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The Forum > Article Comments > Compassion and the evils of the armchair > Comments

Compassion and the evils of the armchair : Comments

By Donna Jacobs Sife, published 13/4/2006

What exactly are the Christian values that Peter Costello speaks of?

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Donna, very nice, thanks.
Posted by Faustino, Friday, 14 April 2006 8:50:55 PM
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Every city deserves watchmen to its gates, who determine if entrants are friends or foes. This is an act of charity toward the occupants of the city because it secures their safety and wellbeing. Charity is not allowing theives to steal the food and resourses of the city, and burn the city down. Compassion has a mutual response. We feed the illegals entering our doors even if they are our enemies, but we do not let them live within our walls.

Values that bless all men as equal are universal and come from the God who gave life to all persons. Equality is a universal value also identified as a Christian value. [Demonstrated by the apostle Paul's words and in his mission to the Gentiles, 'there is neither Jew or Greek'; 'slave or free'; 'circumcised or uncircumcised'; 'male or female' but all are one in Christ'; see Galatians and Ephesians].

Even Jewish men thank God they were not born a woman; as if they believe women are lesser persons or lesser desireable beings. [I have orthodox Jewish relatives and Rabbi as members of my family and have attended synagogue and heard them pray such]. Islam also does not maintain the principle of equality for every person.
Posted by Philo, Saturday, 15 April 2006 12:14:30 AM
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jewish men thank God for not making them women becuase in the Jewish tradition women asre considered to have an essentially more spiritual nature, rendering them free from the 'obligation' to fulfill certain religious duties ( for them it is a choice, not an obligation). Men say that prayer, because they are grateful to fulfill the requirements of worship. If Christian equality is demonstrated by Paul, in the quote that Philo used, then the implication of being 'one in Christ' could well suggest that if you are not 'with Christ', you are not included...... certainly the 'who gets into heaven' theory of Christianity suggests as much. Finally I have been to Villawood regularly for the passed three years, and I can assure you there is perhaps a feeding of the body, but an utter torturing of the soul. We have a right to decide who comes to live in our country perhaps, but not to act inhumanly. I suspect Jesus would be outraged by the inhuman treatment of asylum seekers. Try as you might, Philo, pitting one religion against another and claiming its superiority is bound to not only cause trouble, but reveal the cultish nature of its writer.
Posted by lyrebird, Saturday, 15 April 2006 9:02:21 AM
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lyrebird,
I also have visited friends in Villawood being deported for overstaynig their visas. These three boys were here from West Papua on student visas but were offered some work by their friend. One had overstayed his visa by a year so he could earn enough money to buy a home when he returned. Another so he could put his brother through university. Another so he could establish a business on his return. All intended to return and I was concerned they return before the expiry of their visa conditions otherwise they would loose all opportunity to return at some later stage. They were all economic opportunists. Yes. They were close friends and two at one stage had lived with me while students.

However we have laws that must be respected and they were arrested and held in Villawood for several weeks before their deportation. They did not even have time to pack up their flat or their personal belongings. Villawood might have some old buildings but the conditions are acceptable for the requirement of detention. When one is in violation of the law one has to expect some disadvantages.
Posted by Philo, Saturday, 15 April 2006 9:36:16 AM
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Donna,

What are the Christian values you expect Christians to have?

First you misquote the scriptures (some research) then you introduce Peter Costello as exhibit "A" for christiantity and Hillsong as a model Church?

Give us a break - just think for a moment where would the world be today if not for Christian Charitable Organisations? (And I am not just talking about money here)

If not for Christian Charity you wouldn't be able to walk in down town Anycity for the bodies will be covering the sidewalks. our social security system (n Oz) will instantly collapse.

Governments better continue to do what they do worst and stay out of Christ's Church. Jesus' Kingdom is above all earthly nations and principalities. So don't confuse the two. I don't know of any Government that is truly Christian - do you?

Jesus did not come to make us healthier or wealthier - but to give us real life - real food, real water, real hope,...

Compassion or charity are just the bi-products (James) of our faith in Him. He said the poor will always be among you...let the dead bury their dead, etc...

It is NOT the giving that makes us better Christ followers (brownie points). But because we follow Him that we want to give and are compelled to tell the best love (compassion) story human kind will ever hear.

We live in a fallen and imperfect world. God is well aware of that. Furthermore He doesn’t expect us to fix it. We are making a real mess of things but he is patient and watchful…

For the Christians this is a rehearsal for the real life eternal in God’s presence. And this is what Jesus was implying in the Matthew text:

Ignore Jesus and he will ignore you when you come to His door and beg Him for entry…

So don’t judge perfection by referring to imperfections.

PS- To Pericles - this is not a cope out mate. There are true Christians and religious people of all sorts. Big distinctio
Posted by coach, Saturday, 15 April 2006 3:32:45 PM
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Pericles... well observed.. (the HillSong charitable activities) which is one reason I continue to enjoy your participation on OLO.. you do seem to have a fair minded approach to most issues.

Our own congregation is sending some of our members to Uganda to build a home in a couple of weeks for some orphans.. They will go at their own expense, offset by any fundraising we can manage in the mean time.

The problem with determining 'Christian' values in relation to assylum seekers is that the easy path is usually taken, and they are all lumped into one basket for convenient promotion of 'Socialist Alliance' or.. "Migration Agent" vested interests.

As Philo pointed out, some he personally knew were in flagrant violation of our known laws, and were subsequently arrested, interned and deported. Nothing wrong with that at all. Were they denied food ? shelter ? were they beaten, bullied and taunted ? I doubt it.
No..they were 'detained' and prevented from conTINuing their illegal stay.

For some reason, those who have 'country shopped' seem to become the most 'promotable' possibly because they have gone the furthest against our laws, and are likely to generate the most publicity as their cases are handled. (i.e. publicity for the Socialist Alliance/Migration Agent/Naive hangers on industry)

Pericles, the words of Jesus may have been passed on by men, but they were passed on very faithfully. Jesus mostly spoke in parables and easy to remember short sayings. No doubt he repeated them many times in his 3 yr ministry, to the point where they became internalized firmly in the disciples memories.

Donna: Israels calling. Isaiah49:6

"I will also make you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth."

Have you, as a Jew been doing this ? if not, why not :)

For the Record.

At last count 81% of views said "Easter has religious significance for them" on a foxtel survey.

Lets go the next step, and make Jesus-The Christ the significant One in all our hearts and minds
Posted by BOAZ_David, Saturday, 15 April 2006 5:34:34 PM
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