Understanding the complex relationship between Zionism, Zionists and Jews seems to defeat many of Israel’s critics in articles and opinion pieces. This article explores Zion and its connection to land and to Judaism and its more modern day forms. Continue reading »
Culture and Religion
In addition to physical or psychological abuse, bullies use power in relationships to pressure others to adopt their world views. The bullying may appear in letters, lobbying, radio and television interviews, secret meetings with politicians and business leaders and even in legal action against those who criticise the bullies’ points of view. As we write, Continue reading »
The Albanese Government’s apparent unwillingness to properly implement the recommendations of the Parliamentary inquiry into online gambling is, as the Alliance for Gambling Reform puts it, ‘bitterly disappointing’ in the view of St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia. Commenting on media reports suggesting the government will only respond half-heartedly to the Parliamentary Committee’s report “You win Continue reading »
Truth /truːθ/ noun the quality or state of being true. a fact or belief that is accepted as true. Even the definitions of truth are hedging bets. A fact is something which can be demonstrated as true and seen as such by more than one individual. A belief is not necessarily a fact but an Continue reading »
Following the 7 October Hamas outrage Australia has been suffering an outburst of race and religious hate. Lawyer Jillian Segal has been made a “special envoy” to counter antisemitism. A similar appointment is expected to confront Islamophobia and challenge the alleged linkage of Muslims with extremism and terror. Indonesia has more citizens following Islam than Continue reading »
What is social cohesion and who is responsible for achieving it? The Scanlon Monash Index of Social Cohesion identifies five indicators : Belonging and the importance of maintaining pride in the Australian way of life Worth and satisfaction with financial situation and happiness Social justice, equity and trust in the Australian government Participation as a Continue reading »
In recent weeks there has been talk of the prospect of a Muslim party being formed to contest the next federal election. The prime minister has responded by saying he did not want Australia to go down the road of faith-based political parties. Since then, several commentators have mentioned that Australia has been down that Continue reading »
As Australian citizens, Muslims, albeit a small percentage of the total population, living in this democracy have the freedom and the responsibility to be true to their principles when engaging in politics and standing up for justice. In fact, this role has been made easier by the growth of alternatives to the major parties. In Continue reading »
Racism arrived with the First Fleet. It’s had time to put down very deep roots.. Continue reading »
“I want my tenderness back…Give me back that soft, sacred part of myself that weeps at the corpses of children, so I can Behold the world gently again…” – Caitlin Johnstone Even in difficult times, Compassion is the sustaining ethic for all major faith traditions and underpins civilised living in our democracy. Our various forms Continue reading »