The Orange Order has nothing to do with Theology.
Maybe they could have more to do with it!
The Orange Order was founded in Loughgall, Co.Armagh, Ireland in 1797 by the
English Monarchical regime in Ireland.
The Irish Presbyterians of Ireland were specifically and explicitly banned from being members.
Some were associated with a move to secure Irish independence.
The Orange Order was created as part of a policy of divide and rule in the English Empire. Its basic purpose was nothing more than securing the English Empire.
It was - for its first years of existence - "Anglican"-only!
The Anglican landowners only could be members.
One of its ostensible reasons for existence is to -"oppose the errors of "ROMANISM"".
There may well me many of those! (See elsewhere in my blogs).
So I am full of sympathy with this aim of the organization.
In fact, one of its EXPLICIT reasons for existence is "to oppose Roman Catholicism by all legal means." Is that a good reason for existence? Something so negative? Doesn't this lead to oppression of Roman Catholic people? Would such an organization be founded today?
Wouldn't it more legitimate and more acceptable to frame such an organization around what it actually supports?
But in Ireland and elsewhere the real reason for the existence of the Orange Order is to express support for the English Empire.
And specifically the Act of Union with (Northern) Ireland of 1801.
Even today.
If the organization were to be about celebrating a Christian culture and NOT about opposing a specific religion or supporting a specific regime then its existence would be less questionable.
As it can't really disappear overnight, nor should it necessarily, wouldn't it better to reform it in the light of these observations.
"Semper Reformandum" - always reforming. That was a slogan originating in Catholicism. But it should be applied to everything really I think.
I think that because they play good tunes and they are far better at banging drums than many people then perhaps they should be allowed to continue. (Though they nicked most of their tunes of their fellow native Irish).
If it is a Christian organisation - why does it have Union Jacks?
Union Jacks are political - nor religious!
I don't recall their being any Union Jacks in the Bible. Thank God! It's grim enough as it is!
If anything,I would have said Jesus was an anti-imperialist.
One of his quotes is "My Kingdom is not of this world!" which is quite explicit and clear really.
It's obvious anyway that Christianity is not really supposed to be about hating and opposing other people. I would have said it's about loving yourself, your neighbour, the stranger and even loving your enemy!
I propose that each march have a large Orange (the best are probably from Tesco's - "Every Little Helps") at the front. Rather than a Union Jack. Just an idea.
Putting 5 year old children at the front of martial marching bands
waving Union Jacks - what is Christian about that?
Christianity is about the whole world and all humans!
That's why at Christingle - children hold oranges, not national flags!
Anyway, I hope that people are guided by the light of the Christian gospel to a better way of doing things.
I am fully aware that the people in the Orange Order are sincere Christians and I try to bear this in mind in all my reflections.
With best wishes to all,
Citizen Sofa.