Something "Fishy" About Early Christianity…

Dear friends,

Ian Elmer's commentary today explores the origins of some of the early symbols used to depict Christianity. It's a commentary filled with insightful reflections about what these symbols mean today. <more>

Some personal thoughts on the Pine Gap Trial: The news yesterday of the leniency shown by the Northern Territory Supreme Court to the four Christian activists who carried out a citizen's inspection of the Pine Gap Defence Facility is welcome on a number of scores. Firstly I think it does demonstrate "common sense" on the part of the judge. These people were obviously not intent on "invading" this facility for the purposes of seriously harming the facility. Essentially they were engaged in a political action to protest against this nation's political policies in relation to war. Secondly the protestors were able to make their point, they probably have contributed to some small shift in the greater political psyche of our nation, the law was upheld, and the protestors wish to be seen to be "defying" the law was also upheld.

Personally I remain in two minds about these types of protests. I believe all nations do have "security interests" and it is one of the responsibilities of our elected representatives to both articulate those interests and to give them substance through foreign policy and alliances with other nations. I do believe there are both individuals and states led by individuals who are either evil or misguided. One cannot reason with such individuals and so, in the final analysis, each nation, and each individual does need to take defensive measures should the occasion arise when either individually, or as a nation, such individuals should confront us face-tp-face. It is always a delicate debate though as to where the moral "line in the sand" is drawn as to what is defensive and what is offensive. Just as we owe a debt to our politicians who are paid to try to work out where the line is drawn in these matters, I think we also owe a debt to individuals like the Pine Gap Four who play a vital role in a democracy in helping us, as a community, define where the limits should be. It does take considerable courage for any individual to stand up against the State, and against Public Opinion. While I personally believe our nation does need facilities like Pine Gap, and the defence and political alliances that lead to facilities like that, I also believe the community needs to conduct an on-going debate, and not only within our Parliaments, that help express the collective will and aspirations of our nation. In the balance though I believe it is of overwhelming importance in democratic nations that we do have individuals who are prepared to stand up against what they perceive as unjust or irrational laws. Such protestors do need considerable courage at times and risk heavy fines or even prison sentences to make their points and they need to be prepared to take the full consequences of their defiance of the law. The Pine Gap Four were prepared to do that and would have served out prison sentences if that had been the decision of the court. I am filled with enormous admiration for these people because of that — and more so than the goody-two-shoe types who would argue that we must unquestioningly obey all authorities and authority figures. Our faith does call on us often to "defy" authority. These activists were, in my opinion, and even if I might not fully agree with their views on this particular protest, acting in a very Christian way.

Best wishes for a great day wherever you happen to be ... in life, and in our world,

Brian Coyne
Editor and Publisher