On Dualistic Politics

For those of you reading this on Steve's facebook page, this post was written by his blogging partner Scott.

One question which seems invariably left out of the ‘capitalism vs. communism’ debate is “what is the size of the polity you are attempting to govern?”

Wherever great power is wielded, great damage is done. This is natural law amongst a society of imperfect humans. And I wonder why it is simply assumed that a nation of 20 million can be governed appropriately by any centralised political process. Whose idea was this?

The larger the body politic becomes, the smaller each individual’s voice becomes. Individuals exist with reduced power, choice, and even value in the realms of national politics. Their place in society becomes one of unemployment rates and other per-capita statistics. And even great left-wing acts of egalitarianism see systematised solutions to unique problems that are capable of causing as much harm as good.

The irony inherent in the functionality of communism in its various iterations over the last century was that they invariable involved a process of centralisation of political, social and economic power within the hands of the controlling party (and often a controlling individual). In the absence of the diversity of power broking and opinion within and between these three realms that exists in capitalism, there was also an absence of accountability. They committed the greatest sins of the right wing.

It is impossible for a large nation to cater to all the needs of its citizens regardless of its professed political ideology. Localisation of political power through local government invariably leads to greater inefficiencies and discrepancies in social and legal function between areas, but also leads to greater capability to cater to specific community needs. Even local councils in Australia are, in my opinion, too large. But I’m still glad we have them.

Labels: Politics

  Posted by Scott @ 1:44 PM   1 comments

::Free Stuff - Some MP3's of me at Soul Survivor 2009 This is a cross post from our community's website.

Following are links to some talks I did at Soul Survivor in 2009. The theme for Soul Survivor was the 360 Degree Gospel. I had three sessions on the Politics of Jesus and included is a copy of the main night session that I did.

The first three are workshops (sorry if you don't quite get the questions and comments coming from the participants) whilst the fourth session is a monologue. Hope you find them helpful.

• The Politics of Jesus 1 - The Politics that come from wild places
• The Politics of Jesus 2 - The Politics of baptism
• The Politics of Jesus 3 - The Inevitable Politics of Following Jesus
• The 360 Degree Gospel - Main Night Session

Labels: Jesus, missio Dei, Politics, Soul Survivor

  Posted by Stephen @ 11:16 AM   0 comments

::Rants-Need a laugh? Need a laugh in your day? (NB: This will only make sense to Australians...)

I had heard that Pauline Hanson was running for the Queensland state seat of Beaudesert. I thought that was funny.

Then I read this article in todays Age newspaper, stating that larrikin celebrity footballer, Warwick Capper is going to run against her, to "give her some curry".

There were a few lol's in the office, however the final few paragraphs in the article sealed it for me.

Pauline Hanson, Warwick Capper and Big Brother, all in the one seat, in the upcoming Queensland state election.

Queenslanders: Do you see why your southern friends find you guys a bit funny!?

Labels: Humour, Politics

  Posted by Stephen @ 12:28 PM   0 comments

::Resources-Prayer and Mission: The Coming of the Kingdom of God This presentation is from the Tear National Conference (from where I am currently blogging, I love internet access from anywhere! Well, anywhere Optus has coverage anyway) presentation that I made last night.

The workshop was called "Prayer and Mission: The coming of the Kingdom of God. It may not make allot of sense to those who did not participate in the workshop, yet here they are. Click here to download them.

Labels: Discipleship, Faith, Lifestyle, Missiology, Politics, Prayer, Spirituality, Theology

  Posted by Stephen @ 7:39 PM   0 comments

::Rants-Petroleum and Rice I know I work for a great organisation when the things that quietly disturb the quiet recesses of my mind are addressed. What do I mean? Well for a while now, I have been acutely aware of how rising fuel costs have driven up the *global* price of food.

You certainly know that the price of fuel has gone up as most of us drive regularly and need our cars. You may or may not know that the price of food has gone up.

If you live in a poor community, then you are certainly aware that the price of food has increased. Dramatically. There have been food riots in some parts of Africa and Asia, not unlike the beginnings of some B grade science fiction stories, as a result of rising fuel prices.

So this stuff sits in the back of my mind and I wonder what to do, what to say, feeling powerless. And the along comes an email from Sally at Tear...

The world price of rice has doubled in less than a year. Other staple foods have reached record prices. And, of course, the world's poorest people are being hit the hardest.

You can help a community help itself by investing in a rice bank.

http://www.usefulgifts.org/gift.php?type=447

Please promote this new gift

Labels: Economics, Faith, Politics, Spirituality, Tear, Theology

  Posted by Stephen @ 12:47 PM   0 comments

::Politics-It's been a while... I thought now might be a good time to get back on the horse after the second child. I thought I was busy when I only had one?

In my room with the lappy whilst Lisa meets with some of the girls from missio Dei downstairs. Trying to put the final touches on the first Yits class for the year and was looking for a good reason to procrastinate. Will try and keep this short.

(PS - Ken, I met Peter Dobson and his wife today at Tabor's first chapel service for the year!)

Was listening to the radio a few days ago. The BBC were covering Bush's visit to Africa. Call me an optimist but he sounded like a very different president. It seemed as though he was moved by the difference determined and focused aid can bring.

I recall another radio article I heard a few years ago talking about lame duck presidents who go to Africa in their last year and get a conscience all of a sudden. They were talking about it in the same way that one talks about the benevolent rock star cliche.

Bush said he wouldn't do what Clinton did (ie: visit Africa in his final year and suddenly get a conscience). However, it seems the hospitality of poor communities and the difference one can make when you declare a war on real terror, namely the brutality and violence of hunger and poverty, just got to him. His speeches, mannerisms and behavior certainly challenged my tendency to pigeon hole.

I wonder if the US constitution should be changed so that they new president should visit all of the places in which their aid is being spent first hand, before they are allowed to start moving the armies around the map in that big room with all the real time satellite images.

Labels: Politics, Rants, Social Justice, Theology

  Posted by Stephen @ 9:28 PM   1 comments

::Politics-My vote doesn't make a difference... If I ever hear someone tell me that there vote doesn't make a difference, I now have a significant reason to dispute their perspective.

Almost three weeks after the federal election, my seat of McEwen, which sat on a knife edge for all of that time, was decided this morning, after three recounts. The conclusion? Labour won BY 7 VOTES!

Now that is what you call, marginal.

Labels: Politics, Rants

  Posted by Stephen @ 9:08 PM   1 comments

::Politics-A free seminar Click on the link below to get details on a free seminar being held by a collection of Melbourne based Christian groups looking at the current political debate that breaks out of the "Australia is simply an economy" paradigm. Tear are involved in this too!
BeyondHipPocket-v3.pdf

Labels: Election 07, Lifestyle, Politics, Theology

  Posted by Stephen @ 11:03 AM   0 comments

::Politics-Major Parties Research I have been asked a number of times for some good summaries of the major political parties leading up to our election.

I tend to be a little nervous of the tables that list items with ticks and crosses next to them as the debate is a little more complex than that.

Having said that, does anyone know where you can get a good summary of the perspectives of the different parties?

Labels: Culture, Election 07, Politics, Theology

  Posted by Stephen @ 10:40 AM   3 comments

::Politics-Nasty and scared John Howard John called the election.

Let me explain to you why I think he is a cunning politician.

He left the call so late so that those who have turned 18 this or last year have to enroll by this Wednesday! And of course all the pollsters are telling us that the younger voters will most likely not vote for John.


Can you let everyone you know who is young, to register to vote by downloading a form here http://www.aec.gov.au/Enrolling_to_vote/ or by calling the electoral commission.

Good one John!

Labels: Culture, Politics

  Posted by Stephen @ 9:59 PM   2 comments

::Politics-Catch the Fire Ministries, a response

This is a response that I sent to a mailing list that I am on. The response was to an email forwarded to the list from Pastor Danny Nillah, from Catch the Fire Ministries. Some people found it helpful so I thought I would cross post it here.

I think the first thing that I would like to put into the public arena regarding this email is the history of Catch the Fire Ministries and their leader, Danny Nilliah.

For those of you unfamiliar with the case, he and his organization were at the centre of a protracted legal battle regarding defamation under the vilification laws that this circular email makes reference to.

At the heart of the case were some significantly misinformed opinions that were widely circulated amongst the broader Christian (and secular) community by Danny and his organisation, regarding Islam.

In the current political climate (post 9/11) any public dialog regarding Islam is difficult, to say the least. I found that the misinformed comments made by Danny were (in my opinion) unhelpful at best, and at their worst, hateful, fearful and contributing nothing to a spirit of dialog, reconciliation and healing of the rifts that have occurred certainly over the last 6 odd years since 9/11, rather they exacerbated what certainly in Melbourne is already an awkward and tense relationship between Muslim communities and the broader mainstream culture.

The Australian legal system (which John Howard's government have presided over for the last 11 odd years) found that this was in fact the case and Danny and his colleague were found guilty of inciting hatred and were forced to publicly retract their statements.

This made some small contribution towards easing the incredible feelings of victimization and isolation felt by many within the Muslim community in our nation, some of whom we have a little to do with.

Secondly, continuing to express my personal opinion here, I have felt deeply grieved that the government of our nation, since 9/11, rather than espousing a spirit of courage and peacemaking, seemed to have pursued deliberate actions that heighten the average Australian's feelings of fear and insecurity created by the broader socio political climate.

Beginning with the Tampa incident (where the sovereign government of this nation, rather than stepping in and taking up the plight of the orphan, the widow and the stranger/refugee in keeping with the strong and systematic teachings of the old and new testaments) chose to use the special armed forces to "protect" Australians. The incident was framed in terms of "the other" being a "threat to national security"...

Almost every objective observation of this event acknowledges that the handling of this event, just prior to an election was a deliberate political device to exploit the prejudices of an almost evenly split electorate.

Tampa was followed by 9/11 and then the Children Overboard affair.

Once again, the Howard government exploited fear and prejudice, at a time when the people of Australia were most vulnerable (the Children Overboard incident followed 9/11 by about a month). The Howard Government intentionally lied to the people of Australia, exploiting once again the orphan, widow and stranger/refugee:

"A Senate select committee inquiry later found that the "Children Overboard" claim was untrue and that the government knew this prior to the election. The government attracted criticism that it had misled the public and cynically "exploited voters' fears of a wave of illegal immigrants by demonising asylum-seekers"."

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children_overboard_affair)

These incidents have been followed by a series of other deliberate intents to mislead the Australian electorate, including but not limited to:

• Reducing Medicare when promising not to. Most vulnerable are the poor, single mums and the like.
• Promising to reduce education costs, with a particular promise that there will never be a $100,000 university degree. Today there is over16 university degree's costing over $100,000. The most vulnerable are middle to lower income Australian families.
• Introducing a GST after promising not to do so in 1995. Again, the most vulnerable are the middle to lower income families.
• A promise to do away with Aged Care and Pension clawbacks. This promise was broken. The most vulnerable? The aged and the chronically ill.
• Labour reform. The promise was that Work Choices would continue to protect the rights of workers. There is a personal story attached to this one with a member of our community being severely exploited and unable to protect himself because he was threatened with termination of employment. Only our commitment to support him financially until he was able to find alternative employment if he was sacked, gave him the courage to challenge his employer who indeed sacked him. In the process, the young man in question discovered that the employer was using illegal immigrants and paying them well below award conditions.
• The young man struggled to know whether to report the incident as a couple of illegal immigrants would have lost jobs and have been deported with the added insult of probably having to spend time in detention centres whilst the issues were being managed by our judicial system.This is one of many cases with over 100,000 cases still before the new Workplace Authority.
• Weapons of Mass Destruction. Hmmm, I'll leave that one...
• Promising that we did not commit to military action in Iraq before the decision was debated in Parliament. This was found out not to be true.
• Tax payer funded political advertising. Google it, it would be much shorter than if I tried to outline it.
• A few others but I think you are getting the point... Danny defends the Christian credentials of John Howard, who has been shown on numerous occasions to have lied to the public for political advantage, and in some of his lies, demonising and discrediting vulnerable groups.

The political climate in Australia after 11 years of conservative rule have made this place a meaner and scarier place to live. The average Australian now feels less safe, and has a greater sense of prejudice directed towards other non Anglo Saxon people, particularly of Middle Eastern descent. This comes to you from me, a second generation Australian, with the most common middle eastern surname in the world (Said), who is often called aside at Australian airports because I fit a particular profile. Middle aged, traveling alone regularly to Asia and the Middle East (I work for a Christian Aid and Development organisation), slightly tanned skin.

I remember being yelled at in the streets of Melbourne, days after the Cronulla riots, being told to f*** off and go home. Even though I was born here and my parents come from Malta, a Catholic nation and a member of the British Commonwealth until 1965.

The cynical part of me believes that John Howard and his government have taken advantage of the broader socio political context, and since the Tampa incident, have made Australia a far less friendly, meaner, much more paranoid, greedier and less hospitable place to live.

In over a decade of unprecedented economic growth, communities have come under much more strain due to the economic liberalization process that benefits the rich, exploits the poor, forces families to devote more of their time to longer working hours (I believe at this point, we are something like second only to Japan in terms of unpaid overtime) whilst working class and poorer/vulnerable communities suffer greater hardship. The present government seems to continue to appeal to the baser instincts that lurk beneath the surface of our civilised veneer.

If our political engagement proceeds from a platform of fear, a fear driven politic will focus on creating artificial barriers that give us an illusion of control and will ultimately lead to attempts to legislate righteousness. This is the way of the Pharisee. Those who do not fit our moral code are excluded and when our politics are examined, we find that they are devoid of compassion, mercy, grace and justice for all (as opposed to justice for just us).

The homosexual is particularly singled out and demonised, as are the perpetrators of abortion. Our politics become private. Our morals are limited what one can and cannot do with your penis and/or vagina. It is ultimately a narrow, and dehumanising.

The politics of Jesus, in the grand tradition of the Old Testament Prophet, are concerned with not how laws effect me, but how they effect the least and the last. God constantly reminds the people of God in the OT that the reason that they have to care for the orphan, widow and stranger(refugee) is because they were an orphan (in Egypt with no "father" to protect them), a widow (as an idolatrous nation, stripped of their Husband to defend and without protect them from the violence committed against them as judgment for their paganism) and a refugee (wandering in the wilderness as a stateless people prior to inheriting the land).

And on the issue of their judgment as pagans, the paganism that God accuses them of is prostituting their vocation which is to show the world what Yahweh is like. When they use slave labour to build the temple, when they use the wealth that God has blessed them with to create a system of justice that exploits the most vulnerable among them, they are no different to the pagan nations around them. They do not honour God, because they forget that when you treat the least of these as slaves and economic units in a system designed to make the rich richer and happier and the poor continue to lose their dignity as image bearers, not only do they *not* honour God, they dishonour him in the most brutal of ways (inanimate things are of more value than animate things).

On the question of Islam, I find that Danny conducts his affairs in the same vein as conservative politics in Australia. He creates an Islamic "straw man". The church of all institutions on earth should know that radical Islamic terrorism is to Islam, what the Ku Klux Klan is to Christianity. We have far more in common with our human brethren who follow the way of Islam than we actually do with the secular materialistic Aussie. Yet Danny chooses to paint them as tools of Satan who will rape, pillage and destroy in the name of Allah.

I cannot reconcile a person who espouses hatred and fear for another grouping based on religious conviction as being consistent with the missionary God who commands us to go to all the peoples of the earth making disciples where we find them. Time (and energy) does not permit me to outline the incredible opportunity for dialog and learning we can engage in with the Muslim community in Australia.

I cannot subscribe to Danny's political point of view. His politics are private, seeking to create divisions that funnily enough, put him on the right side of God and those who do not agree on the wrong side of God. He points out some ritual behavior of the Australian government and claims that this makes them candidates for God's favour and dismisses the alternatives because they do not engage in the same ritualistic behavior (prayer in parliament etc). Yet he completely fails to outline the significant lies told by the present government for political advantage, and their failure to take responsibility and to apologise to the Australian people for.

I find that his perspective will only lead to a Pharisaical hatred that does not honor our God or his kingdom, one characterised by grace (God's undeserved favor towards all), mercy, justice, righteousness, truth ad infinitum.

I would not want you to construe this response as endorsement of the ALP either. Someone asked me the other day, "who will you vote for"?

My response was that I would vote for the party that would give me an undertaking that as a society would do our best to protect and include the least and the last in our communities, economically, socially, politically.

Politics should not be about fearfully looking for the system that will protect us and our aspirations. It is about setting the political agenda, and letting governments know (no matter who they are) that our God, the King of Kings has set them in place and then need to rule with justice, mercy and compassion, caring for those who cannot look after themselves. They must represent the needs of the many, not the desires and selfish ambitions of the few.

I would urge you my brothers and sister, humbly in the Lord, that you would carefully consider, not just Danny's email, but any email coming to you asking them to considering it before voting. We have a grave responsibility as spiritual leaders. I want to urge you to get your communities thinking about Jesus and his Kingdom, and the ways in which our politics might better achieve this end.

More than happy to continue the dialog regarding this *short* reply.

(Those who know me will know that this *is* short!) ;)

Labels: Culture, Politics, Rants, Spirituality, Theology

  Posted by Stephen @ 10:36 PM   7 comments

::Rants-Mark Reissen makes me cry... I was in Adelaide recently for Slum Survivor. That is worth another post entirely. The thing I wanted to post today was the reason Mark Reissen made me cry. I have been following the story about the Vox Congo boys and Mark bought me up to date and is responsible for making me cry in a public place. (He shed a tear when I started crying to!)

I asked him to send me the story so that I could share it with you guys here...

Here's the story i posted on my blog back in June. hope it's useful. It's a news item, if you'd like me to rewrite as a commentary I can...

For 4 or 5 years now the band Vox Congo have captured and warmed the hearts of thousands of Australians not only with their amazing energetic music and strong Gospel message, but also with their tragic story of fleeing their country (DRC) to seek asylum here in Australia. It is a story that tugs at the heart strings and their past 5 and a half years here in Australia have been a real rollercoaster ride of appeal and rejection. Not only had their plea for asylum in Australia been rejected but their home country didn't want them back. They refused to reissue passports after they had expired so when the guys were ordered to leave our country they could go nowhere. They were labeled as non-persons with no country. This means no health care, no government assistance, no rights.

Etienne, Adolphe, Martinse and Papy expressed deep faith and determination to continue hoping in a hopless and helpless situation. They appealed to the compassionate hearts of people who make desisions within our immigration system and waited patiently in prayer. My wife Verity and I, journeyed with them through the uncertianty and the heart ache, as week after week we would ask, 'have you heard anything yet?', only to meet long faces and a sadened response. Yet through it all they continued to play their music with energy, to sing their song of joy in a strange land and Adolphe would always say to me, 'yet God is good and we have faith'. It has been an awe inspiring journey.

We shared in celebration with Papy and Martinse at the end of last year and early this year when immirgation informed them they were allowed to apply for residency. We then went through the gruling task of preparing the application which wasn't guarunteed to succeed and wondering where on earth they were going to find the $3000 each to lodge the application.

It is with great excitement and tears in my eyes that I share this amazing news with you.

Papy Mbikulu Wena (keyboard player and drummer for Vox Congo) received a letter from immigration yesterday, Wednesday June 27th, to say he is now a PERMANENT RESIDENT IN AUSTRALIA!!!! This great news has been 5 years and 8 months in the making. Through much heart ache and struggle we have journeyed to this point of celebration.

Praise God for the amazing journey, the prayers, the persistence, the courage and the hope we have that yes we can actually make a difference when we stand with those who cannot and ought not stand alone.

I had the privilege of sharing in tears of joy with Papy on the phone last night. He would like me to spread the news far and wide that he is now free to make a home with his family here in Australia. His wife Rebekkah is relieved to say the least and daughter Jael will continue to grow in the comfort of knowing that her dad will not have to leave her behind.

On behalf of the family I extend special thanks and gratitude beyond what words could ever express to Urban Neighbours Of Hope and the Knoxfield Church of Christ for their endless support and tireless efforts in standing with the ‘Congo Boys’ as they appealed to our government again and again for compassion. Your advocacy support, compassion and prayers made all the difference. One particularly special thankyou goes to Robyn for her amazing financial gift to help Papy apply for residency. Robyn, you are truly amazing and will not be forgotten.

I am still overwhelmed with the news and can’t wait to bring similar news once Martinse finds out the answer to his residency application. We are yet to find out if Etienne and Adolphe are allowed to apply for the same rights, they continue to seek asylum in Australia. Please continue your prayers for them. They now have even greater hope and expectation for this great news to flow through all of their stories.

Please share this story through you networks and newsletters as I have lost many contacts through my move to Adelaide. I promised people I would let them know when these guys reached the final goal they had been praying and hoping for, for so long. When citizenship comes up I’ll make sure you all hear about it so you can go to the ceremony. I know I’ll be there.

Post your comments at www.myspace.com/voxcongo so papy can receive your encouragement.

Shalom
Mark

Labels: Politics, Rants, Social Justice, Theology

  Posted by Stephen @ 11:31 AM   0 comments

::Voices for Justice

I am going to be traveling up to Canberra on a bus tonight for Voices for Justice. VFJ is a four day Christian conference. On the Saturday and Sunday, we pray, worship and learn how to participate in the political process. Then on the Monday and Tuesday, we visit as many federal members of the Australian parliament as we can.

We talk to them about aid, trade and debt relief. We invite Christians to lend their voices to those who cannot speak out, namely the poor, the least and the last in our world. We invite Christians to speak to representatives of the Australian government. We invite the Australian Government to act on behalf of those same people.

It was quite a phenomenal experience last year. Getting an insight into the political process was both an inspiring and depressing exercise.

It is an election year, and I thought that this year, rather than whinge about the fact that our politic is so selfish and banal, I would participate in raising the level. As Australian Christians, we only desire from our government cheapest and safest ride through life, or we simply desire conservative moral laws, we dream in a way that is far too small, and we demean the immense God of compassion, mercy and love that we profess to serve.

PS - Anyone in Canberra who wants to hang out, let me know! I'd love a chat!

Technorati Tags: Itinerary, Rants

Labels: Itinerary, Politics, Rants

  Posted by Stephen @ 2:58 PM   0 comments