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Archiver > CAN-ORANGE > 1999-12 > 0944099566


From: "Michael W. Lancaster" <>
Subject: Re: Religion???
Date: Thu, 02 Dec 1999 01:52:46 +0000


Wednesday, 1st December, 1999



Dear Brian, brethren and friends,

This is a question, yea issue that a lot of the brethren would
either reply to erroneously or would not realize the consequence of
their response. The answer is, of course, that the Orange Order is
EXCLUSIVELY a religious order, established initially to defend
Christianity against the onslaught of popery and its companions:
tyranny, persecution and oppression. To day though, it is only a
religious institution. However, it has had to and is having to adapt
to particular circumstances: e. g. in Ireland it has become involved
in the Unionist cause in which it is supported by England and Wales
and Scotland for miscellaneous reasons, mostly patriotick. We could
muse on whether we are approaching the issue correctly (I submit that
we are not) because what used to bind the peoples of the British isles
was The Open Bible, and the only way to inure our mutual relations is
by opening that Book again rather than expatiate on the glorious days
of yore and rant on about the ignorance and indifference of the nation.
On any wise [pardon this digression], we are not inherently political
but have been coerced and enmeshed in the political arena by particular
sets of circumstances (e. g. the brethren of Ghana and Togo could not
have more feeble connexions with Ulster than they have so they are not
interested in the affairs thereof, but they are active on the local
political scene as they were forced underground previously and obviously
will not that to be repeated).

Ideally, every Orangeman shall have been saved by the LORD, i. e.
born again (regenerate) in Christ. However, lo, that is not alway the
case; indeed, at most times it is not. This fact lamentably precludes
us from functioning properly as the wordliness leaves some (not to say
most) brethren ignorant of the nature and aims of the Order. The only
way that we can broadcast our message is by ensuring that it is sound
and sober and that can not be effected unless the source of it (i. e.
ourselves) are such, too. We need to get back to the Cross. After all,
it is impossible even to form and substantiate any opinions (political
or otherwise) if these do not have a solid foundation in faith (which is
NOT the same as just religion).

Well, this is how I view the Order. Please forgive me if it sounded
too much like a sermon.

Yours in Christ,

Michael.




--
E. I. P. S. : http://www.ianpaisley.org/
Orange Order: http://www.orangeorder.net/
Conservative: http://www.serve.com/lordgovernor/

We Shall Overcome * In God Is Our Trust * Hallelujah!

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