One Geek

I am wondering more and more wondering if church in the formal context is something I wish to continue to be involved in.

I feel Christian community is an important part of the Christian faith, sometimes I struggle to see how modern mainstream church fits with that.

I believe in a participatory church, and my current church has become less participatory, and creative over the year I have been attending it.

I do though value many of my relationships I have made through church.

I have noticed though the gradual decline in frequency of many of those people who I journey with most.

I don’t spend enough time relating with God, I wonder if spending Sunday evening in a private quite time would perhaps be more nourishing to my soul. Or maybe I should just make another time.

Mostly though:
Rosters piss me off.
I have problems with authority.
I am so over liturgy and communion every week.
I feel the power differentials in church are too high.

For now though I’ll keep going to church, until I work through some of this stuff.

Church, Religion

Apparently world leaders are hesitant to put the word condom in their AIDS declaration. Other scary terms that they are trying to avoid are men who have sex with men (or homosexuals), people who inject drugs (or drug users) and people who sell sex (or prostitutes). Other scary concepts include empowering women, and of course money in the form of patents and clear financial commitments. For some reason in the news coverage prisoners the 4 identified at risk group was not mentioned.

The Bush administration, heavily influence by the Christian right, is blocking key proposals for a new United Nations package to combat HIV/Aids worldwide over the next five years because of its opposition to the distribution of condoms and needle exchanges and references to prostitutes, drug addicts and homosexuals.

The United States is being supported by many Muslim countries, including Egypt, and various conservative African and Latin American nations. “There are a lot of unholy alliances all over the place,” said a European official attending UN talks in New York on Thursday night.

Mail and Guardian

It upsets me that Christians can be so bloody STUPID.
Why can’t we acknowledge that people have SEX, and some people have it out of marriage.
Condoms help protect people who have sex outside of marriage and they also protect people with unfaithful partners.
People have been selling sex for centuaries and probably a lot longer! I can see no reason why we can’t have this in a declaration.
Men have been having sex with men for a long time too! What’s the big deal.
I don’t have any idea why injecting drug users are taboo. If you have an idea please leave it as a comment.
I guess the main objection might be distributing needles makes it seem like it’s OK to do drugs. But surely everyone knows, “Drugs are bad, mmmK.”

Anyway I really don’t understand this attituted. I guess the thinking might be this if you give me a condom I’ll go out and have sex.

Newsflash
I have been given condoms before and I didn’t end up having sex. My medical kit for India also contains condoms and it hasn’t made me go out and have sex.
I also brought clean needles with me to India and I haven’t gone out and brought myself some drugs to inject.
I have heard that men have sex with men, and I have meet men who have sex with men, but somehow I have managed to not be tempted into having sex with a man.
Oh and I have heard that I can exchange money for sex and that hasn’t made me go and hire a sex worker.

My argument is not that I am a saint, my argument is that education and giving people access to the commodities they need to live out their lifestyle choices more safely is not going to make people any less moral.

I think that we need to embrace harm minisation and education, they save lives. The UNAIDS report shows this clearly.

There are some interesting articles on the forming of the draft declaration:
BBC News
African News Dimension
Reuters
US ABC News

So how do we get around these issues:

Well taking a look at the final decleration it seems negotiation was the key.

With enough pressure they managed to get condoms in their AIDS declaration, and a few references to sterile injecting equipment and a reference to harm minimisation. Empowering women actually made it’s way into the declaration, upsetting some of the countries who seem to want poor uneducated girls to be married without being empowered to look after their own sexual health. Money does get mentioned, but not patents.

The big loss though is the vulnerable groups, it seems that men who have sex with men, people who sell sex, people who inject drugs and prisoners.

Despite this the declaration does actually mention that HIV is got through risky and unsafe sexual behaviour and injecting drug use. It commits the countries to working towards prevention and sets a slightly clearer path towards universal treatment for 2010. If we can manage that then maybe just maybe the Millennium Development Goals are still in reach.

About stuff, HIV/AIDS and TB, Pretentious drivel, Religion, Social Justice

I am starting to think that if love is about spiritual growth (as Peck defines it) and sin is a failure to love then failing to do things that grow you and others is a sin.

About stuff, Religion

I’ve been reflecting on Mathew 25 and the Sheep and The Goats.

31″When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34″Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37″Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40″The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

41″Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

44″They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

45″He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

46″Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

I am trying to work out whether I am a goat or a sheep by this catagory. I’ve heard it said that this passage referers only to Christian’s. To give myself a sporting chance of not going to hell I’ve decided to accept this narrowing of scope.

To be a goat I need to of done the following to a Christian, “For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’”.

I know I must of failed to give someone food and drink. One example of this failure is that I’ve failed to do all I can to feed the hungry Christians in Africa and provide them with clean water.

I have passed homeless people and failed to invite them in.

I have passed beggars in India who had need of clothes and failed to clothe them.

I have not visited many people in hospital.

I have not visited anyone in prision.

So far I have 5 out of 5 for being a goat.

Now lets see if I am goat.

37″Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

1) I have given food and drink to hungry people on a number of occasions.

2) I have been inviting to strangers but not into my own home . (I’ll give myself .75).

3) Clothes.. Hmmm.. I sometimes put my old clothes in those big bins.

4) I have visited some people when they have been sick.

5) I have not visited anyone in prision. I did go to Villawood once but never ended up going again. I think that counts for (.25)

So I have 4/5 for being a sheep and 5/5 for being a goat.

I still have some time left. I wonder how God does his maths.
Do you think he rounds up in our favour??
Does he give conceded passes?

The interesting thing is the areas of gray when at comes to salvation. By this passage I believe that most of us could either be sent to hell or heaven.

Is judgement based on a simple adding up of the good and the bad? Where then is grace?

Are we simple judged on attitude? This seems a bit more in accordance with grace.

Is it just a cautionary tale reminding us to take social justice seriously?

I don’t know. What I do know is that if we took this teaching seriously life on Earth would be far better for many people.

About stuff, Pretentious drivel, Religion, Social Justice

I am reading The Last Week by Borg and Crossan. It is an interesting look at the last week before Jesus’s death and resurrection. It is a book which seems to be leaning heavily to liberation theology. It takes what I am finding a challenging look at Mark.

It argues that atonement sacrifice is not really what Mark is writing about. That it is more about Jesus calling to participate in death and resurrection. It is interesting reading about the Bible placed in a political and historical light. An example of this is Jesus entering on a donkey into Jerusalem from one side and Pilate entering on the same day in a pomp procession. I really am wondering how much of the truth of Jesus we have neglected over the centuries as Christianity has lost its place as a radical movement.

Whenever I read the gospels I can’t help but think that I am selling Jesus short in His radical mission for personal and collective change.

One question I am thinking about is how many layers of meaning can the gospels and the Bible have. If it is the living Word of God then does this mean that the message and interpritation changes in light of historical evidence and new theological thought are simply part of God’s continuing revelation to us. Can one reconcile literal and non-literal interpretations of the text? Is the Bible about Questions or Answers?

God Stuff, Religion, Social Justice

After a draining few weeks, I feel like I have my passion back. In the shower I began thinking about a talk I have to give on professional service. It got me excited. I think there might be a bit of a preacher in me..

Religion, Social Justice

TEAR is definately a place where I fit. It is like a big extended family. Full of odd, crazy and cool people.

India’s draw is still strong on me. I enjoyed talking to people about it. The size of my next project there is still overwhelming me. I wonder if I am skilled enough to do it. It’s hard to keep it all in my head.

I feel a strong desire to travel to South Africa now too. One of the speakers at the conference was from there and she was fantastic. So articulate and humble. The projects her organisation do seem so well thought out.

How I work is also a challenge.

Incarnation ministry is a very intresting concept. It’s all about downward mobility living like the people you are ministering to. I wouldn’t mind getting an upward mobility assignment though . In the IT context working behind the scenes it’s hard to work out what to do in terms of downward mobility.

Interesting talk on the language of lament. I should write more about it latter.

Another good one about the church. It talked about how the church was inherintly human and that it is in its weakness that God works. Powerful stuff.

Church, God Stuff, India Stuff, Religion, Social Justice

Just a quick note to say the TEAR Conference was great. So many good people. So much learning. The vibe was fantastic. That’s all for now.. Off to go on an adventure with Lesley and Jo .

God Stuff, India Stuff, Religion, Social Justice

We had a discusion about evangalism and social justice tonight at commy dinner. I was thinking about it walking home in the rain(I left home walking in the rain too).

The particular area I began thinking about was seeking God. I think one of God’s biggest concerns is justice. I think God cares more for the widows and orphans then we can imagine. From my reading of the Bible God spends so much time talking about social justice. The Old Testement has long passages denouncing injustices perpatrated by the people of the time. Jesus spent so much time on the fringes of the society when he was on Earth in physical form(Is that the theologically correct way of saying it Tom). Jesus said he came to save the lost. He healed the sick and reached out to the outcasts.

I wonder sometimes if we Christian’s in the West need to become outcasts if we need to lose our posesions. I think we could learn a lot if we were forced to depend on God.

When I look at the World the places I see God moving most strongly are not the affulent places. Not amoung the educated and rich. I see my God working on the fringes of society. I see God moving amoung the poor. Where their apears to be no hope there my God is.

This is the God who gave us parables about reckless abandon. The parable of the lost sheep tells of a shepard who risks the 99 safe sheep, all to find the one lost one. And when he finds them there is celebration.

What does this mean? For me I want to seek out my God and I think I have a pretty clear idea of where to look. The place which many try to avoid seeing, the fringes of society. The hopeless causes and the places of loss and suffering.

It reminds me of the “Seek Your Face” song from St John’s Darlinghurst about seeking God in the face of even domestic violence.

God truly is Merciful. He is love. He is God the great I AM.

Church, Class Wars, God Stuff, India Stuff, Poverty Sucks, Religion, Social Justice

I love my Mum lot’s. She’s my Mum and I wouldn’t swap her.

However there is this fun issue in my family of my sister Bronwyn. Who for reasons described in a previous post no longer talks to anyone in my family(including extended).

Now usually Mother’s Day is going to be hard enough for my Mum, and grandmothers. But this Mother’s Day is harder because Bronwyn now has a child. Who my parents, grandparents and in fact all the extended family except me have not seen in person. My Mum’s a grandparent and not allowed to see her grandchild. My Nana was able to organise to get some photos through the in-laws but that has stopped now we think.

Earlier this year I got the privelage of meeting my niece Hannah for the first time and seeing my sister and her husband again. We aggreed that I’d visit a bit and it all went fine (I think). But now I am back on the silent treatment too. I thought our family had a shot at being reconcilled slowly but surely.

I think when I realised this wasn’t going to happen I got passively aggressive at God. My prayer life deteriated a lot.

It’s hard living with parents who have been demoralised. How do you make it OK that one of their children doesn’t talk to them? How do you make OK the dreadful accusations made? How do you help?

How do you keep forgiving a sister who keeps on causing pain but doesn’t acknowledge it?
How do you keep up hope for realationships that just end up in disapointment?
I don’t like being played and disrespected. I don’t like people playing games with my life and my family. All done in the name of my God and Jesus. Who I doubt believes people should relate through playing games. I don’t doubt that she faces many issues with mental health. That she believes she is acting justly. But even so others should know better

Don’t get me wrong I love my sister. I haven’t been the best brother. But how do you be a good brother to someone who ignores your calls and messages?

I guess God you know. But it still doesn’t make it easy.

Jesus, I’m waiting here, boss
I know you’re looking out for us
But maybe your hands aren’t free.

Your Father, He made the world in seven
He’s in charge of heaven.
Will you put a word in for me?

Wake Up Dead Man.
U2 Pop

Life, Religion

Today was one of the most beautiful days in my life. I can’t quite explain how or why it came to be that but I’ll do my best.

Today was the wedding of Emily and Martin. It was the best wedding I have been to in my life. It made me cry a lot. But the tears were of joy not sorrow. From the moment the bridesmaids started walking down the aisle to colour blind by Counting Crows, (played acoustically by two fantastic musicians) I was sold. The day and the service were both so authentic, a true expression of love.

I am a very cynical person and yet the whole service I did not have a cynical or even sarcastic thought. Every stage of it was true to the people involved. The vow’s and prayers were honest and extremely meaningful. Declarations like “Do you want to share your life with me, all your joys and pains, all your hopes and failures with all your body, mind and soul?” Are truly moving. The way they included God also was great.

The music was well chosen. It fit beautifully with the service. The messages given were very authentic. They somehow managed to get a Catholic, an Anglican and a Uniting Church minister together to run it.

The reception was also great. It was very homely, who would of thought it being in their house and all. I loved it also. Speeches that are usually the most painful part of the wedding were good. Martin’s Mum who has come out from Peru for the wedding was particularly good. Emily of course was great and Jo was fantastic too. However Martin simply shone in his speech, sure he stumbled through it but his feeling was there for all too see. Struggling to put into words (in English his second language, though I am sure he would have had trouble in Spanish too) what is surely his great love for Emily just made it all the more real.

The variety of people who were there was also outstanding. There were people from nearly every walk of life. So good to see that happen. The food was fantastic and all were genuinely happy about the wedding (as far as I could tell). I even joined in some dancing tonight. That’s how good the night was.

Emily is a person who has greatly enriched my life. It is wonderful too see her so happy. Her journey has not been very easy through this life. She is an inspiration in her passion for justice and her love of humans particularly the outsider.

I can remember finding out a bit about Martin in Australia whilst Emily was still over in Peru. Gemma’s trip there helped us too learn a bit more about him. Then sharing with Emily in the struggles of trying to get Martin a Visa. I can still remember the joy and excitement I felt when whilst in Raxaul I find out that Martin’s Visa had been processed and accepted. The other time I really remember is meeting Martin at the airport on my return from India. It was exciting to finally see him, he embraced me a stranger as his friend.

Martin who I barely know is still one of the most kind and openhearted people I have met.

Emily and Martin may the Lord God in His power truly bless you. May you live out your days together through the joys and pains of this life. May you live up to the grand promises you made today.

I am going too stop now, though I could go on forever. But it’s past midnight so the day is over.

Church, Class Wars, General, God Stuff, India Stuff, Life, Religion, Stuff, Travel, music

I just had the thought that no nation state has ever been or will (until second coming) be perfect. That it’s natural for nation state’s to sin and cause pain and suffering in the world. Nothing really new just felt profound to me at the time.

Religion

Went to Credo small group for a while today. They still do the same old studies. I am not sure about the point of doing comprehension based studies. I mean asking ten dull questions on 10-20 verses of scripture. One hour given. I just don’t get it. These studies are very un-original too. There’s not much extra insight, no pretty diagrams. I don’t rememeber ever being seriously challenged in one of their Bible studies either. I don’t think I am going to be attending small groups again any time soon.

If I wanted to do something like that I would be off doing Biblical Studies in a Christian High School. Oh wait been there done that. The Bible is a very exciting and engaging text when you let it be. I reckon there’s some validity to the name living word. Why then do people always seem to try and choke it? Maybe it’s just the Credo Engineering enviroment but I’ve never felt any passion for it there.

Lately I have been reading a fair bit of the Bible and have really been enjoying it too. (Ok partly cause I am too cheap to buy another book to read.) Anyway I am really being challenged by it. It’s good, but sometimes quite hard. How can I do what I should be doing. Like how do I truely die to the flesh and live in the Spirit?

God knows.

Religion

Just did a google “feeling luck search” saying “God talk to me please.” I had an interesting page come up. It refered to Romans 6:16-18 saying either we give control to God or sinfull nature. Interesting. Also made me feel a whole lot less messed up. Perspective is a great thing.

Religion

I was thinking today about my recent changes and I think I have found one of the precipating events. Back on the 8th Feb, I went on a quest to find a Bible in the city. I found a small red Bible in Borders. It fit nicely into my bag and was easy to carry. So it ended up living in my bag. Whenever I am bored on a train(which is quite often) I’ve ended up reading it a lot.

The other interesting side note was it was an English Standard Version(ESV) Bible and Tom said that it was a bit of an Evangelical Bible. Maybe that’s where my becoming more evangelical has come from.

Religion