tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915617830446943975.post5122368089136545039..comments2024-03-30T00:33:32.285+13:00Comments on Anglican Down Under: The politics of hatred are not the politics of Jesus (Monday 8 September 2014)Peter Carrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09535218286799156659noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915617830446943975.post-42719715140492040532014-09-11T11:19:52.738+12:002014-09-11T11:19:52.738+12:00Sadly, the most vociferous about the problems asso...Sadly, the most vociferous about the problems associated with abortion are mostly Roman Catholic. What seemingly is not taken into account is that proper sex-education for young people can be positively helpful in this area - by the provision of efficient contraception.<br /><br />Unfortunately, those who oppose this method if population control (and the sanctity of life) seem to continue scoring 'own goals'. You CAN'T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS!Father Ron Smithhttp://kiwianglo.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915617830446943975.post-86627266821147029102014-09-10T06:47:59.188+12:002014-09-10T06:47:59.188+12:00Yes, the Greens' abortion policy should be dee...Yes, the Greens' abortion policy should be deeply unsettling to any Christian considering voting for that party. It may not, in practice, lead to many more abortions than the 14000 per annum we have now, but symbols matter greatly, and the law is an important one.<br /><br />The silence of the archbishops on the annual death toll of innocent babies disappoints me, even if it no longer really surprises me. Why is the hierarchy so reluctant to provide effective Christian moral leadership on this issue? To do so would no doubt invite controversy - but prophetic leadership often will.Michael Reddellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915617830446943975.post-18845251294212954812014-09-10T06:00:52.006+12:002014-09-10T06:00:52.006+12:00Hi Lucy
The Green's policy on abortion certai...Hi Lucy<br /><br />The Green's policy on abortion certainly does create concerns.<br /><br />If current laws allow abortion up to 20 weeks there is hardly need for a law allowing any abortions except risk to mother and baby past this time. I didn't even realise it was up to 20 weeks - my cousins twins were born at 26 weeks!!<br /><br />I am nuetral whether abortion comes under health or legal systems but advocating for choice without the need for counselling or appropriate medical 'sign off' is irresponsible. What other medical procedure is undertaken without appropriate information or professional opinions? <br /><br />I think the Green's play on the word 'mental health' for when this is used in terms of having to qualify for an abortion for this reason - it is applied in the generic sense (e.g. the individuals do not feel able to cope with having a child in their particular circumstances) rather than they have a mental health disorder. Perhaps this is what needs clarifying.<br /><br />There are already a number of free abortion advice centres that are 'nuetral' (if anyone can really be so) which counsel and provide all information and options, including having the baby and adoption. Although I do not support abortion I think for people who seriously consider this an option such support is a good thing. <br /><br />To apply the use of rights to abortion is also off-track, woman have a right to choose? Actually in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which like human Rights Treaties refer to basic human needs rather than 'choices'; includes for children the Right to Life. In this situation what would apply to women is they have a Right to information and a Right to have their opinion heard as do potential Father's.<br /><br /><br />: ) JeanJeannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915617830446943975.post-74064995174708632762014-09-09T18:26:14.349+12:002014-09-09T18:26:14.349+12:00For sure the Greens have some great policies BUT m...For sure the Greens have some great policies BUT my concern about the Greens is their plan to increase the age at which disabled babies can be aborted. This is the most horrifying policy I have ever seen proposed for NZ.<br /><br />Lucy EbanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915617830446943975.post-85313162095614171412014-09-08T18:17:01.059+12:002014-09-08T18:17:01.059+12:00Oh yes for consultancy but hiring a consultant for...Oh yes for consultancy but hiring a consultant for a year?<br /><br />Hmm cash returns definitely come after a lot of hard slog.<br /><br />If a specific governments policies lead them to favour specific business interests I can see conflict of interest there. As when businesses try to influence politician's!<br /><br />With a note of humour my brother when working for a gov't org (long time ago) did one job where he had to take the yellow (the only good part) out of butter in order for NZ to be able to export it the USA. Did you know their butter is white?Jeannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915617830446943975.post-74934580159346284312014-09-08T18:05:35.633+12:002014-09-08T18:05:35.633+12:00No worries, Jean
Briefly: I think $500 per day is ...No worries, Jean<br />Briefly: I think $500 per day is a bit of a standard rate everywhere!<br /><br />I have no problems with government assistance for business, especially through research, particularly via the university system (think especially of Massey and Lincoln re farming; Otago/Auckland re medicine.<br /><br />And the Greens are right to support 'new initiatives' but I wonder if they are overly optimistic about lead times for initiatives to generate decent cash returns. I also worry about govt trying to pick 'winners and losers' re business initiatives.Peter Carrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09535218286799156659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915617830446943975.post-18565031392345939972014-09-08T17:42:11.355+12:002014-09-08T17:42:11.355+12:00My wrong Peter, apologies. And not saying who you...My wrong Peter, apologies. And not saying who you vote for very wise...<br /><br />Yes, I think I could clearly say Internet mana will not be on my list either.<br /><br />With the tax issue I think how public money already obtained is spent - not in terms of social services or general public servants but auditing on the higher echelon needs to be looked at. Recently I became aware of a person who for a year has been a consultant for a government department on $500 a day contract. This seems a little over the top.<br /><br />Government v's business better at creating economic growth. I still believe there is a bit of partnership there. Government's input in the area of research and development and promotion definitely supports business growth and opportunities. Although some companies do R & D, University and government funding help greatly. The revolutionary ball-bearing foundation for earthquake proofing buildings was developed by a scientist at IRL (government institution), Comvita grew out of Waikato Uni etc etc And government promoting NZ through funding of public international events at home and abroad create opportunities for businesses to benefit and keep NZ on the map. <br /><br />The Green's were advocating developing sustainable new initiatives/technology that could be a valuable commodity in the years to come is that right? Some merit there I guess a lot of countries are becoming more aware of sustainability and it is likely to be a growing market share in the future even if doesn't out milk the dairy industry : ) ....<br /><br /><br /><br />Jeannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915617830446943975.post-65729332228132275452014-09-08T15:52:01.729+12:002014-09-08T15:52:01.729+12:00I am not voting National and I am not going to say...I am not voting National and I am not going to say here who I am going to vote for! <br /><br />I am prepared to say that I find much to admire in Labour this time round, but I don't think they are ready for government, either in terms of their leadership team or their policy mix.<br /><br />I am also prepared to say that I will not vote for Internet Mana and go further and say I do not think anyone should vote for that combo as long as Kim Dotcom remained resident in our land.Peter Carrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09535218286799156659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915617830446943975.post-82529506872709000242014-09-08T15:34:28.443+12:002014-09-08T15:34:28.443+12:00I vote for just being at prayer : ) ...
I am glad...I vote for just being at prayer : ) ...<br /><br />I am glad we have a separation between State and Church because I think this allows the church to be an independent voice. <br /><br />My regard for politician's isn't set by Party. For although I wouldn't vote national (sorry Peter) I have always found Chester Burrows to show particular integrity in his work.<br /><br />Just maybe as you hint Peter the role of the church is to encourage a 'different way' to speak out against dirty laundry politics, encourage all those politicians who act with integrity and instigate good policies, and to lead by example (perhaps the hardest of all).<br /><br />But surely you can't vote national : ) you know with asset sales, dubious international aid policies, encouraging mothers to return to work as early as possible.... : ) ...<br /><br />Jeannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915617830446943975.post-48098012521491570022014-09-08T09:01:48.340+12:002014-09-08T09:01:48.340+12:00Hi Michael
Deep within last Monday's post I di...Hi Michael<br />Deep within last Monday's post I did mention it and link to it. (Reference to it was also part of yesterday's sermon!)<br /><br />I am interested in your analysis of what (so to speak) political colour it is. We were once the Tory Party at prayer, then the Labour Party at prayer. Now we may be the Green Party at prayer ...Peter Carrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09535218286799156659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915617830446943975.post-31059225357727380612014-09-08T08:53:06.298+12:002014-09-08T08:53:06.298+12:00I was interested that you chose not to mention the...I was interested that you chose not to mention the archbishops' statement last week on the election. In the issues they highlighted, they seemed to cast themselves - and the Anglican church by implication - as the "Green Party at prayer". One might easily regard each of the issues highlighted as important, and yet still wonder how these church leaders came out so close to the emphases of one particular party.Michael Reddellnoreply@blogger.com