{neurotribe.net}

::Politics & Humanity - Australia's Refugee/Asylum Seeker Debate

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:58:12 PST

Got this email from the inimitable Ross Farley (who I work with at Tear Australia). He does what I do in that he takes two bits of information that you may not normally put together, and then he puts them together with dramatic/sarcastic/deadpan yet so painfully obvious kind of way that it makes us squirm at our own stupidity and inhumanity. Thanks Ross!

*****************************************************

Hi,
There is lots of public discussion about asylum seekers so I thought I would get up to date on the current statistics. Then I thought I may as well pass on this information. So here is what I discovered.

_1. Refugees_

* There are currently about 10.5 million refugees in the world.

* The UNHCR has a resettlement program that finds new countries for
refugees. Various countries allocate the number of refugees they
are willing to take every year. (Australia has recently increased
its allocation to 13,500 places.) Unfortunately the total number
of places made available to the UNHCR for refugee resettlement is
only 76,740 per year.

* Many argue that all refugees should apply to the UNHCR and wait
for processing. It is a matter of simple arithmatic that they
would have to wait an average of 136 years to be resettled. (10.5
million refugees divided by 76,740 places) That is a very long
queue. (That figure of 136 years also assumes that there are no
more wars or natural disasters in the next 136 years to add to the
refugee numbers.)

* If the 100 wealthiest countries took an extra, one-off intake of
about 105,000 refugees each, then the argument that refugees
should wait their turn could begin to have some validity. After
that every wealthy country would also need to dramatically
increase the number of refugees they were willing to accept.

_Visa overstayers_

* Visa overstayers are illegal immigrants who came to Australia on
tourist visas and do not leave.
* The countries of origon with largest numbers of these illegal
immigrants are UK and USA.
* In 2007-2008, the number of visa overstayers was 48,500 compared
to 25 boat people arrivals. They outnumbered boat people by 1,904
to 1.
* Of the last 12 years, 2000-2001 had the most boat people arrivals.
That same year Australia had 60,000 visa overstayers. They
outnumbered boat people 14 to 1.
* Consider the differences. Asylum seekers usually enter Australia
openly and hand themselves over to the authorities and ask for
asylum. Visa overstayers pretend to come for a holiday when the
intend to stay. Refugees are also fleeing danger. What is so
dangerous in the UK and USA?
* Why is there such a public outcry about refugees but not about
visa overstayers?

I hope this is helpful and maybe I have saved you some research time.

Thanks,
Ross

_Sources
_www.immi.gov.au
www.unhcr.org
www.refugeecouncil.org.au

Fair Wages and Interest

noreply@blogger.com (Scott) — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 22:09:35 PDT

I believe in a fair wage. That is, I believe workers should earn for their labour sufficient money to pay for food, shelter, education, transport, sanitation, etc. etc.

I figure most people would be quite happy to agree with me that a fair wage is a basic right for all workers across the globe, though sadly it is a right that often isn’t recieved.

The bit where people are less likely to agree with me is the further extrapolation of this basic concept. Within any economy there is finite capital in circulation, and thus if it is unfair for any one person to receive less then a fair wage, then it is also unfair for any one person to receive a wage so high that it prevents others from receiving a basic fair wage.

The most obvious contrast to point out is a hypothetical transnational textile corporation, with the CEO earning in excess of US$ 1 million per annum whilst the factory labourers in Bangladesh are earning US$ 500 per annum (which, mind you, is above the legal minimum wage of US$ 300 per annum, which again is still higher then what many workers actually receive). The CEO is earning maybe $US 320 for an hours work in a 60 hour week (nobody’s suggesting CEO’s don’t work extremely hard), but the factory worker is earning US$ 0.17 for an hour’s work in an equivalent 60 hour week.

Do you get my point here? There’s a point where the pay for an hour’s labour is too low, but I also propose that there is a point where the pay for an hour’s labour is too high (not because abundance is wrong, but because selfish hoarding that causes another person to go without is wrong).

And now, we turn our attention to interest. The idea of ‘dead money’ is anathema to capitalism – no matter what, your money should be ‘working for you’. I think this is a brilliant expression, because it communicates the fact that capital that is earning interest is earning profit for labour that you yourself are not actually performing. When your capital earns interest, you are, in essence, receiving a profit without ‘earning’ it through a labour input.

As such, I suggest that earning interest from investments is actually an unfair wage – it is money that we haven’t actually worked for. Whatever a fair wage for an hours work is – be it US$ 0.17 or US$ 320 or anything in between, a fair wage for zero work is still zero.

Now, my brother is a property investor, and I guess that what he would point out right now is that he does input labour from which he is earning a profit. He works many hours a week in order to earn from his investments. This is not what I’m arguing against (though I would still ask the question of whether the quantity of money he earns from an hour’s labour is a fair wage). What I am arguing against is the $8 my bank gave me for investing $1000 in a 3 month term deposit. For literally 5 minutes work (filling out a single form) I received $8. That’s $96 for an hours work. And if I leave that money there, with absolutely zero labour input from now on, that term deposit will keep on rolling over and accumulating. After a year it will be $32 for that same 5 minute’s work ($384 for an hour’s work – more then what the corporate CEO is earning).

I know that I’ve over-simplified things here. I know that there are a million and one other factors and influences and mechanics and inflations and equivalences and equities and market influences and whatever else that I haven’t taken into consideration. But what I’ve illustrated in simple form is a simple concept. Is that a fair wage?

I suggest that it is not.

And just so you know that I practice what I preach, every cent of interest I’ve earned from my bank over the past 2 years I’ve given straight towards 3^rd world community development.

The next question I have to wrestle with: What do I think/do about superannuation? My very culture is dependant on a retirement ‘nest egg’ because we are no longer a culture that values economic support of our elderly. Can I justify receiving profits from interest earned by my superannuation? Can I justify being an economic burden on my children and/or welfare support when I have the capacity not to be?

::Free Stuff - Some MP3's of me at Soul Survivor 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen) — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 18:19:43 PDT

This is a cross post from our community's website.

Following are links to some talks I did at Soul Survivor in 2009. The theme for Soul Survivor was the 360 Degree Gospel. I had three sessions on the Politics of Jesus and included is a copy of the main night session that I did.

The first three are workshops (sorry if you don't quite get the questions and comments coming from the participants) whilst the fourth session is a monologue. Hope you find them helpful.
The Politics of Jesus 1 - The Politics that come from wild places
The Politics of Jesus 2 - The Politics of baptism
The Politics of Jesus 3 - The Inevitable Politics of Following Jesus
The 360 Degree Gospel - Main Night Session

A Brief Reflection on Genesis

noreply@blogger.com (Scott) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 23:34:04 PDT

A Brief Reflection on Genesis:

Genesis is the book of the month in our community and whilst reading it I think I’ve decided what the bible is on about.

The creation story gives us an inspiringly beautiful picture of the way things were supposed to be. It’s the first messianic revelation: God’s dream for how the world could be, how it apparently once was, and how it one day will be.

The black humour, I suppose, is that the recipients of this story are a nation of slaves who wander the desert eating stuff that falls from the sky.

And thus, we have the fundamental point of the bible:
Here’s the way the world should be;
Here’s the way the world is;
Hmmm. These two worlds look very different.

What ensues is 1000 or so pages of God and the entirety of creation “sitting in the tension” between these two worlds (as my friend and lecturer Joel always says). And thus, the fundamental mission of Christianity is to bring these two worlds a little closer together.

A heretical note to wonder upon:
Traditional theology teaches of three worlds: the present earth, heaven, and hell. I only see two (though maybe I’m just an optimist)

::Tech Rant - Zindus

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 02:38:39 PDT

Started using Thunderbird at home to connect to Gmail (using IMAP) cause sometimes (during a long email) the internet connection drops. So Thunderbird doing the old IMAP thingy ensures continuity.

When I started, the handbrak was converting all my Gmail contacts to Thunderbird. Of course some wonderful Geek has had the problem before me and created this great little addon for Thunderbird. It keeps your contacts synced! How cool is that?!

::Observations-Gen Xodus - Gen X Has Left the Building... II

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 17:50:47 PDT

I recall a class given by my Theology Professor, John Capper (even after I graduate, I call him my professor, I guess he still is in many ways). He described the difference between the philosophical frameworks in Europe (where he studied for a few years) and Australia. It was fascinating to watch my fellow students as he described the philosophical driving force behind their world view, namely "Pragmatism".

The last two Australian Federal elections were fought on the grounds of, and well within the sphere of Pragmatism. "We'll give you cheaper mortgage repayments and slash taxes!" And which Australian can possibly forget being reduced from an individual person to "an economy" for the duration of both elections?

I recall sitting with Lindsay Tanner, federal member for Melbourne while he was still in opposition. We were discussing Australia's aid budget as part of the Voices for Justice Conference. I remember being quietly inspired as Lindsay talked about his colleagues on both sides of the house of representatives, saying that even though challenging Australian citizens to be generous and to share our national wealth with poorer nations was definitely *not* a vote winner, sometimes you just had to show leadership and do what was right. "Who knows? the conversation went on, you just don't know what consequences moral imagination and leadership might be responsible for in the long term? He went on to say, however, that this kind of work was difficult, whilst Australia's political landscape was one defined by Pragmatism.

Australia's world view is largely Pragmatism. "How will this action/activity benefit me/us?" Or may I use the crude term which I am constantly challenged with in Secondary and Tertiary schools and colleges... "Is this going to be on the exam sir?"

What is the consequence? What is the result? In a poor philosophical environment like Australia's, Pragmatism is further reduced to the notion "What's in this for me?"

The world view of Boomers and consequently Gen Y is largely that of Pragmatism. It is the philosophical framework that under girds the dominant world view.

The philosophical framework of Gen X was largely Existentialism, a philosophical framework that begins with the human condition. It was not about outcomes. It was about the living, feeling, acting human totality.

Whereas Boomers/Gen Y seem focused on the who, what, where, when and how of existence, Gen X'ers seemed to penetrate such conversations asking the vexing question "why"? Not in a pragmatic sense, rather in a deeper search for truth. Both as it pertained to the individual and to the greater whole which, as a given, was considered to be entirely inter related.

For all sorts of reasons, Gen X'ers were shown the door, and/or left the building. I fear that what also left the room were the kinds of conversations that could profoundly shape and influence the church in ways that are currently lacking.

I wonder to what degree an idealistic and altruistic voice is missing? I wonder what the church could be if it were to seek to reconcile with this missing generation. I wonder how we are the poorer for it?

(I need to make the obvious point that I am speaking in broad general terms, and am making assumptions about individuals and groups,knowing full well that there are exceptions all over the place. Please keep this in mind before you comment!)

::Itinerary-This week...

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 19:38:06 PDT

Itinerary Update:
For those interested, I will be speaking in the following locations in the next week. Hope to see you there!

Yarra Valley Vineyard
60 Cave Hill Road, Lilydale
6pm Wednesday 15 July
"Biblical Frameworks for Trade Justice"

Forge/Tear Tasmania Conference
Rocherlea Community Hall, Archer St, Rocherlea
Friday 17 July to Sat 18 July

::Observations-Gen Xodus - Gen X Has Left the Building...

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:45:27 PDT

I was listening to a radio program the other night (as I do driving home at odd hours) and the subject was Gen Y and the political process. They three people (one was the interviewer and the other two representing various aspects of the political process) were discussing if and how Gen Y engages in Australian politics. At one point in the discussion, a question regarding Gen X (the previous generation) and the nature of their involvement in the political process was asked.

They commentators begain describing how Gen X largely abandoned the political process. When asked "where are they", one of the commentators suggested that Gen X had largely forsaken the corporate approach (to everything) en masse and had taken up residence in the NGO sphere, as well as being found in areas of innovation and creativity. The values that drive Gen X (continues the commentator) tend to be more altruistic rather than monetary as in the case of Boomers (the generation proceeding Gen X) and Gen Y.

The conversation continued along this vein for a few minutes. While it did, my mind wandered to two other incidents.

The first was when a colleague of mine, Brian Holden (seen in this picture wearing his Liverpool FC shirt, poor misguided lad) was involved in a ministry exposure trip. As part of his theological education, the students spent some time in two of Australia's biggest cities, visiting all sorts of churches: some of the mega variety, medium and smaller sized churches as well as various church related ministries. The most glaring observation for him was that Gen X was by and large absent. As he tail ends Gen X, he was looking for those involved in ministry who are Gen X, and his comment was in all of the churches he visited, there were none in significant positions of influence, if at all.

The second incident, or more accuratley, phenomenon, is that of the bulletin board. I speak at any number of bible colleges and theological institutions throughout the year, in all parts of the country. On the bulletin boards, there are often advertisements for ministry positions, seeking students or soon to be graduates. The number of advertisments for ministry vacancies looking for people in the age bracket that is essentially Gen X (roughly 28 to 40 year olds) is quite significant.

I started to think about the implications for the church that essentially is missing the better part of a generation. When I move around mission training agencies and organisations in the NGO sector, it seems as though these parts of the church were the "promised land" of the Gen Xodus.

I need to reflect further what the implications for this disproportionate representation mean for the future of mission and ministry in Australia, and possibly elsewhere.

Your thoughts?

::Reflection-My father, myself...

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 03:47:58 PDT

I think it was Fr Richard Rohr who said that before the age of thirty, a person spends their life dealing with the pain inflicted upon them by others. After the age of thirty, what has not been transformed then becomes the pain that you inflict upon others.

In the last two months, I have had two young people under the age of thirty have quite significant reactions to me. The reactions were rooted in the resemblance that I have (real or perceived) to their own fathers. In both cases, it was the negative elements of their fathers that I was mirroring to them.

My thoughts are not so much about those two people and their issues. It would not actually be appropriate to share those issues either. What I have been thinking allot about and wanted to reflect upon are two things in particular.

The first thing that I have been thinking allot about is the incredible influence our relationships with our fathers influence and map upon our understanding and experience of God. I am well aquainted with many of the theories and the like, however, seeing the phenomenons power as it plays out in the lives of so many people around me continues to astound me again and again. It has such profound influence and completley overrides any rational or objective capacity a person conjured up in order to resist.

I have sat with one person in particular and when we attempted to engage in a medatative approach to scriptures regarding a loving God, there was an immediate and significant emotional reaction. The brick wall is of course that persons relationship to their father.

What also was quite astounding was to see the two approaches to prayer and scripture in this persons life. The individual in question is someone who has tried to memorise scripture for a large part of their adult life. They probably know more scriptures than I do, and seem able to quote one for just about any occassion. When we discussed their view of God, it was very biblical, very correct, theologically sound.

It started to come undone when I questioned why they continued to struggle with responding in specific situations out of their intellectual understanding of who God is. Intrigued, we continued the conversation and found ourselves having a talk about the meditative approach to scripture again. We cracked open the bible, found one that related to a fathers love for his children, and literally, within seconds, the person was reacting and was eventually moved to a place of tears. They described feelings of being frightened and challenged, and then reverted to their traditional form of scripture engagement, due to the fact that they felt far more in control of the process.

I thought allot about how their concept of God was well differentiated in their minds from their experience of their human father, but once we moved beyond the conceptual, into the realm of their actual experience, it was staggering to see the difference. As far as their emotional experience of God the father, it was almost imposible for them to separate that from their experience of their human father.

I find that I am still considering and reflecting upon the significance of this event.

The second part of my meanderings is as both father and son. I am a dad to Harry and Noah, and often pause to think about how my actions as their dad will effect their understanding and experience of God the father. I often pray that they will be gracious with their fragile, broken dad.

Which led me to consider my own father. Charlie came to this nation as a 13 year old boy, as an economic refugee in the 1960's. He arrived with his two older brothers, a suitcase, and a very shaky command of the English language. The brothers ekked out an existence in what was effectivley an incredibly alien world from the one they had grown up in. I have since discovered the violence of his own upbringing. His problematic start to life, and then having to start all over again in a new country, his finding a partner in my mother and then his attempts to raise a family without so little guidance are feats that I am finding new levels of appreciation for, each time I think about my own fathering, and the way in which my view of God is shaped by this remarkable man.

I find that as I get older, and as I come to terms with my limitations as a dad, the grace that grows in my heart for this remarkable man is a process that is changing my view of God. Yes my view of God had been shaped in a negative way, by my fathers failings. Yet, as I come to appreciate what he tried to do, with the little resources he had at his disposal, I find that my view of both my dad, and my father in heaven are being expanded in ways I didn't think possible, and at this point, with degrees of significance I don't quite understand just right now.

I love my dad. In times past, I vowed I would never do or become some of the parts of him that inflict pain upon those around him. However, as the strange grace effect continues it's work upon my life, I find I want very much to emulate the good and wonderful parts of my father, and in doing so, I am learning about a wonderful God who is becoming awesome to me in ways I could not anticipate.

::Activism-I promise never to pick on accountants again!

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen) — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 15:30:32 PDT

I was quite inspired by this article in the Brisbane Times online today. One of the thoughts that struck me the most was that this guy who has worked his entire life as an accountant, seems to only have discovered his vocation in his later years. More power to him I say!

Grey Man rescues Asian sex slaves

A Brisbane-based charity says it has smashed a child-trafficking ring that has sent 200 teenage girls from Laos into sex slavery in Thailand.

Two Brisbane business figures started the charity, The Grey Man, which claims more than 400 supporters in Australia and South-East Asia.

The Grey Man says its raids this month, with the help of Thai police, rescued five 15-year-old girls from brothels and karaoke bars.

It is alleged an accused child-trafficker took the girls from their families in 2005 after promising to find them factory work. The girls' families allegedly each received $600 - twice the average annual wage in Thailand. Three alleged ringleaders of the child trafficking ring were arrested this month in northern Laos, The Grey Man says.

Retired chartered accountant Russell Hawksford is one of the two men who front The Grey Man. The other, who only goes by the name "John", is said to be an ex-Special Air Service (SAS) officer.

::Rants-Global Financial Crisis?

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 04:17:49 PDT

Been thinking allot about the GFC (Global Financial Crisis) or the US term, GFM (Global Financial Meltdown). I have been thinking about it because since I returned from Bangladesh in January, I have found myself thinking about the many people who I met in that country who's lives are affected far more dramatically, than people here in Australia.

It is a difficult conversation, because you can easily find yourself comparing misery with misery. That is not my intention. Having been made redundant three times in my life means I am aquainted with the pain that financial uncertainty brings. However, in each situation, we were ok. We have an incredible series of safety nets to fall back on in times of financial distress in a place like Australia.

Not so in Bangladesh. The nation is very poor, and so many individuals I met face pretty bleak futures, because of the GFC.

However, the thing I found most difficult to cope with is the term we give the phenomenon. Global: Well, that's a no brainer. Financial: it effects all kinds of financial systems, or the various parts of the one global financial system. Crisis: hmmmm, this is where it gets interesting.

In the early 2000's, George Bush had his administration use the term "Climate Change" as oppossed to the aforementioned "Global Warming". The term "Global Warming" alarmed people, as it probably should! So the administration, in a master stroke of spin, had the crisis "rebranded". Enter: Climate Change. Sounds more like a holiday than a crisis requiring attention.

The same treatment has been given to the GFC. To call it something benign like the Global Financial Crisis takes attention away from two very important issues. The first is that it is not a crisis in the sense that this thing appeared from out of nowhere like some random act of nature. Due to the incredibly unregulated financial markets in the US, financial institutions were able to act in an incredibly cavalier fashion, essentially lying to existing regulation authorities (including the international markets) in order to appear more profitable than they actually were.

In short:

Banks lent incredibly irresponsibly to people whom the banks knew were not in a position to pay back such house mortgages.
The bank leaders and managers did so in order to sell more banking products.
The reason they needed to sell products, was in order to make greater profits.
The driving force is the greed of the few.

Bank leaders and managers lying in order to satiate greed. So it grieves me no end, to call something that has to do with the powerful few abusing their position for the sake of their own personal greed, something benign like the Global Financial Crisis. Why don't we call it what it is? Global Abuse of Power? Global Corruption Crisis? Financial Institutional Greed Crisis?

The second issue that went through to the keeper is the one of international trade. For decades, the World Bank/International Monetary Fund has been telling the governments of developing countries that if they want loans and investment, then they cannot prop up failing businesses. If a business or corporation fails in their country, they just need to let the market do it's work, which effectivley means, indigenous corporations fail and international (read corporations from places like the USA, UK, Australia and the like) move in and take up the market share.

Failing businesses and corporations in developing nations means incredible pain for workers in parts of the world that do not have the kinds of safety nets that places like the USA, the UK and Australia do.

So, the "GFC" hits, US car manufacturing companies begin to fall over and what happens, they go to their government and ask to be bailed out with tax payer funds. The American senate responds with packages.

So the USA effectivley declares to the world that there are two sets of rules, one for developing nations (who have no negotiating power and have to accept the raw deal given them) and one for developing nations (who have the power to do whatever they want).

The net result of all of the above, is that the communities and the individuals who are most vulnerable, are those in developing countries, and specifically, those from poor communities.

I have been struggling, particularly during this time of Lent, to know how I as an individual follower of Jesus, can somehow respond to this incredibly overwhelming set of unjust systems that wreak havoc on poor communities. As I have contemplated a response, one thought was to share it with others. And so I have.

Grace.

::Rants-Need a laugh?

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen) — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 17:32:59 PST

Need a laugh in your day? (NB: This will only make sense to Australians...)

I had heard that Pauline Hanson was running for the Queensland state seat of Beaudesert. I thought that was funny.

Then I read this article in todays Age newspaper, stating that larrikin celebrity footballer, Warwick Capper is going to run against her, to "give her some curry".

There were a few lol's in the office, however the final few paragraphs in the article sealed it for me.

Pauline Hanson, Warwick Capper and Big Brother, all in the one seat, in the upcoming Queensland state election.

Queenslanders: Do you see why your southern friends find you guys a bit funny!?

::Rants-Slum Dog Middle Incomers

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen) — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 17:34:39 PST

Saw this article in the Age on Saturday. These guys are Tear field workers. Lisa and I actually stayed with them for a few days in 2002 (I think it was)? Great story, good read.

::Rants - How I know so much about the fire...

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 18:19:55 PST

In short, I registered with Twitter. I am not a big fan of social networking. Until 2 days ago. In trying to get access about fires, road access and the like, the web sites that you would usually access were either struggling with the weight of visitors, or the information was stale and next to useless.

In frustration, I registered as a Twitter user, and *literally* within seconds, I had found users and channels that were sending updates, *literally* every few seconds. I was getting sensational information about fire locations, road access, even weather conditions, in virtual real time (a few seconds delay).

In the last few days I have become a bit of a Twitter expert. I am part of a community of users that keep each other informed with all sorts of information, including the behavior of opportunistic companies, the needs of different groups in different areas, and great information as to how to be of some practical help.

I know social networking can be a very superficial means of relating (or not relating as a matter of fact!). I know that it can be used to posture, pretense and essentially live a lie.

But in the last few days, I have discovered that it has helped me to find out if my family and neighbors a safe, to connect to old and new friends, trying to figure out how we can best respond to something overwhelming, from so far away (I am still in Queensland!). I am a believer! Peace out (or should I say Tweet out?) to all my Twitter buddies that have kept me in the loop. You know who you are...

PS - I am www.twitter.com/neurosys

::Rants-Danny Nilliah Boycott

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 02:20:26 PST

I am still in Queensland trying to do what I can to help a few people who I know, and many I do not. I joined Twitter to try and lend a hand where I can. I cannot believe how so many people are using social networking tools to coordinate relief efforts, pass on information about the fires, road closures and the like, and generally trying to use information to make a meaningful response.

Lisa, my magnificent partner will be working both today and tomorrow in one of the council based relief centres. In addition, she registered us to host a family whose home was destroyed. If you live close to one of the affected areas, can I encourage you to do the same? It would make so much difference to a family who has kids who are enrolled in schools, who have jobs they need to get back to in order to organise financial stability in their lives and such. Call 1800 006 468 to register your home.

I am so proud of so many other followers of Jesus who are faithfully and humbly trying to respond to this unprecedented disaster.

However, I am also deeply ashamed to be associated with a Christian brother of mine, Danny Nilliah of Catch the Fire Ministries. Today he released a statement that is nothing short of mindless, heartless, absolute stupidity, crass callousness, and revealing an incredibly shallow and superficial grasp on theology and the God of all the universe.

He claims that he had a dream that showed Victoria in flames as a result of passing the recent abortion laws. He talks about a god (lower case "g" deliberate as the god he describes is not the God of all the universe, simply one of petty, narrow minded and ignorant, small men who believe that their view of the world is correct and everyone else needs to conform to their twisted views), that has removed his protection from Victoria because of a legislative decision.

As you can tell, I am filled with rage, and I am doing my best to try and direct it towards his idiotic grasp on theology, rather than towards the man himself.

According to Danny, the nightmares that the heroic men and women of the CFA will have to live with for the rest of their lives, are a judgement of God. The images seared upon the imaginations of adults and children who have lost loved ones in the most horrific of ways, is a judgement of God. The sinister fury of a force of nature, so arbitrarily inflicted upon communities, families and individuals, greater than anything else this nation has ever experienced during peacetime, is a judgement of God.

Danny, your comments regarding Islam in the past have shown you to be an ignorant and fearful little man. Your comments regarding this tragedy, at this time, to me, simply reinforce your petty inferiorities. Fancy using this horrific moment in the lives of so many, to grab headlines for your petty and insigificant business that you call a ministry?

I have felt deep shame over your ignorant and uninformed opinions splashed across the media in the past. This most recent attempt at grabbing headlines fills me with so much shame and remorse.

A Franciscan by the name of Richard Rohr says that the only way we can critique the bad, is to practice the better. So I call on all of my brothers and sisters in Christ who are similarly outraged by this mindless and petty attempt to capitalise on the pain and suffering of others to grab a few headlines, to do two things:

Ignore him. Just ignore him.
Give money to the various appeals and open your homes (see above) to the victims.

Let them not hear about a false god and Christ through the stupidity and pettiness of those such as Danny Nilliah, rather may people experience the presence of Christ through those, who as dear little children, imitate our father in heaven, who is generous, loving, gracious and giving.

::Rants-Thanks for your thoughts...

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen) — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 21:01:08 PST

Just a quick note to say thank you to all who have enquired about mine and my families safety in the recent fires in Melbourne. The short version is that we are all safe.

The longer version is that I was speaking at a conference in Queensland, two hours outside of Brisbane and effectively incommunicado.

I called Lisa at 6:00pm Melbourne time, only to find out that she was in our car with both the kids, driving around Greensborough (a suburb that is about 10 minutes drive from our house, towards the city and away from the fires). She then proceeded to tell me about the 47 degree Celsius day, the hot northerly winds and the fact that our suburb/town (Hurstbridge) had officially been placed on alert.

It all seemed very surreal.

She informed me that she would be heading back to our home if it was still possible that night and that she had packed bags, placed them by the door, and was waiting with some anxiety, how the night would unfold. The anxiety of course, being due to the fact that some of the residents in our street had already evacuated for the next few days whilst the rest of the residents were making preparations, hosing down roofs and the like. Things that Lisa would obviously find very difficult to do, being on her own with two kids.

I am so indebted to our wonderful neighbors, who knowing that Lisa was on her own, checked in on her every few hours all day and into the night, just to make sure she was up to date and ok.

I then discovered the next day the extend of loss of life and destruction of property. My wonderful partner Lisa then informs me that she is packing some stuff and money together to help a colleague of hers whose house was destroyed in Kinglake. She, her partner and her 18 month old son headed off to the city to visit some friends and when they tried to return home, discovered that the whole area had been cordoned off. They are now living in a friends basement.

I am sure that they are simply one of many who are now facing a pretty bleak next few months. I really hope insurance companies don't forget the reason they exist in the next few weeks and months.

Then there are those who have lost their lives. I am dreading the identification process. I suspect there will be at least one or two who we know from the area.

Then of course, there are some of the most wonderful people in the world, the CFA volunteers. As I read stories of these men and women who *voluntarily* place themselves between people and danger, I just think the world of them all. They are simply remarkable and I continue to esteem them as wonderful servants who help their neighbors in need. I think about how heartbroken many of them are, after having to watch as a power beyond their best attempts to control destroys the properties of those they have sworn to defend, and in some instances, their lives. Having spent some time with the Hurstbridge CFA, I think about those incredible men and women who are putting themselves in harms way in an attempt to help others, and my heart swells with both admiration and fear. Can I ask you to join with me in prayer for these guys? And keep reading the newspapers and listening to the media and respond to any requests for aid that may come out from time to time?

I might actually turn the computer off for a while because it is pretty overwhleming to think about everything that is going on and how it effects people close to me.

Let me conclude simply by saying I appreciate all your concerns, but for now, Lisa and the boys are safe, and I am obviously quite safe also, being in Queensland.

Grace.

::Itinerary-Bangladesh 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen) — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 21:04:10 PST

Some of you may know that for the last three years, Tear has been working on developing a partnership with Christian schools in helping the learn from our partners in the third world. After three and a half years of work, we are seeing the next major milestone, taking a class of year 12's to Bangladesh to visit HEED.

I will be accompanying them for the next 2 weeks. you can see what we are up to on their blog created to chronicle that particular trip here... http://dccbangladesh.weblog.com/

::Rants-http://www.climateofchange.tv/

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen) — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 19:39:49 PST

I forgot that I could actually embed this video in my blog post so you don't have to travel off to another site to see it. This is Tear's latest video. I really urge you to check it out.

The "twist in the tail" is climate change from the perspective of poor communities. Very much worth 6 minutes and 18 seconds of your life.

::Rants-Go on, buy something!

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen) — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:07:21 PST

SPAM ALERT! Hey guys, buy prezzies this Christmas from my shop! http://www.usefulgifts.org/ugshop/id/1692 Help communities in the developing world at Christmas time.

Tear now allows you to set up your own shop. You can invite friends and family to buy presents during the Christmas period from your own Virtual Useful Gift Shop. If you are starting to feel nausea from the upcoming orgy of consumption and excess, get in early and shut that beast down.

"Truly, it is more blessed to give, than to receive."

::Theology-Christians and Climate Change

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 21:17:57 PST

I am a little excited and optimistic these days that Christians are beginning to realise the importance of Climate Change as an issue and many I know are even beginning to act upon it.

At Tear Australia, one of the reasons we think it is important is because the group of people who are often *the* most vulnerable to climate change are the poorest communities on the planet.

With that in mind, Tear have released a new resource for the Australian (and broader) Christian community to give them some resources around Climate Change from perspective of it's impact on poor communities. Check it out here if you want more information.

::Rants-In Frogs we Trust

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:58:00 PST

I was listening to the Australian senate last night as I drove home from an evening appointment and hear Kerry Rea, federal member for the seat of Bonner in Queensland talking about Red Frogs Crew with great respect and admiration in her adjournment speech.

I am always encouraged and excited by communities of believers who put legs on their faith and serve the Christ in others in practical ways. When Christians take the task of mission seriously, especially in the way that these guys do, the world begins to look a little like it might where Jesus a perminent resident!

So big SHOUT OUT to the Red Frogs crew. More power to you guys.

Check 'em out here... Red Frogs Crew

(PS - You can check out the transcript of what Ms Rea had to say here... )

::Rants-Good facilitation

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 21:03:11 PST

I was reminded of what good facilitation is yesterday. A colleague of mine, Kate Conway, from Tear Australia lead missio Dei through a process of thinking about (a) how a community disciples kids and (b) how as part of the discipleship process, we can help kids learn about God's love for all the people in the world and how we can be practical in helping to make a difference.

After about one and a half hours, we had over 80 simple ideas that we could implement with our kids as families and households, and as a church community. ALL of the ideas came from people in the community.

The brilliance was that Kate was able to draw out what many of us already knew.

This is *good facilitation*.

::Rants-Bunjilaka

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen) — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 19:39:09 PDT

Spent this morning with my class at Bunjilaka at the Melbourne Museum. I teach a class on spiritual formation and I thought it would be pretty important to help the students come to terms with Australia's recent history and treatment of the indigenous peoples, and consequently, what this means for us as followers of the Prince of Peace and Reconcilliation, Jesus.

It was hard to get any indication from the guys and girls as to what was going on inside of them as we were a big group, and we were in a public setting. I have to say that I was really impressed with the museum's people who made themselves available at such short notice and getting an impromptu address from Caroline Martin, the manager of Bunjilaka, and daughter of one of Melbourne's elders, was wonderful.

I hope to debrief with the guys next week (if I can squeeze any more stuff into n already packed class) and I would love to share some of their observations with you.

In terms of my observations, well I just always seem to come away from the museum changed in another small way, which is what education should do. This time, three things were significant for me.

The first was reading the story of a child taken when he was only 4 years old. My whole being involuntarily imagined a scene where my little Harry (who only just turned 4) was taken from me whilst I was away from home, with no explaination and chance of me finding him in the future. I have experienced life very differently since becoming a dad. It moved me to tears.

The second observation was the fact that the Australian singer/song writer Archie Roach was taken when he was a child too. I knew him to be an activist as well as an artist but I did not know that he was one of the "Stolen Generation".

And probably the third and most disturbing of the observations was the students shock at discovering so much about the land in which they were born and raised, for the first time.

Thumbs up Museum of Victoria for helping shape our discipleship.

::Rants-A great idea!

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen) — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 19:50:58 PDT

This is like the best idea in the whole world! Those of you who are familiar with Tear will know about the whole Gift Catalog thingy. You buy, or have people buy for you, items out of the gift catalog that benefit communities in the developing world.

Well now, you can set up a virtual gift shop. You can create your own catalog online, invite all your friends and have them shop from your customised premises. And if you are anything like me, you don't have to worry about handling money, receipts, cards etc. It is all done automagically.

Seriously, Christmas shopping without leaving home! Go crazy go nuts!

Virtual UG Shop

::Rants-Observation

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen) — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 19:24:26 PDT

I tend to get quite passionate about a few things. My kids for one. My relationship with Lisa. I take it very seriously, especially now that 13 marriages of people close to me have come to an end over the last 10 years. My work with Tear and Tabor are also things I take seriously, and of course my football (go Victory!).

I have had criticism in the past, about being over the top, emotional, too "full on" and the like. It bugs me. Our culture is one where you are not allowed to take anything seriously. If you get passionate about something, you are immediately categorised as an extremist of some description.

However, there are some things that you are allowed to be passionate about, and it is cool to do so. The issue is to know what it is socially acceptable to be "passionate" about, and to make sure you don't take it too far.

So the other day, I am making my way through the new temple of "i" (Westfield Doncaster) and see the consequences of their new marketing campaign. This and other images with the slogan "A fashion for passion" appear all over the place.

My brain locked up as I transcended each subsequent level of irony.

You are allowed to be passionate about fashion.
You can be passionate about something that is superficial, fickle and fleeting.
Your passion is indicated by the amount of money you spend on fashion.
And most importantly, DON'T LOOK LIKE YOU ARE PASSIONATE. Let the clothes speak for you. As a matter of fact, don't give any indication of emotion at all, otherwise you blow your carefully constructed cool passion.

On a serious note, I felt sadness. It is essentially anxiety, not passion. In the great consumer competition, where people vie to create the best identities, expend emotional energy to belong and achieve the elusive happiness the Shopping Centre promises. People are manipulated into thinking the feelings they have are actually passion, as opposed to the very necessary anxiety that is evoked in order to stampede the cattle towards the purchase.

But not a passion for the inanimate. Idolatry makes us less human, as we value inanimate objects over living things. True workship is to value the animate over the inanimate. In this kind of radical worship, passion is necessary. It awakenes us from the dull lifelessless that is a life that revolves around "me". True worship will bring us to life. In order to become more human, and more alive, passion is necessary.