This blog was (2015 post) and is dedicated to the memory of Sophie Scholl and all those who, along with her, harnessed the courage to stand against evil. I have a sense that it is time to urgently resurrect the spirit of what was known as the White Rose. May the people rise. “Stand up for…Continue reading Remembering Sophie: Reflections on Courage
Tag: Christianity
Celebrating the Birth of the Homeless, Oppressed and Marginalised
“Christmas is built upon a beautiful and intentional paradox; that the birth of the homeless should be celebrated in every home.” -G.K. Chesterton – If we had to paint a picture of the Christ that many of us celebrate at Christmas, what would our portrait look like? If the sound bytes that accost us on…Continue reading Celebrating the Birth of the Homeless, Oppressed and Marginalised
Who were the Celts?
“Their aspect is terrifying … their hair is blond, but not naturally so: they bleach it, to this day, artificially, washing it in lime and combing it back from their foreheads. They look like wood-demons, their hair thick and shaggy like a horse’s mane. Some of them are cleanshaven, but others … shave their cheeks…Continue reading Who were the Celts?
Welcoming but not Affirming: Getting to the Slippery Truth
“As a survivor of the gay conversion movement, it feels amazing to know that our experiences are being heard nationally and that there is finally research that confirms the prevalence and damage of the gay conversion movement in Australia… The messaging of the movement that told me that I was “broken” has caused long-term damage…Continue reading Welcoming but not Affirming: Getting to the Slippery Truth
Katecia’s Story: Resilience, Courage and Grace
I met Katecia (Teash) a couple of years ago. Over time we began chatting and I had the privilege of listening to some of her story of courage, resilience and quiet grace. Today I would like to thank Teash for making time to share some of her life experience for this BLOG post. I have…Continue reading Katecia’s Story: Resilience, Courage and Grace
Grief – Stay With It
Scrolling through Facebook the other day, this post of a friend caught my eye: “We can’t leap over our grief work, Nor can we skip over our despair work. We have to feel it…. Historic cultures saw grief as a time of incubation, transformation, and necessary hibernation. Yet this sacred space is the very…Continue reading Grief – Stay With It
The Power of Yes
“Love is a place & through this place of love move (with brightness of peace) all places YES is a world & in this world of yes live (skillfully curled) all worlds” – E.E. Cummings – Yesterday was a Yes day. It was also a historic day in Australia. 79.5% of Australians took part in…Continue reading The Power of Yes
Have Your Cake And Eat It Too: Protecting Our Religious Rights!
“When we hide discrimination under the guise of ‘religious freedom,’ we make a mockery of human rights.” – DaShanne Stokes – There’s been a lot of talk around our fair isle about preserving ‘religious rights’ and ‘religious freedom’ in the last few months. The fear is palpable and has been used to keep campaigns alive…Continue reading Have Your Cake And Eat It Too: Protecting Our Religious Rights!
Apartheid and the Ideas about God that Upheld It
This is a blog post from 2 years ago. As I travel Germany and am confronted by the many monuments that remember the holocaust and persecuted minorities, I am again aware of the fundamental role that dominant religions often play in oppressive regimes. May we never forget. I still remember the feeling of stifling hot air hitting…Continue reading Apartheid and the Ideas about God that Upheld It
A very brief Introduction to Christian Fundamentalism
“There are few things more dangerous than inbred religious certainty.” – Bart D. Ehrman This is a REPOST of a blog I wrote a couple of years ago … most fitting at this time of Australian religious and political discussions! There is a danger in assuming that every Christian belief and practice that we adhere to…Continue reading A very brief Introduction to Christian Fundamentalism