J.R.R. Tolkien’s Christian Anarchist stand against the faceless collective and the group-think that controls them
While most of us are fans of ‘The Hobbit‘ and ‘Lord of the Rings‘ novels, some of us probably aren’t as up to date on the rest of J.R.R.Tolkien’s work and thought. The majority would know that he was friends with C.S. Lewis, and was part of the Inklings. An Oxford circle of writers, who would meet on an informal basis in order to compare and critique each others’ writing. The group informally (and unconventionally) included the straight-talking, Dorothy Sayers, and is said to have centred around the groups’ shared Christian faith and Christian values.[note]As presented by Humphrey Carpenter 1978. The Inklings: C.S.…
Pregnancy is now viewed as a sexually transmitted disease. What the gun control debate and abortion have in common.
I once commented on a post put up by a friend, who was applauding the increasing number of people supporting DACA “dreamers”, and gun control in the United States. In the comments section I spoke plainly, saying that abortion has to be part of this debate and that any theologian who support people screaming, “punch a Nazi”, are hypocrites if they don’t include in their outrage, controls on the systematic slaughter of infants whilst they are still in the womb. I did this because as has been witnessed in the latter part of this week people have taken to hashtagging…
Crying wolf about Nazism, diminishes the heinous crime of Nazism and dehumanises others
In August 2016, I posted a quick response to the hysteria surrounding the election of Donald Trump. I headlined that post, ‘Why Trump is Not Hitler, & Why American Evangelicals Are Not German Christians’. My aim was to counter a lot of what I was seeing posted on social media by people who were usually level-headed and intellectually responsible. It was disappointing to see normally sane individuals suddenly join in the anti-trump rants – which really were, I’m angry because the Leftist power structures, and its monopoly on power, has been diminished – tantrums. Worse still, some Christian conservative academics…
Can Ita Buttrose reform the $1billion taxpayer behemoth that is the state-owned ABC?
This week, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that well known, and trusted, Australian media royalty, Ita Buttrose, would be taking on the chair of the Australian Broadcasting Company (The ABC). Her appointment to the chair provides hope for many of Australia’s taxpayers who want to see a return to a fairer, more representative ABC; one that represents Australia, Australian culture, and Australians. In other words, having a National broadcaster, that upholds a healthy Australian nationalism. Buttrose’s statements during the press conference point in this direction. [The ABC] is a voice of the Australian people. I think it reflects our identity,…
Is activist journalism and social media hindering due process and the right to a fair trial?
Regardless of whether the recently convicted George Pell, is innocent or guilty, there is a precedent in the latest Pell case (verdict) that should send a shudder along the spine of every citizen in Australia. Greg Craven, lawyer and columnist for The Australian, explains why. Craven asks whether social media and the MSM had an influence on the juror’s view of Pell. His question is a good one. Is bias in media reporting, and among some officials, responsible for Pell having been convicted of the crime, in the minds of his jurors, before he was even brought to trial? The police and…
Calling out John Wayne is a Smokescreen Designed to Shift Media Attention Away from Jussie Smollett
Media reports are confirming what many have speculated over the past week. American actor, Jussie Smollett has been charged with staging the anti-LGBT, race-hate attack, which he claimed to be a victim of back in January. As this was breaking, Twitter users were worked up into a frenzy over snippets of a John Wayne interview with Playboy magazine in 1971. This resurfacing of Wayne’s, “racist, anti-LGBT remarks”, strangely coincided with the breaking news about Jussie Smollett. While some of the criticism is defensible, the timing of the “news”, and the “viral” reaction to it is a convenient red herring. Why…
Leftist Anti-Jewish Communist Trolls within the U.K. Labour Party Purge Liberal Progressive Non-Conformists.
In what could be labelled, the Left devouring its own, seven U.K. Labour members broke with the party yesterday over concerns about Brexit and what ex-Party member, Luciana Berger called, “institutional antisemitism”. Berger stated that she was “embarrassed and ashamed” of what the U.K Labour Party had now become. According to The Australian’s, Greg Sheridan, the seven M.P. Labour-exit is not unwarranted. Sheridan’s aptly titled piece, ‘Stinging rebuke to a Marxist takeover’,[note]Greg Sheridan, The Australian, Wednesday 20th February 2019 (p.9)[/note] backed Berger and her reasons for the seven M.P. exit. ‘ Jeremy Corbyn, the thirty-six year political veteran, and Socialist,…
No Retreat, No Surrender: Gene Veith on Christian-living in an age of confusion, exile, pagan plurality and postmodernism.
My interest in Gene Edward Veith Jnr’s work began in 2012 after reading ‘Modern Fascism’ (1993). In it Veith shows himself to be a fearless, sharp, forward-thinking academic[note]Vieth is a Lutheran and professor of English.[/note] who isn’t afraid to stick his neck out when presenting sensitive facts. For a scholar, this isn’t just risky, it often means standing alone, on uncomfortable truths, that have either been conveniently buried or ignored. Taking a stand can end in ostracism or excommunication. One potent example is Veith’s thunderous proclamation that ‘fascism is back in academia’.[note]This is of special interest given the 1993 publication date.…
Three voices that shouldn’t be ignored: Peterson, McGrath and Hitchens on faith, society and ideology
There’s no real need to give you a one thousand word commentary on the following lectures. This is because the content in each speaks for itself. I’ve watched all three; each of them reflects what I’ve written about or questioned here and on my other social media platforms. When it comes to anything posted by or about Jordan Peterson, I am a cautious and curious listener. He has a grasp of the major issues that few, including most theologians and pastors, do. That’s a sad indictment, but the reality is most theologians and pastors show up as left-leaning and thus…
Phil Robertson: “The problem is that we’ve pushed God out”
I’m cautious of any and all mainstream news, including that which comes from conservatives. It’s good practice to read between the lines, and really take in what’s being said. Besides that, I do it because I’m no mindless drone. It pays to be informed. Phil Robertson’s points here are excellent. I agree with most of them. I do, however, find myself conflicted about universal health care. The package for any country has to have the right balance. There should be a safety net that doesn’t hinder the free market but ensures citizens get the best care available. While being fully…
Gender Inclusive Scouts of America’s New All-Girl Boy Scout Troop
News that an all new, all-girl, [Boy] Scout group celebrated its first meeting in Wooster, Ohio, has met with justifiable criticism online. The news comes almost a year after the Boy Scouts organization, under pressure from activists, dropped the gender-specific prefix, allowing girls to join. Popular, meme-heavy, Facebook page, Ron Paul’s Bat noted: So you fought to become part of the Boy Scouts, just so you could start you own girl only troop and do things separate from boys? That sounds like girl scouts with extra steps. Comments on Twitter are making the same observations: “Congratulations you’ve made it all…
Don’t believe the Leftist hype. ‘Make America Great Again’ was never about race, colour, or religion.
One of the highlights of State of the Union Addresses, is the build-up and debriefing offered by commentators. Mainstream media “expert” panels have their place, but in favour of a more conversational tone, I prefer to steer away from them. If you’re an Aussie, and are old enough to remember Channel Ten’s excellent, late night program, ‘The Panel’, you’ll know exactly what I mean. One of the better American versions, is the gathering of Daily Wire front-men, and their, all-issues-on-the-board, round table. Although a lot of what Donald Trump said throughout the blockbuster address, was worth a post on its own (particularly…
The solidarity of suffering: From racism to empathy
The solidarity of suffering is a field of mutuality that lies unexplored. It’s all to easily drowned out by the noise and antipathy of protest. The online activity of the masses, from anonymous activist to celebrity conformist, misses the opportunity to untie the tangled pathos that cements individuals into collectives, and brands them as possessions of “party-lines.” Not all human suffering is equal, but all human suffering is equally painful. To exist as if another person has no idea about what suffering is, is to dismiss suffering. Take for example, a family with a history filled with conflict and abuse.…
PragerU’s Uphill Battle Against Censorship As Ads are Permabanned by Spotify
American conservative media organization, PragerU, is facing an uphill battle against an increasing trend towards censorship of conservative content. Founded by Dennis Prager in 2009, and currently run by CEO, Marissa Streit, PragerU provides commentary and information on a wide range of subjects, from prominent thinkers and doers. PragerU also considers themselves to be a platform for the preservation of Judeo-Christian values, and “the concepts of freedom of speech, a free press, free markets and a strong military to protect and project those values.” (PragerU ‘What We Do’) In an official Facebook post from January 26th, 2019, PragerU admins wrote:…
A case against banning Mark Twain’s, ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’
As part of our home-school English curriculum this year, I decided to tackle Twain’s, ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn‘. I’ve read a few of the, for and against arguments on the internet, by writers who either have an higher opinion of themselves (than they do of Twain), or they raise Twain to a higher level, just because he’s Twain. My conclusion is this: forget all the, “I’m offended therefore ban ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’, because Mark Twain uses offensive language.” Then ditch the flip side which says, “I’m offended, because you’re offended, that Mark Twain didn’t consider your feelings, before…
Profiteering from Falsehood: Proof that Leftist Australian media needs a narrative of racism and oppression to stay relevant.
I’m not sure what the online content editor was thinking, but the “KKKennerley” clickbait headline, from Fairfax media (Australia’s biggest Leftist behemoth, outside the bloated solely tax-payer funded, state owned ABC) is ludicrous. This only serves division, and shows that the Leftist cult of modern liberalism in Australia needs a narrative of oppression, racism and bigotry, just to appear relevant. In other words, it serves their system to keep people divided, angry, confused and fear driven; convinced that their “racist white” neighbours are out to get them. What a disgusting headline from Fairfax. If deranged Leftist activists falsely accuse a…
Three Reasons why you should be concerned about Silicon Valley’s Connection to Communist China’s Golden Shield Firewall
If you’re not really into Information Technology and are not aware of what the Golden Shield project is, you’re forgiven. The majority of Chinese people either don’t care or aren’t aware of its existence either. The Golden Shield Project is Communist China’s massive firewall. It’s designed to keep a lid on dissent and ward off foreign influence on Chairman Mao’s, carefully constructed Communist culture, which was largely forced on the Chinese people during the Marxist/Maoist Cultural Revolution.[note]For a full explanation of this, see Jacques Ellul’s, 1965 publication, ‘Propaganda’.[/note] Some basic history: ‘The Golden Shield project has been in development since…
Be a Good Hater: Righteous Anger and the Rule of Christian Love
The provocative quote of the week goes to, Charles Spurgeon: “Be a good hater.” The statement, “be a good hater” is a challenge to resist evil (James 4L7). To resist the morality of the tyrant or the ‘crowd which has no hands’ (Kierkegaard, The Crowd is Untruth)[note]Kierkegaard S. 1847 The Crowd is Untruth sourced from CCEL.org[/note] In context, it means: to abhor evil: to regard it with extreme repugnance. [In Latin, “abhor” is Odium: with hostility; “repugnance”: resist, be an adversary of evil.] Our present age has an almost absolute fear of hate, yet most would agree that “let love be genuine.…
Epiphany 2019: His great joy will be our strength.
Since 2014 I’ve been committed to considering what different things God might have to say at the close of Christmas. Traditionally this is Epiphany, the 6th January, marking the end of the twelve days of Christmas. Magi from the East (Persia), following the star (likely to be the well-timed rare alignment of three planets in our Sol system; a Nova or Super Nova) find confirmation of Micah 5:2: “but you, O Bethlehem who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin…
Convicts arriving in Botany Bay in 1788 is not “Invasion Day,” the Imperial Japanese bombing of Darwin in 1942 is.
Most of Australian history is a neglected subject. That history didn’t end in Botany Bay, 1788, and it’s high points, although they are among them, isn’t just Gallipoli 1915, or in the numerous corrections to sporadic injustices carried out by a Social Darwinist induced indifference towards Indigenous Australians. The significance of the Bombing of Darwin on the 19th February 1942, by over 260 Imperial Japanese aircraft is unjustifiably neglected by politics, politicians, political parties, their pawns in the news media, and in their pawns in the Australian academic industrial complex. The high level of attacks from Imperial Japanese forces on…
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