Church leaders urge civil disobedience over toll roads

[Steve Hayes]

Don't buy e-tags, urge church leaders
Dec 02 2013 16:49 Sapa

Johannesburg - Church leaders vowed on Monday to refuse to pay to use Gauteng
freeways and called on others to do the same.

"We... church leaders, have therefore decided to publicly declare our
intention to refuse to buy e-tags and to refuse to pay this unjust e-toll,"
they said in a statement.

"We call on all other church leaders, members of our churches and all South
Africans who support democracy to do the same".

The leaders, including SA Council of Churches president Bishop Jo Seoka, the
Central Methodist Mission's Bishop Paul Verryn, and Methodist Church of
Southern Africa presiding Bishop Zipho Siwa, said the decision had not been
easy.

However, it had to be made as the government was not listening to the people.

They said they were shocked and disappointed to hear the government ignore the
people's protests and push ahead with e-tolls.

Transport Minister Dipuo Peters announced on November 20 that e-tolling of
Gauteng's highways would begin on Tuesday.

The religious leaders said they had twice met the government and pleaded that
another form of recovering costs be found. They had recommended the fuel levy
as an alternative.

"We made it clear that we reject assertions that this fuel levy would be
unfair to those who do not use these roads," they said.

"Is it unfair for taxes raised in Gauteng to be used to ensure that children
in Limpopo receive the education they deserve? Is it unfair for sick people in
Mpumalanga to be treated in hospitals funded by taxes raised in Gauteng or in
the Western Cape?"

They called on society to support those who opposed the system, and said that
while it was their duty to encourage obedience to the law, this depended on
the law being just and reasonable.

"Even if many others do not feel that they are in a position to join the ranks
of those who choose this path, it is very important that we all give them
support and encouragement, that we do not allow them to be singled out and
coerced."

http://www.fin24.com/Economy/Dont-buy-e-tags-urge-church-leaders-20131202

[James]

Post by Steve Hayes
Don't buy e-tags, urge church leaders
Dec 02 2013 16:49 Sapa
Johannesburg - Church leaders vowed on Monday to refuse to pay to use Gauteng
freeways and called on others to do the same.
"We... church leaders, have therefore decided to publicly declare our
intention to refuse to buy e-tags and to refuse to pay this unjust e-toll,"
they said in a statement.

Yet the Bible says at Titus 3:1,

"Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be
obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good," (NIV)

And even more details about this at Ro 13:1-5,

"1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for
there is no authority except that which God has established. The
authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently,
he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has
instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3
For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do
wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then
do what is right and he will commend you. 4 For he is God's servant to
do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the
sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring
punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to
the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also
because of conscience." (NIV)


James
John 4:23,24
www.jw.org

Post by Steve Hayes
"We call on all other church leaders, members of our churches and all South
Africans who support democracy to do the same".
The leaders, including SA Council of Churches president Bishop Jo Seoka, the
Central Methodist Mission's Bishop Paul Verryn, and Methodist Church of
Southern Africa presiding Bishop Zipho Siwa, said the decision had not been
easy.
However, it had to be made as the government was not listening to the people.
They said they were shocked and disappointed to hear the government ignore the
people's protests and push ahead with e-tolls.
Transport Minister Dipuo Peters announced on November 20 that e-tolling of
Gauteng's highways would begin on Tuesday.
The religious leaders said they had twice met the government and pleaded that
another form of recovering costs be found. They had recommended the fuel levy
as an alternative.
"We made it clear that we reject assertions that this fuel levy would be
unfair to those who do not use these roads," they said.
"Is it unfair for taxes raised in Gauteng to be used to ensure that children
in Limpopo receive the education they deserve? Is it unfair for sick people in
Mpumalanga to be treated in hospitals funded by taxes raised in Gauteng or in
the Western Cape?"
They called on society to support those who opposed the system, and said that
while it was their duty to encourage obedience to the law, this depended on
the law being just and reasonable.
"Even if many others do not feel that they are in a position to join the ranks
of those who choose this path, it is very important that we all give them
support and encouragement, that we do not allow them to be singled out and
coerced."
http://www.fin24.com/Economy/Dont-buy-e-tags-urge-church-leaders-20131202