Could be funny if it wasn't so ridiculous . The merchants of change in theory want us suddenly to believe they are interested in the sustainable. Jennifer Byrne on the book club talking on books that changed the world .
The only way a progressive can do this in the West with the bible and its grand literary and legal history standing in the decades of centuries is to claim , as they did on Book Club that pre biblical history had the idea before any Hebrew or Christian . More than a hint of denial there and only a catchphrase or token word like "the Iliad " to back it up ,
So, quite predictably we have the sycophants on her program dribbling out the doctrine using the Iliad aas the key - Just what we learnt from history is of course not an issue for a Jew or a Christian , We learn nothing from history , We are far more realistic and less prone to disappointment . Clearly as other members show the only alternative story of significance has to be a dystopian vision ( hunger games a) . The convenient dystopic vision at ABC of environment as disaster area is now a littel dated. ABC priests may believe dystopia talk can work cause their paid , whether it does or not , but young people will not -- Thank God
ABC breeds dystopian depression by preaching no other gospel
Faith in evolution ( so much part of this setup and stitch up program )doesn't work and its insertion into what is supposed to be a program about outsiders ideas becomes, as in any church a sermon on why the chosen authors agree with us .
So the biggest problem for this new faith in automatic progress and if you like " improving on Christianity crap " is that we need post christian ( more modern) authors to demonstrate this effect .
The constant faddishness in modern literature dissolves any credibility Jennifer Byrne tries to give to her assertion on THE BOOK CLUB . She is not helped by her guest who talks about The Hunger Games , All the presenters on the program don't realise that by asserting a progression, they should have on the ABC given the two millenniums of christina thinking far more independent and focused ( cf general) oxygen than they have for decades ,Enthusiasm for change characterises their attitude and the reason why the glass is for them ---still half empty ( and obnoxious to young people) .
We have told our young people that its a dog eat dog world - now they believe it and any reading of The hunger games that makes it nice is pure fiction - like their ambition to improve on a workable theory of human nature that the bible has taught consistently for centuries .
there are of course modern books that have changed the world but the reality is most people in modern times have never listened to build .
"The origin of the species" is valuable because it established the fact about natural selections role in adaption. It was one o those realities that deeply challenged not so much the authority of the Bible but the long held interpretation of it , You need something deeper than one chapter and its interpretation to ignore the Genesis story. The bigger question is do we still accept original sin as the framework for understanding the human condition - a best approximation ; or do we have another? .
Maybe Jennifer Byrne will have some one on next week to show us how she at least has moved on her understanding . Scott Peck Rollo May , Ronald Conway If she is right about natural progress there MUST be somebody whose ideas TRUMP those of a thousand years or so
Whatever happens Jennifer Byrne will have to be careful because the bible is clearly progress according to her theory - maybe she can identify how specifically we have moved on from it? - errors paradigms
Somehow I don't think she has thought it through .
As Herbert Spencer might admit if he were alive today " I invented evolution as the answer to everything" .but I know even Darwin, who work is tight on this would never let anyone let the idealism get out of hand --- Evolution and adaption happens , its not a universal principle of control in nature. Unless of course , you are stuck with your DNA as the final word in your lif.
Monday, May 09, 2016
Sunday, April 10, 2016
ABC 's moral dilemmas too small and predictable
One of the clear consequences of ABC cloistering its worship around clever government is that the government is not so clever . You have to worship something and the object of their worship is thick.
The ultimate consequence of their decades long faith that government (and its ally -public opinion care) is that the volunteers and onlookers may stop caring as well . We pay them to care so let them get on with it - these institutions simply do not care very well without constant reform from the ground up . These institutes in cares name will dissolve out the care if they are run purely on material grounds. s .
Give us a break from G Doogue and Tony Jones whose predictable structure and patronising ignorance limits the discussion possible.
They have had their chance to lead - give someone else a go!!!!!!!
The only moral decision Doogue thinks is out there is 'assylum '. What about the rebellion of young people and the attractiveness of islam in the moral vacuousness they have created over the last 20 years ?
The ultimate consequence of their decades long faith that government (and its ally -public opinion care) is that the volunteers and onlookers may stop caring as well . We pay them to care so let them get on with it - these institutions simply do not care very well without constant reform from the ground up . These institutes in cares name will dissolve out the care if they are run purely on material grounds. s .
Give us a break from G Doogue and Tony Jones whose predictable structure and patronising ignorance limits the discussion possible.
They have had their chance to lead - give someone else a go!!!!!!!
The only moral decision Doogue thinks is out there is 'assylum '. What about the rebellion of young people and the attractiveness of islam in the moral vacuousness they have created over the last 20 years ?
Saturday, September 12, 2015
Fanatical and about to fall
Mark Scott's legacy may well be to see the ABC's reserve of credibility seriously eroded when its failure to fact check all the half truths it has portrayed as proofs of sea level rise over a decade finally addressed by scientists .(eg Kurabati )
The ABC does a really poor job of representing science in spite of its high advocacy. The reasons are documented elsewhere and by science prophets from the past. It would be amazing if the ABC reverse themselves out of the cul de sac by themselves , but as our forebears taught us - better to confess than go on in denial .
Like the attempt to shore up the shoreline on rising sea levels , the tide will turn and they will have, for the sake of history , to be identified as playing a role for a whole decade in muddying the waters .
If they can't get these political and scientifically sensitive matters right what other things should we trust them about ?
Its especially dangerous for our public broadcaster because the game of giving each side a fair go is often met ( in a statistical sense ) but not when the controversy runs deeper and the conservation needs to be deeper ( qualitative and speculative ) The idea of proving things work should not be left up to the media and political class. ABC needs to employ and publish work from practicing professional scientists.
. The ABC have yet to realise that it would be innovative and productive to link to sites which at least put another point of view . All Talk back hosts religiously guard their sense of control by not allowing sensible callers to converse with each other - which would mean the conversation would really move on . ABC are no better than commercials at the moment in not doing this . I no longer listen partly because of this monotony and predictableness. So much for festivals of dangerous ideas ,
The ABC does a really poor job of representing science in spite of its high advocacy. The reasons are documented elsewhere and by science prophets from the past. It would be amazing if the ABC reverse themselves out of the cul de sac by themselves , but as our forebears taught us - better to confess than go on in denial .
Like the attempt to shore up the shoreline on rising sea levels , the tide will turn and they will have, for the sake of history , to be identified as playing a role for a whole decade in muddying the waters .
If they can't get these political and scientifically sensitive matters right what other things should we trust them about ?
Its especially dangerous for our public broadcaster because the game of giving each side a fair go is often met ( in a statistical sense ) but not when the controversy runs deeper and the conservation needs to be deeper ( qualitative and speculative ) The idea of proving things work should not be left up to the media and political class. ABC needs to employ and publish work from practicing professional scientists.
. The ABC have yet to realise that it would be innovative and productive to link to sites which at least put another point of view . All Talk back hosts religiously guard their sense of control by not allowing sensible callers to converse with each other - which would mean the conversation would really move on . ABC are no better than commercials at the moment in not doing this . I no longer listen partly because of this monotony and predictableness. So much for festivals of dangerous ideas ,
Sunday, July 12, 2015
Old reactionary noise never dies unless it has a permanent drip feed from the public purse
Emperor Julian would be pleased with our Philip Adams (He is able to sell the old as new again ) but we have little reason to be .He's stale old bread. Instead of using his considerable wit and wisdom to promote his favorite worship chorus of progress and evolution, he takes us back ten years to Hitchens talking about Thomas Payne - what a pain it was, same old same old , ABC repeats rather than ABC up to date
As a practical scientist I cringe when he defers to what I know , Tis something he only thinks he knows - he simply doesn't know and its shows in the way he calls us gods of reason .( He also as a worshiper doesn't ask questions like a good scientist would , Why ? Presumably he can't cope with my rationality and his pathetic and pedantic game of lumbering logomachy .... at the edges of reason)
" Can you think of someone modern who still promotes Payne 's version of freedom "Silence was the stunned reply .So much for progress and all from our gurus
There is no-one who dares to run the simple freedom and equity arguments beyond there allotted time ( very short) . Nature not only abhors a vacuum, its diversity refuses to be drafted into the equity only important mode of these modern but short lived pedants ( as Payne , Rouseauu etc etc were all like Shaw heretics and paying the price for same - irrelevance and ineffective )
I'm all for less government but the hypocrisy of the fabian left is they only have governement. Without a reformation people's bad side requires a "government good "assumption , The fabians should disband or at least stay out of the government pushers brigade as they are irrational about its dangerous infallibility - and esp once they are on committee.
The more substantial boundary rider was Orwell who realized that freedom and prosperity, pushed in the name of equality, was birdbath deep . The trouble is, as our century proves oh so well with all its tyrants running the argument , is that the simple can do a huge amount of damage before the fire runs out; Before the substantial ( and science) rules over the simple
Can this man who doggedly limits his reason to what he himself can see, survive the onslaught of the future -- - a reaction to the prison the determinants have created , A more "romantic period "if you must ?
The recurring and countercultural idea that there is more to knowing that knowing will ever know is coming . His version of science is "its the answer to everything" and yet Payne like Chambers should have scientists adoring him for his prophetic brilliance if it were true .
Young people rebel from being put in his cage. His and the ABC war on everything may have some adherents because its natural for young people to be that way , Whats not natural is to not recognise when you grow up; whats good in the past and reinforce it for our kids sake . Resilience builds on a foundation, not complete freedom.
Will be interesting to see who has the courage to review S Neimen republished "Evil in Modern thought " . I only hope whoever does, will challenge another simple mistake not even accepted by psychiatrists - That religion can be poison tis true , but its not possible to be human without having one, Whatever the result of her confrontation we know denial about wh knows will continue .
I hope someone has the courage to let her witness to us with her own well thought through words .
At least stop the latest denial by the determinists " You don't need religion "
" Religion and political activism begin where reason is missing "
As a practical scientist I cringe when he defers to what I know , Tis something he only thinks he knows - he simply doesn't know and its shows in the way he calls us gods of reason .( He also as a worshiper doesn't ask questions like a good scientist would , Why ? Presumably he can't cope with my rationality and his pathetic and pedantic game of lumbering logomachy .... at the edges of reason)
" Can you think of someone modern who still promotes Payne 's version of freedom "Silence was the stunned reply .So much for progress and all from our gurus
There is no-one who dares to run the simple freedom and equity arguments beyond there allotted time ( very short) . Nature not only abhors a vacuum, its diversity refuses to be drafted into the equity only important mode of these modern but short lived pedants ( as Payne , Rouseauu etc etc were all like Shaw heretics and paying the price for same - irrelevance and ineffective )
I'm all for less government but the hypocrisy of the fabian left is they only have governement. Without a reformation people's bad side requires a "government good "assumption , The fabians should disband or at least stay out of the government pushers brigade as they are irrational about its dangerous infallibility - and esp once they are on committee.
The more substantial boundary rider was Orwell who realized that freedom and prosperity, pushed in the name of equality, was birdbath deep . The trouble is, as our century proves oh so well with all its tyrants running the argument , is that the simple can do a huge amount of damage before the fire runs out; Before the substantial ( and science) rules over the simple
Can this man who doggedly limits his reason to what he himself can see, survive the onslaught of the future -- - a reaction to the prison the determinants have created , A more "romantic period "if you must ?
The recurring and countercultural idea that there is more to knowing that knowing will ever know is coming . His version of science is "its the answer to everything" and yet Payne like Chambers should have scientists adoring him for his prophetic brilliance if it were true .
Young people rebel from being put in his cage. His and the ABC war on everything may have some adherents because its natural for young people to be that way , Whats not natural is to not recognise when you grow up; whats good in the past and reinforce it for our kids sake . Resilience builds on a foundation, not complete freedom.
Will be interesting to see who has the courage to review S Neimen republished "Evil in Modern thought " . I only hope whoever does, will challenge another simple mistake not even accepted by psychiatrists - That religion can be poison tis true , but its not possible to be human without having one, Whatever the result of her confrontation we know denial about wh knows will continue .
I hope someone has the courage to let her witness to us with her own well thought through words .
At least stop the latest denial by the determinists " You don't need religion "
" Religion and political activism begin where reason is missing "
Tuesday, May 05, 2015
Moral judgements make the ABC a laughing stock
Symbolized by the cynical change of Compass to The Moral Compass, ABCTV has finally come full circle and "accepted "( still some denialists in there?) that every institution and presenter "who goes along to church "has a faith . More importantly. ABC admitted that unlike the bad ( good ??who knows these days ) old days when they promoted "morality is bunk" ( eg faith that "science will tell you how to live not some old framework from past )
They see Progress , in the WGP religion as adaption - looks more like a revamped view from their christian heritage .A rear end collision or revolution?
After all Feine ( Tuesday)and Uhlmann ( saying how Greens will live forever and all things good about how they " do things" are full of their very OWN adjectives of moral judgments--" good"+ bad " Not acceptable for public paid reporters ,( Feine even said someone must be a "liar" if they didn't agree with him( listen to the transcripts Tuesday 5th May 2015) .
Beware
A pure belief in progress without believing in a light and a direction, can clearly mean you quickly go around in circles and are seen to be doing so (Our evidence based approach)- we are your honest friends here . Watch your ABC if you can bear it , I'd rather watch fish in a bigger pond
The hero of Fabianism knew this better than most of those who feign him . He played with the idea of change but only because he had in his piggy bank the moral framework of a " good girl " and a good moral teacher, ( I have the divine spark within me) So why was the idea of Pygmalion so engaging but the product of all that excitement about the new age , change and equality so unproductive ( shaw's support for the revolution ) His mother and he appear in the play but like most Westerners he ignored the safe framework from which creative tensions arose . The recognition of that fact led his friend Gilbert to lower his status to that of a mere plagiarizer and heretic . Shaw for all his wisdom led people astray in the same way as many of his less reactionary and unthinking comrades did . Do you want to remembered for the same - half stating the case or worse ridiculing your parents most insistent words ?
Be sure you know what mix of tried and tested you apply to your own life before you do what secularism not tries to do to us - squeeze us into its own very tight mould .and denial of its ineffectiveness in motivating.
ABC innovative or predictable ? Open or closed ? Superficial or substantive ?
Jon Feine who clearly has spent far too long cocooned in the ABC, has his ultimate faith in Innovation . "If you are doing what you were doing ten years ago" , it seems to him , you R a dinosaur . He didn't need to tell us yesterdaywhat his church affiliation is - we have known for years; we at least ave been listening (The church of the wonderful God of Progress WGP )
Yes Iview makes sense and is a sound innovation . .Feine being the monocultural believer he is , cannot see sideways . Jon hasn't weighed up the big picture in his own program where he still controls the discussion ( see notes on774 blog about this years ago)
ABC's stale old list ( just a few egs)
- Lack of innovation in youth programs like no community TV ,
-the dumb and dangerous "do what you like "( WGP) sunday school" of Rage .Ultimately "kids will learn" (WGP doctrine), who cares if such innovation breaks up families?
-SOSO formula for promoting science haven't changed - only got more flashy ( Quantum , Science show, docos on Sunday night )
-- One might rationally assume there important for church teaching doctrine - that's why they don't change ??
What too many ABC pewpreachers lack, as advocates of the truth, is the understanding that our religious views can cloud our objectivity - all us . Feine like Tony Jones regularly interrupts and controls the discussions on their programs ( if need to justify this watc them try to discuss 10 totally diiferent distraction items in one hour ---prejudice delivered predictably .
Tony Jones runs the only party in town where the conversation amongst the biggest celebrities in town is controlled by him .And noone complains about his Fuhrer like behaviur esp managemnet who fund him to be so
Jones tries to make it fun but really its his gig and he doesn't really laugh. Last nights charity gala event said to support the poor in disaster areas looked more like a specific good image gig for Peter Singer whose very own charity and political causes were given all the bright lights.,,,,,,, and we left unfed .
Yes Iview makes sense and is a sound innovation . .Feine being the monocultural believer he is , cannot see sideways . Jon hasn't weighed up the big picture in his own program where he still controls the discussion ( see notes on774 blog about this years ago)
ABC's stale old list ( just a few egs)
- Lack of innovation in youth programs like no community TV ,
-the dumb and dangerous "do what you like "( WGP) sunday school" of Rage .Ultimately "kids will learn" (WGP doctrine), who cares if such innovation breaks up families?
-SOSO formula for promoting science haven't changed - only got more flashy ( Quantum , Science show, docos on Sunday night )
-- One might rationally assume there important for church teaching doctrine - that's why they don't change ??
What too many ABC pewpreachers lack, as advocates of the truth, is the understanding that our religious views can cloud our objectivity - all us . Feine like Tony Jones regularly interrupts and controls the discussions on their programs ( if need to justify this watc them try to discuss 10 totally diiferent distraction items in one hour ---prejudice delivered predictably .
Tony Jones runs the only party in town where the conversation amongst the biggest celebrities in town is controlled by him .And noone complains about his Fuhrer like behaviur esp managemnet who fund him to be so
Jones tries to make it fun but really its his gig and he doesn't really laugh. Last nights charity gala event said to support the poor in disaster areas looked more like a specific good image gig for Peter Singer whose very own charity and political causes were given all the bright lights.,,,,,,, and we left unfed .
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
The Gospel according to progressives ; Saved by Change Alone
Is that "whats new is better" and whats old at best is immaterial . The leading progressives are largely determinists in sheep's clothing . They offer the future - a convenient, unprovable and in practice vain hope ( if you look at what they have achieved in last 30 years )
The power of the word "new" explains why adherents fall over themselves to bring us " new ' research .For most of us who have witnessed this mistaken focus - the destruction of the old schools that created scientists in Australia this sill shallow talk is neither interesting or new . Just religious rubbish worship . you can wait as long as you like for innovation but if you kill the real breeding ground ( eg by trying to pick winners ) - your hope for megastars will be in vain.
The power of the word "new" explains why adherents fall over themselves to bring us " new ' research .For most of us who have witnessed this mistaken focus - the destruction of the old schools that created scientists in Australia this sill shallow talk is neither interesting or new . Just religious rubbish worship . you can wait as long as you like for innovation but if you kill the real breeding ground ( eg by trying to pick winners ) - your hope for megastars will be in vain.
It happened in the last 24 hrs in reports around the Climate council and their concerns about the Coast . If the ABC employed a few more scientists they would NOT make fools of themselves by reporting such rubbish .Their level of credibility among st people who know, wouldn't be so low.
In a week when Utopia has been provided the best reality therapy ever , some dumb woman appears on 774 saying "We need a new Integrated planning authority" ( you mean like they have in Utopia) --- to deal with what ? Purely religiuos people are a giveaway --- they can't see the reasons their first love has warts on it .
In a week when Utopia has been provided the best reality therapy ever , some dumb woman appears on 774 saying "We need a new Integrated planning authority" ( you mean like they have in Utopia) --- to deal with what ? Purely religiuos people are a giveaway --- they can't see the reasons their first love has warts on it .
The issue : Rising sea levels . And she was serious
You see , even if the sea level is rising , you don't turn on the first fix button that comes into your panic stricken head .An old button but a highly polished button :
You see , even if the sea level is rising , you don't turn on the first fix button that comes into your panic stricken head .An old button but a highly polished button :
But then you must realize why the common sense filter is not operating . ABCchurch is in full swing the spokesman is only doing what decades of ignorant advisers have been doing ; saying that " Sure -government is always the solution " ;
Its Gospel in the church of Saved by Change Alone receiving the highest honor yet again from the ageing and ineffective fanatical Fabians still on the drip feed in Labor and media. "Government is always the solution- it has been the one and only Savior for all of them who can't fund their passions elsewhere"
Lateline runs the same Worry brigade item on the basis of " new research " ( Adjective "new"should be a reason to bin it but the worshipful brigade see it as symbol of the Gospel )
Its Gospel in the church of Saved by Change Alone receiving the highest honor yet again from the ageing and ineffective fanatical Fabians still on the drip feed in Labor and media. "Government is always the solution- it has been the one and only Savior for all of them who can't fund their passions elsewhere"
Lateline runs the same Worry brigade item on the basis of " new research " ( Adjective "new"should be a reason to bin it but the worshipful brigade see it as symbol of the Gospel )
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
All about Eve
EVE .....who thought she had a right to know everything ;
Jennifer Byrne is write about one thing. Books can provide relief . Beyond that thought she fails to see the point . That there is no good in writing if there is no good and no evil-- only the endless flight into fantasy
Thus her careless play with the seven deadly sins leaves her in a snake pit with all the asps spitting their venom against good at us .The snake smiled rememember as he said " you know better than most" ---- and nothing really good to say about why Hamlet is a really good play and most of her facsinations and gibes at those who love good , empty and facile.
Sloth she thinks must have its good side especially cause you are not actually commissioning anything - shes been to church; she thinks ommission is deep theology but like many who have been, its innoculated her at really understanding why sin is such an exciting and powerful subject .( because we best avoid it and repent of it - none of that at the ABCTV - we're positivists and determined to recolour the image pink and smile while we do what the rest of the world does; justify own indifference to others and the deep hurts .
Suffice to say that she misses the point it trying to be positive and light about sin .
The deadly disease of indifference ( amongst its many synonymns ) is not menationed by her or any of her guests , Its ok not to care ; just to sit around and solve the worlds problems on the TV without ever going anywhere. ,
Rationalism would make a much better faith if God didn't actually restrict what we see .
Tuesday, May 06, 2014
Why is the creative arm of our ABC so often depressing
ABCTV in particular . So what do you think ? maybe we should listen to one outsider who reported and wrote very well about his own industries fanaticism .
“We were anti-industry, anti-capitalism, anti-advertising, anti-selling, anti-profit, anti-patriotism, anti-monarchy, anti-Empire, anti-police, anti-armed forces, anti-bomb, anti-authority. Almost anything that made the world a freer, safer and more prosperous place, you name it, we were anti it.” Antony Jay Author of " Yes Minister" talking about the atmosphere in the BBC thirty years ago .
The big question for participants and observers and the ABC board in particular . is whether there is any progress or recognition of this stale old highly reactionary position.
How to get out of the hole? - the only way is to go back out,, the way those affected came in. Will the board allow them to keep digging or give someone who doesn't go to the same church, a decent go ?
“We were anti-industry, anti-capitalism, anti-advertising, anti-selling, anti-profit, anti-patriotism, anti-monarchy, anti-Empire, anti-police, anti-armed forces, anti-bomb, anti-authority. Almost anything that made the world a freer, safer and more prosperous place, you name it, we were anti it.” Antony Jay Author of " Yes Minister" talking about the atmosphere in the BBC thirty years ago .
The big question for participants and observers and the ABC board in particular . is whether there is any progress or recognition of this stale old highly reactionary position.
How to get out of the hole? - the only way is to go back out,, the way those affected came in. Will the board allow them to keep digging or give someone who doesn't go to the same church, a decent go ?
Monday, April 21, 2014
Keep the heretics out of church
RE Qanda tonight
To Tony Jones 's credit, he let the man speak .( Brendan O'Neill) And not before time
To Tony Jones 's credit, he let the man speak .( Brendan O'Neill) And not before time
- The left has thought it has the territory of righteousness to itself
- The State has no answer to save people who are labelled bad -- and is getting more and more fanatical in denial of its impotence .
- The Left is not credible to just call its household members "good ".Left is totally missing he point of the law and its workability ( need a moral sense so it has momentum) .
- The Hope of the Left ( The State) is a false hope . The State, as Brendan said, is our new enemy and the new god of the left and the Greens.Its powerless doesn't stop the dummies spending all out taxes chasing the illusive keys to no new kingdom.
- The divorce between the left and the greens has not yet happened because neither of them have left the chapel. "Whats natural is good' being universally adopted rubbish is the same idea |which gives even the right the right to do what they like.
- The left should only be embarrased that its leaders( who claim to represent lots of christains ) don't even know that Easter is about (esp Bob Carr) ; Justice ( and how the concept can possibly be valid in the universe ) , How can West continue if it ditches THIS dichotomy thats worked to prevent bitching and badmouthing in reasonable balance for just a few millenia? Oh yeah it worked the Labor party wouldn't need government funds to promote its dying empty facade of a a working philosophy ( get real boys - Brendan is at least thinking !)
- The left should be embarrassed that Tonys collection of them are so divided and ignorant of ideas other than those claimed in their manifesto ("logic is god" and my logic about how it works beats yours)( science is NOT their trade -- just a value word to most of them - not something they practice-- science has far more complex form of logic and allows for revision! There concept allows for no such division .
- The left don't even know the implications and dangers of holding a simple view of libertarianism .See Radio Nationals ABC white paper !!!!
A bit of thinking outside the square might help them see why they think so much like the Libs and The Greens---- who they assume they despise . Bedfellows and they don't even know it .The danger is if politics too as Brendan implied is widely dogged by misanthropy the whole place is probably in denial about it . Not my church thanks ! We have as Tony so often says "moved on "from that ! So should you.
Monday, April 07, 2014
How rich are we really ?
RE Didn't Tony Jones have a lovely time in church in Shanghai last night ?
According to leading spokesman on ABCTV ( Tony Jones , Alan Kohler ) we are very rich . Not only that we are want the world to have more of our wealth .Here" have democracy" Tony says .We will help you conduct elections (pity we couldn't care less in full practice whether it will do any good) As Kaplan says in his interesting book on substance, rhetoric, real drivers and dumb ideas ,The West often ignores the claims of more discerning thinking; Congregation on qanda proclaimed in church this monday " the rest of the world will one day evolve into the best way ( our way )"
Bracken too warns of our ignorance and arrogance as nationalism in others is only increased by our own weakness of will and intellect .Like Chamberlain before him ,Jones proclaims the the new peace in our time by ignoring the crime . They want what we have, but never paid for ( or forefathers did )or will they ever ? Can't bear watching the dummies on TV offer their simple version of democracy and watching the mature Chinese members of the panel so clearly reject it .It may not look like imperialism to Tony but its a t least close to patronising nonsense from the pulpit -- they sort of said so .
As Laplan says we persist in the wromg things ; we continue to pretend that 'where they are ' is "in a retrograde past that our idea of economic and socail progress moves us beyond" ; the inspirational idea that we are evolving to a better future has always been in history a myth that makes for war .
Best to ditch the word evolve and talk of reform - drop the appealing idealogical drivel that makes us feel better today , but drives the shock of tommorrow .
We are not rich if our kids aren't getting what we had , If what I just said is true, the risk of denial and fanaticism in church is real
Our children are not being educated and not going to get careers like we did as a result of our parents foresight into bigger picture ecomia ; They had, and rightl celebrated, determination and focus( they saved rather than celebrated how much there homes were worth)
What do we celebrate? Do we not celebrate dissipation ,careless talk of democracy( Tony was warned several times by the Chinese who are rightly sick of the West's shallow preoccupation with their idea of numbers and mere talking( =democracy? how dumb! -
We can't wait to talk of how we are selling more wheat and beef even though we still don't pay our farmers enough to pass the lifestyle onto their children . We glory in the value of our houses , the wonder of our wines, the better margin we extracted out of the poor , but the walls of our fortresses are not straight . Mere money won't support buildings whose foundations that are only skin deep; whose riches are no longer the rights and responsibility of everybody in the household. We maybe personally rich , but what is that when we could still be commonwealth rich?
The world is not waiting for democracy, it is waiting for strong leadership. The abcchurch doctrine of democracy is rejected outside of church. Its a shallow concept of democracy where every one has a say but only dinasaur driven consensus must "evolve" the way with niceness (" aren't we a friendly country "Q&A last night ) the theme .Oh dear !Aussies are the innocents - anyone looking outside in will tell you that !
The Parties are so dumb, ignorant, careless and hypocritical on this that they all talk of jobs - not careers. Anyone watching would think we we were on a treadmill .
The proverb says it well ( Prov. 4:7 ) Pay the price for real wisdom - it's worth everything . It's what makes one really rich......Commonwealth rich.
According to leading spokesman on ABCTV ( Tony Jones , Alan Kohler ) we are very rich . Not only that we are want the world to have more of our wealth .Here" have democracy" Tony says .We will help you conduct elections (pity we couldn't care less in full practice whether it will do any good) As Kaplan says in his interesting book on substance, rhetoric, real drivers and dumb ideas ,The West often ignores the claims of more discerning thinking; Congregation on qanda proclaimed in church this monday " the rest of the world will one day evolve into the best way ( our way )"
Bracken too warns of our ignorance and arrogance as nationalism in others is only increased by our own weakness of will and intellect .Like Chamberlain before him ,Jones proclaims the the new peace in our time by ignoring the crime . They want what we have, but never paid for ( or forefathers did )or will they ever ? Can't bear watching the dummies on TV offer their simple version of democracy and watching the mature Chinese members of the panel so clearly reject it .It may not look like imperialism to Tony but its a t least close to patronising nonsense from the pulpit -- they sort of said so .
As Laplan says we persist in the wromg things ; we continue to pretend that 'where they are ' is "in a retrograde past that our idea of economic and socail progress moves us beyond" ; the inspirational idea that we are evolving to a better future has always been in history a myth that makes for war .
Best to ditch the word evolve and talk of reform - drop the appealing idealogical drivel that makes us feel better today , but drives the shock of tommorrow .
We are not rich if our kids aren't getting what we had , If what I just said is true, the risk of denial and fanaticism in church is real
Our children are not being educated and not going to get careers like we did as a result of our parents foresight into bigger picture ecomia ; They had, and rightl celebrated, determination and focus( they saved rather than celebrated how much there homes were worth)
What do we celebrate? Do we not celebrate dissipation ,careless talk of democracy( Tony was warned several times by the Chinese who are rightly sick of the West's shallow preoccupation with their idea of numbers and mere talking( =democracy? how dumb! -
We can't wait to talk of how we are selling more wheat and beef even though we still don't pay our farmers enough to pass the lifestyle onto their children . We glory in the value of our houses , the wonder of our wines, the better margin we extracted out of the poor , but the walls of our fortresses are not straight . Mere money won't support buildings whose foundations that are only skin deep; whose riches are no longer the rights and responsibility of everybody in the household. We maybe personally rich , but what is that when we could still be commonwealth rich?
The world is not waiting for democracy, it is waiting for strong leadership. The abcchurch doctrine of democracy is rejected outside of church. Its a shallow concept of democracy where every one has a say but only dinasaur driven consensus must "evolve" the way with niceness (" aren't we a friendly country "Q&A last night ) the theme .Oh dear !Aussies are the innocents - anyone looking outside in will tell you that !
The Parties are so dumb, ignorant, careless and hypocritical on this that they all talk of jobs - not careers. Anyone watching would think we we were on a treadmill .
The proverb says it well ( Prov. 4:7 ) Pay the price for real wisdom - it's worth everything . It's what makes one really rich......Commonwealth rich.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
ABC comedy? --they just don't get it do they ?
I have quoted Ustinov on this page before so I won't bore you with the same same old stuff.
The ABC are certainly trying - Wednesday nights and the comedy festival - a budget to kill for .
They clearly need to take a different approach. And no quick fix - a paradigm shift no less.
What's seems to preventing them finding the light is they don't believe in the light . As traditional reactionaries it has to be dark . T heir predictable doctrines of " how to do things " is under threat and they don't wanna give it up. they like to pull things down . Cut off the tall poppies ;forget any reason and rely on the body . They could be serious for a change but that would involve pulling the head out and looking around.
It could be that their faith in mere progress is failing and they can't be serious because they simply haven't been into that - its been a no go area for decades . The war is on everything - and especially the past .
Thankfully some young people are sick of the dark side of everything and some oldies in the audience recognise the fanaticism in their current approach .
The unhumourable church leaders can't see why the glass isn't half full any more and why the hyped up optimism of giving "everyone a break" ( from persnal challenge unless they aren't close to you ) isn't working outside the church.
The people need some light relief - traditional trained view is that you find it by being honest and truthful - esp with your self . Make a start
Sunday, December 09, 2012
The modern disconnect - Talking and Action
The tragic death of a nurse in London this week cannot be attributed solely to coincidence. We haven't been thinking clearly about others and we have ignored some principles that were once more clearly observed in our code and society .Maybe we are all to blame for not sitting on careless talk ?
60's reactionaries have managed to convince themselves that they are progressive. Despite all the flags flown with " morality is bunk" when they were young , they don't really reject morality, they just see themeselves as "improving" on it .The high price of the imprcatical is the price they pay for their new religion.
The evidence for this they still go to church and they still defend those who go to that church . Rules are important to them . The rules of AbcCHURCH - PROGRESSIVE
The question then that both conservatives and radicals might ask is " where is the evidence that you really have improved or progressed the moral order "? . Progressives pulpit sermons talk about increasing tolerance and humor in religion and the high tea sessions are filled with conversations about that very subject .Having a laugh at others expense has been a good part of Aussie humour. No place for raps over the knuckles when humour is in such short supply ( see Ustinov's wise framing concept below) tempting thought .
Progressive religion in ABCTV --- Chasers lead the way
The war on everything , rather than resisting temptation , is the legacy of the libertarians; but is it progress? The eight commandment condemns the sacrifice of a persons reputation and our laws support the principal.
We can't broadcast everything we hear in the real world, but some in the ABC think they can be cause its no longer heresy to say so . Its fun doing what none else does . Like filming people nude and them doing and saying embarrassing things . Very height of humor for some, to bring down others
The previous principles
You can't even record something that some one doesn't agree for you to record so that's how important our recent history made it .
The death of a nurse in London this week cannot be attributed just to coincidence .Thinking people can pick the danger while others chose to ignore it . Sense of shame/ pedantry in the chair and the press/ desire to care turned upside down / rule of law is more right than rule of faith . Thinking people have been telling the ABC that , while they may not be breaking the law they are trying to make new law. Being in the ABC seems to mean at times that are the law and maybe even above the law ;Chasers haven't had to defend their position to millions of people who teach their children not to just blirt out whatever they think is funny or ridiculous.
Category errors commonplace Worshipers at the shrine of technofix think just labelleing the new fix will solve the problem . If its guns or alcohol - just ban them they say . ( partial solution maybe) Trouble is such simple stupidity doesn't work and worse , sends the problem underground ( se next post on truth and open truth ) . Its simple stupid because some our thinking forefathers were smart enough not to box the problem up in a technology- to be happy with just a box . The car. the TV the Inernet are not wrong in themsleves ( its HOW they are used ) .
You and I were made to be free , Its not eating fruit that's wrong its eating the fruit of the wrong tree that's wrong . Its not technology that creates evil , but how you/ we / men use it that creates evil .To deny this is to lie to ourselves and project the problem to a place where it may not fit .( sin is "missing the mark" ) Its not wrong to " have a go" at someone but it maybe be wrong if you choose to have ago at the wrong person at the wrong time for the wrong reason ( HOW we use technology ) - very few clear boxes in the best kind of free world.
This aussie humor thing
Making fun of each other can be OK. its an Aussie thing but anyone in media and position of power must THINK even more than we outta 121 about what they are doing . Under old principles the law is no protection. Neither is talking ever disconnected from action . The use of the word " word " is powerful right through our intellectual and faith history .
No excuses - we are all adults here
"I did nothing wrong "the sheep bleet each week.( Do they like the Pharisees of old think the Law is their protection ? ) In the old tradition the service always begins with confession . Who can see his faults excepet to listen to the careless tongue fires of others . What's old can become new again --That would be real progress.
60's reactionaries have managed to convince themselves that they are progressive. Despite all the flags flown with " morality is bunk" when they were young , they don't really reject morality, they just see themeselves as "improving" on it .The high price of the imprcatical is the price they pay for their new religion.
The evidence for this they still go to church and they still defend those who go to that church . Rules are important to them . The rules of AbcCHURCH - PROGRESSIVE
The question then that both conservatives and radicals might ask is " where is the evidence that you really have improved or progressed the moral order "? . Progressives pulpit sermons talk about increasing tolerance and humor in religion and the high tea sessions are filled with conversations about that very subject .Having a laugh at others expense has been a good part of Aussie humour. No place for raps over the knuckles when humour is in such short supply ( see Ustinov's wise framing concept below) tempting thought .
Progressive religion in ABCTV --- Chasers lead the way
The war on everything , rather than resisting temptation , is the legacy of the libertarians; but is it progress? The eight commandment condemns the sacrifice of a persons reputation and our laws support the principal.
We can't broadcast everything we hear in the real world, but some in the ABC think they can be cause its no longer heresy to say so . Its fun doing what none else does . Like filming people nude and them doing and saying embarrassing things . Very height of humor for some, to bring down others
The previous principles
You can't even record something that some one doesn't agree for you to record so that's how important our recent history made it .
The death of a nurse in London this week cannot be attributed just to coincidence .Thinking people can pick the danger while others chose to ignore it . Sense of shame/ pedantry in the chair and the press/ desire to care turned upside down / rule of law is more right than rule of faith . Thinking people have been telling the ABC that , while they may not be breaking the law they are trying to make new law. Being in the ABC seems to mean at times that are the law and maybe even above the law ;Chasers haven't had to defend their position to millions of people who teach their children not to just blirt out whatever they think is funny or ridiculous.
Category errors commonplace Worshipers at the shrine of technofix think just labelleing the new fix will solve the problem . If its guns or alcohol - just ban them they say . ( partial solution maybe) Trouble is such simple stupidity doesn't work and worse , sends the problem underground ( se next post on truth and open truth ) . Its simple stupid because some our thinking forefathers were smart enough not to box the problem up in a technology- to be happy with just a box . The car. the TV the Inernet are not wrong in themsleves ( its HOW they are used ) .
You and I were made to be free , Its not eating fruit that's wrong its eating the fruit of the wrong tree that's wrong . Its not technology that creates evil , but how you/ we / men use it that creates evil .To deny this is to lie to ourselves and project the problem to a place where it may not fit .( sin is "missing the mark" ) Its not wrong to " have a go" at someone but it maybe be wrong if you choose to have ago at the wrong person at the wrong time for the wrong reason ( HOW we use technology ) - very few clear boxes in the best kind of free world.
This aussie humor thing
Making fun of each other can be OK. its an Aussie thing but anyone in media and position of power must THINK even more than we outta 121 about what they are doing . Under old principles the law is no protection. Neither is talking ever disconnected from action . The use of the word " word " is powerful right through our intellectual and faith history .
No excuses - we are all adults here
"I did nothing wrong "the sheep bleet each week.( Do they like the Pharisees of old think the Law is their protection ? ) In the old tradition the service always begins with confession . Who can see his faults excepet to listen to the careless tongue fires of others . What's old can become new again --That would be real progress.
Friday, November 16, 2012
We just don't listen to the ABC much anymore
Whether its Jon Feine, Epstein, ABC TV predictable non comedy , Twitter and by line cut brigade ( esp on weekends ), Q&A ,news cuts on Israel ( we get bombs OUT but not bombs IN) or any number of ABC program s we just switch off and talk to each other , look up something else or use Iview. Take ABCenvironment ---reactionary and out of control.Some programs are fine --however.
Typical government service of our day - slow lumbering , self referencing and insensitive. Busy trying to sound like they are doing what they are increasingly not doing ( representing thinking people- representing leaders and the real innovators and prophets ); The ABC are increasingly NOT representing thinking people properly , those who can see the increasing fanaticism and patronising nonsense of some of Australia's most important minorities ( farmers , deep thinkers , true entrepreneurs and innovators,scientists who spent their critical decades studying- not talking to the media)
If the ABC continues to appeal to the common denominator and the quick fix, it will just get lost in the common mass - with not enough direct accountability (as with commercial media) to keep it totally honest ( truly representing and not editorializing ( even Neil Mitchell can do a better job on something Feine thinks he knows something about )
Part of the Government is dead risk that rightly featured in the recent USA elections?
Typical government service of our day - slow lumbering , self referencing and insensitive. Busy trying to sound like they are doing what they are increasingly not doing ( representing thinking people- representing leaders and the real innovators and prophets ); The ABC are increasingly NOT representing thinking people properly , those who can see the increasing fanaticism and patronising nonsense of some of Australia's most important minorities ( farmers , deep thinkers , true entrepreneurs and innovators,scientists who spent their critical decades studying- not talking to the media)
If the ABC continues to appeal to the common denominator and the quick fix, it will just get lost in the common mass - with not enough direct accountability (as with commercial media) to keep it totally honest ( truly representing and not editorializing ( even Neil Mitchell can do a better job on something Feine thinks he knows something about )
Part of the Government is dead risk that rightly featured in the recent USA elections?
Thursday, November 15, 2012
ABC Judge and Jury
Heard the strangest thing yesterday . The ABC was provided with a specific document justifying the stand of the Catholic church as if it was the adjudicator of a debate our forefathers would clearly say that should be left to the Royal Commission and the courts .
Subtle, but serious problem of perspective .
Sure its Ok to provide perspective but really the real issue is this . The church dares to try and look after children noone else does, so they can never meet the expectations of the standards brigade at ABCchurch. I won't listen to their pontifications till they do a four corners on the subject and put it in context .
If we really think children's interest are important they should not be left to the quick fix of TV and media angst .
Just how mi focused this attempt to trap the devil could be in highlighted by the naive and misguided false expectation that a ,or any, Royal Commissions will , by their very nature , solve the problem of child abuse . Nearly as dumb as thinking churches are the only ones trying to pick up the pieces of o mum or dad .
I mean like the RC will solve the problems of the department of human services in each State -
How Much DHS would give for the TV solution - if it worked !
Subtle, but serious problem of perspective .
Sure its Ok to provide perspective but really the real issue is this . The church dares to try and look after children noone else does, so they can never meet the expectations of the standards brigade at ABCchurch. I won't listen to their pontifications till they do a four corners on the subject and put it in context .
If we really think children's interest are important they should not be left to the quick fix of TV and media angst .
Just how mi focused this attempt to trap the devil could be in highlighted by the naive and misguided false expectation that a ,or any, Royal Commissions will , by their very nature , solve the problem of child abuse . Nearly as dumb as thinking churches are the only ones trying to pick up the pieces of o mum or dad .
I mean like the RC will solve the problems of the department of human services in each State -
How Much DHS would give for the TV solution - if it worked !
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Junior school ABC
To be fair the congregation is a mixed one and they are unified in believing the truth is being told . When the whole truth and nothing but the truth is not being told some just wouldn't know .
Some of those older leaders whose only audience would ever be at the ABC need to either leave or let some one else lead . For many of them leading has turned into preaching - a kind of fanaticism from the front.
Take the endless repeats of false idols and imagery on ABCTV todayhttp://meredescription.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/abctvs-reputation-on-downhill-slide.html
Monday, June 18, 2012
The real trouble with religion
is when it has no sense of humor .Even when the mood is humorless ,the pewsitters seem to remain loyal following around the leader who can and would change the world. " why doesn't anyone believe the redhead? " they say.
The growing fanaticism of the leaders seems to go unnoticed by the INSIDERS as they attempt to prove that their god can do the impossible . the leaders constantly talk up the impossible; 'the changing of culture; the brilliance of her economic policy '. god deniers are said to be relentless negative when much of what the public and they are doing is rejecting the god assumptions in the highly promoted doctrines of salvation.and damnation .
Qanda tonight broke free of the shackels and had some great humor .Schmidt set the scene by saying what every mental scientist knows - every serious scientist has faith .
. The new religions could do with a dose of free thinking. Emma asked the redhead if her attitude appeared a little smug( promoting eco policy in particular) .Right on
You can't criticize someone you worship can you Mr Hildebrandt. As mr Schmidt said "you gotta choose who you would put your faith in because god holes are part of the mind framing business" .
Ustinov ( and i think Schmidt ) would know why humor broke out in the crowd on qanda . Its time the pew sitters did
The growing fanaticism of the leaders seems to go unnoticed by the INSIDERS as they attempt to prove that their god can do the impossible . the leaders constantly talk up the impossible; 'the changing of culture; the brilliance of her economic policy '. god deniers are said to be relentless negative when much of what the public and they are doing is rejecting the god assumptions in the highly promoted doctrines of salvation.and damnation .
Qanda tonight broke free of the shackels and had some great humor .Schmidt set the scene by saying what every mental scientist knows - every serious scientist has faith .
. The new religions could do with a dose of free thinking. Emma asked the redhead if her attitude appeared a little smug( promoting eco policy in particular) .Right on
You can't criticize someone you worship can you Mr Hildebrandt. As mr Schmidt said "you gotta choose who you would put your faith in because god holes are part of the mind framing business" .
Ustinov ( and i think Schmidt ) would know why humor broke out in the crowd on qanda . Its time the pew sitters did
Monday, October 10, 2011
De ja vu
Some ABC Journos might get a bit worried this week --when their own wisdom reflects the reactionary and finally island like logic of Margaret Mead this week See here quickfiz.blogspot.com
One thing many Journos refuse to believe about themselves is that they are religious. They see themselves as anything but. The tell us what scientists say - well what do psych scientists say about the universality of faith systems ? Does it take one to know one? If you ignore reality ,does the unreality come back to haunt you ?There is none so blind as one who 'sees ' the problem in another, but not see it in themselves . Alternatively , maybe there is something in the water out there ?
This perspective does not come from those journos call "religious" but those who study the human condition .
One thing many Journos refuse to believe about themselves is that they are religious. They see themselves as anything but. The tell us what scientists say - well what do psych scientists say about the universality of faith systems ? Does it take one to know one? If you ignore reality ,does the unreality come back to haunt you ?There is none so blind as one who 'sees ' the problem in another, but not see it in themselves . Alternatively , maybe there is something in the water out there ?
This perspective does not come from those journos call "religious" but those who study the human condition .
Monday, June 20, 2011
The old foggies at qanda want to watch out for those prepared to question
qanda tonight .
Did you notice the young geek who dared to speak heresy in church last night - couldn't close him down even with an angry boy. (" don't look at me" the blessed saint of ABC gen Y said)
The Heretic used that word Liberal, and without hestitation qualification or cynicism - and the congregation's mouths dropped - how dare he ! The point is, he wasn't advocating one party over another , just truth telling and seeking proper scientific discussions - something that ABCTV will go into history celebrating kindergarten level engagement on. If you are not a scientist stop telling us what we think or alternatively, "what poor scientists we must be ". What would U know really ?
The Heretic used that word Liberal, and without hestitation qualification or cynicism - and the congregation's mouths dropped - how dare he ! The point is, he wasn't advocating one party over another , just truth telling and seeking proper scientific discussions - something that ABCTV will go into history celebrating kindergarten level engagement on. If you are not a scientist stop telling us what we think or alternatively, "what poor scientists we must be ". What would U know really ?
Wednesday, June 08, 2011
Guilt,Original Sin, Denial and Redemption are back
Careless theologians might celebrate that , at last , the ABC has brought Guilt, Original Sin and Denial aback into the conversation . Perhaps not so much the word "guilt "( still forbotten ) , but certainly the feeling of it. The PM qanda and Broadcasters preach righteousness with an urgency unheard of in their youth . The feeling is clearly that "we are all sinners and carry a burden of guilt" ..... it is in the headlines and the words of our leaders ; " its the right thing to do " the word "should ". They want to change the word but keep the sense of it - how plagerisiic and non like author like they are
BUT ,Like the worst kind of church , its the kind of sermon where the sinners are outside and the righteous are inside . The righteous being absolved by riding bikes and recycling rubbish. The members inside claim those outside are in denial of the truth ..... but who knows . The real truth maybe not said or said openly ( why do churches have a box for confession )- it may until dealt with remain denied or hidden. It could be that the insiders are higher up some righteous ladder, but who would know ? Who cares and why ?
But , no reason for complacency or ignoring the facts - penance is no substitute for proper payment . The big theological question is not how much I sin compared to how much you sin ( typical cheap grace scenario) but whether by breathing or farting, we all sin. The key question is how to take it and deal with it .
The reality is, if carbon dioxide is the worry they say it is , we are all in the shit as it were .Original Sin is back - with a vengeance. And the return of OS is making people nervous about all sorts of things they weren't previously worried about - like eating meat and killing animals. If footprint is the issue , then we all share the blame . As for guilt ,you don't hear the word ,but you smell it in the wind .Powerful if not directional .( the reactionaries biggest problem is they can't nail the future )
The popularity of the carbon tax is understandable in this moral context . But is the CT a substitute tax , a token tax or a proper payment or purchase or redeeming tax?
One thing is clear ; there is a lot of tokenism in the temple taxes, and not much true reconciliation- of who pays. This is the dumb debilitating nature of the discussion so far - it doesn't take "meeting the mark" to its logical conclusion PERSONAL responsibility accountability and effectiveness. No other way ! Also if you go into the cul de sac one way there is no option but to back out (rep ere)
Whatever happened to the Liberals love , not of temple tax, but "user pays" - its much more truly liberal in philosophy , substance and sustainability than their dumb worship of the market.
Good theology would for clarity sake say, clearly that , "while original sin exists , the only way to tackle sin productively is to target particular sins and pay the full cost price for each of them ( only suspect economists advertisers and polys would say otherwise .....but they appear to have their sway) . A CT will not pay full price - its a token tax , and worse still it doesn't target the real sinners - only big sinners will pay ( whatever that means - biggest thing in town will be environment court) . And while maid Julia's men will rob everyone, good people will receive a handout and .....bless the pope . ( So like dream, its not really funny ....is it? ) do ( predictably it is going to build the god of government ) but which more prerogative and focused taxes like full taxes have been doing ( and should still do )
The real test of a good tax is whether it works to give both effective use of taxes and yields an acceptable level of reconciliation- but without the high and irrational cost of penance . The CT is trying to do lots of things ----including plain tokenism and irrational guilt mediation .
More people are going to church but are they leaving with a blessing!
Sound doctrine can do what its always done - set a workable framework for thinking about life and its challenges.
BUT ,Like the worst kind of church , its the kind of sermon where the sinners are outside and the righteous are inside . The righteous being absolved by riding bikes and recycling rubbish. The members inside claim those outside are in denial of the truth ..... but who knows . The real truth maybe not said or said openly ( why do churches have a box for confession )- it may until dealt with remain denied or hidden. It could be that the insiders are higher up some righteous ladder, but who would know ? Who cares and why ?
But , no reason for complacency or ignoring the facts - penance is no substitute for proper payment . The big theological question is not how much I sin compared to how much you sin ( typical cheap grace scenario) but whether by breathing or farting, we all sin. The key question is how to take it and deal with it .
The reality is, if carbon dioxide is the worry they say it is , we are all in the shit as it were .Original Sin is back - with a vengeance. And the return of OS is making people nervous about all sorts of things they weren't previously worried about - like eating meat and killing animals. If footprint is the issue , then we all share the blame . As for guilt ,you don't hear the word ,but you smell it in the wind .Powerful if not directional .( the reactionaries biggest problem is they can't nail the future )
The popularity of the carbon tax is understandable in this moral context . But is the CT a substitute tax , a token tax or a proper payment or purchase or redeeming tax?
One thing is clear ; there is a lot of tokenism in the temple taxes, and not much true reconciliation- of who pays. This is the dumb debilitating nature of the discussion so far - it doesn't take "meeting the mark" to its logical conclusion PERSONAL responsibility accountability and effectiveness. No other way ! Also if you go into the cul de sac one way there is no option but to back out (rep ere)
Whatever happened to the Liberals love , not of temple tax, but "user pays" - its much more truly liberal in philosophy , substance and sustainability than their dumb worship of the market.
Good theology would for clarity sake say, clearly that , "while original sin exists , the only way to tackle sin productively is to target particular sins and pay the full cost price for each of them ( only suspect economists advertisers and polys would say otherwise .....but they appear to have their sway) . A CT will not pay full price - its a token tax , and worse still it doesn't target the real sinners - only big sinners will pay ( whatever that means - biggest thing in town will be environment court) . And while maid Julia's men will rob everyone, good people will receive a handout and .....bless the pope . ( So like dream, its not really funny ....is it? ) do ( predictably it is going to build the god of government ) but which more prerogative and focused taxes like full taxes have been doing ( and should still do )
The real test of a good tax is whether it works to give both effective use of taxes and yields an acceptable level of reconciliation- but without the high and irrational cost of penance . The CT is trying to do lots of things ----including plain tokenism and irrational guilt mediation .
More people are going to church but are they leaving with a blessing!
Sound doctrine can do what its always done - set a workable framework for thinking about life and its challenges.
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