Tuesday, February 27, 2007

ECCLESIASTICAL TITBITS X

A look back at the past year - 2006 - it now seems a long time ago - discloses a number of events, some trivial, some momentous but all signifying our attitudes, beliefs and customs. Taken together, they tell what we believe collectively about other people, our nation, city and the world. They can also be seen as defining future pathways and directions.

The so-called war on terrorism continued unabated with loss of lives on all sides. That is something that must be displeasing to God, call him God or Allah if you must. Muslims continued to kill one another, often employing suicide bombers, which I would see more as a practical atheism than anything sanctioned by God, particularly given the number of innocents who are maimed and murdered. They also took Christians captive, brutally murdering many.
The Taliban showed a resurgence in Afghanistan. In fact dissension and war seemed to be the norm over much of the world and, as always, the innocent were the major victims.
Locally, the environment took much attention with debate about global warming - is it happening, is it not happening? The ability of humans to go into denial here became most apparent. Inertia is the rule. Leave things alone and they will all be all right. Politics also stayed in the public arena. Perhaps one of the most significant disclosures was the relationship between Don Brash and the Exclusive Brethren cult. The cynical pursuit of power and wealth demonstrated not only how easy it is to depart from the Gospel, but also how self-centred 'religious' people, politicians and, indeed anyone, can become.

I think, though, that some local happenings best illustrate the direction society is taking. The young woman whose house was crowded out by an aggressive developer so that her enjoyment of her home and ability to maintain it were seriously compromised shows the lack of care and respect for people that is enveloping our society. In this case, the City Council was also at fault in that they failed to exercise their duty of care to those they represent. This action has been repeated. Unfortunately, the developer's behaviour was legal. It was not ethical, it was not moral and it was not righteous. In essence this action contravenes the Deuteronomic law prohibiting the shifting of a neighbour's boundary marker. These days it is not possible to move a surveyor's peg but the encroachment on another's property fulfils the same end.

I wonder, has the world not heard, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself"? Or has it become negotiable? Civilisation, as we know it, was founded on co-operation, mutuality and the rule of law permeated by ethical understandings. Is that becoming a quaintness of the past and also negotiable?

PISCATOR

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Yes well war might be displeasing to God ! but the Exclusive Brethren went along with going to war in Afganistan . Mr Bruce Hales of the exclusive Brethren met with Mr Howard just before the war went ahead ! to give his (Bruce Hales) blessing and the exclusive brethrens to go over there and kill people if that is what it took . And they do not often get involved in charity ! infact i ask anyone to come up with any other place they have . So why then in the twin towers at ground zero did they decide to help ?? .
The answer is of course they dislike the muslim belief ! so much so that they desided this was a good cause .
Godly ? i ask ?... And as to their carry on in the elections and with the way they have persecuted excomunicated members and family . I would suggest it is in the interest of all real Christians who wish their faith to continue to be seen as what is good ! . To get behind and see that these unloving people that use the cover of Christianity are held to account ! Otherwise they will continue to make Christianity a mockery ! and faith in goodness of Christians will not only be lost to their church alone !.