Discovery and Stolen Land

In his July 2022 article titled, “The Uncomfortable Legacy Colonisation and the Church,” Brian McCoy argues for the need for the Church to have a serious conversation to redress causes of the uncomfortable legacy of colonisation, whereby the Church have benefited from the dispossession of Australia’s First Nation peoples. I argue that, while the Church is deeply implicated in the ongoing practice of colonisation, the problem that McCoy highlights extends beyond the Church. In the past, domineering governments have and continue to maintain a fake Christian front to justify their wealth and power acquired through the dispossession of Australia’s First Nation people and the theft of our lands and waterways. The Australian government’s colonial atrocities did not occur in a vacuum but were instead informed by past Christian ideology and doctrine fortified and enforced by the Catholic Church. 

 As a Christian and First Nation Elder, and in light of the forthcoming Plenary Council in July 2022, I exhort the Catholic Church and other Christian churches to call for an end to governments’ hypocritical Christian domination. 

The subjugation of the world’s First Nation people was enshrined in the doctrine of discovery by the Catholic Church in 13th century Europe. Doctrine of discovery legitimises Christian explorers’ claims to land uninhabited by Christians, promote Christian domination, and force original inhabitants into Christianity. The doctrine of discovery fed into more modern Christian claims to lands deemed terra nullius. Unruly Christian lies formulated in 13th century Europe were echoed in 1778 to legitimise claims in Australia and are perpetuated by successive governments to maintain their hold on First Nation`s lands. 

Slavery was shunned upon, with the 1863 US Emancipation Act assent. However, Aboriginal people still endure a form of slavery informed by Christian doctrine and imposed by domineering Australian Governments. Aboriginal citizenship was forbidden and enshrined in the 1901 Australian constitution. Under this constitution, Aboriginal people were further alienated from our lands when it was reaffirmed Aboriginal people were subjects to the crown and were denied our customary practices. The imposition of English laws informed by Christian domination stripped us of freedoms, and our humanity.  Maybe leave this bit out, it doesn’t really fit? 

Australian governments employ Christian rituals in their courts and parliament, parliamentary sittings open with prayer and individuals are required to swear on the bible when giving evidence in law courts. But, the Australian Government’s claim to Christianity, is a facade to fulfill the requirements of the doctrine of discovery. The doctrine of discovery states: occupation as a Christian nation must take place to legitimise ownership over claimed lands and control over its people.

Australian Governments under the Christendom guise, promote they are doing all they can to help whilst they are doing all they can to stifle Aboriginal wellbeing. Australian Government claim to be Christians, yet wilfully operate contrary to God`s law.

Titus chapter 1 verse 10 and 11 can be interpreted as setting the principle not to be a self-centred unruly Christian and exploit   people for financial gain by perverting God`s law. Titus chapter 1 verses 10 and 11 “For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouth must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake”.   Wayward Christians rulers, desirous of personal gain, have wilfully distorted God’s truths to take from others that which God hath predetermined.

When you go into another’s country you are to obey their law. This law is expressed in the King James Bible with the term, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s”, March Chapter 12, Verse 17. In keeping with God`s commandment, Aboriginal people maintain unbroken occupation over Australia as Australia’s first nation people. God hath determined the lands for which all peoples were to occupy. Acts chapter 17: verses 23 to 26; “God hath made of one blood of all nations to dwell on all the face of the earth and hath determined the bounds of man’s habitation”. In their quest for new Frontiers, the British disobeyed  God`s laws to steal Aboriginal lands and disrupt our lifestyle.

The English crown broke God`s seventh and tenth commandments. The tenth commandment recorded in Exodus chapter 20 verse 17  “thou shalt not covet anything that is thy neighbour`s.  God`s seventh commandment “thou shalt not steal” see Exodus chapter 20: and verse 15. In 1778, pursuant of  the statute of discovery laws, Australian Aboriginal people fell victim to slavery when the English Crown assumed ownership and control over Aboriginal people and our lands.  

Slavery was shunned upon, with the 1863 US Emancipation Act assent. However, Aboriginal people still endure a form of slavery informed by Christian doctrine and imposed by domineering Australian Governments. Aboriginal citizenship was forbidden and enshrined in the 1901 Australian constitution. Under this constitution, Aboriginal people were further alienated from our lands when it was reaffirmed Aboriginal people were subjects to the crown and were denied our customary practices. The imposition of English laws informed by Christian domination stripped us of freedoms, and our humanity. A sovereign peace treaty is within God`s will and is fitting for overcoming today’s problems by rectifying today’s fallout from past Christian wrongs.

 James chapter 3: verse 18 states “And the fruit of righteousness’ is sown in peace of them that make peace”. A treaty based on self-determination would end slavery and the causes of Aboriginal misery. A treaty would reinstate Aboriginal wealth and freedoms. It would permit a higher quality of life for Aboriginal peoples and greater Aboriginal nationwide contribution for a lasting and fruitful multi-cultural peace. 

Hypocritical Christian domination persists for selfish gain, derivative of undermining God`s rule and distorting His teachings. Moreover, unruly Christian domination exists to enslave Australia’s first nation people, stripping them of freedoms and lands. A treaty embodying God`s teachings will end Aboriginal enslavement and repair the enduring effects of past Christians wrongs. A treaty would enable multi-cultural peace for posterity.