I think you had 40 days after which you either had to yeild to the legal authorities or confess you crime and go into exile. James l declared the practice illegal in 1623 - since he was both head of state and head of the state churcjh, this was not a problem. How or if this injunction applies to Australia I'm not sure - as Dr Catt said, it has never been tested.

Re: Are churches above the law?

lloydslights — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 05:39:40 GMT

I wonder where the good Dr Catt proposes to house the five famillies (as previously reported) within the Church confines.

The wedding reception area with a loss of vast income? With hardly any trees or grass in the outdoor areas of the car parks.

What sort of pictures will the children be drawing when asked by the advocates to show the UN? High impenetrable sandstone walls, coloured glass gothic windows depicting a man nailed on a cross?

DEB

Re: Are churches above the law?

moonflyte — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 05:49:22 GMT

We live in a democratic society under the rule of law. Churches are breaking the law if they act in this way. We are not a banana republic ruled by a vicious despot where people are trying to get away from.

We live in a civilised society and the churches are just trying it on.

Re: Are churches above the law?

the_great_she_elephant — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 05:55:09 GMT

I think the Churches are making a stand in the same way doctors and other detention centre staff have done by speaking out about conditions despite being under threat of prosecution.

Re: Are churches above the law?

the_great_she_elephant — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 05:58:38 GMT

We are not a banana republic ruled by a vicious despot where people are trying to get away from.

No, we are a country people come to when they are trying to get away from vicious despots - and lok what happens to them when they get here.

Re: Are churches above the law?

myoclon1cjerk — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 07:52:54 GMT

George Pell is safe and sound in the Vatican.

Re: Are churches above the law?

village_person — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 08:09:45 GMT

@djilukjilly wrote:
We live in a democratic society under the rule of law. Churches are breaking the law if they act in this way.

The churches need to be reminded that one of those laws allows them to operate in a tax free environment. Hands up anyone who has heard a priest, pastor, vicar, curate, or any other religious figure shout out loud: "We demand to pay tax just like other Australians". The tax free law seems to agree with them and they are happy to embrace the law when it suits.

Re: Are churches above the law?

myoclon1cjerk — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 08:11:15 GMT

Now what was that about despots?

http://m.smh.com.au/national/a-fiveyearold-boy-allegedly-raped-to-be-sent-back-to-nauru-where-his-rapist-lives-abc-730-reports-20160202-gmk1lg.html

Re: Are churches above the law?

debra9275 — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 08:18:22 GMT

@myoclon1cjerk wrote:
George Pell is safe and sound in the Vatican.

hmmm well, they must be above the law then myo

Re: Are churches above the law?

Anonymous — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 08:20:37 GMT

@myoclon1cjerk wrote:
George Pell is safe and sound in the Vatican.

exactly!

the great she elephant - that is

what i was referring to earlier.

Re: Are churches above the law?

the_great_she_elephant — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 08:26:09 GMT

I imagine the Church believes it is under an obligation to protect these people.

This:

Matthew 19: 13-14Then some children were brought to Him so that He might lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, "Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

And this:

Matthew 25: 37-40 Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Re: Are churches above the law?

Anonymous — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 08:46:33 GMT

I imagine the Church believes it is under an obligation to protect these people.

the church is also under obligation

to preserve all human life. should

it interfere with abortion laws? or

contraception?

there are many other examples.