Actually, this would be a good and relevant thread to have going as well, especially since so many of the Australian Churches have come out in support of the release of the detainees.

I suggest this as I myself have not made my own mind up and a chat could assist my own thinking process. To that end I would be willing to take the Devil's Advocate position of supporting the Australian Government, even though, truly, I am undecided on the issue but may have a leaning to that side anyway.

Realising that this is not seen to be a Christian response leaves me open to some negative attacks, but hey, whats new?

So here I go:

The Australian Government has humanely conveyed the detainees to our shore in safety, clothing them, feeding them and giving to them suitable accomodation (shelter, beds, air conditioning, septic toilets etc). The Government has promised that those who have papers shall be processed quickly, and those who have destroyed their papers (or have them not through theft/loss) shall be investigated at some length and may not have a result of their application in the near future.

The Government has protected our society primarily from disease and its spread (most important and humane for all), it also has given the detainees access to legal representatives who may argue a case for them with the appropriate authority. The Government has protected our society also by attempting to restrict any would be terrorist from entering the country due to the fact that we are/have been in a state of war with the former government/dictatorship of Afghanistan. This to me seems also prudent.

Now, is the Government responsible for people who by free will, attempt to fake suicide (I say fake because I believe if any truly wanted to commit suicide they would be dead before they were even found) or cause themselves serious bodily injury? Perhaps. But surely the bulk of the blame must go to the ones who mutilated themselves in a fit of attempt to force the governments hand. Even in this the Government has acted prudently in supplying ambulances on hand and conveying the seriously injured to hospitals immediately.

Some have attacked the Government for the fact that at least one of the camps is in the harsh desert, and this indeed may be one of the greatest arguments against the Government. Surely a relocation would ease the pressure, attitude, and cost of policing, conveying and re-building after each riot. The fact of the placement of Woomera camp gives credance to a 'punishment' type complex.

Many mention the Christian duty to feed the hungry, clothe the poor and to this I agree wholeheartedly. This the Government has done, these detainees are fed, clothed and have good medical supervision. What they lack is their freedom to come and go as they please or wish. This they willingly gave up when they chose to enter the country illegally by means they knew were against the Law of this country.

Okay there is my two cents worth in an attempt to come to terms with this issue.

Peace and grace.

an Orthodox friend