Christians Watching Over Hong Kong Confession We are a group of Hong Kong-loving Protestants and Catholics who are deeply worried about the recent emergence of ill practices which erode Hong Kongs core values: boosting the number of participants in political demonstrations with various lures and threats; labeling peaceful civil disobedience campaigns as violent protests; camouflaging one-person, one-vote election with political pre-screening as universal suffrage; turning loves the country and loves Hong Kong, which is not a condition laid down in the Basic Law, into an unstated prerequisite; forgoing long-held principles for political reasons by certain civil servants and professionals; media self-censorship getting increasingly blatant…… We understand that Christians are now sharply divided over the current political situation (particularly among supporters and opponents of ‘Occupy Central with Love and Peace’). Hence, we agree that different groups should respect and be tolerant of one other. But that does not mean we should evade the truth. Imagine: if we had reluctantly remained neutral or advocated conciliation in the confrontation between David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17:1-58), we would have abetted the tyrannical deeds of the oppressor. Christians are called to be the salt of the earth and light of the world; we cannot remain silent in the face of injustice and evil in society. 1. We rebuke the ill practices of deception and distortion of facts. God detests lies but delights in honesty (Proverbs 12:22; Psalm 5:6). When the powerful misrepresents the truth, others might join in the chorus or even aggravate the misrepresentation, so as to seek their own gains or save their own skin, giving rise to contrived silence and degeneration of norms and order. 2. We rebuke the ill practices of using threats and baits to elicit political allegiance and suppress dissenting voices. God delivers the nations from political oppression (Amos 9:7), as Jesus Christ inherits the mission of releasing the oppressed (Luke 4:16-21). Whether it is naked brutality or obscure threats, or whether it is violation of personal freedom or of freedom of conscience, such acts are against the will of God. 3. We rebuke the ill practices of using all kinds of excuses and means to wane and limit Hong Kong peoples exercise of democratic rights. Every human being is created in the image of the triune God (Genesis 1:26-17) and has the ability and right to participate in governing society, and working towards the common good. Rulers should serve as public servants, be chosen freely by the people in a fair and universal election system. Democracy is not the Kingdom of God, but autocracy is even farther away from the Kingdom of God. 4. We should rely on God to stand against the corrupting powers (Ephesians 6:10-17). Therefore, we should confront the above-mentioned ill practices that distort truth and suppress freedom. We pray to God to grant us courage and wisdom, that we may persist in speaking the truth, refuse to be accomplices of tyranny, defend our core values, proclaim justice and peace and be willing to walk with the oppressed. We pray to God to help us, by not letting us lose heart in the face of prevailing evil, because all corrupting dominions, authorities and powers will eventually be overcome by Christ (1 Corinthians 15:24-26). We are committed to the continued pursuit for justice, faith, love and peace (2 Timothy 2:22) and will work together with various sectors in Hong Kong for the development of a just, participatory and sustainable society. We pray for the coming of the Kingdom of God, and that His will be done (Matthew 6:10). Please sign the confession on this site https://sites.google/site/keepwatchhk/
Posted on: Fri, 05 Sep 2014 15:29:44 +0000