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Section: Religion

  • RELIGION

    Nonconformist Aussie anticipates traditional Greek Easter

    • Gillian Bouras
    • 17 March 2008
    3 Comments

    In the Orthodox Church, Lent is a fairly strict period of austerity, which is one reason for Carnival: traditional societies have long understood that sessions of high spirits are needed before and after difficult times. They are also undisturbed by the blurring of the sacred and the secular.

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  • RELIGION

    Owning responsibility with honest answers

    • Andrew Hamilton
    • 13 March 2008
    8 Comments

    It may be tempting to believe that the 4WD we were driving while talking on our mobile phone has bumped over a wombat. Responsibility involves upfront acknowledgement of the negligent behaviour that has caused suffering to others.

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  • RELIGION

    Civil disobedience a democratic safeguard

    • Frank Brennan
    • 07 March 2008
    8 Comments

    Last month, members of the Pine Gap Four 'citizens inspection team' were acquitted in a Darwin court. Parliamentary committees, juries and the citizen's right to civil disobedience are necessary safeguards for liberty when government is tempted to use the legal sledgehammer to crack the nut of political dissent.

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  • RELIGION

    Towards a church apology for gay prejudice

    • Donal Godfrey
    • 03 March 2008
    21 Comments

    Clergy signatories to the 100Revs Statement of Apology to the gay community took part in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras on Saturday. Many Christians long for their churches to be places of welcome for all people and commit themselves to pursuing this goal.

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  • RELIGION

    Feeling good about feeling guilty

    • Andrew Hamilton
    • 28 February 2008
    4 Comments

    Although feeling guilty is commonly associated only with worthlessness, it comprises a variety of feelings. Some are appropriate and helpful after we have acted wrongly, and may lead us to remedy in some measure what we have done.

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  • RELIGION

    Fidel's unfinished business with the Church

    • Chris McGillion
    • 21 February 2008
    3 Comments

    Cuba’s post-Castro leadership will need to come to terms with the fact that the revolution cannot answer all of life’s questions and that religion in general — and the Catholic Church in particular — has a legitimate role in supplying its answers without interference from the State.

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  • RELIGION

    Stolen Generations apology 'about right'

    • Frank Brennan
    • 14 February 2008
    17 Comments

    Most indigenous Australians appreciated Labor's wide consultation. Some were angered by elements of Brendan Nelson's speech. But he did well do bring the Liberal and National Parties with him, ensuring they did not rain on the national parade as they had in 1988 and 1997.

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  • RELIGION

    Apology a reminder that sin is social

    • Andrew Hamilton
    • 13 February 2008
    15 Comments

    Some Australians still believe it unreasonable for anybody to expect them to take responsibility for the wrongdoing of past generations. In the Christian tradition, the prophets did not simply sheet home blame to officials responsible, but imputed it to the whole people, who would also suffer the consequences.

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  • RELIGION

    Now is the moment for political leadership

    • Frank Brennan
    • 06 February 2008
    8 Comments

    Even senior traditional hard men of the Liberal Party like Bill Heffernan and Shane Stone have indicated that it is time to act. It is time for Brendan Nelson to draw the line so that we can move on, committed to reconciliation and improvement in Aboriginal health, education, and life expectancy.

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  • RELIGION

    Cricket viewed from the Tower of Babel

    • Andrew Hamilton
    • 31 January 2008
    7 Comments

    Tuesday was being described as cricket's "day of shame" following the Harbhajan Singh verdict. A look at the Tower of Babel encourages us to ask whether the problem is that technological changes have distorted the human relationships on which cricket relies.

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  • RELIGION

    Different song, but new Jesuit leader 'on message'

    • Andrew Hamilton
    • 29 January 2008

    Recently elected Jesuit Superior General Fr Adolfo Nicolás briefed journalists earlier this week. While a comparison with a recent speech of Pope Benedict points to a difference in method, there is a singleness of purpose.

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  • RELIGION

    Hip-pocket implications of real jobs in remote communities

    • Frank Brennan
    • 09 January 2008
    3 Comments

    We are now entering a new phase in Aboriginal policy. It is not just about protecting the children, and the latter phase will challenge taxpayers. Real jobs and real services don't come cheap in remote Australia, regardless of the community's racial identity. From 22 August 2007.

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