I’m Seeking asylum too! Josh Wood’s most embarrassing moment was riding his bike into the back of a parked car, he aspires to win an oscar, and is proud of his receding hairline. by. Josh Wood
In late February, a riot broke out at Manus Island, PNG, at one of a myriad of offshore detention centres operated by the Australian Government. This riot resulted in severe injuries to many asylum seekers and the death of a 23-year-old Iranian, Reza Berati. Berati was likely ‘a boat person’, perhaps even ‘queue jumper’ if you prefer, but more importantly, and far too often forgotten, Berati was first and foremost a human being. The Australian Government, and by extension its people, have for too long dehumanised those legitimately seeking asylum from persecution and atrocities we couldn’t possibly fathom. Yet, instead of assisting those in desperate need of help, we (the Australian people) continue to allow these people to be used as pawns in the political arena. With all of this in mind, what are we, as a church doing about this? Simply put, nothing. I mean, why would we, what do refugees have to do with Christianity and Christian history? It’s not as if we believe in a Divine Being who came to this earth some 2000 years ago and then had to flee from his own birth-
place to Egypt because of a threat on His life. Oh, wait a second… (Matthew 2:1-14). Likewise, as citizens of this world, aren’t we, too, ultimately seeking eternal asylum, safety and comfort through Jesus Christ? Given we understand the eternal need for asylum, surely then we can empathise with the plight of people requiring asylum today. It’s time both sides of politics come out and say, “We’ve stuffed up on this issue!” It’s also time Adventists, and more broadly, Christians, stop sidestepping politics because it’s too ‘worldly’ and start advocating for the rights of those who have little-to-no ability to advocate for themselves. “Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me - you did it to me.” Matthew 25:40 (MSG)
the voice issue one / march 2014
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