Free speech and your beliefs

All of these 'goings on' at the moment surrounding the cartoons of the prophet Muhammad have so many sides, issues and points of view that debate could seemingly rage for a long time.

How do you weigh up freedom of speech and expression against the rights of others not to feel offended, disenfranchised and mocked? How do you understand each other when you view the world so fundamentally differently?

As a committed Christian, I know my job is to love others and stand up for my beliefs, but I get frustrated when I hear people with no religious convictions complain about religion and politics not mixing. The very nature of who I am cannot suddenly split into two seperate things. Every way I view the world is THROUGH my beliefs, as is every other person on this planet.

So, I read an article yesterday pointing out a couple of things. Firstly, it stated the reason that images of Muhammad are not allowed is to avoid a situation of idolatry. As a Christian, I can understand this concern. The author then argues that therefore, these cartoons should not be an issue - they are hardly going to lead a Muslim into idolatry. Fair point - sort of. He also then stated that there are Islamic bookstores that have violent literature promoting hatred and violence towards both Jews and Christians, and that this is far worse than the cartoons, and smacks of grave hypocracy.

Now, on the surface at least, the argument seems reasonable. However, the reality of religion is not always one of seeing things the same way for all. Perhaps it should, and certainly that is a reason many don't like religions of any kind. But when you fight for your beliefs you don't always see things as others would - your concern is your beliefs. You may fight for a cartoon, but still have literature condemning others. Right or wrong, that is often the case, and THAT seems to be the problem here - that is not something that can be changed by sound reasoning and logical arguments.

I'm sure not all Muslims feel burning down embassies and killing people is a reasonable response to the act of someone who according to their beliefs is doomed anyway, but it is evident that some do. It is happening even as I write this in response to those cartoons.

Publishing those cartoons is a strong statement that people won't be bowed to others' censorship. And since the original publication (over 4 months ago, so why the flare up now??) it has been published by roughly 20 other publications in other countries as a show of support. But, if anyone thinks that will somehow 'prove' the point then I fear they have it all wrong. It is just as likely to widen the gap between Islam and the West and just as likely to push moderate Muslims to more extreme views.

The only question remains is this: Is that reason enough to censor freedom of speech? I have my own answer, but it's my own... What's yours?

That's better!

It's cooler here now. This is good. I'm sick of the really hot weather. Maybe if i was on the beach it'd be fine, but going to work everyday just isn't. So this is much more my pace!

Mum turned 60 yesterday. Happy birthday mum! Makes me feel old. I mean, I remember when 60 seemed so old, but mum isn't old like that at all! And if that's the case, it means that she doesn't seem that old because I'm getting older myself... sobering thought that...

Had Jay, Jode and Eman and S-pack around for dinner on Saturday night. What a great family! Seth decided to face plant our kitchen tiles. No lasting damage, but a nice little bruise. The thing is, as sad for him as it was it just looks so funny when a beautiful little baby who is just sitting there suddenly loses balance and topples over. Legs go up, limbs everywhere, with no control at all...

I'm hungry and it's nearly time to finish work for the day so that's it... Not really very exciting huh? Still, I posted, and that's at least something.

sore and hot

This post isn't really a complaining post, just thought i'd put down some things from the last few days... It's been hot again. Yesterday was Australia Day (wohooh!) and a public holiday for us, but it was 40 degrees again here in Melbourne. This HAS to be one of the hottest Januarys ever. I did some good blokey stuff like go to the hardware store and buy things to stick into walls to put other things on... very manly huh?

The trouble is I can barely move. I started a new gym program on Wednesday that the fitness instructor Troy made for me... It hurt... a LOT... I figure once I'm used to it it'll be fantastic, but until then I'm just sore. My thighs are just two big bruises.

That's it for now. Hopefully more to follow...

unplugged...

So, last night was basically church unplugged. It was a great night. Different. It was hot. For those not living in Melbourne you probably won't know, but it was 44 degrees. After 43 the day before. Given that and the fact other church things were on at Waverley, we weren't really expecting many people.

So it was quite a pleasant surprise to see the 50 or so we did have. It was in the youth hall, as we are still carpeting. But that worked really well. Stevie made his long awaited debut on the acoustic guitar, and was ably accompanied by Brad and Dusty. I sang a few songs and we had great fun. A great relaxed vibe.

The good bit though, was Frij. The big Cpt. Robertson. He gave a fantastic message on participation in the church. He reminded us about the fact that we all get given spiritual gifts as Christians and that we need to use them in our local church to help our community. He shared his experiences planting a new church in Noble Park, and it is great to here a man with so much faith and a great sense of reliance on God. It was truly inspiring. Thanks Frij. You're a top bloke, and you have a great message.

Adelaide and a christmas cat...

OK. No posts as I've been in Adelaide for dad's 60th. Great fun, seeing the family, having too much to eat, people dropping in constantly for 4 days. All good!

Came home and our cat has again decided it must be christmas, and was kind enough to leave us a present on the carpet in our room... We had Brad and Aaron staying around, and they looked after him just fine, so no idea what the deal was. He just likes leaving us christmas presents about once per week. AND he never has the decency to leave them on the kitchen tiles. OH NOOOOO. He needs to leave them on the carpet - every time! Maybe the tiles are too cold for his bottom...

*sigh* I just wish he wasn't such a legend of a cat - otherwise I think we would have made him into dim sims by now...

New Age better than 'religion' and war

I was sitting in church on Sunday night, and Dave was talking about destiny. At one point he held up a Womans Day magazine, and on the front cover was a little overlay thingy (that's the technical industry term you know!) which was about finding your purpose and destiny. It was very much a New Age type advertisement for courses etc.

What I started thinking about though was why is it that this type of thing is readily accepted by a lot of people in this day and age yet something like Christianity turns them off so much? I know it's not a new question, but it's one I haven't pondered for a long time.

The things I guess I came up with as likely were these:

- a lot of New Age teaching very much allows you to do basically whatever you want, while just keeping sure you don't hurt others too much in the process.
- I don't see any wars being fought at a country level over New Age teaching, which is a lot more inclusive than most organised religions such as Christianity and Islam.

So how do we compete with this? And I do mean compete. See, I may be as sure as anything that what I believe is real, but until someone else can see that for themselves what I believe is just another organised religion, and one that by it's very nature requires at least a few changes. And even if those changes are helped by God, it's a tough 'sell'.

But then again, that's what the Spirit is for. That's the bit that does beyond our strength and into the realm of the supernatural...

Food for thought anyway.

Had a few drinks with Dean last night at Eastland at the Balsamic Lounge. Spent I guess 2 hours just sitting and chatting about some rather interesting topics. I realised that I just dont' get out as much and do things like that anymore. I guess it's something to do with being old and married, but I miss it. I'm a reasonably social animal and with everyone having kids and getting married it's interesting just how much things have changed. One thing that did occur to me was it doesn't have to actually be like that, but maybe I just need to make a bit more effort nowadays. That I think I can handle.

Maybe I should add it to my New Years resolutions...