Saturday 1 August 2015

Christian concern for migrants in Calais and the lorry drivers in Kent.

Christians should have a heart for the stranger, the needy, the foreigner and the oppressed.
They must never mistreat or oppress a foreigner. Exodus 22:21, Leviticus 19:33 and Deuteronomy 10:19 are relevant texts which enjoin correct and ethical practices concerning foreigners. British values have always supported fair play and justice.


  The situation in Calais and Kent is very serious, as matters of life, death and hardship are evident on both sides of the Channel.  Migrants clearly want a better life, but they are prepared to risk their own lives and the lives and livelihoods of the continental lorry drivers, who have been threatened, harmed, hit, abused, and these truckers have had the cargoes destroyed and ruined by desperate people and vicious thugs. The success of some migrants to get to the other side of the Channel into Kent has encouraged more attempts to get to England. Hundreds of attempts take place every day and it seems to be increasing because it is expected to get much more difficult to leave France and to break successfully through the barriers, cordons and checkpoints etc.

Some of the migrants are now living a life of dependency and drudgery. It cannot be good for them to exist on handouts and charity while not doing anything really constructive, but sometimes destructive (like smashing their way into trucks and storage units on lorries).

Migrants who use violent methods, destroy cargoes, commit criminal damage, and break through the border controls must be deterred and punished when they evidently have broken laws and expensive equipment. Perhaps laws and harsher penalties need to be put in place to stop these harmful activities.

We must consider the rights of the lorry drivers, haulage companies and businesses, as people, decent hard working people, are suffering economically and mentally as a result of the strains and stresses of this crisis. They are now in need and should be helped. Justice and fair play must be extended to them.

Food for thought, 9 August

I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the country by the immigration gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. See John 10:1.

Do we nullify the law through faith? No way! We uphold the law. See Romans 3:31.

10 August

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that rule have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. See Romans 13.1-5.

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