Glocal Christianity

Christian Democrat Allan Green evasive on the Millenium Development Goals?

If you care about balanced Christian respresentation feel free to share this on. I had an interesting facebook conversation this week with Allan Green, the CDP candidate for Greenway, where I asked him whether the Christian Democratic Party would support groups like Micah Challenge in pushing the major parties to meet their Millenium Development Goal commitments, specifically the commitment to raise aid to 0.7% GNI by 2015.

Rather than answering yes to that question, even though I'd asked for a clear yes or no answer, Allan Green evaded and instead touted his support for an aid agency called GK Philippines.

So I take that as a no, that Christian Democratic Party are not willing to support Christians groups like Micah Challenge.

In this respect Allan Green's response was much like that of labour, who have also decined to give a clear timetable for implementation of the 0.7% commitment, except in this respect: his claim to represent Christians, without qualification.

So, just so it's clear whom I represent and whom I don't, I'll let SEO and SMO speak for itself. I've taken the conversation off the facebook group site where it was originally hosted and placed it here, on my personal site. And I'll let you speak for yourselves, if you are a Christian who cares about this, join me in calling for Greenway candidate Allan Green and Christian Democratic Party to make a clear commitment to Micah Challenge and the Millenium Development Goals.

Tony Abbott versus Raptor Jesus (video)

Well, this Tony Abbott versus Raptor Jesus video has got to be the most bizzare political commentary I've seen so far in the Australian election. I can just see Hemant Mehta going ape over this with his baby eating fixations, being a canabalistic Atheist and all. You're all familair with the Raptor Jesus meme?

Election News

Do Christians need a Christian prime minister? - "Recently disendorsed NSW Liberal candidate, David Barker, expressed concern that Julia Gillard was "anti-God" and that a non-Liberal vote would be a vote for Muslims, thus reintroducing religion, kicking and screaming in protest, to the campaign agenda." Excellent critique of theocratic Christianity by Greg Clarke.

Election ignores marginalised says Anglicare - Sydney Morning Herald reports, "The poor and marginalised will be left out of this year's election debate as leaders focus on middle Australia, the Christian charity Anglicare says."

Micah Challenge on the Australian Budget

The Australian Budget has drawn a mixed response from Micah Challenge today. “Micah Challenge calls the Australian Government to show strong leadership and to position Australia as a Samaritan nation,” said John Beckett, National Coordinator for Micah Challenge. “Jesus clearly teaches us to love our neighbour. In Australia, some of our closest Global neighbours are also some of the world’s poorest people”.

Whilst welcoming the aid increase Micah Challenge have said, "Micah Challenge is concerned that, despite the extra funds committed, overall spending on health aid has not increased. Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5, which focus on improving the lives of mothers and children globally, are well behind schedule."

Our own church will be raising awareness of Millennium Development Goals this month with a "Survive Past Five" birthday party that focusses on the fourth development goal of reducing child mortality. As a father of a five year old I find it difficult to imagine what it would be like to loose my child to an easily preventable disease. If you're an Australian, join us in raising community awareness and presurring your local candidates to take the Millenium Development Goals seriously as they gear up for an election later this year.

For the full media release see Aid Budget increase will help our global neighbours

Dancing banned in church ... by the government!

As a baptist I find this VERY amusing.

"A SMALL western Sydney church has been hit with a $3000 fine by the local council because its choir was singing too loudly and some choristers were caught dancing"

"Council officers raided the Granville church and were alarmed to discover choir members dancing in the carpark and the door of the church open an hour after it was supposed to be closed."

I guess Parramatta Council were worried the dancing could lead to sex. Everyone crooning "Oh, God. Oh, God!" For the full story read Church's joy and dancing banned.

Gallipoli or Calvary?

Gallipoli or Calvary from The Work Of The People on Vimeo.

At the risk of alienating a few people I've decided to repost this hard hitting ANZAC DAY video by Jarrod McKenna. It asks the simple question: Gallipoli or Calvary? So maybe I'd ask you all the same.

Al-Qaeda recuiter's speech to Sydney mosque

"AN AL-QAEDA recruiter, described as the No. 1 terrorist threat to America, was engaged by a Sydney youth group to address hundreds of young people - a decision that has caused deep divisions at one of Australia's largest mosques."

Read more of the source article here.

Anybody got contacts with Lakemba mosque?

Postscript: It has emerged elsewhere that Anwar al-Awlaki gave the speech by phone link from Yemen last February. Taking a leaf out of the multisite church book.

Christian Art: Aboriginal Genesis

Some weeks back I stumbled upon an Aboriginal Art collection at a Catholic conference centre in MacKillop Drive, Crestwood, in western Sydney.

It was a beautiful series of images depicting the six days of creation and the sabbath by Paul Conway, an Aboriginal artist living in Queensland.

Now that I've finally downloaded the images from my camera phone, you can take the tour yourself.

Easter in Parramatta

I received a press release from Parramatta City Council earlier today on some Easter news for western Sydney:

Parramatta City Council has again thrown caution into the winds of political correctness, this time to celebrate Easter in the city. Following on from the very successful initiative in 2010 to celebrate Christmas and wish it's residents a "Merry Christmas" rather than "Seasons Greeting", Parramatta councillors voted on Monday night to celebrate Easter by putting signs around the city wishing it's residents a "Happpy Easter".

Councillor Michael McDermott who drove the initative said "I think we have moved on beyond this nonsense notion that celebrating our traditions will offend any of our residents, it's time for other cities to wake up and realize that no one is offended, in fact residents of other faiths and backgrounds are breathing a sigh of relief that some sense has been brought back to the debate and as long as we respect and value their traditions, there is no problem". Councillor McDermott stated that "while the usual naysayers on council tried to throw up administrative and bureaucratic reasons why not to do it, the majority of councillors supported the move which will see signs placed around Parramatta city and suburban shopping areas".

50% of the signs will carry the traditional Easter Eggs and Easter Bunny images while the other 50% will carry images representing the Christian notion of Easter. Councillor McDermott went on to say that "he was especially pleased that this time the signs will be pushed out into our suburban shopping precincts as well as the city center. It's important to share the hope, joy and fun of these celebrations with all of our residents . There was mention of the Lord Mayor handing out Easter eggs in front of the town hall and even the Deputy Lord Mayor dressing in an Easter Bunny suit. This will be a lot of fun".

Lest people think this shift from "political correctness" represents a repression of religions other than Christianity, I draw attention to the fact that Parramatta is also set to stage one of the largest Indian cultural celebrations in the Southern Hemisphere later this year to coincide with the Hindu festival of Dwali. I welcome this new respect for diversity and receptivity to both Christianity and other religions.

Social Justice on Australian Christian Radio

Jarrod McKenna writes: "How would America’s largest mainstream Christian radio stations respond to issues of social justice for the poorest of poor, climate change, and nonviolence? Hold that response in your mind as you listen to an Australian equivalent in this interview [about the upcoming Surrender Conference in Australia].

Click here to read the rest and hear the interview.

I'm just miffed they have all the good conferences in Melbourne instead of Sydney! Talk about injustice!