The S-Files

Church Leaders Receive S-Award

Contra Censum has given an S-Award to the church leaders who on the 28th March 2007 issued a “call to action” to politicians to restore benefit rates that were cut 17 years ago and have never been raised since, apart from adjustment to inflation. (NZ Herald, March 28)

S-Awards come in two classes.

S-Award Class One is given to a person or group which has made a significantly positive and inspiring contribution. “S” denotes behaviour that is “Smart, Sound, and Salutary.”

Class Two denotes a contribution that is significantly negative, harmful, or destructive. “S” in the Class Two Award denotes behaviour that is “Stupid, Shortsighted, and Stupefied”.

Citation:

The S-Award voted for the Church Leaders is accompanied with a great deal of sadness. These men are sons of Jerusalem and the Holy City deserves better from them. In petitioning the government to increase benefit rates they have regrettably bowed down and worshiped at the feet of an idol.

When a civil government takes property from citizens and re-distributes it to others it violates two Commandments: the Eighth—thou shalt not steal; and the Tenth—thou shalt not covet. No amount of concern for the poor can atone for being party to actions which violate God's holy Law. No good can come from evil means. The Church Leaders need to reckon with the fact that civil governments can (and so) steal, just as they can (and do) commit murder. Governments are not above God's Law. Regrettably, and so sadly, the Church Leaders are guilty of inciting Caesar to greater lawlessness.

Contra Celsum calls upon these Church Leaders to repent and make restitution. If the Church Leaders were to rise from their supine positions before the great Idol, and stand up,and issue a clarion call for the Government to reduce taxes, so that the burdens upon the poor might be lessened, then they would be acting as true sons of the Holy City. Then they would be upholding the Eighth and Tenth Commandments, and would be defending the honour and glory of God before the nations.

Church Leaders: S-Award, Class Two for actions that were Stupid, Shortsighted and Stupefied.