Easter thoughts....
I have pondered much over the last few days concerning Easter, and about the Christian message of Easter.
I have heard a Muslim cleric who appeared on national television here last week respond to the question; "Are Muslim's offended when people in Australia celebrate Christmas or Easter?" His answer, "NO, we are not offended. We encourage people to celebrate their religious festivals as we wish to celebrate our own." I am not sure how representative the view of Mr Trad is amongst the Islamic community, but it was good to hear his support of religious freedom. This question was asked in response to the disappearing Christmas nativities, and the changing face of Easter that seems to be about us.
There was a general feeling of goodwill at his response from the interviewer and the audience viewers as well it would appear. One hurdle overcome. Now that message has to be communicated to the people who want to stop supporting religious freedom in the wider community.
The Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney last week instructed the staff to remove Bible's and take down crosses and any other icons that would symbolise Christianity and dispose of them, lest the hospital be seen to be offending ethnic or religious peoples who do not share the hospital's concepts or religious views.
At the outset here, let me say that I believe in God, and that Christ, His son lived, died for the sins of the world and rose again a resurrected being. That is MY belief and I do not wish to impose it on any other person.
That said, I don't feel I need religious symbols around me to pray, I don't need anything external to pray at all. I believe it is a small process to find a place of peace and commune with your creator and his son on a personal, reflective, inward and quiet way. I do not wish to initiate a discussion here as to the existence of God or whether I am a "fool" for believing in God, or whatever.
I simply am saying that I am concerned with the growing tide of political correctness that is swallowing up many aspects of daily life, that if we are not careful will change the way of life we currently enjoy forever - and time will tell if that change will be good. I have reservations.
I gave the outline of my belief and my concept of prayer to suggest that whilst the Hospital's decision to remove all reference to Christianity from it's confines, doesn't affect me directly, it troubles me.
So why should I worry about it? Because I believe that religious freedom is a basic tenet of a progressive and mature society of people. From the time of the Magna Carta in 1215 to the creation of many of the nations around the globe, their peoples have recognised a need to have religious freedoms. My feeling is that when we start playing with aspects of a society's provision for religious freedom, what other aspects or belief structures are we willing to alter to suit the mood of the day?
I never want to write much of religion or politics on my blog, as it is a space that was started as my creative area on the net. The two topics of which I mentioned have the ability to be so divisive and inflammatory which goes against the very feeling I wish to exist in this space. I prefer to look for the things that unite us as people, as a community rather than divide.
Yesterday I drove past a Catholic church and found that there were hundreds of people celebrating mass. They were spilling into the street, and whilst I do not share their core belief, was proud that we live in a country that allows them and anyone else, to celebrate how, where or what they may. I was impressed at the diversity of ethnic mix that I saw at their church, who came together in a peaceful way to celebrate the Easter Christian message.
I guess it would be fair to add, that we fail to recognise we often become a product of our culture or our place and times. I accept that customs that may seem perfectly natural in one culture may be viewed as unacceptable in another. Language which is polite in one culture may be abhorrent in another. It would also be fair to agree that people in every culture move within a cocoon of self-satisfied, self-deception fully convinced that the way they see things is the way things actually are. Our culture tends to determine what foods we like, how we dress, what our taste in music should be, what constitutes polite behaviour, our standard of education, and our attitudes toward honesty. All too often we are like puppets on a string while our culture determines what's right or what is the norm for us to follow.
With all the energy of my heart I wish not to sound alarmist or beat the drum of a particular creed or religion, but rather a bellwether that encourages us not to simply go along with the feelings a few who are convinced that surrendering some of the freedoms we enjoy to become politically correct is right, when it is inherently wrong. The wish by a few to subjugate free thought and worship of any kind, or worse these actions originate from individuals who have no belief whatsoever and feel offended that others do may have more truth than you might imagine.
I was baited once by three people I worked with at the time. One person who knew I had a belief system, one which I never espoused to others, tried to bait me on the subject of religion. Perceiving where they were heading, they sought to convince me that I was foolish and deluded that there was a God and that the reason of the wise would refute the existence of a God, so why was I so blind. They sought to humiliate and demean my belief, when no such action from me initiated the discussion or continued after. I simply said I believe because that is my choice to. I did not need to justify it then or now, though it was an experience for me to witness people who found it aggravating for me to have the right to believe what I choose to and made it their personal mission for a time to convince me of the error of my ways, to no avail.
I also was at a wedding once when I was at the reception, placed on a table of born again christians, and that is cool for me, until they said "Have you been saved?" to which I responded, "I wont know that for some time yet, but I believe in God" then as quickly as they could say it one of the people who must have been a leader to the table said then "you are going to hell!"
I was horrified at his speed of condemnation, and I said in retort, Do you believe in Christ? they answered affirmatively and then I said, then you do not understand him then. What little I know about his life was one of care, of love and of each and every person, he was so inclusive, and yet you sit here and condemn me and claim to know his will, then I will gracefully accept the place where I sit. This man had gotten my mobile phone unbeknowns to me from the bride and groom and for literally 6 months afterward would text me and tell me I am damned unless I become like them. I ignored it and whilst I was offended greatly at his or their accusations I again, love that they had the right to say and believe what they do. I certainly admire their passion, but feel these freedoms NEED to be preserved, even at my occasional inconvenience.
Long may the freedoms we enjoy be allowed to remain untouched by the hands of those few who would seek to have these statutes removed from our modern life.
I was not sure what clip or image I could put here that would share my feeling and encapsulate the message succinctly, but I only had to look at You tube for a stirring unofficial Australian standard that so many of us know and identify with in this land to have that carry the message home. I had tingles watching this clip this morning. I have seen John sing this song many times and it affects me similarly every time I do. The lyrics are below and the clip follows and is of John Farnham with Olivia Newton John and Anthony Warlow in their limited series of concerts from a few years ago.
You're the Voice
We have
The chance to turn pages over
We can write what we want to write
We gotta make ends meet before we get much older
We're all someone's daughter
We're all someone's son
How long can we look at each other
Down the barrel of a gun?
You're the voice try and understand it
Make a noise and make it clear
Whoa oh oh
We're not gonna live in silence
We're not gonna live in fear
Whoa oh oh
This time
We know we all can stand together
We have the power to be powerful
Believing we can make it better
We're all someone's daughter
We're all someone's son
How long can we look at each other
Down the barrel of a gun?
You're the voice try and understand it
Make a noise and make it clear
Whoa oh oh
We're not gonna live in silence
We're not gonna live in fear
Whoa oh oh
(text quoted taken from the Parliament of Australia website / Wikkipedia / federation documents)
I have heard a Muslim cleric who appeared on national television here last week respond to the question; "Are Muslim's offended when people in Australia celebrate Christmas or Easter?" His answer, "NO, we are not offended. We encourage people to celebrate their religious festivals as we wish to celebrate our own." I am not sure how representative the view of Mr Trad is amongst the Islamic community, but it was good to hear his support of religious freedom. This question was asked in response to the disappearing Christmas nativities, and the changing face of Easter that seems to be about us.
There was a general feeling of goodwill at his response from the interviewer and the audience viewers as well it would appear. One hurdle overcome. Now that message has to be communicated to the people who want to stop supporting religious freedom in the wider community.
The Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney last week instructed the staff to remove Bible's and take down crosses and any other icons that would symbolise Christianity and dispose of them, lest the hospital be seen to be offending ethnic or religious peoples who do not share the hospital's concepts or religious views.
At the outset here, let me say that I believe in God, and that Christ, His son lived, died for the sins of the world and rose again a resurrected being. That is MY belief and I do not wish to impose it on any other person.
That said, I don't feel I need religious symbols around me to pray, I don't need anything external to pray at all. I believe it is a small process to find a place of peace and commune with your creator and his son on a personal, reflective, inward and quiet way. I do not wish to initiate a discussion here as to the existence of God or whether I am a "fool" for believing in God, or whatever.
I simply am saying that I am concerned with the growing tide of political correctness that is swallowing up many aspects of daily life, that if we are not careful will change the way of life we currently enjoy forever - and time will tell if that change will be good. I have reservations.
I gave the outline of my belief and my concept of prayer to suggest that whilst the Hospital's decision to remove all reference to Christianity from it's confines, doesn't affect me directly, it troubles me.
So why should I worry about it? Because I believe that religious freedom is a basic tenet of a progressive and mature society of people. From the time of the Magna Carta in 1215 to the creation of many of the nations around the globe, their peoples have recognised a need to have religious freedoms. My feeling is that when we start playing with aspects of a society's provision for religious freedom, what other aspects or belief structures are we willing to alter to suit the mood of the day?
The Australian constitution does not include a Bill of Rights. Some delegates to the 1898 Constitutional Convention favoured a section similar to the Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution, but the majority felt that the traditional rights and freedoms of British subjects were sufficiently guaranteed by the Parliamentary system and independent judiciary which the Constitution would create.
As a result, the Australian Constitution or Constitution of the federation of Australia in 1901 has often been criticised for its scant protection of rights and freedoms.
Some express rights were, however, included:
- Right to trial by jury
- Right to just compensation
- Right to freedom of religion
(under section 116. it states) The Commonwealth shall not make any law for establishing any religion, or for imposing any religious observance, or for prohibiting the free exercise of any religion, and no religious test shall be required as a qualification for any office or public trust under the Commonwealth.
- Right to freedom from discrimination against out-of-State residents
I never want to write much of religion or politics on my blog, as it is a space that was started as my creative area on the net. The two topics of which I mentioned have the ability to be so divisive and inflammatory which goes against the very feeling I wish to exist in this space. I prefer to look for the things that unite us as people, as a community rather than divide.
Yesterday I drove past a Catholic church and found that there were hundreds of people celebrating mass. They were spilling into the street, and whilst I do not share their core belief, was proud that we live in a country that allows them and anyone else, to celebrate how, where or what they may. I was impressed at the diversity of ethnic mix that I saw at their church, who came together in a peaceful way to celebrate the Easter Christian message.
I guess it would be fair to add, that we fail to recognise we often become a product of our culture or our place and times. I accept that customs that may seem perfectly natural in one culture may be viewed as unacceptable in another. Language which is polite in one culture may be abhorrent in another. It would also be fair to agree that people in every culture move within a cocoon of self-satisfied, self-deception fully convinced that the way they see things is the way things actually are. Our culture tends to determine what foods we like, how we dress, what our taste in music should be, what constitutes polite behaviour, our standard of education, and our attitudes toward honesty. All too often we are like puppets on a string while our culture determines what's right or what is the norm for us to follow.
With all the energy of my heart I wish not to sound alarmist or beat the drum of a particular creed or religion, but rather a bellwether that encourages us not to simply go along with the feelings a few who are convinced that surrendering some of the freedoms we enjoy to become politically correct is right, when it is inherently wrong. The wish by a few to subjugate free thought and worship of any kind, or worse these actions originate from individuals who have no belief whatsoever and feel offended that others do may have more truth than you might imagine.
I was baited once by three people I worked with at the time. One person who knew I had a belief system, one which I never espoused to others, tried to bait me on the subject of religion. Perceiving where they were heading, they sought to convince me that I was foolish and deluded that there was a God and that the reason of the wise would refute the existence of a God, so why was I so blind. They sought to humiliate and demean my belief, when no such action from me initiated the discussion or continued after. I simply said I believe because that is my choice to. I did not need to justify it then or now, though it was an experience for me to witness people who found it aggravating for me to have the right to believe what I choose to and made it their personal mission for a time to convince me of the error of my ways, to no avail.
I also was at a wedding once when I was at the reception, placed on a table of born again christians, and that is cool for me, until they said "Have you been saved?" to which I responded, "I wont know that for some time yet, but I believe in God" then as quickly as they could say it one of the people who must have been a leader to the table said then "you are going to hell!"
I was horrified at his speed of condemnation, and I said in retort, Do you believe in Christ? they answered affirmatively and then I said, then you do not understand him then. What little I know about his life was one of care, of love and of each and every person, he was so inclusive, and yet you sit here and condemn me and claim to know his will, then I will gracefully accept the place where I sit. This man had gotten my mobile phone unbeknowns to me from the bride and groom and for literally 6 months afterward would text me and tell me I am damned unless I become like them. I ignored it and whilst I was offended greatly at his or their accusations I again, love that they had the right to say and believe what they do. I certainly admire their passion, but feel these freedoms NEED to be preserved, even at my occasional inconvenience.
Long may the freedoms we enjoy be allowed to remain untouched by the hands of those few who would seek to have these statutes removed from our modern life.
I was not sure what clip or image I could put here that would share my feeling and encapsulate the message succinctly, but I only had to look at You tube for a stirring unofficial Australian standard that so many of us know and identify with in this land to have that carry the message home. I had tingles watching this clip this morning. I have seen John sing this song many times and it affects me similarly every time I do. The lyrics are below and the clip follows and is of John Farnham with Olivia Newton John and Anthony Warlow in their limited series of concerts from a few years ago.
You're the Voice
We have
The chance to turn pages over
We can write what we want to write
We gotta make ends meet before we get much older
We're all someone's daughter
We're all someone's son
How long can we look at each other
Down the barrel of a gun?
You're the voice try and understand it
Make a noise and make it clear
Whoa oh oh
We're not gonna live in silence
We're not gonna live in fear
Whoa oh oh
This time
We know we all can stand together
We have the power to be powerful
Believing we can make it better
We're all someone's daughter
We're all someone's son
How long can we look at each other
Down the barrel of a gun?
You're the voice try and understand it
Make a noise and make it clear
Whoa oh oh
We're not gonna live in silence
We're not gonna live in fear
Whoa oh oh
(text quoted taken from the Parliament of Australia website / Wikkipedia / federation documents)
Comments
The thought of spending even two minutes with someone who would be preaching to me the whole time wasn't very appealing to me, and I told him so -- tactfully, I hope. I was a Christian, I told him, and while I was interested in seeing him again after so many years and meeting his wife and family I thought I would be very uncomfortable in the posture of a supplicant seeking his (my cousin's) forgiveness and guidance. He understood, he said, and was anxious for me to come and stay overnight, if I could.
And so I did. All went very well until the next day. Shortly before I was due to leave, he asked me to go for a walk with him. The entire conversation centered around my "being saved". How old was I when I was saved? Did I get re-baptized? Have I made public proclamations about my being saved? Have I witnessed? What were the words I actually said? There was no end to it, Craig, until I finally just told him, "I was saved the moment I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior." To me, it's just that simple. Not a bit complicated.
Tammy's post of Monday brings the concept of Christianity home so beautifully. Have you had a chance to read it yet?
While he didn't tell me I was going to Hell because I didn't do or say exactly whatever it was he wanted me to do or say, we haven't corresponded since. Every once in a while I think of him, hope he and his family are doing OK and wish him well.
Every single time I find myself even beGINning to sit in judgment on someone else, I remember the "Judge not lest ye be judged" phrase of caution from the Bible. Mostly, I am successful.
You are an inspiration to me, Craig, with your forthrightness and Christian attitude towards others, which shows so clearly in many of your posts, and I wholeheartedly echo Tammy's sentiments in her comment.