Category: conversion


What blocks Australians from faith commitment?

Filed under: apologetics, conversion, evangelism, faith — Leave a comment
November 11, 2011

Three out of five Australians identify as Christian in the national census, but a recent survey commissioned by Olive Tree Media suggests that those with an active interest in spirituality are just 40 per cent of the population, and only eight per cent indicate they are involved in practicing their religion or worship as part of a group.

So what blocks Australians from becoming Christian?  The key issue is church scandals and abuse , with 55 per cent of respondents saying this had a massive negative influence on their perception of Christianity. 

Australians don’t like the idea of hell and damnation, and many reject the church’s traditional stance on homosexuality, with 29 per cent saying this completely turned them off the church. 

Other issues include hypocrisy, judging others, religious wars, suffering, and problems of money and exclusivity.

There’s a lot of work ahead for Christians and churches keen to share their faith with unbelieving Australians.

Broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 13 November 2011.

Comment

Suffering for the faith in Uzbekistan

Filed under: conversion, human rights, religious freedom — Leave a comment
March 12, 2010

Australians take for granted the right to hold religious beliefs and to act on those beliefs.  But for many around the world, such rights are under constant threat.

Authorities in Uzbekistan recently sentenced Tohar Haydarov to ten years in jail on drugs charges, after he allegedly refused to renounce his Christian faith. Local Baptists insist that police planted drugs on him at the time of his arrest, and claim he is “a man with a pure conscience and an honest Christian.” Haydarov remains in detention, and has appealed against his sentence.

Uzbek authorities have long imposed restrictions on religious activity.  The 1991 constitution guarantees freedom of conscience, but it remains illegal to share one’s faith, religious meetings in homes are banned, and there are frequent police raids on churches.

Thank God for the freedom we enjoy, and spare a thought and a prayer for Mr Haydarov and others like him.

Broadcast on 2CH Sydney, Sunday 14 March 2010.

Comment

When conversion fractures families

Filed under: conversion, Islam, religious freedom — Leave a comment
March 4, 2010

Isn’t it tragic when religious belief divides families and communities?  Often there is acrimony, and shame, and more than a little self-righteousness on the part of both parties.

Last year, Sri Lankan teenager Rifqa Bary fled her parents’ home for Florida, alleging persecution for having converted from Islam to Christianity.  Her parents denied the claim, and the matter is made more complex because she is not yet legally an adult.  Sadly the dispute is now being fought out in court.

But what does a parent do when a child, whom they love and care for, expresses a desire to change their religion?  For some, it’s worse than having no faith at all.  For some, it’s merely a question of culture.  For others, it is a fundamental human right.

It can be so hard to hold onto mutual respect, and freedom, and understanding.  But it begins and ends with talking together about our differences. 

Broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 7 Mar 2010.

Comment
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.