Dear runner,

This gives a straight answer:

http://www.theconversation.com/explainer-what-indigenous-constitutional-recognition-means-31770

There's more on the web that you can Google for yourself.

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Dear Foxy,

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You quoted C.S. Lewis, who wrote:

« I believe in Christianity as I believe
that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because
by it I see everything else »
.

To employ that well-known expression of Saul of Tarsus, C.S. Lewis is “looking through a glass darkly” (1 Corinthians 13: 12-13). By observing what he refers to as “everything else” through the lens of Christian dogma, he is getting a distorted image of reality.

No need for a lens of religious beliefs. Don’t you think ? Far better to look at “everything else” as it really is - with the naked eye. More chance of seeing the truth that way. Isn’t there ?
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On the subject of the existence of Jesus of Nazareth. At the time he was purported to have lived, Jesus was a very common name, like John today. There were many Jesus. But there seems to be some doubt as to whether the village of Nazareth existed. Some say it did but it was uninhabited. Some say it was in Galilee. Some say it was in Judaea. If it did exist and if it was inhabited, there were probably several Jesus of Nazareth. But did any of them lead the life of the person described in the New Testament ? Did it all happen to the same Jesus or were there several Jesus from the same village involved ?

For some reason, best known to himself, C.S. Lewis obviously believed that the village of Nazareth did exist at the time and that at least one of the Jesus who was probably born there lived the miraculous life of the person described in the New Testament.

I think you are right, Foxy, Saul of Tarsus’ explanation is probably the most plausible : C.S. Lewis must have been “looking through a glass darkly”.

Here is some speculation on the village of Nazareth where Jesus is said to hail from :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazareth#Roman_Empire_era

P.S. : I don't see the connection with the Aborigines. Your conversation with Runner is confusing.

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Dear Banjo Patterson,

I responded to runner's earlier post on the issue
of the Constitutional recognition debate of
Australian Aborigines. We had been discussing this
issue in another discussion. I think that runner
posted on this thread in error. However, I chose
to respond to him here as well. I apologise for the
confusion caused.

Thank You for the link and for taking the time to respond
in such an interesting way. I have found that my
religion has brought me great comfort in times of crisis.
I believe in what Christ teaches. I think that there
are still gaps in our understanding that science can never
fill. On the ultimately important questions - of the
meaning and purpose of life and the nature of morality.

I think that few citizens would utterly deny the possibility
of some higher power in the universe, some supernatural,
transcendental realm that lies beyond the boundaries of
ordinary experience, and in this fundamental sense religion
is probably here to stay.

Foxy,
Welcome back, I am sure you will add some interest to this forum.

You and I will have some differences but I intend to start with a clean slate and look forward to reading your comments. If you are quoting some other person, don't forget to acknowledge that.

By the way, I support Voluntary Euthanasia, with adequate safeguards.

How is your personal health going these days? Take it easy.

Dear Banjo,

Thank You so much for your kind words.
It very lovely of you.

I know that we have had our differences in the past and
I now feel that it was definitely my fault -
For which I apologise unreservedly.

I intend to be more even handed in the future.
After all this is a discussion forum and a variety of
opinions should be welcomed. Words do hurt.
Also, I shall acknowledge all of my sources and not take for
granted the fact that posters will remember ones given previously.

Sorry.

cont'd ...

In all honesty I still don't know what to think
about voluntary euthanasia. I keep changing my mind.
I find it so complex - and with my mum going
downhill one day, and better the next - doesn't make
it easy. Safeguards in place? Yes definitely!

My own health is taking it one day at a time. I'm in
pain - can't sleep most of the night (a few hours is
what I get) hence the forum helps.

Thanks for caring.