Martin Bryant by his Mother

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The tragedy of Martin Bryant’s Port Arthur massacre lies deep in the heart of Tasmanians. Martin Bryant’s mother, Carleen Bryant, was interviewed on TV Channel Nine’s 60 Minutes last Sunday. Program transcript, A Mother’s Burden.

Both the fact of the interview occurring and its content have been widely discussed. see, Anger over Nine’s Bryant story  and  Father’s suicide put Bryant on path to Port Arthur massacre: mother  and  Bryant’s Mum still haunted.

Two years ago on the 13th anniversary of the massacre a new book, Born or Bred? Martin Bryant: The Making of a Mass Murderer, by Robert Wainwright and Paola Totaro (published by Fairfax Books, 2009), explored reasons for Martin Bryant’s murderous action. That exploration of the massacre also brought varied views and a reliving of the pain of the tragedy. See, On the 13th Anniversary of the Port Arthur massacre the quest continues to understand the life and motivations of murderer Martin Bryant.

No matter how well intentioned, it seems that the 60 Minutes’ interview of Martin Bryant’s mother has added little but pain to Tasmanians.

It raises the age old cry of the heart:  How do we deal with grief: individually and collectively?

Blasphemy laws: Indonesia & Pakistan

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Indonesia: Members of the Islamic sect, Ahmadiyah, who believe their founder Mirza Ghulam Ahmad was the final prophet of Islam (and not Mohammad and therefore blasphemous), have been murdered and Christians attacked by radical Muslims who seek the death penalty for those convicted of blasphemy. Extracts,

The latest outbreak of religious violence in the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country came as pressure mounted on the government to tackle religious extremism and demonstrate its oft-touted commitment to diversity.

Indonesia’s constitution explicitly guarantees freedom of religion. But under pressure from Islamic conservatives, the government in 2008 banned the Ahmadiyah from spreading their faith. Rights groups said the ban had given legal cover for vigilante violence and should be revoked immediately.

See, Muslim mob burns, ransacks churches in Indonesia & Indonesia’s Ahmadis are exiled in their own country.

Pakistan: Mark Durie has an extended article on Pakistan’s blasphemy laws and their use by radicalized Muslims against minority groups, Aslim Taslam, Three Cups of Tea and Pakistan’s Blasphemy Law. Mark’s conclusion,

A true respect and love for the people of Pakistan — including its Christian and other non-Muslim citizens — demands that the bitter legacy of Pakistan’s radicalization be challenged, including its blasphemy laws.  Until the root is dealt with, the fruit will continue to be bitter.

Also see, Islamic Scholar attacks Pakistan’s blasphemy laws.

Blasphemy laws bring nothing but persecution and suffering. They must be opposed.

Update: 2 March murder for opposing blasphemy of Pakistan’s Miniorities Minister, Murder of Shahbaz Bhatti – “Now who will fight for our rights?”.

Pray for Christchurch

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The terrible and tragic loss of life and injury amidst the destruction of the beautiful and hospitable City of Christchurch and its historic Cathedral is hard to assimilate. I feel so sad.  Just last February Gayelene and I visited New Zealand and celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary in this beautiful city and spent time at Christchurch Cathedral. 

The Dean of the Cathedral has been interviewed and the Cathedral before and after the earthquake is pictured, The steeple on the skyline gone, after 130 years. Please pray for the concerns expressed by the Dean and all that the Holy Spirit puts on your heart for the people of Christchurch. 

The dean said the cathedral’s damage was ”devastating … but the most important thing at the moment is not the buildings, it’s the people.”

”And we’ve got to reach out to each other here in Christchurch and Canterbury [province] and do what we can to deal with those who are wounded, those who have been killed, and their families.”

St David’s Cathedral, Hobart, will be open for private prayer as usual from 8.30am to 5pm and with services tomorrow at 8.30am and 10.30am which will include prayer for the people of Christchurch and Canterbury.

An ecumenical Prayer 4 Christchurch will be held at Noon this Sunday at St. David’s Cathedral in concert with St. Mary’s Cathedral.

Anglicare support for pre-pay gambling

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Guest blogger: The Vicar General Chris Jones, CEO Anglicare

Anglicare continues to be confronted with the problem of gambling in Tasmania and recently appeared before a government inquiry.

CHARITY group Anglicare yesterday supported a mandatory pre-commitment scheme for gaming machine users combined with a bet limit of $1 on each spin.
But the gambling industry says it will take 10 years to implement. Anglicare researcher Margie Law told the Federal Parliament Joint Select Committee on Gambling Reform Inquiry into Pre-Commitment Schemes, which met in Hobart yesterday, that the two measures would achieve good results in reducing harm for those with gambling problems. She said if a pre-commitment scheme was introduced along with other measures, it should greatly reduce harm to people with gambling problems while not inconveniencing others. Ms Law said Tasmanian Government figures revealed that 3000 people in the state had gambling problems but this did not include those who struggled with gambling but were not quite in dire straits because of it. And the figure did not include family, friends and work colleagues affected by problem gamblers. Anglicare’s research of Supreme Court cases in Tasmania found 41 people appeared over six years for crimes involving gambling as a reason. More than half were first-time offenders.

See the rest of the Mercury article here: Support for pre-pay gambling

CMDFA Response to Euthanasia

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The Christian Medical and Dental Fellowship of Australia has significantly contributed to the area of medical ethics. This article is written by men and women who are Christians working in the medical field with expert knowledge, experience and a Christian mindset that can properly inform the public and leaders of the church on the issues surrounding medical ethics.

“Moral opposition to both euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide has been a feature of  both the Hippocratic and the Judeo-Christian tradition from earliest times. This is particularly striking in view of the commitment of both traditions to the relief of suffering and care of the dying. We acknowledge the power of the arguments for both practices based on compassion, but believe that even more powerful counter-arguments lead us as Christians and doctors to continue to oppose their legalization.”

I strongly encourage you to read the rest of the article here, CMDFA Response to Euthanasia

Also view this related blog post Australian Christian doctors oppose euthanasia

Pray. Act. – Global poverty

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(click above for more information)

Be encouraged to set aside extra time to pray to our Heavenly Father for specific issues such as global poverty from 20-27 February.

“Why Pray?

How can prayer help when we are faced with an issue like global poverty?

Prayer reminds us of God’s priorities and power when we are dealing with big issues of justice, like poverty. When we pray, we can see the world with God’s eyes of compassion and justice rather than being hopelessly cynical, fearful or naïve about global injustice. Prayer is also a wonderful reminder to those of us who want to race out and change the world, that it is God’s power, God’s enabling and God’s mercy which make us effective. Poverty is an issue that needs action but it is vital to remember that our actions need to be built on prayer. As the Lord’s Prayer puts it, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”. This points to the priority of God’s control but also the need for us to demonstrate God’s Kingdom values on earth.”  See more at Micah Challenge.

Kevin Rudd on Australia’s Foreign Aid

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Guest Blogger: The Very Reverend Richard Humphrey, Dean of Hobart

Kevin Rudd spoke at a forum at the University of Tasmania on 15 February about Australia’s Foreign Aid Policies. Hundreds of people came to listen, comment and ask questions.

The key reasons why Rudd said Australia’s Foreign Aid is so important were firstly for our own economic interests, our national security interests, our humanitarian interests and also because it is simply the right thing to do. He emphasized that as Australian’s we believe in “a fair go for all.” He announced AusAid’s plan to cut a large chunk of overseas technical adviser positions in order to “translate that back into the core elements of on-the-ground programs that materially change people’s lives.” His hope is that this will redirect approximately $80 million to fund more of these “on-the-ground programs.”

We should be supporting the bipartisan move to increase foreign aid budget to FROM .3% to .5% of GDP. I encourage you to contact AusAID with any comments or questions by contacting AusAID’s Head Office.

For more information on AusAID’s involvement and policies visit their website: AusAID: The Australian Government.

Link, Australian aid and character under threat.

Euthanasia–Ending a life “Ahead of Time” (Sermon Notes)

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EUTHANASIA – ENDING A LIFE “AHEAD OF TIME”

Readings:  Psalm 139:16-20; Genesis 2

SERMON NOTES

Introduction

1. The Dutch experience clearly demonstrates the disastrous effects of euthanasia legislation.

a. The former Dutch minister who successfully promoted the legalization of euthanasia has now admitted that the government’s move was a mistake, and says that they should have first focused on palliative care. In 2008, Dutch doctors reported 2,331 cases of euthanasia, 400 cases of assisted suicide, and 550 deaths without request.

b. The Dutch are now holding an inquiry into the effects, both intended and unintended, of the euthanasia legislation.

2. Not a lot of biblical commentary on this issue directly.

Some related themes are clear. Some are not directly presented!

We want to introduce the biblical evidence that is clear in order to think a bit about the implications of some of the unclear issues.

Respect for life–a biblical perspective on some of the issues

God created life Genesis 1-2; Psalm 139:13-14; Isaiah 44:2, 24

Life is special and worthy of special care, because God created it.

Human life has special value, because we are created in the image of God. Genesis 9:5-6

The value is based on the image of God in a person; NOT on their health or quality of life

God’s sovereign control of life Psalm 39:4-7; Isaiah 43:1-3; 44:2, 24; 46:3-4

God loves the suffering person more than we do! We can trust God.

Psalm 116:15; 1 Peter 5:7

Seeing life as God sees it. James 4:13-15; Matthew 6:25-27

Perspective from Philippians 1

God takes some offensive and evil misconduct, and uses it for good

Philippians 1:6, 12-13, 14-18, 20-26

If to live is Christ, to die is gain. Phil. 1:20-21

To die is better than to live (always!! Reverse of popular view) Phil. 1:22-23

So, why would we CLING to the dying?!!

God is still in charge! Phil. 1:23-26

God will decide what’s best for us – in accordance with His loving purposes!

Series of “God-given paradoxes”“

Taking of life is sin and deserves death.

(Even trying to take your own life is an attempt to improve our life over God’s will for our life! That’s pride.

The person who CLINGS to his life, ultimately loses what he or she is clinging to. Mark 8:35-36

Letting go of our life results in obtaining life. John 12:25

Giving up your life for a friend is the ultimate demonstration of love. John 15:13; Romans 5:6-8

“Thou shalt not kill” Exodus 20:13; 21:12; Matthew 5:21-22; 19:18

Biblical perspective on suicide.

Taking the will of God into our own hands.

Pride of assuming we have a better plan than God’s plan for our life.

When society decides whose life is “worth living”

This is a right the sovereign God keeps for Himself.

That call is not OURS to make.

We can trust God to decide when our life isn’t worth living.

The dilemma of modern medicine–“Because we can!”

Our word is not the last word

The hardest decision – helpful comment from John Kilner, Life on the Line:

Three issues to deal with in this discussion:     [Calls for this kind of thinking:]

1. God-centered

2. Reality-bounded

God intended implications, built in to the way God made things (whether we like it or not!).

3. Love-impelled

Distinction between ending a life–allowing a life to come to an end and deciding not to keep trying to extend it artificially.

Disconnecting life support.

Not ending life to escape from a hard life.

Job’s perspective is significant: Ending life is a call that only GOD should make! Job 1:21

Distinction between disconnecting life support and starving someone to death.

The problem with feeding tubes: Starving someone to end the pain.

Releasing a dying person–why would we cling?!!

Compassion and grace for people who have to make the call.

A time for compassion – NOT for criticism!

Further thoughts, Is euthanasia a morally acceptable way to ease suffering of the elderly?

The King’s Speech

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I’ve just started some extended leave. What to do? – I have slept a lot and then, compliments of a Christmas gift of movie tickets, went with my bride and friends to see ‘The King’s Speech’.

‘The King’s Speech’ is thought provoking and excellently acted. A triumph of the underdog – two of them in fact: The King and the Australian speech therapist.

See, The King’s Speech official website with film extracts. A good review, here which concludes,

Whatever we may think of the monarchy as an institution for 21st-century Australia, it is this sense of tidal historical forces at work that gives The King’s Speech its resonance, its moral grandeur. More was at stake than one man’s peace of mind or the rival claims of love and duty. The film works as historical drama and as a story of personal salvation. On both counts it succeeds magnificently.

It is inspiring to engage through the very Australian spirit of the speech therapist with King George VI as they labour to overcome the King’s debilitating stutter.

In due course King George VI would bring to the world’s attention Marie Louise Haskins’ poem ‘God Knows’ (popular title is ‘The Gate of the Year’) from her collection ‘The Desert’ (1908) as Great Britain faced its first Christmas at war with Hitler’s Germany. The quote used by King George VI in 1939, 

And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:
“Give me a light, that I may tread safely into the unknown!”
And he replied:
“Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God.
That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”
 
The complete poem and the following information is found at The Gate of the Year – From Wikipedia:

“The Gate of the Year” is the popular name given to a poem by Minnie Louise Haskins. The title given to it by the author was “God Knows”. She studied and then taught at the London School of Economics in the first half of the twentieth century.

The poem, published in 1908, was part of a collection titled The Desert. It caught the public attention and the popular imagination, when Queen Elizabeth handed a copy to her husband, King George VI, and he quoted it in his 1939 Christmas broadcast to the British Empire.

The poem was widely acclaimed as inspirational, reaching its first mass audience in the early days of the Second World War. Its words remained a source of comfort to the Queen for the rest of her life, and she had its words engraved on brass plaques and fixed to the gates of the King George VI Memorial Chapel at Windsor Castle, where the King was interred. Queen Elizabeth was also buried here in 2002, and the words of “The Gate of the Year” were read out at her state funeral.

An inspiring story and a great film.

PS Late news, Geoffrey Rush wins BAFTA for Best Supporting Actor.

Australian aid & character under threat

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Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan is ever relevant.  [See Luke 10: 25-37]

The Samaritan is the outsider, the one who is the despised neighbour and unworthy of a handshake, let alone aid! It seems that when things get tough in Australia, the overseas’ needy are not unlike the Samaritan of Jesus’ parable.

It is tempting when things get tough for the tough to get going out the door! Australia is ‘tough’ nation facing ‘tough’ times. Bolstered by rich natural and human resources and an enlightened and stable socio-political democracy we are comparatively very well off, we are ‘tough’.

 Therefore when we suffer major hardship at home, tough times, we need to respond with compassion and generosity to our own Australians and maintain our international aid commitments. We are tough and we will not let our international commitments whither.

But the generosity of Australia to overseas aid is under threat. See, The Age, ABC Radio AM & The Australian.  

Tim Costello argues against this threat, Cuts to aid budget short-sighted: World Vision.  

Australia was a rich nation that could afford to respond to those in need at home as well as providing life-saving aid to those beyond our borders. He said Australia’s $370million in aid funding for Africa could save more than 160,000 lives each year.

We can finance the needs of our fellow Australians through a deficit budget; after all that is what deficits are for – the tough times, plus the one off Levy proposed by the Prime Minister. I am confident that most Australians earning over $50,000 a year are more than happy to make the special levy contribution to our mates who have lost so much in the recent floods.

Jesus just kept on describing our human condition with such precision. The parable of the Good Samaritan challenges us to generosity to the outsider. We will always have needs at home. We must respond to them without neglecting ‘the other’ – the outsider. Of course, helping the underdog is part of our Australian folklore. We need to ensure that it is kept central to our character. The test of character is what happens in the tough times. Do we get going out the door or do we engage with compassion, justice and generosity?

As I have argued elsewhere, 

‘A subsidiary of mateship is the concern for the underdog, supported by philanthropy of a few and altruism of the many. Australians are generous compared to other countries in responding to disasters in other places. They also strongly affirm a social security system providing a safety net for the poor, unemployed and disabled.’ (Religious Policy, Multi-Faith Dialogue & Australian Values, page 244)

C’mon Aussies, let’s keep the aid flowing to our suffering mates and to our suffering world. 

See also, Micah challenge opposes cuts to foreign aid  and ideas as to what you can do, here.