Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has highlighted serious flaws in the New South Wales Government’s Anti-Discrimination Amendment (Religious Vilification) Bill 2023 (the Bill). The Bill seeks to include religious vilification as an offence under the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act 1977. Under the Bill, it would become unlawful to publicly invite hatred towards or severely ridicule a person or group because of their religious belief, affiliation or activity.
Spreading respect, joy and love, in the name of religion
Last month one of the most renowned global personalities associated with Buddhism and a quite frequent visitor to Sri Lanka, Ven. Ajahn Brahmavansa Maha Thera, spent 9 days in Sri Lanka.
Ven. Ajahn Brahmavamso Thera (Peter Betts in lay life, from Perth) was educated at Cambridge University after winning a scholarship to study theoretical physics.
“A mind that has meditated for half an hour is a clear mind. From such a mind, creative ideas flow freely. This is why global companies are now integrating Buddhist meditation to work life and creating comfortable halls in offices to meditate in.”
Archbishop Makarios of Australia Addresses Drug Abuse
SYDNEY – June 26 has been designated by the United Nations as a day for informing and raising awareness about drugs, a major scourge of modern society. Archbishop Makarios of Australia devoted a homily to this serious topic. The Archbishop said:
“Data published by the international organization regarding the spread and consequences of the trend overwhelms people’s hearts with feelings of profound pain.
“Every day, more than 1,350 of our fellow human beings pass away from drug abuse.
Tasmania: Meet the Westerners finding belonging in Islam, the world’s fastest growing religion
A few weeks ago, about 100 Muslim brothers surrounded father and schoolteacher Lincoln Randall at Launceston’s Masjid Mosque as he took his Shahada — a statement of faith taken on entry into the religion.
But if you’d told him six months ago that he’d become a Muslim, he said he probably would have laughed.
Born into a non-practicing Protestant family, Mr Randall said that while he always believed in God, Christianity just didn’t sit right with him.
Brisbane: Holocaust Museum Opens
Holocaust survivor Peter Baruch is seen inside Queensland’s first Holocaust Museum and Education Centre in Brisbane, Friday, June 30, 2023.(AAP Image/Darren England)
The new Queensland Holocaust Museum, the state’s first museum to be dedicated to the Shoah opened on Friday, June 30, honouring more than 200 Holocaust survivors who made Queensland their home.
For Our Elders: Embracing NAIDOC Week
For our elders, in honor, we stand tall,
Their wisdom echoes, guiding us all.
In gratitude, their legacy we embrace,
Their timeless teachings, a cherished grace.
Observing NAIDOC Week
From 1940 until 1955, the Day of Mourning was held annually on the Sunday before Australia Day and was known as ‘Aborigines Day’. In 1955 ‘Aborigines Day’ was shifted to the first Sunday in July when it was decided that the day should also become a celebration of Aboriginal culture as well as a day of protest. Major Aboriginal organisations, as well as state and federal governments, all supported the formation of the National Aborigines Day Observance Committee (NADOC).
As awareness of the distinct cultural histories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples grew, NADOC was expanded to recognise Torres Strait Islander people and culture. The committee then became known as the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC).
Amid Australian ban on Nazi symbols, Asian faith groups seek to reclaim the swastika
A ban on Nazi symbols is now being introduced at a federal level.
Legislators are targeting and banning the use of the Nazi hakenkreuz or hooked cross to spread hate.
The Hindu, Jain and Buddhist communities say education is key to misunderstandings about the swastika.
Gender-Attentive Religious Freedom Advocacy
A recent report from the Stefanus Alliance argues that men and women experience religious persecution differently and, therefore, religious freedom advocacy needs to have greater gender awareness.
Victorian Anti Semitism Report
The Victorian Anti Semitism Report examines the key incidents, trends and ideologies driving the growth in antisemitism, which is becoming more threatening and visible, and also reviews the key far-left and far-right groups operating in Victoria, the impact of Covid-19 on these organisations and their leaders in Victoria and nationally. Finally, the report describes, in general terms, the state of rising antisemitism globally to provide the direction in which Australian and Victorian antisemitism may be heading.
Unity, Compassion, and Devotion: Unlocking the Message of Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha, a cherished holiday celebrated by Muslims around the world, finds its roots in a profound religious account embedded in the teachings of Islam. When asked about the origin of Eid al-Adha, the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad, is reported to have said, “It is a tradition that has come down to us from Ibrahim (Abraham).” This statement highlights the sacred lineage of this observance, tracing back to the revered figure of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham).
From war to peace
Bishop Philip Huggins writes, “We have to keep creating the spaces where dialogue about peace building becomes possible. The resolution of conflict is always relational, at every level. People have to meet and listen. There has to be time to patiently deal with mistakes and misunderstandings. Everything else, including the crucial tasks facing the next UN COP28 to prevent catastrophic climate change, is contingent on cultivating better relations between international leaders. There are no short cuts. These people must meet and lead us away from further tragedy.”
