… almost requires a graduate degree in economics (another area I failed dismally in at high school). I can participate in Fair Trade campaigns and look to buy what is not necessarily cheapest and what seems to be a better deal to the producers, whether they be local dairy farmers or subsistence plantation workers inContinue reading “Shopping ethically…”
Tag Archives: postaday2011
Debating Global Warming…
… is not my favourite pastime as people’s minds are generally made up and difficult to sway. As a flunkee in high school physics I’m somewhat behind the eight-ball when countering climate skeptics’ arguments. What I can argue, however, is human responsibility to care for the planet. When someone gleefully seeks to trump this argumentContinue reading “Debating Global Warming…”
Universal truth or ultimate self-indulgence? (Part 3)
Neville can be counted on for controversy. Eschewing Augustine for Irenaeus (“The glory of God is every creature fully alive”), Neville’s brief was to explore a projection of “the salvation of the human species.” He proceeded with Frank Fenner, the Australian microbiologist who pioneered the eradication of smallpox who said “The human species is likelyContinue reading “Universal truth or ultimate self-indulgence? (Part 3)”
Universal truth or ultimate self-indulgence? (Part 2)
Does popular culture have its own way of addressing theological constructs? We briefly considered three movies to see how they handled preoccupation with the tension between determinism and free-will – “salvation” being seen in terms of liberation from controlling forces, be they personal or institutional. You can check out for yourself the reviews of Groundhog Day,Continue reading “Universal truth or ultimate self-indulgence? (Part 2)”
Universal truth or ultimate self-indulgence? (Part 1)
This is the subtitle of the “Salvation Today” Lent series cooked up by my local Uniting Church colleagues and myself. I did promise some context for yesterday’s “Saving puppies from a runaway train” conundrum. In the wake of the visit of evolutionary theologian, Bruce Sanguin, we pondered the meaning of “salvation”, a word more oftenContinue reading “Universal truth or ultimate self-indulgence? (Part 1)”
Saving puppies – saving the world
A Peter Singer inspired question pops up in the WordPress postaday stimulus today: “An out of control train is about to run over a pile of happy puppies. You are standing at the control switch and can pull the lever to direct the train onto a different track, saving their lives. But that other trackContinue reading “Saving puppies – saving the world”
Raising Lazarus
Two weeks before Easter and it is not surprising that the story of the raising of Lazarus comes out for an airing (see John 11:1-45). Tales of “dead men walking” hold particularly morbid fascination for us. So compelling is the narrative, that a former Australian Prime Minister’s autobiography, which includes an episode of his fallContinue reading “Raising Lazarus”
Rebuilding trust with indigenous communities the first step
This morning’s article in The Age, Rebuilding trust with indigenous communities the first step, coincides with a conversation I was involved in earlier today. Recently, Reconciliation Australia’s barometer revealed that “trust” is the most significant current obstacle on the roadway to genuine reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australia. It is so easy, in our respectiveContinue reading “Rebuilding trust with indigenous communities the first step”
Meditating with Rumi
It was an Iraqi man who introduced me to the beauty of Rumi. Today’s post from Spirituality and Practice also celebrates the spirit of this wise medieval poet and mystic” Search the Darkness Sit with your friends; don’t go back to sleep. Don’t sink like a fish to the bottom of the sea. Surge likeContinue reading “Meditating with Rumi”
Gerry Harvey shares the love online – Eureka Street
“If you can’t beat them join them!” it seems. One of Australia’s best known shopkeepers is well known for his ability to make a buck. His and similar companies recently beat a hasty retreat from public reaction to their lobbying for exemptions in order to compete with on-line shopping. Only one person can say whetherContinue reading “Gerry Harvey shares the love online – Eureka Street”
Wondering Pilgrim 