Australians are backing a federal plan to toughen the law against hate speech in a bid to shield minority groups from attack, as 57 per cent of voters perceive there has been a rise in racism because of the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
‘What would the Bible say’ about religious family violence, victims wonder
The author of a new paper by the Australian Institute of Family Studies says religious or spiritual abuse is more common than most people realise, is under-researched and often involves religious teachings being used to justify control, manipulation, coercion or other intimate partner violence, or to ridicule victims to destroy their confidence.
Everything that matters: Marilynne Robinson’s book on Genesis teaches us how to talk about God
Australians love a long weekend, and our longest long weekend is this week’s. I don’t hear anybody complaining about having Friday and Monday off, but Easter itself — apart from a few chocolate egg hunts — goes little marked now in Australia. Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday: these are like way markers on what used to be a main road but has been much quieter since they built that bypass.
Listening to Country: An Indigenous Theology and Spirituality series
There is much wisdom, knowledge, and direction for living to be discovered in listening to country. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in these lands now called Australia know this and seek to live deeply connected to country and to share that knowing with others.
This 3-part series explores, breaks open some of that wisdom and knowing. It offers an invitation to walk with and learn from Aboriginal presenters who will share a variety of perspectives that come from their lived experience, their research and their integration of Christian theology with indigenous spirituality.
What is the religious discrimination debate about?
The federal government is threatening to pull promised religious discrimination reforms to protect LGBT students and teachers.
The government wants assured bipartisanship, but the Opposition says it is hard to support legislation it hasn’t seen.
Liberal MPs have asked to be shown the bill so they can consider whether it is worth supporting.
Vatican’s 2024 message for Ramadan encourages working together for world peace
The Vatican Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue releases its annual message for the Islamic month of Ramadan, urging all religious believers to extinguish “the fires of hatred, violence and war, and instead light the gentle candle of peace.”
“The trials of life bring you closer to the faith again”
Finding your way back to yourself and to God, doing good, appreciating the community: four Muslims in Germany explain what the fasting month of Ramadan means to them and why they would rather not have to keep explaining themselves over and over again!
Letter to my Muslim and Jewish Sisters and Brothers in Australia
The Director of the Columban Centre for Christian-Muslim Relations has written a letter to Muslim and Jewish sisters and brothers in Australia standing in solidarity with all victims, Israeli and Palestinian, Jew, Muslim, and Christian.
From esotericism to embodied ritual: Care for Country as religious experience
In an academic paper, it is shared that Aboriginal spiritual psychology begins from an appreciation of intentional and practical connection with the living systems of Country and kin. They draw on cases from Dadirri and other stories to describe Aboriginal contemplative practices as being conscious of our mutual vulnerability with the living cosmos.
The invitation of Divine love: How the spiritual aspirations of Ramadan can participate in the healing of the world
The Islamic holy month of Ramadan holds a place of unrivalled significance in the lives of Muslims throughout the world. Beyond its rituals of fasting and prayer, Ramadan ideally serves as a transformative period for believers to draw closer to the Divine.
I believe that a fuller understanding of the concept of Divine love — particularly as understood in process-relational theology — can facilitate this goal of increased closeness or proximity (taqrib) to God.
68th Session on the Commission on the Status of Women
The 68th Session on the Commission on the Status of Women – an event auspiced by the United Nations – will focus on accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective. This guide is provided by the Justice Coalition of Religious.
Pacific voices on climate
In Conversation with Pacific voices on climate: Registration is now open for the Edmund Rice Centre’s upcoming webinars in March-April 2024. H.E Anote Tong – Pacific climate advocacy – emerging priorities: Friday 15 March, 1:30 pm (AEST) … Reverend James Bhagwan – climate and faith in the Pacific: Tuesday 2 April, 6:30 pm (AEST)
