Do modern nations give consideration to the birthright, the part of creation, for which they are responsibile. Looking at the message of this map, the selling of one's birthright for a mess of pottage (Genesis 25: verses 29-34) comes to mind.
Modern nations need to be aware. What sort of pottage are the nations of Africa receiving in return for their birthright of natural resources? Or will they find, in the end, they have inherited a mess!
Markets & Justice
Freely operating markets yield a just outcome?
White Australia Has A Black History
Tuesday, 30 December 2014
Sunday, 28 December 2014
Thursday, 25 December 2014
The suffering of ancient Christian communities; those who have Ebola; economic poverty; floods of refugees & displaced people; failure of many nations to see the common good ...
From Lambeth Palace:
'Then Herod sent the wise men to Bethlehem saying,
Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him,
bring me word so I may also go and pay him homage.’ (Matthew 2.8)
Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him,
bring me word so I may also go and pay him homage.’ (Matthew 2.8)
The
deceit and cruelty of governments and rulers has not changed in the 2000
years since King Herod. 2014 has been a year of desperate suffering for
many Christians, unparalleled for centuries. Christian communities have
been uprooted from the places that they have dwelt since within living
memory of the time of Jesus. Along with them, others have been harried
and hunted, blown up, tortured, beheaded, raped and have seen their
families, their livelihoods, their futures destroyed. Indeed, the cry of
the martyrs rises across the earth, ‘How long, oh Lord, how long?’
At
the same time we have seen the scourge of Ebola sweep across three
countries of West Africa, striking people down above all when they
exhibit their deep compassion for the human dignity of others through
touching and holding them, or through washing their bodies after death.
The acts of love have become the means of infection and death.
In other places, immense economic poverty continues to spoil the
lives and diminish the dignity of human beings. In Europe, migration
across the Mediterranean has reached extraordinary levels, and the
countries of Europe have ceased to see the common good as obliging them
to support each other in loving and receiving those who have fled
through such horrors, such dangers, and such privations. Rightly, Pope
Francis has said that the Mediterranean must not become a vast cemetery.
Individualism and selfishness is causing countries to withdraw into
themselves and look only after their own interests.
Wednesday, 24 December 2014
#Ice interferes with everyone's life: users, families, communities. It breeds crime of all sorts. #Ballarat and its region are suffering.
An ice taskforce unveiled by Premier Daniel Andrews will have 100
days to develop an action plan to halt the carnage caused by the drug.
A
magistrate, a deputy commissioner of police and a mental health expert
will be part of the taskforce chaired by Mr Andrews, along with other
community representatives.
Ice was linked to 32 murders in
Victoria between 2012 and 2013, and the Coroners Court found that deaths
where methamphetamine was present increased from 66 in 2006 to 166 last
year.
The ice action taskforce, a Labor Government election
commitment, will examine ways to reduce the demand, supply and harm of
the drug. The Coalition had criticised the commitment as a "talk fest",
and promised instead to frame its response to the crisis by referring to
the parliamentary committee report into ice use.
The government must respond to the findings of the parliamentary
committee - which made 54 recommendations - by March. The committee was
particularly taken by the work of authorities in New Zealand, which
developed an action plan more than five years ago. The article continues here.
ICE IN #BALLARAT & ITS REGION
The PowerFM site above has links on where to go for help
Tuesday, 23 December 2014
Silencing community voices ...#ACOSS comments as does Kon from #ASRC
The Australian Council of Social Service today expressed deep concern at extensive funding cuts to community sector organisations including policy and advocacy work. ACOSS believes this will severely weaken the Federal Government’s ability to engage with the community on important reforms that lie ahead.“Cutting support for vital community expertise and voices is a major mistake. Community voices play a crucial role in providing on-the-ground advice and an important link connecting communities with government decision-making processes,” said ACOSS CEO Dr Cassandra Goldie.
To read more please go to the ACOSS website
and then there is this from Kon of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre
which is related to this
and then there is this from Kon of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre
which is related to this
Bookmark this
Abbott Gov saying will only fund NFP areas that it has legislated duty to fund. WOAH!
Think about that.
#ThanksTony #auspol
— Kon Karapanagiotidis (@Kon__K) December 23, 2014
Christmas Reflection #2: hospitality alive in Australian hearts
Clearly, some people do Christmas better than others -
like those demonstrating Christmas kindness and good cheer
Monday, 22 December 2014
Australia cuts its aid budget
As World Vision's Tim Costello puts it: "Julie was in there fighting. She was rolled. Her new aid paradigm is in tatters."
The
indefatigable Bishop was in Papua New Guinea, the second-largest
recipient of Australian aid, on Monday when Treasurer Joe Hockey
revealed $3.7 billion in cuts to the foreign aid budget as an aside
while releasing his mid-year budget update.
Hockey's press
conference, with Finance Minister Mathias Cormann, was surreal on a
number of counts, but mostly because the nation's attention was
singularly focused on the siege at Sydney's Martin Place that ended so
tragically in the early hours of Tuesday.
Hockey began with a
monologue utterly at odds with reality. He reported that the government
had made "a good start" to the budget repair task, that the economy had
continued to "strengthen" during the year despite "significant offshore
headwinds", and that the budget was "on track for a credible surplus".
Much
of the commentary that followed commended the Treasurer for not taking
the "austerity option" of slashing domestic programs or increasing taxes
and charges to offset collapsing revenues. The foreign aid cut received
almost as scant attention as the slashing of the Australian Human
Rights Commission's budget (an act that smacked of retribution).
Sunday, 21 December 2014
Saturday, 20 December 2014
Creation, honeybees, and worship
As members of the new Adam, Christians are in a position to perceive the deeper theological significance of the plight of honeybees. Rehabilitating honeybee populations is the theological equivalent of recruiting new timpani for the orchestra; it is a partial effort toward enabling our fellow-creatures to worship. Urban beekeeping is a grace given us to better worship God in creaturely interdependence against the obscuring of these relationships in our modern technological society. Participating in and facilitating scientific research into safer pesticides is akin to Adam’s tilling and irrigating Eden, investigating how best to encourage the mutual flourishing of creatures who share in a common Creator. In view of the freedom God has given to his creation, and looking forward to the final reconciliation of all things to the Creator that has begun in the resurrected Christ, the church should do what she can to facilitate and encourage attempts to rehabilitate honeybees. This would be rightly considered an act of proper praise and worship to our Creator.
The extract above comes from the article "The Worship of Honeybees: Colony Collapse Disorder and the Purpose of Creation by Richard R. Glover (BA, M Political Economy) whose interests lie in reflecting theologically on social, political, economic, and cultural issues. He blogs sporadically at richardrglover.wordpress.com. It was published in Ethos.
Friday, 19 December 2014
The babies and their families are to stay in Australia!
Dozens of asylum seeker babies allowed to stay in Australia for refugee processing
Updated
Thirty-one babies born to asylum seekers will be allowed to stay in Australia with their immediate families while their refugee claims are assessed.
Immigration Minister Scott Morrison announced details of a new agreement struck with crossbench senator Ricky Muir in exchange for his support for the reintroduction of temporary protection visas (TPVs).
"Following representations made by Senator Ricky Muir, the Government agreed as a special one-off arrangement that the babies would not be transferred back to Nauru," Mr Morrison said in a statement.
Read more at http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-18/dozens-of-asylum-seeker-babies-allowed-australia-processing/5977310
First posted
Tuesday, 16 December 2014
#illridewithyou
A special #illridewithyou cartoon, by Lindsay Foyle | https://t.co/bOxwBqDpL8 pic.twitter.com/zLFhVeezTN
— newmatilda (@newmatilda) December 16, 2014
Our thoughts are with everyone in Sydney. Take care when travelling and let's look after one another #illridewithyou pic.twitter.com/9gxqHuIvGz
— Metro Trains (@metrotrains) December 15, 2014
PHOTO: #illridewithyou - a tribute left at the #Melbourne Lindt Cafe on Collins Street. Photo by Melissa Davis pic.twitter.com/Cmk5XDeibz
— The Age Photography (@theage_photo) December 16, 2014
Muslim community leaders join Martin Place mourners to pay respects to #Sydneysiege victims http://t.co/3sdMHplsiC pic.twitter.com/hIhWaZwbls
— ABC News (@abcnews) December 16, 2014
#illridewithyou : Sydney in solidarity with Muslim women
#illridewithyou is trending as a show of support for Muslim Australians after #sydneysiege http://t.co/zcDEvgFHkI pic.twitter.com/57RlfV1Ir7
— ABC News (@abcnews) December 15, 2014
Read this below and then go to the original article:
With hostages still in danger and central Sydney in lockdown, residents have turned to social media to spread a message of tolerance.
Locals have became concerned about the potential for rising intolerance or aggression towards people wearing religious dress.
One woman started what soon blossomed into a social media campaign to stand in solidarity with the city’s Muslims.
Tessa Kum, a TV content editor and writer living in Sydney, told Guardian Australia she acted after seeing a tweet from Michael James. She then posted offering her company to anyone in religious attire on her route.
— Sir Tessa (@sirtessa)December 15, 2014
Maybe start a hashtag? What’s in #illridewithyou?
— Lisa Donaldson APD (@Lise_Simpson)December 15, 2014
#illridewithyou radiates the beauty of Australian mateship. We are many, but together we are one. #sydneysiege pic.twitter.com/cmJonDi7Lc
Others picked a broader context to reinforce the statement. And, much like the #putoutyourbats tribute to Phillip Hughes, the idea has caught on.
Monday, 15 December 2014
The need to understand the message - the difference between Shahadah written on a flag and the ISIS flag
The flag held in #Sydney cafe window is a Shahadah flag (left) not an ISIS flag (right) #MartinPlace #sydneysiege pic.twitter.com/lwbbGBRUW1
— Stefan Simanowitz (@StefSimanowitz) December 15, 2014
What Is the Shahada?
The Shahada (also spelled “Shahadah”) is the Islamic Creed,
one of the Five Pillars of Islam.
The word “Shahada” comes from the verb shahida,
meaning “he testifies” or “he bears witness.”
In reciting the Shahada, a Muslim bears witness
that Allah is the only true god,
and that Muhammad is Allah’s prophet.
The shortest form of the Shahada would be translated:
“I bear witness” or “I testify,” e.g.:
one of the Five Pillars of Islam.
The word “Shahada” comes from the verb shahida,
meaning “he testifies” or “he bears witness.”
In reciting the Shahada, a Muslim bears witness
that Allah is the only true god,
and that Muhammad is Allah’s prophet.
The shortest form of the Shahada would be translated:
“There is no god but Allah; Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”Longer versions are common, especially those beginning with
“I bear witness” or “I testify,” e.g.:
“I bear witness that there is no god but Allah,
and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”
The question then is:
Are sympathisers with Islamic State appropriating the Testimony
for purposes which endanger human lives?
Sunday, 14 December 2014
A Sabbath Thinking Piece #3 - Sowing and reaping ... now and then
Picture from here
A brief scroll down this blog
will show that this week
we have had quite an interest in
the 25 babies born on Australian soil
who are threatened with deportation.
We have written about the Christians
who have been involved in prayer sit-ins
in politicians offices, have been arrested,
have been fined.
We have a significant number of members
of Australia's Parliament, Australia's Government
who profess to be Christians.
These include the Prime Minister, Tony Abbott
and
the Minister for Immigration and Border Security,
Scott Morrison.
For so many Christians, the actions of the Federal Govt
in relation to refugees and asylum seekers do not
match the teachings of the Tanakh, The Old Testament.
Neither do they align with the teachings of Jesus.
On this Sabbath morn when we remember
that Jesus rose from the dead to conquer death,
this Sabbath Thinking Piece
emphasises that we reap what we sow.
Those who have protested the deportation of innocents
born on Australian soil will reap - and will answer to the Lord of all.
Those have promoted the deportation of innocents
born on Australian soil will reap - and will answer to the Lord of all.
Who will be lauded for their actions?
The protesters or the promoters?
And do they have to wait for the Great Day of Judgment
before seeing justice takes its course in their own lives?
A brief scroll down this blog
will show that this week
we have had quite an interest in
the 25 babies born on Australian soil
who are threatened with deportation.
We have written about the Christians
who have been involved in prayer sit-ins
in politicians offices, have been arrested,
have been fined.
We have a significant number of members
of Australia's Parliament, Australia's Government
who profess to be Christians.
These include the Prime Minister, Tony Abbott
and
the Minister for Immigration and Border Security,
Scott Morrison.
For so many Christians, the actions of the Federal Govt
in relation to refugees and asylum seekers do not
match the teachings of the Tanakh, The Old Testament.
Neither do they align with the teachings of Jesus.
On this Sabbath morn when we remember
that Jesus rose from the dead to conquer death,
this Sabbath Thinking Piece
emphasises that we reap what we sow.
Those who have protested the deportation of innocents
born on Australian soil will reap - and will answer to the Lord of all.
Those have promoted the deportation of innocents
born on Australian soil will reap - and will answer to the Lord of all.
Who will be lauded for their actions?
The protesters or the promoters?
And do they have to wait for the Great Day of Judgment
before seeing justice takes its course in their own lives?
Friday, 12 December 2014
Seven Christian activists explained their protest in Richard Marles' office ... and got fined
Further to a previous post about Christian activists going to court in Geelong, there is a report of the outcome in court:
Picture above from here
Read more about it here
The Roll of Honour at Geelong:
Simon Moyle
Isabel Greenall
Jan Morgan
Craig Farrell
Brent Lyons-Lee
Erika Brunner
Tara Watts
Read more about it here
The Roll of Honour at Geelong:
Simon Moyle
Isabel Greenall
Jan Morgan
Craig Farrell
Brent Lyons-Lee
Erika Brunner
Tara Watts
Is it still Miners -v- Troopers in #Ballarat #Eureka ?
A friend has forwarded the letter below:
Reclaim the Radical Spirit of the Eureka Rebellion
Dawn Service at the Eureka Memorial - #Ballarat
Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2014 05:06:39 +0000
From: anarchistage@yahoo.com
Subject: Lack of respect
We were saddened by the lack of respect shown to the miners and soldiers who were killed during the Eureka uprising on the 3rd December 1854, in Ballarat during the celebrations that were held on Wednesday to mark the 160th Anniversary of the uprising. It's a pity the City of Ballarat continues to refuse to fly the Eureka flag on the main flagpole of the Town Hall on the anniversary of the Eureka massacre to acknowledge their sacrifice. We were surprised when we walked from the Eureka Stockade site to the Old Ballarat Cemetery on Wednesday as part of the yearly Reclaim the Radical Spirit of the Eureka Rebellion Celebrations that the Eureka flag was not flying over the miners' mass grave and the British flag was not flying over the soldiers' graves. We were saddened to see neither gravesite had any flowers placed on them (fortunately we had a spare Eureka flag that was attached to the flagpole and some flowers for the miners). I'm confident if the same disrespect was shown to the graves of those who have died fighting in the name of this country on Anzac Day, there would have been an outcry. The miners buried in the Old Ballarat Cemetery paid the ultimate sacrifice so we can enjoy many of the rights and liberties we take for granted today. It's not much to ask the City of Ballarat, a city whose name is synonymous with the Eureka Rebellion, to ensure the Eureka flag is flown over the miners' mass grave and the British flag is flown over the soldiers' graves on the anniversary of the day they died. Lest We Forget.
Dr. Joseph TOSCANO / Convenor Reclaim the Radical Spirit of the Eureka Rebellion Celebrations
Level 1/21 Smith Street, Fitzroy VIC 3065
Tel: 0439 395 489
Editorial note: There are remnants of the Miners -v- Troopers alive and well and, if you speak to some locals, still influential. For instance, there is the Ballaarat Club (please note the old spelling and the name of their restaurant) and the Old Colonists Club.
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