Bishop John

I was interviewed recently by The Advocate for my comments on the possibility of a strip club opening opposite St John’s Church in Devonport. Elise Connelley writes Church appalled by talk of strip club neighbour (Tuesday, May 4 2010):

 The Anglican Church is appalled by even the slightest possibility that a strip club could open opposite the St John’s Church in central Devonport.

An application was made to the Devonport City Council last week for a permit that would allow a strip club to open in Fenton St.

The application to the Devonport City Council for a permit that includes clubrooms, a bar and an entertainment hall at 10 Fenton St, will be decided on this month.

A spokesperson for the Tasmanian Licensing Commission said a liquor licence application has not yet been received.

As reported in The Advocate, I said that:

• the opening of a strip club in this location would have a detrimental effect on children,
• this type of endeavour right in the community centre, near shops and schools, debases our humanity, and
• It is important to build and maintain a healthy community for young children to live in; this sort of thing does not do that.

A strip club reduces relationships to the temporary and the sensual.

See also ‘No’ to strip club and stripping our humanity

‘South Park gag makes mockery of free speech‘ argues forcefully for free speech and the absence of threats to shows such as South Park. The comment that best captured the key argument in the article’s opposition to the gagging of South Park . . . 

“Those who want Mohammed fenced off often have no qualms about launching assaults on Christianity. That hypocrisy caught the attention of the guys at South Park. And for that they ought to be supported, not suppressed.” That is the crux of the story. Comment 27 of 35

The tension between the freedom to say what I believe and the proper sensitivity to each other is a challenge.

So while I support South Park’s freedom to say its piece, I am sad that South Park mocks the ideals of others. This is hurtful and does not build a society of respect and gentleness.

For these reasons the South Park gag is bad is true in either meaning of ‘gag’ as censorship or humour: South Park ‘censorship’ is bad;  and  South Park ‘humour’ is bad.

God’s’Will also references a street preacher In England and mandatory internet filtering in Australia as areas of challenge to free speech, Free as in Speech.  I have expressed my concerns about the loss of the freedom of religious expression, Belgium burqa ban is Bad and The West’s fear of free speech.

Bad news for religious freedom and for relationships with the conservative Muslim community: Burqas have been banned in Belgium and are likely to be banned in France. Belgium bans wearing of Islamic burqa in public April 30, 2010. In part,

Belgian lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to ban the wearing of the Islamic burqa in public, paving the way for the first clampdown of its kind in Europe.

But the move was condemned by Muslim leaders, a Catholic bishop and human rights group Amnesty International.

In the lower house of federal parliament, 136 deputies voted for a nationwide ban on clothes or veils that do not allow the wearer to be fully identified, including the full-face niqab and burqa.

Arguments used in favour of the ban on burqas in public spaces and my response to them:

1. The ban will restore dignity to Muslim women who are forced to cover themselves with the burqa. 

But who are other people to impose their views on women who choose to wear the burqa? What about the much vaunted ‘human rights’, including the freedom of religion, of these Muslim people?  Why should the state have authority to ban symbols of personal belief?

2. It is not possible to relate to a person whose face I cannot see. 

But this is the Muslim woman’s choice. Most transactions in public do not require personal identification. Where this is needed then a woman official can invite the Muslim woman into an appropriate private space to do so.

3. The burqa can hide physical abuse.

But a track suit and beanie can just as readily hide physical abuse.

My arguments against this ban:

1. Governments in defining the state as non-religious are in fact denying the reality of people’s religious commitment. This ban finds support from those who deny people’s spiritualty. But spirituality shapes people’s understanding of life. People who hold religious convictions must be treated with respect and understanding; not by the banishment of their religion from the public square.

2. This will damage relations between Muslim and non-Muslim people by breeding resentment and victimhood among Muslims.

3. This is not the way to build healthy communities and good relationships between Muslim and non-Muslim communities. I recognise that this ban is sought in part by people who are fearful of the growth of conservative Muslim communities and Muslim extremists. As has been noted elsewhere the challenge of integrating Muslims into multi-faith nationhood is immense.

4. The banning the wearing of burqas is contrary to respect of difference and human dignity.

5. The banning of burqas will be followed by the banning of crosses and other religious items. This is but the thin edge of the wedge in non-religious authorities marginalising people who hold religious convictions.

See my Burqas and Religious Freedom;  and  The Burqa: more than clothing;   also   Religious Policy, Multi-Faith Dialogue and Australian Values

We have been working on the  Prayer Pilgrimage Purposes & Prayer. Following is draft 2 at 24 April,

This year I am going on a Prayer Pilgrimage around the Diocese. The theme is ‘People@prayer’.

The Pilgrimage will commence on Pentecost Sunday 23 May and continue through the months of June and July. On Pentecost Sunday a brochure will be distributed in all parishes. Its title will be ‘People of prayer’; setting out this essential characteristic of God’s people. The Pilgrimage will conclude at the Cathedral on 25 July, St James’ Day, the 10^th Anniversary of my ordination and installation as Bishop of Tasmania.

The Pilgrimage itself will be my 10^th anniversary celebration – gathering God’s people to be at prayer throughout Tasmania: ‘People@prayer’. What a wonderful way to celebrate God’s calling upon my life to be your bishop.

The calendar of visits is organized. My excitement is building as I think of the places and people around Tasmania with whom I will be praying. I am profoundly grateful for this privilege.

The Pilgrimage’s Purposes and Prayer follow and I ask for your prayers for the Pilgrimage.

A. PURPOSES

For all parishioners, clergy and Bishop to pray corporately for the Holy Spirit to work among us

1. To model and encourage corporate prayer by Tasmanian Anglicans
2. To teach Tasmanian Anglicans about prayer
3. To unify Tasmanian Anglicans through prayer
4. To see God respond to our prayers and for Tasmanians to become disciples of Jesus Christ

  These purposes will –

1. Deepen our relationship with God both as individuals and as the people of God, the Church, and deepen within us the expectation that God will work in the world.
2. Encourage people to pray by the Bishop being at prayer with the Anglican Parishes, Schools & Agencies. In my vision, ‘a healthy church … transforming life’, I state that my heart’s desire is for every Anglican to be a prayerful activist, enlivened by biblical faith and the power of the Holy Spirit; and for us all to take initiatives in mission that God may transform the life of our Christian communities and all Tasmanians. 
3. Teach about prayer by teaching on the theme ‘People@prayer’.
4. Unify God’s people through praying together and praying for the Anglican family of Tasmania and all Tasmanians.

  B. THE PILGRIMAGE PRAYER 

Heavenly Father, your word teaches us that we do not have because we do not ask

By your Spirit make us as keen to pray as you are to listen

as determined to listen as you have always been to speak

that we may be equipped for mission and united as your people,

healthy churches transforming our lives and those of all Tasmanians

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

John Harrower

Bishop of Tasmania