Archive for February, 2010


News comment with Rod Benson

Filed under: faithfulness, human rights, morality, politics and faith — Leave a comment
February 4, 2010

Broadcast on 2CH Sydney, Sunday 3 January 2010

9.00 am – Happy New Year 2010

What New Year’s resolutions did you make as midnight struck on Thursday?  Dominic Knight, co-founder of The Chaser, informed us that his New Year’s resolution was not to bother with them.  “First one I’ll ever keep!” he said.

The best way to escape this captivity of the will, this urge to better oneself with noble promises so easily broken, is to cultivate a dignified disengagement from peer pressure while taking care not to drift from one’s moral mooring.

It helps to have a boat, and a rope.  And a moral compass.  And that’s where the tried and tested resources of a spiritual tradition come in handy.  For centuries, followers of Jesus have embraced a particular faith tradition, and lived a distinctive kind of life, which helps them meet every challenge the world throws their way. 

And, as I’ve found, Jesus is the one person who never breaks a promise.  I’m Rod Benson for nswchurches.com


12.00 pm – Human rights abuse in China

ChinaAid recently hosted six legal experts on a tour in the United States, speaking out on the treatment of human rights lawyers in China.  They spoke of being separated from their families, threatened, fired and harassed for their defence of religious freedom.

By fighting on the frontlines on behalf of the persecuted, Chinese defence lawyers have seen prisoners freed, new precedents set, and harassment stopped against churches and communities.

“By taking up cases of persecution in the court,” says human rights lawyer Dr. Li Baiguang, “we may not knock down a huge wall immediately.  But every time, bit by bit, we move forward as a group, by creating more free rooms for us and others until the giant concrete falls.”

That’s often how truth is vindicated, justice prevails and goodness triumphs.  Pray with us for China, its people and institutions, and for all who stand for truth, justice and a fair go.  I’m Rod Benson for nswchurches.com


5.00 pm – Australian politics and religion

Politics and religion crossed paths in 2009.  Both the Prime Minister and alternative Prime Minister cast themselves as devoted Christians, albeit in opposing ecclesiastical camps.

Secular minded people worry about the NSW Police Commissioner handing out blue “police bibles” to graduates, and Mr Rudd’s weekly doorstop interviews as he emerges from his Canberra church, and Catholic politicians getting their rosaries on women’s ovaries, as the slogan says.

But we should remember that Australia is a robust secular democracy, multicultural and multi-faith in composition.  There is no established religion here, for which I thank God.  There is no stepping back from this reality into some bygone era or alternative reality.

In 2010, let’s live well together amid our diversity.  Let’s appreciate the rich customs and traditions we each bring to our common life.  Let’s be clear what shared values we stand for, and stand against, and with whom we stand.  And let it be a great year to be alive!  I’m Rod Benson for nswchurches.com

Comment

News comment with Rod Benson

Filed under: energy, religious freedom, women in leadership — Leave a comment
February 4, 2010

Broadcast on 2CH Sydney, Sunday 6 December 2009

9.00 am – A woman premier for NSW

Well, as we all know by now, the federal opposition has a new leader in Tony Abbott, and the nation’s biggest state has its first woman premier in Kristina Keneally.

She is our fourth premier in five years, with 15 months before the next election.  A very long time in politics, and who knows what the new year will bring?

Born in Las Vegas, Kristina Keneally is married with two sons, has a masters degree in religious studies, and has worked as a volunteer teacher, and as a youth worker for the NSW branch of the St Vincent de Paul Society.  Her husband is the nephew of Australian author Thomas Keneally.

The NSW Council of Churches thanks outgoing premier Nathan Rees for his service, and encourages you to pray for Premier Keneally as she commences her new role, and contemplates how to deliver good government to the people of NSW (see 1 Timothy 2:1-4). 

I’m Rod Benson for nswchurches.com


12.00 pm – A national agenda for religious freedom

You could be forgiven for feeling that the freedom to express spiritual beliefs in Australia today is guaranteed, non-negotiable.

Religious freedom is certainly a fundamental human right, but people of faith are increasingly concerned about its erosion, on the basis of organised hostility toward religious belief, ethics and practice from devoted non-believers.

Sydney University Law Professor Patrick Parkinson has just released what he calls “a national agenda for religious freedom,” calling on the federal government to protect religious freedom by developing a national policy, enacting appropriate legislation, and ensuring compliance.

Religion, whether organised or informal, Christian or otherwise, is deeply significant in the lives of many Australians.  If we are to have a Human Rights Act, and it seems we will, it ought to provide proper protections for religious freedom, and those most affected will need to be properly consulted.  It all makes for a more enlightened society. 

I’m Rod Benson for nswchurches.com


5.00 pm – The nuclear energy alternative

With the demise of the government’s emissions trading scheme in sensational circumstances this week, it’s time to reconsider the merits of nuclear energy as an alternative to burning of fossil fuels.

Thanks to Chernobyl and Three Mile Island, nuclear energy often gets a bad rap.  But nuclear fuels are an abundant God-given energy source, and there are zero greenhouse gas emissions – an attractive alternative to coal-fired power stations in the present climate.

On the other hand, uranium is a non-renewable energy source, and radioactive by-products can cause serious illness and death.

There is the question of where to locate the power plants, and where and how to dispose of nuclear waste.  And enriched uranium is a critical component of nuclear weapons.

But there are alternatives, such as a thorium-fuelled reactor, which is incapable of producing the runaway chain reaction which causes a meltdown, and far less hazardous than uranium-fuelled reactors. 

I’m Rod Benson for nswchurches.com

Comment

News comment with Rod Benson

Filed under: ethics, same-sex marriage, secularism — Leave a comment
February 4, 2010
Broadcast on 2CH Sydney, Sunday 29 November 2009 

 

9.00 am – Ethics classes for NSW schools

I wonder if you remember religious education classes at school? For me, they involved stories and principles from the Christian tradition, but all religious traditions teach morality, decision-making and values.

The NSW Government has just announced a trial of ethics-based educational classes for students who opt out of attending ‘Scripture classes.’

This might sound fine, but the NSW Council of Churches has some reservations. Who will decide what is suitable to be taught, and on what grounds? Where will the volunteer teachers come from? Who will pay for the resources?

Will this mean competition between ethics and faith? Will it exclude the rich ethical resources of the Christian tradition? And if not, isn’t that doubling up?

It’s debatable whether NSW parents really want this change. It could mark the beginning of the end of religious education in schools, after more than 120 years. And that would be a tragedy. I’m Rod Benson for nswchurches.com

12.00 pm – Gay ‘marriage’ in Canberra

Last week, the ACT Government passed amendments to its civil partnership laws allowing gay couples to recognise their relationship with a legal ceremony that mimics marriage.

Christian leaders have been swift to condemn the move, reminding the Prime Minister of his 2007 election commitment to marriage, and urging him to veto the ACT laws.

An overwhelming majority of Christians, and many in the community who are not Christian, support a traditional understanding of marriage which excludes same-sex marriage.

Some will say that pressuring our elected leaders on this and other moral issues is a denial of the separation of church and state. It is nothing of the sort.

It is natural for people of faith to defend and promote values and institutions that deliver strength and stability, and prosperity, to our civilization. Marriage is one of these.

The new ACT laws mimic and denigrate marriage, and the Rudd Government must use its powers to scuttle them. I’m Rod Benson for nswchurches.com

5.00 pm – repeat of 12.00 pm comment

Comment

News comment with Rod Benson

Filed under: Indigenous, poverty, social justice — Leave a comment
February 4, 2010

Broadcast on 2CH Sydney, Sunday 22 November 2009

9.00 am – Rudd’s apology to the ‘forgotten children’

On Tuesday, Australia was deeply moved when the Prime Minister formally apologised to the “forgotten children” – thousands of them, often neglected and abused, many of them shipped to Australia, it was said, “for their own good.” 

But like that other Apology to the Stolen Generations, this Apology was not accompanied by formal words of forgiveness from victims.  As Hugh Mackay says, “When an apology has been offered, forgiveness is the only authentic symbol of its acceptance.”

How does a victim forgive wrongs done long ago and far away, by other people?  As they told their stories, and shed their tears, and as they assembled in person or in spirit in Canberra on Tuesday, those brave “forgotten Australians,” at the very least, demonstrated their capacity for forgiveness, and healing, and reconciliation.

They have been remembered; we must never forget.  I’m Rod Benson for nswchurches.com


12.00 pm – This is no utopia, says Amnesty

Amnesty International Secretary General, Irene Khan, has been to Utopia, an Aboriginal community in the Northern Territory, and was “shocked” at the squalor she saw.  The Federal Government has made impressive financial commitments, but must do more, she says, and must reinstate the Racial Discrimination Act.

In June 2007, the NSW Council of Churches observed that the Territory concerns were part of a national problem, and that legislative and punitive measures alone would not deliver morality to communities.

The Council continues to express concern at the slow pace of reform.  When will the Intervention have done its job?  Is it money well spent?  When will the Rudd Government reinstate the Racial Discrimination Act?  Will it intervene outside the Northern Territory to address Indigenous disadvantage, violence and abuse, and mismanagement? 

There are dystopias in every state, even in the heart of Sydney.  A better world is possible.  I’m Rod Benson for nswchurches.com


5.00 pm – repeat of 9.00 am comment

Comment

News comment with Rod Benson

Filed under: alcohol, consumerism, politics and faith — Leave a comment
February 4, 2010

Broadcast on 2CH Sydney, Sunday 15 November 2009

9.00 am – Joe Hockey’s credo speech

Christians in politics is nothing new.  For many politicians, a vague faith strongly held, or a strong faith vaguely held, is par for the course.  Robert Menzies wore his faith on his shirt sleeves.  John Howard and Kevin Rudd, in different ways, have drawn on their faith in politics.

Now shadow treasurer Joe Hockey has presented a credo speech, “In defence of God,” paying homage to his Jesuit education, and urging believers and non-believers alike to learn from those inspired by religious faith.

Mr Hockey sees the Bible’s “true message” as a nod to values such as compassion, justice, equality, and respect for others.

He takes a dim view of those who interpret their scriptures literally, which begs the question: on what foundation do his values rest?  On political philosophy? On the mood of the moment?

Mr Hockey appears to articulate a vague faith strongly held – which will do little to impress the faithful.  I’m Rod Benson for nswchurches.com


12.00 pm – High Court decision on alcohol

A unanimous decision handed down by the High Court this week will discourage citizens from acting to restrain intoxicated persons from harming others, and help the hotel industry avoid responsibility for alcohol-related harm. 

The judgment enshrines the right of people to excessive intoxication, noting that a hotelier must not “[impair] the autonomy” of patrons.

The Court also ruled that only police had a right to restrain an intoxicated person from driving, and that a hotelier who refused to return car keys to an intoxicated patron, or somehow restrained him, would be guilty of “false imprisonment.”

This is an affront to common sense.   Where is the greater good?  Especially in a country where one in three road deaths is alcohol-related.

The law needs to change.  It is time to recognise a hotelier’s duty of care not only to patrons but to the public.  It is time to seriously consider the fitting of ignition interlocking devices on all vehicles.  I’m Rod Benson for nswchurches.com


5.00 pm – Swap till you drop

Yesterday, at Stamford Hall in Baulkham Hills, a strange ritual played out as local residents arrived, with an assortment of second-hand clothes and accessories, children’s toys, books, CDs and DVDs, and exchanged them for tokens which they used to “purchase” other items.

It was all part of the “Big Aussie Swap,” organised by Planet Ark for National Recycling Week, which ends tonight.

There was a “Swap” in Martin Place on Tuesday, and right across Sydney and beyond, through the week.  Swap till you drop strikes a blow for ecology, and thrift.  It helps to reduce landfill and greenhouse gas emissions, and it reduces the pull of consumerism.

The more we get involved in such positive, low-tech, low-key community action, the better our communities, and our lifestyles.  We can all do more to reduce what we consume, reuse what we already have, and recycle as much as we can.  I’m Rod Benson for nswchurches.com

Comment
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.