Protestantism

» redback - Fair Dinkum

If George Bush turns up 2 days ahead of the planned opening of APEC here, he should be able to catch our State's school Rock Eisteddford where a major act lampoons him...and take it in his stride. But no doubt, he'll be "protected" from it:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/...

Should that performance be toned down or cancelled out of respect for a (in)famous foreigner? No way!
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According to politicians in this election year, Australia is clearly a Christian country and both Prime Minister (Howard) and the wannabee are both "avowed" Christians. Brian...neither claim to be Roman Catholics so the topic relates here? Howard from the political right, Rudd, the blurred left. Howard may be left..right...behind if current polls are accurate.

So, what better way than to sell their Christian credentials than over the internet. It's reported that over 100,000 churchgoers in 700 churches across the country joined in a "live" webcast...apparently making "cyber connectivity and Christian conscience" strange bedfellows.

Twas reported that the fact they both agreed to speak at "this interesting forum" is undeniable proof of one reality - the Christian lobby is now a critical voting entity.

"In a tolerant, pluralist non-exclusive society, the idea politicians need to heed such pressure groups may seem counter-productive to some."
(Daily Telegraph 14/8/2007)

The idea that not one pressure group of any persuasion isn't going to try to bend ears is fantasy. As it is Howard only keeps core promises and Rudd has yet to give us a promise we understand. The Christian lobby may end up just as disappointed as other groups.

Scratch Reverend Fred Nile...and out pops a...politician. Scratch Howard's back...and watch your own.

-- posted by redback

» Brian Tubbs - Billy Graham

In response to Fair Dinkum posted by redback:

The situation in Australia sounds interesting. I regret I haven't followed it very closely. There is a danger when churches and pastors get too wrapped up in politics.

There's an interesting article in the latest Time magazine about Billy Graham. It's based on a book recently out - a book that profiles Graham's relationship with the White House and its occupants over the years. Some of the lessons he learned. Mistakes he made. I will probably pick up a copy. Looks interesting.

» redback - Billy Graham

In response to Billy Graham posted by BrianTubbs:

Pink posted in another topic:

"Are you saying that you would like to do a little brainstorming here, Jeff?. Lay something on us. I'll go with you. You seem to be mostly like an American to me. What do your fellow Ozzies have to say about you?" TIC???

I'll use this topic to attempt something that may incite kind-hearted, if only fleeting interest. ABC

I'm sure the overwhelming majority of my fellow Aussies...pronounced Ozzies...treat me as if I'm the bees knees ie non-existent. I just hold a profound hope for those that I DO know or where our lives intersect, that I'm not annoying most of them, most of the time. I don't aim to be an 'average' Aussie...so maybe that rules out cricket and a love of the FJ Holden...among other things. Certainly, I'm not in sync with most pop quizes and polls.

Evilchihuahua? What's your take on you? Living up there in sunny Queensland, perfect one day, weird the next.

Brian, I recall Billy Graham visiting Australia in the late 60s but don't know if his juggernaut has been since. Fire & brimstone and a foreign-accented shouting delivery. Underwhelmed...sorry. Graham is perhaps unkindly and/or accurately 'deconstructed' here:
http://www.atruechurch.info/graham.html
I don't know but I reckon our pollies ensured they had photo opportunities with him....pretended they were Christian like they do now?? (I remember watching Robert Schuller a few times way back when so how weird am I?)

"There is a danger when churches and pastors get too wrapped up in politics."

What process risks corruption the most? Great salesmen, B-grade actors, crooked lawyers, all end up creating a compromised public persona...in direct competition with the 'good guys'. Visit the Good Guys store sometime.

-- posted by redback

» pink101 - Only In Australia

In response to Billy Graham posted by redback:

.
Crocodile DunDee?
.

.
He came to America and swept our women off their feet with his heroism and sauvity. American men had to crawl away and hide their faces now that women knew what a real man was truly like.
.
Maybe you hadn't noticed how highly you are held by American women?
.

-- posted by pink101

» Brian Tubbs - Billy Graham

In response to Billy Graham posted by redback:

Graham mellowed over the years. In the 50s and 60s, he was fire and brimstone. In the 70s and 80s, less so. In the 90s, he was very gentle and grandfatherly in his delivery.

» redback - Only In Australia

In response to Only In Australia posted by pink101 n Brian:

Hey Pink! Fake media Aussie images like Crocodile Dundee couldn't even be consistently fair dinkum. "Throw another PRAWN on the barbie, not this USA "shrimp" thingo.

And maybe, Brian, I've mellowed over the years too. But your reference to your 'living legend' led me to a site cited above, which is interesting. Did you check it out re its take on linking Bible verses-to-Graham? You may know I'm undisciplined in where Mind & Soul takes me.

Aaah! Spelling differences between us. You know Paul Hogan's (Crocodile Dundee) was not his best and he and Gary MacDonald's (Norman Gunston) humour put more U in humour. Far more scope than just Hogan's Dundee for you and your women to revel in.

-- posted by redback

» redback - average Aussie

In response to Fair Dinkum posted by redback:

I reckon the average Aussie is a myth, a composite made up to make analysis lazier or media hyperbole, catchier. Possibly, we share that in common with our US counterparts but methinks different experiences and cultural tolerances dilute the comparison. A contrast instead?

A morality and ethics analyst, Hugh Mackay, postulates "most readers believe most of what they read in serious newspapers... And here I was thinking free giveaways such as DVDs and TV weekly magazines dramatically influence sold out sales. I don't read papers who self-confess to not being serious so my own research is limited?

It has been reported that the average (Aussie) drinks 5 glasses of wine a week, drinks more coffee, far less tea and beer. There has to be a few people in our street secretly scoffing down a dozen wines or so, possibly, to make any average accurate. But apparently 'both' sides of politics feel the "chardonnay socialists" and "latte set" "...are synonyms for minorities whose views are not worthy of consideration because they are not part of The Real Australia" (my emphasis) I don't belong to either set so my views must be less worthy of consideration for some other reason. Equally, a political party may be less worthy of my vote.

-- posted by redback