Paisley, a man of principle?
As Rev Ian Paisley paid tribute to Lord Carson in his Belfast News Letter article, describing him as ‘a fearless man of principle’, I couldn’t help thinking that he was attempting some sort of self portrait. At the time of the Anglo Irish Agreement, Mr Paisley famously shouted, ‘Never, never, never, never’, to Dublin involvement in the affairs of Protestant Ulster; but by the signing of the St Andrew’s Agreement, he quickly turned away from his once held principles on Biblical separation.
If the roles were reversed, how would the fearless and principled Lord Carson describe Rev Ian Paisley when he converted to the Secularist cause in signing up to the St Andrew’s Agreement? How would this principled statesman describe Paisleyism for sitting in government with Sinn Fein IRA? How would he describe, Free Presbyterian ministers that support and participate in a power sharing executive; bearing in mind that morality in the Executive is social in origin and application? Would Lord Carson shout well done, to the DUP / Sinn Fein CSI document, which is a blueprint to Secularism and a betrayal of evangelical Protestantism?
We may well speculate what the comments may have been in this hypothetical situation; however, there can be no dispute in the fact that, Lord Carson displayed both a fearless spirit and a principled integrity in his day; his word was his bond, as he remained faithful on his watch; he didn’t surrender his principles nor those of his supporters for political expediency or personal gain.
Rev Mervyn Cotton (Heb13:6)
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Rev. Cotton . . .
ReplyDeleteIan Paisley's recent remarks betoken a man who vainly seeks to vindicate himself and justify his actions of late, namely, his capitulation to SF/IRA, which represents such a base betrayal of his formerly avowed principles. Methinks he doth protest too much!
It is not empty rhetoric that define a man's character but the general tenour of his life.
The public record is replete with examples that reveal the glaring inconsistencies / contradictions in Ian Paisley's espoused principles, which he maintains are rooted in the Word of God, as recorded in the anals of his long-term career as a public servant. I cite a few for the benefit of the readers of your blog.
In an article from E.I.P.S., Ian Paisley's website, he denounced the European Union as
the very seat of “the Antichrist“, but in 1979 he took his seat in their assembly until 2004 when he retired.
http://www.ianpaisley.org/article.asp?ArtKey=666
Men of principle . . Godly men don't overindulge their appetites at the expense of the taxpayer / public purse.
"We might ask why it is that brother Paisley sees fit to claim food allowance when he is not in London, which it is there to claim when he is in the capital; is this not an inappropriate, unchristian action, deceitful and a misuse of the expenses system? Just how he can justify taking payments outside members sittings, when Parliament is in recess he does not tell us."
Article: 'Christian MP's Left Wanting'
http://protestantissues.com/page2.htm
Men of principle . . Godly men fulfill their employment obligations:
Ian Paisley's record of public service:
“Electing an MP is a serious business; it is not something to be based on sentiment but in finding the best person to do the job. Absenteeism and double and triple jobbing has robbed Unionists of constant and effective representation in Westminster. An MP who hasn’t turned up for 82% of the votes in this parliament is not doing his job. And we’re not talking here about incidental issues.
Ian Paisley has been absent for some of the seminal votes in this parliament: when it came on the vote on a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty: absent; the votes on abortion: absent; the vote on the blasphemy laws: absent; the vote on allowing more regional casinos: absent; the vote on free speech amendments to the ‘homophobic hatred’ offence: absent.
Source: www.jimallister.org
Men of principle . . Godly men tell the truth . . they don't lie:
How does he reconcile this statement with his decision to share power with SF / IRA in May 2007.
"[Sinn Fein] are not fit to be in partnership with decent people. They are not fit to be in the government of Northern Ireland and it will be over our dead bodies if they ever get there."
^ "Belfast march passes peacefully",
BBC News, 12 July 2006.
26 March, 2007
Devolved government to return to Northern Ireland after DUP and Sinn Fein leaders hold breakthrough meeting.
Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams, sitting side-by-side at Stormont confirm that power-sharing will return to Northern Ireland on 8 May. Mr Paisley said the DUP was committed to full participation in government and Mr Adams said it was a "new era".
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/4072261.stm
Men of principle . . Godly men promote virtue in society . . not vice
How does he reconcile his longtime 'Save Ulster from Sodomy' campaign with his decision to enter into power-sharing with SF/IRA which saw the implementation of Equality Legislation and monies granted to the Sodomites on his watch to promote their licentious behaviour, i.e., their parades.
When men abandon the principles of God's unchanging Word, their moral and spiritual bankruptcy is all too apparent. Those who reject the Word of God must be rejected by the child of God.
In Christian solidarity,
June / aka Ask Dr. Paisley