Uncondemned
As far back as Roman times, there was value in being a citizen.
‘After I had returned to Jerusalem and while I was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance and saw Jesus saying to me, “Hurry and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.” And I said, “Lord, they themselves know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. And while the blood of your witness Stephen was shed, I myself was standing by, approving and keeping the coats of those who killed him.” Then he said to me, “Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.” ’ Up to this point they listened to him, but then they shouted, ‘Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.’ And while they were shouting, throwing off their cloaks, and tossing dust into the air, the tribune directed that he was to be brought into the barracks, and ordered him to be examined by flogging, to find out the reason for this outcry against him. But when they had tied him up with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, ‘Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who is uncondemned?’ When the centurion heard that, he went to the tribune and said to him, ‘What are you about to do? This man is a Roman citizen.’ The tribune came and asked Paul, ‘Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?’ And he said, ‘Yes.’ The tribune answered, ‘It cost me a large sum of money to get my citizenship.’ Paul said, ‘But I was born a citizen.’ Immediately those who were about to examine him drew back from him; and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him. - Acts 22:17-29
It's a hot topic these days, the value of citizenship, especially here in this country. We who were born citizens, may not realize how precious it is.
The tribune, upon hearing that Paul was a citizen, admits to having paid a large sum for his citizenship. But Paul was born a Roman citizen, and that seems to have more weight.
There are many today who feel there should be no distinction between citizenship and non-citizenship, when it comes to receiving public assistance, having access to education, and even voting in the election.
Unlike ancient Rome, when it was legal to punish and even torture and imprison someone without a hearing of condemnation, we in our time, tend to be a bit more compassionate toward non-citizens. But if we travel to some other countries and do something we do not realize is against their laws, we could face penalties and punishments.
Maybe the solution is a set of rights for all citizens, a Global Bill of Rights, accepted by all countries, so there would be a minimum of compassion and fair treatment for all everywhere.
There is UN Resolution 217, which is called the International Bill of Human Rights, which has its origin just after World War II, but we don't tend to see ourselves as global citizens with known rights when we travel. We just assume, as Paul did, that being a citizen of Rome (or the US) is enough to be shown respect.
Ours is not an empire, though, spreading across the globe, so we need to be aware of the rules wherever we go. And we expect those who come here to abide by our rules as well.
To be able to say, I am a citizen and I have rights is a good thing. We should invite all who wish to become citizens to apply. And maybe, for those who cannot afford the cost, we should help.
More to come...