I think one of the major developments in state and society was the separation (or limitation) of the role of the monarchy and/or religion on the affairs of the state (nation).
As Tony Abbot has just found out, and Paul Keating regularly reminds us — the idea of fighting for a distant king/queen (and for that matter something called God) is not really the stuff of modern man and woman in Australia; and I would think of most countries that were traditionally Christian.
It may tug the heartstrings of some reactionaries, but I doubt any of them would actually have the stomach to go to war to defend God and King/Queen.
Interesting pearshaped, especially when Catholic Bishop Belo won a Nobel peace prize in 1996 (with Ramos Horta) for their works towards a peaceful resolution in Timor.
But who is to say that remains permanent and indeed more than a comment box is required.
In the meantime, let’s use these comments box to understand the links between religion and violence in Southeast Asia.
Several countries in Southeast Asia have been successful — in my view — precisely because they have managed to delink religion from violence.
“Tunjukkan kepada mereka jalan yang Maha Kuasa, dan mereka akan gentar, seperti meninggalkan di atas sebatang pokok telah tumbang ….”
“Show them the way of the Almighty, and they will tremble, like leaves on a tree that has fallen ….”
Gentleness and ungentleness in Islam are, as is the case for any belief system, two sides of the same coin. The capacity to do good in Islam, is not totally dependent on the intervention of non-mortal forces, despite the prevalence of some fatalistic thinking in Islam. When asked why he saved the life of four French Jewish shoppers in a Kosher market in Paris, that were recently subjected to violence by Muslim extremists, the Muslim store worker, from Mali, replied:
“Je n’ai pas aider ces gens parce que j’étais un musulman; Je leur ai sauvé parce que je suis un ├кtre humain, comme eux…”
“I did not help these people because I was a Muslim; I saved them because I am a human being, like them…”
Perhaps he is being too humble; perhaps not. But like the fallen tree with dying leaves trembling in the wind, one can bemoan the fact that the tree has fallen, or one can celebrate the fact that the tree is one of many such trees, in the universe, and no force of nature states that they all must fall at once.
England has an established religion, where the Queen is the head of the Church of England, and 26 bishops have seats in the House of Lords where they can vote on legislation.
Do you know of any Christian country today (other than the Vatican) i.e. where Christianity or Catholicism has a formal role in matters of state or where the Bible is the basis for its Constitution, or where the priests have formal powers in governing matters of state?
Just because present atrocities reflect a way of life interrupted by the colonial west and cold war policy do not justify humanity that has progress to tolerance.
Nothing can justify beheading or other forms of torture practiced only in Islamic countries.
The only point that these public published atrocities made is “Nothing is below WHAT is shown”. That itself deserve immediate condemnation.
Yes, this is an interesting oversight within this good piece and I am reminded of George Galloway’s (MP for Bradford West) recent speech in the Houses of Parliament, and how are own UK parliamentarians can be extremely ahistorical in their sense of responsibility (and now apportionment of blame) for the unfolding of events in Syria and Iraq and the rise of ISIS:
One should also not forget Bush and Blair’s religious affiliations and overt/covert proselytization in all this. Is there an equivalent to the Chilcott enquiry being carried out in Australia I wonder?
I agree that an inquiring mind along with access to information will see the demise of islam. It’s just a question of time.
The reason for this belief is simple: the religion cannot stand up against logical argument along with scientific findings offering credible, evidence based, explanations for phenomenon the koran claims to explain. Even a brief study of the koran reveals a host of absurdities and contradictions.
When asked of his opinion after observing the situation on the ground, he says “I even heard the allegation that foreign aid is being used to build roads that facilitate the conduct of military operations”. In this case, Simpkins probably wasn’t pleased when Ms Bishop, while on a three day tour to Myanmar, announced an increase in Australian aid ($24.5 million) to Myanmar.
Simpkins has been an advocate for democracy in Myanmar for some time now. On 25 June 2012, he wrote a letter to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, inviting her to his electorate. He wrote, “in my Federal electorate of Cowan I have hundreds of Burmese and tribal refugees who would greatly appreciate the opportunity to hear you speak and if possible to pass on their best wishes” (http://www.lukesimpkinsmp.com/community/burma/).
Mr Simpkins is right, that “there is still dissent, there are still issues with the military moving and oppressing people in ethnic states of Burma”(http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-12/an-myanmar-eyes-constitutional-reform/5316120) Yes, it’s important for Australia to keep engaged with Myanmar in its current state of political development. Let’s see what happens after Tuesday’s spill, and how the situation pans out for Bishop and Simpkins’ trip.
Fancy that when China seems to be wooing the Dalai Lama themselves. Makes you wonder if the Chinese are learning from their Burmese paukhpaws from across the border how he could prove as useful as the Lady to suit their own agenda rather than carrying on forever regarding His Holiness persona non grata.
Facebook 
Twitter 
Soundcloud 
Youtube 
Rss
A rage against history
Noted RN England.
I think one of the major developments in state and society was the separation (or limitation) of the role of the monarchy and/or religion on the affairs of the state (nation).
As Tony Abbot has just found out, and Paul Keating regularly reminds us — the idea of fighting for a distant king/queen (and for that matter something called God) is not really the stuff of modern man and woman in Australia; and I would think of most countries that were traditionally Christian.
It may tug the heartstrings of some reactionaries, but I doubt any of them would actually have the stomach to go to war to defend God and King/Queen.
A rage against history
Hi Greg,
These days their influence seems limited, but they are part of a powerful reactionary package, “Nation, religion, and King”.
A rage against history
Interesting pearshaped, especially when Catholic Bishop Belo won a Nobel peace prize in 1996 (with Ramos Horta) for their works towards a peaceful resolution in Timor.
But who is to say that remains permanent and indeed more than a comment box is required.
In the meantime, let’s use these comments box to understand the links between religion and violence in Southeast Asia.
Several countries in Southeast Asia have been successful — in my view — precisely because they have managed to delink religion from violence.
Democratic values and human rights in ASEAN
“Democratic values and human rights in ASEAN”
remains very much an oxymoron.
A rage against history
Closer to home the Majelis Rakyat Papua has reps appointed on the basis of religion, including Protestant Ministers.
The machinations of the Church in East Timor require more than a comment box. Would they go to war if they don’t get their own way? Oh yes
A rage against history
Thanks RN England.
Would the Queen of England or England go to war today to defend the Church of England?
Southeast Asian Islam, gentle and ungentle
There is an old saying:
“Tunjukkan kepada mereka jalan yang Maha Kuasa, dan mereka akan gentar, seperti meninggalkan di atas sebatang pokok telah tumbang ….”
“Show them the way of the Almighty, and they will tremble, like leaves on a tree that has fallen ….”
Gentleness and ungentleness in Islam are, as is the case for any belief system, two sides of the same coin. The capacity to do good in Islam, is not totally dependent on the intervention of non-mortal forces, despite the prevalence of some fatalistic thinking in Islam. When asked why he saved the life of four French Jewish shoppers in a Kosher market in Paris, that were recently subjected to violence by Muslim extremists, the Muslim store worker, from Mali, replied:
“Je n’ai pas aider ces gens parce que j’étais un musulman; Je leur ai sauvé parce que je suis un ├кtre humain, comme eux…”
“I did not help these people because I was a Muslim; I saved them because I am a human being, like them…”
Perhaps he is being too humble; perhaps not. But like the fallen tree with dying leaves trembling in the wind, one can bemoan the fact that the tree has fallen, or one can celebrate the fact that the tree is one of many such trees, in the universe, and no force of nature states that they all must fall at once.
The changing face of Xanana Gusmao
[…] As foreign media recasts Timor-Leste’s Xanana Gusmao from darling of democracy to potential despot, it’s time to re-examine the myth surrounding the ‘poet’ politician, write Angie Bexley and Maj Nygaard-Christensen.http://www.newmandala.org/2014/12/12/from-poet-to-despot-the-changing-face-of-xanana-… […]
A rage against history
England has an established religion, where the Queen is the head of the Church of England, and 26 bishops have seats in the House of Lords where they can vote on legislation.
A rage against history
Just wondering Imran,
Do you know of any Christian country today (other than the Vatican) i.e. where Christianity or Catholicism has a formal role in matters of state or where the Bible is the basis for its Constitution, or where the priests have formal powers in governing matters of state?
A rage against history
Just because present atrocities reflect a way of life interrupted by the colonial west and cold war policy do not justify humanity that has progress to tolerance.
Nothing can justify beheading or other forms of torture practiced only in Islamic countries.
The only point that these public published atrocities made is “Nothing is below WHAT is shown”. That itself deserve immediate condemnation.
Australia’s leadership spill, with a Myanmar twist
Yes great story.
‘Australia and Myanmar signed a MOU yesterday that will make a serious contribution to Myanmar controlling it’s borders’..
.. wrote the Oz late last year with photo of grinning Morrison shaking the hands he hopes to grease enough to take back Rohingya refugees.
Border security obviously not tight enough yet to keep Simpkin out.
So, the Coalition sucks up to the Myanmar Gov and supports armed rebels at the same time?
If this story has legs Bishop may lose more than a pearl earring.
A rage against history
Yes, this is an interesting oversight within this good piece and I am reminded of George Galloway’s (MP for Bradford West) recent speech in the Houses of Parliament, and how are own UK parliamentarians can be extremely ahistorical in their sense of responsibility (and now apportionment of blame) for the unfolding of events in Syria and Iraq and the rise of ISIS:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-aVD42HuHI
One should also not forget Bush and Blair’s religious affiliations and overt/covert proselytization in all this. Is there an equivalent to the Chilcott enquiry being carried out in Australia I wonder?
A rage against history
I agree that an inquiring mind along with access to information will see the demise of islam. It’s just a question of time.
The reason for this belief is simple: the religion cannot stand up against logical argument along with scientific findings offering credible, evidence based, explanations for phenomenon the koran claims to explain. Even a brief study of the koran reveals a host of absurdities and contradictions.
Australia’s leadership spill, with a Myanmar twist
Simpkins woz ‘ere.
A DKBA (Democratic Karen Benevolent Army) colonel said to the Burmese regime, “Do not regard students like armed rebels”.
Australia’s leadership spill, with a Myanmar twist
More on Mr Simpkins’ trip in Myanmar can be found in this interview (http://www.irrawaddy.org/interview/burma-long-way-go-really-democratic-nation.html) with The Irrawaddy (Thursday 4 February). Simpkins explains there are many Karen in his electorate of Cowan (http://www.lukesimpkinsmp.com/).
When asked of his opinion after observing the situation on the ground, he says “I even heard the allegation that foreign aid is being used to build roads that facilitate the conduct of military operations”. In this case, Simpkins probably wasn’t pleased when Ms Bishop, while on a three day tour to Myanmar, announced an increase in Australian aid ($24.5 million) to Myanmar.
Simpkins has been an advocate for democracy in Myanmar for some time now. On 25 June 2012, he wrote a letter to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, inviting her to his electorate. He wrote, “in my Federal electorate of Cowan I have hundreds of Burmese and tribal refugees who would greatly appreciate the opportunity to hear you speak and if possible to pass on their best wishes” (http://www.lukesimpkinsmp.com/community/burma/).
On 27 May 2013, Simpkins delivered a speech in the Australian Parliament’s House of Representatives, outlining his concerns of the political situation in Myanmar (http://www.lukesimpkinsmp.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/27.05.2013-Burma.pdf).
Mr Simpkins is right, that “there is still dissent, there are still issues with the military moving and oppressing people in ethnic states of Burma”(http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-12/an-myanmar-eyes-constitutional-reform/5316120) Yes, it’s important for Australia to keep engaged with Myanmar in its current state of political development. Let’s see what happens after Tuesday’s spill, and how the situation pans out for Bishop and Simpkins’ trip.
Soldiers with democratic hearts?
China has in fact found religion in their own inimitable materialistic way. The US must be pleased to find in the Burmese generals the classic combination of religion and staunch anti-communism still alive and well, never mind the brutal crackdown of the Saffron Revolution in 2007, or the more true to formimminent crackdown of the student protestors marching to Rangoon from all cardinal directions alleging communist infiltration, naturally.
Soldiers with democratic hearts?
Fancy that when China seems to be wooing the Dalai Lama themselves. Makes you wonder if the Chinese are learning from their Burmese paukhpaws from across the border how he could prove as useful as the Lady to suit their own agenda rather than carrying on forever regarding His Holiness persona non grata.
Australia’s leadership spill, with a Myanmar twist
“Rambo” was there as well (at least in a movie!)
Australia’s leadership spill, with a Myanmar twist
Thanks for including a credit for Steve Sandford’s great pic and Fairfax in Olivia’s story.