tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post382062244430592220..comments2024-02-17T17:59:25.010+10:00Comments on Christian Writers Downunder: Help! I might be accidentally racist!Jeanette O'Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-40569660631995005932013-06-13T12:01:03.619+10:002013-06-13T12:01:03.619+10:00Massive post Meridith!
I will keep my reply simpl...Massive post Meridith!<br /><br />I will keep my reply simple: As soon as people turn away from what Jesus was and behave in opposition things don't operate as God intended. Jesus lived within the custom laws of the day but demonstrated no division in race and opposed man-made religion. This was our example. <br /><br />You also said an unassuming key thing: through Jesus AND the Holy Spirit. Spirit-led decision is God inspired and soul-led resolution can be in opposition. We need to see people through God's eyes not through race, colour or any other dividing factor.<br /><br />Blessings,<br />Kayleen<br />Kayleen West - Children Author/Illustratorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18102357041523253163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-13672712930334338242013-06-06T09:54:28.383+10:002013-06-06T09:54:28.383+10:00I enjoyed your post, Meredith, because I have been...I enjoyed your post, Meredith, because I have been confused lately over what is our Aussie Larrikin culture and what is racism. In our culture we are big on nicknames - a lot of the time relating to where our families have come from. These names could be classed as racist, or bullying, but during war time these same men who gave these nicknames all fought and died for each other, with no sense of racism at all. So I have to wonder where our cultural tendencies fit in to the racist debate. I must say that I really don't know. Rose Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00916783669139743112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-43948649734400872472013-06-02T19:53:17.916+10:002013-06-02T19:53:17.916+10:00Wnderful post and great comments above. You're...Wnderful post and great comments above. You're sure to pass with with an A, Meredith.Rita Galiehhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14586506137798711397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-72087805471389171482013-05-29T19:21:57.345+10:002013-05-29T19:21:57.345+10:00When I was at Sovereign Hill recently, we attended...When I was at Sovereign Hill recently, we attended a mock anti-Chinese rally in the theatre. The actors spent a lot of time before their act explaining that their stances represented attitudes prevalent at the time (which was the same time period you mentioned above, Meredith), but I still felt really horrible and awkward sitting there when some Chinese tourists walked in once it was already underway. I wished they'd heard the disclaimers at the beginning. I also couldn't help feeling how convincing the main speakers would have sounded to listeners of their day, and wondered how we would have taken it.<br />Hope you do well in the exam :)Paula Vincehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02079952414990463270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-74226040178765616502013-05-29T17:55:44.614+10:002013-05-29T17:55:44.614+10:00On another note, while the wrongs of British (and ...On another note, while the wrongs of British (and other European) colonialists powers are often highlighted today (rightly so) - what is often glossed over is many of that contributions made. I think Vishal Mangalwadi is an interesting thinker in that subject - in his books Truth and Transformation http://www.amazon.com/Truth-Transformation-Manifesto-Ailing-Nations/dp/1576585123 and The Book that Made the World http://www.amazon.com/Book-that-Made-Your-World/dp/1595555455. <br /><br />Thanks for a great post Meredith - some really good thoughts :)Jeanette O'Haganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-30621616494266833152013-05-29T17:19:17.892+10:002013-05-29T17:19:17.892+10:00A very thought-provoking post Meredith. I find it ...A very thought-provoking post Meredith. I find it can also be difficult to walk the politically correct line sometimes, while staying true to Biblical principles. I had a friend once who did a theological degree at a liberal American seminary that had strong feminist leanings and he came out the other end feeling that he had to apologise for being a white male. It turned him off Christianity rather than inspiring his faith. A great case of "what would Jesus do?". As an aside, I teach social psychology and it just so happened that the last lecture yesterday was on prejudice and discrimination. We talked about a lot of things - Stolen Generations and the national apology, as well as discrimination based age, gender, sexuality, religion and disability. Numbers always drop off by the end of the semester because so much material is available online. When I got to the tutorial after the lecture, the only attendees were two Muslim girls. They were smiling at me by the end, so it must have worked out okay, but an interesting situation to be in. Hope you breeze the exam.Nola Passmorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08425394685430146759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-56924728727666763482013-05-29T17:14:09.414+10:002013-05-29T17:14:09.414+10:00Hi Meredith
I can only agree with you about the t...Hi Meredith<br /><br />I can only agree with you about the terrible impact social Darwinism had on fueling racism (and also other movements like eugenics, Nazism and even communism - and the resultant forced sterilizations and killings of millions that resulted). Racism and colonialism was present before Darwin published his Origin of the Species (in 1859) - influenced by the Deist's idea of "The Great Chain of Being", the drive to make a profit (the worship of Mammon - as in John Company & Jan Company)as well as the natural ethnocentrism that is present in all cultures. Social Darwinism gave racism scientific justification and made it even more extreme. <br /><br />I also agree that by singling out one group as "racist" tends itself towards racism. One only has to look at what is happening in West Papua (Irian Jaya) or with tribal groups in other areas to realize that racism is not confined to Europeans or the Brits (or the Aussies).<br /><br />I love the biblical picture that we are all ultimately descended from the same parents, that all made in God's image and that as Paul says we are "one blood" and we look forward to the multicultural celebration before the throne of God - when people of every tongue and people group will worship him in love, freedom and truth. Jeanette O'Haganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-48022095158234286272013-05-29T16:42:22.988+10:002013-05-29T16:42:22.988+10:00This whole racism issue is very interesting indeed...This whole racism issue is very interesting indeed. When I was at uni we had an Aboriginal lecturer for one of our law subjects who was so overtly racist against us "white" people that enough complaints were lodged to have this person deposed :) <br />Wish everyone could have the Christian attitude of valuing every other person as God's unique creation. Wish you the best for your exam!!!<br />Margaret Lepkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08147233663724759684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-7396022340713389872013-05-29T16:27:13.839+10:002013-05-29T16:27:13.839+10:00Great post Meredith. I found it very interesting. ...Great post Meredith. I found it very interesting. Yes, the British, the Dutch and the Portuguese invaded and ruled for many centuries in my native Sri Lanka! And now we are undergoing lots of difficulties through our history of being ruled by other nations. Not something to boast about, sad to say.<br /><br />One positive effect of it though is that we were introduced to English, a language I love. So while countries which were ruled by others have had much strife once they left - a cause for raised eyebrows - there is the other side of it - that we could have connections with the rest of the world through our British heritage! :)<br /><br />I agree that it is very sad the church didn't stand up for our Christian beliefs. Thankfully it is not too late. We can turn the tide even now!<br /><br />Thanks for sharing Meredith - it was very informative and encouraging. I will award you with an A for it if you like! :)<br />Blessings,<br />AnushaAnushahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17508779195790570276noreply@blogger.com