Bishop John

I am not sure what I should be more upset about: the newspaper for publishing an underdone article on racism on Australia Day or the pernicious racism that gives the article legs?

The comments quoted in the article are sufficient substantiation of the deep seated antagonism to asylum seekers and refugees but this issue is clouded with appeals for and against racism, favourable treatment to asylum seekers and the morality of ‘illegals’ and ‘queue jumping’.

However, the newspaper article itself has much to answer for as it confuses the basic issue of asylum seeker policy with racism through the article’s inappropriate title “Race-hate posts offend”. The comments actually cited in the newspaper article refer not to race but to the treatment of asylum seekers and ‘boat people’ in particular.

Not surprisingly the comments made on the online article are confused and aggressive. Although sadly, online comments are too frequently confused and aggressive!

I am not here trying to deny the issue of racism in our community nor the difference of views regarding asylum seekers but I am appealing for substantive journalism that clarifies rather than confuses and which aids civility in conversation. This is even more necessary when the issues are raised on Australia Day: a day of heightened sensitivity to our national psyche.

We have not been well served by this article on Australia Day 2012. Maybe next year? I trust so.

See the newspaper article, Race-hate posts offend.  Contrast this with the clarity and compassion of Activist Registrar re Asylum seekers.

A sad day for our nation as our Prime Minister breaks another promise and further distances truth from our life.

Listen to Andrew Wilkie as he tells of the “Prime Minister’s failure to honour her agreement” on pokies reform:

“Consequently I regard the Prime Minister to be in breach of the written  agreement she signed, leaving me no option but to honour my word and end my  current relationship with her government.

“Frankly, a deal’s a deal and  it must be honoured. Our democracy is simply too precious to trash with broken  promises and backroom compromises. So I will walk, take my chances and so be  it.

“As someone said to me this week, millions of people are concerned  about poker machines, but everyone should care about politicians being true to  their word.”

Read more :Wilkie ditches Labour over PM’s pokie backflip  and  ABC Report,  Wilkie withdraws support over broken pokies deal.

Yesterday the Prime Minister said that Mr Wilkie did not have the numbers for reform. Well, so be it; but what is leadership about?

I struggle to understand why the Prime Minister did not show leadership on this significant and damaging social issue by going ahead into the teeth of the storm by introducing legislation and advocating for its approval?

Even if the introduced legislation was not passed by Parliament, at  least the Prime Minister would have led and more importantly, held to her word.

The Prime Minister and her cabinet have lost integrity and the very heart of leadership in failing to show the way to a healthier and more just Australia.

Clinging with a skeletal hand to parliamentary power our Prime Minister has impoverished her people.

What a sad gift for Australia Day.

What a parody our Prime Minster makes of ‘courage’!

How will the second verse of our National Anthem be sung?

Yet, we must work courageously and pray for a fair Australia: to truly “advance Australia fair”.

Please remember Andrew Wilkie in your prayers as he comes to terms with this broken promise. Also pray for all those Australians addicted to poker machine gambling, their families, friends, work places and community.

See, Stop the Loss coalition  and earlier this week my media release.

I think it’s worth posting these Barnabas Fund comments because they certainly provide a coherent anti-thesis to the currrent anti-Assad tirade from the Western media. See what you think:

Syria pivotal in regional power battle

Several expert commentators (see below) are calling into question the narrative being spread by Western media about the nature of the unrest in Syria. They argue that it is not merely an internal conflict between the government and the rebels but has become an international battle for the balance of power in the Middle East.

Aisling Byrne, writing for Asia Times Online on 5 January, argues:

What we are seeing in Syria is a deliberate and calculated campaign to bring down the Assad government so as to replace it with a regime ‘more compatible’ with US interests in the region… Not for the first time are we seeing a close alliance between US/British neo-cons with Islamists (including, reports show, some with links to al-Qaeda) working together to bring about regime change in an ‘enemy’ state.

The battle for the regional balance of power pits an alliance of the US, Israel and the Sunni Muslim states of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the Gulf against the Shi’a regime in Iran and Hizbollah, the terrorist organisation that it sponsors. Syria is integral to Iran’s position, and, says Saudi King Abdullah, “Other than the collapse of the Islamic Republic itself, nothing would weaken Iran more than losing Syria”. Much of the conflict is being driven by Saudi Arabia and Qatar, who are now repeating in Syria what they have done in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya to establish a Sunni Wahhabi Salafist entity, thus intensifying the pressure on Iran.

A Western-backed military campaign in alliance with the Syrian rebels against the Assad regime is looking increasingly likely, and this could be devastating for the Church in Syria. Christians in Syria have enjoyed a considerable measure of freedom and protection under President Assad; if he falls, there could be a repeat of the tragic near-extermination of the Church in post-Saddam Hussein Iraq.

On 6 January, 2012, the Council of Evangelical Churches in Baghdad was dissolved, signalling another nail in the coffin for Christianity in Iraq. The once sizeable Christian minority there has been reduced to no more than a few hundred thousand today.

Dr Patrick Sookhdeo, International Director of Barnabas Fund, said:

The Christian community in Syria is already suffering as a result of the unrest there and this will surely only intensify in the event of Western-backed military intervention. Christians in the West should not stand by and allow their governments to destroy Syria – and the Syrian Church – in pursuit of their own political interests in the region. I urge Christians not to accept blindly all the mainstream media reports about this conflict but to read for themselves the carefully considered arguments of dissenting voices (links below). And we must pray that the Lord will protect His people in Syria from a repeat of what happened to the Church in Iraq following the illegal US-led war. When Barnabas Fund carried stories about the horrific anti-Christian violence in Iraq post-2003, there were many sceptics who did not believe us. Today, this is accepted reality.

Please Pray

That Christians in Syria will know the Lord’s peace at this tumultuous time, particularly those who have lost loved ones, and that He will preserve a strong presence for Himself in the country. Pray also for all who have been bereaved in the ongoing conflict in Syria. That Western governments will have wisdom and insight about the consequences of their actions as they consider what moves to make regarding Syria. That Western media will present a fair, balanced and accurate account of the conflict in Syria.

 

 See Barnabas Fund article, Syria pivotal in regional power battle

ANGLICAN MEDIA TASMANIA

Tuesday 17^th of January 2012

MEDIA RELEASE:

The Anglican Bishop of Tasmania, John Harrower, is today making the following comment with regards to Poker Machine reform.

“I am very concerned that the health of Australian Society, and the safety and livelihood of many Australian families, is being overtaken by parliamentary opportunism.

“The cost of poker machines as they are currently operated far outweighs any perceived benefit.  The government should not give in to pressure from vested interests who are concerned with protecting profits ahead of caring for people and building our nation.

“The Anglican Church in Tasmania has consistently called for increased regulation, including $1 bet limits, and we have encouraged Andrew Wilkie on this issue.  The members of our churches and the workers in our agencies see every day the real effect on families and children of this exploitative industry.

“I call upon Prime Minister Gillard to maintain her commitment to the proposed reforms.

“I call upon the Opposition to shape Coalition policy around Australian values by giving clear support to poker machine reform.

“If the Coalition values individual responsibility they will support a system that ensures patrons can make an informed, free decision about how much they will lose.  If the Coalition values rewarding hard work they will back reforms so that pay-packets are not at risk to the false promise of vain chance.

“This issue requires the good politics of action, not politicking and plays for power.”

Due to prior commitments Bishop Harrower is unavailable for interview but will consider specific questions sent to bishop@anglicantas.org.au

You may also read the media release on our website here.

The media release was reported on here.

I have been enjoying myself relocating my books into a renovated room 🙂 In the process I have come across some delightful memories.

The beautiful letter below and the Bible sent with it are one such treasured memory.

Wednesday 3 November 2004

The Bishop of Tasmania

Diocese of Tasmania

GPO Box 748

HOBART TAS 7001

Attention: John Harrower OAM

Dear Venerable Sir,

Re: Make Good of Christian Bible

While a child attending state school in Launceston, part of our curriculum was Christian Education on a Friday. From memory the course was delivered by a stream of lay Teachers – and on occasion by Rev Nancarrow of the local St Aidens Church (who I understand is now deceased).

Being academically competitive, I won the grade 6 prize in 1969 for my Bible Studies book – which was a collection of work done over the year – albeit under false pretences. I had infact rewritten the book upon learning of the possibility of a prize. Whilst the work was mine – it was not the edition dutifully submitted to the passing line of Teachers over the year – but rather an amended and neater version with forged comments. Whether the kind Nancarrow knew this and acted in skilful way – or was deceived by my forgery I do not know.

For my part, clearly this action was deceptive and based on greed. In full knowledge of this I now declare this error to you and make my sincere apologies as head of this Church in Tasmania. I undertake not to repeat this behaivour again.

The prize, as I recall, was a Bible – which was won through an unskillful action. Although I do not have this Bible anymore – or any idea where it may be – please accept the enclosed “Good New Bible” as a make good and a repayment for at least part of my debt along with my declaration of error.

While I do not follow the Christian path I do try to be a good man and help others whenever and however I can. I was prompted to recollect this long forgotten action through recently meeting a local Christian ministry who too was kind to me. On seeing an error or a flaw (no matter how long ago it was performed) out of respect for others and myself I shall always seek to correct it.

Please accept my declaration and “make good” and aspirations.

May you be well and happy and free from all suffering,

Yours sincerely…

This is a beautiful letter of courteous and humble apology from a person making restitution and thereby building community. Please accept my heartfelt thanks. [There was no return address.]