Mennonites and the ICJ Dispute

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  A border disagreement that has been simmering on the back burner finally boiled over a few years ago when a young Guatemalan poacher who had illegally crossed into Belize along the southwest border was killed by Belizean military personnel who were patrolling the forest border. The brand new president of Guatemala, Jimmy Morales, made all sorts of declarations. One thing led to another. Tense moments followed. Unexpected incidents happened at different points along the border. The media in both countries competed against each other to see who could make the loudest headlines. Those tense moments have calmed down somewhat but then politicians and other government people started the ICJ referendum campaign.
  Should we let the International Court of Justice decide where the physical and geographical Belize border begins and ends?
  The Guatemalan citizens voted a majority of yes last year, even though only a tiny fraction of the entire voting population actually voted. Now all eyes are focused on Belizeans. Will the majority vote yes, or no? Last year, the date was set for April 10th, 2019. (It was recently postponed by a judge) Yes to the ICJ and No to the ICJ campaign ads have been making their rounds, with both sides posting videos, historical records, making speeches and holding discussions to educate the people as to why they should vote yes or no.
  Both national parties, UDP and PUP, have shown varying degrees of unity and also division. "The ICJ issue" is on the lips of most Belizeans these days. And where are the Mennonites? Actually, even though this is not a political matter but rather a national one, the majority will not show up to vote yes or no. The only ones who will be more involved in the polling process are the small minority who have left the deeply-rooted traditional churches, such as members of the EMMC and other liberal churches. The Old Colony, Old Order, Holdeman, Kleine Gemeinde, Conservative, and Beachy Amish will not vote due to their religious views, biblical practices, and traditions they have held for decades. (Sshhh.... a few might secretly sneak out to vote but please don't tell the pastor or church elders. Ha ha )
  "The Bible says we should not be involved in government and political issues."
 Well, for many of them, their peaceful lives do show exactly what they believe but for others, their business, lives and actions speak louder than words so even if they never vote, they are still free and outspoken in their view of the ICJ. Doesn't make sense. It doesn't cost anything more to go put a mark on a piece of paper than it does to stand in the workshop for 30 minutes giving an opinion of the matter.
  But the policy of this blog is to respect the beliefs of each Mennonite group, so even though it doesn't make sense, each religion and individual has a right to choose not to participate in national and political matters.

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