I always knew that Billy Graham had instituted a strict discipline of accountability when it came to some matters that are often the fuel for scandal and controversy – money and sex. I didn’t realise that he had codified them in a manifesto though. One of my leaders, whose gift is often to draw us [...]
Archive for December, 2009
stephenconroy.com.au != #nocleanfeed
Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009Someone registered stephenconroy.com.au and had it carry anti-filter sentiment (“Stephen Conroy – Minister for Fascism”). The .au domain authority auDA pulled the site – which of course is now up again at stephen-conroy.com. ZDnet has a decent overview. I am, of course, against the filter. But whinging about auDA is stupid. From what I can [...]
COW Prize – Jason Jordan
Sunday, December 20th, 2009A Comment Of the Week Prize goes to Jason Jordan. Explaining why Internet Filtering doesn’t work he offers this generalisation: “You see, the internet interprets censorship as damage and routes around it. It’s designed that way.” And another line that is a close second for a C.O.W. “In internet parlance, Conroy’s Folly is totally an [...]
A Covenant for Christmas
Saturday, December 19th, 2009The final text of the Anglican Covenant has been released. The Archbishop of Canterbury has heralded it through youtube: The first three sections of this text were approved by this years ACC. The controversial fourth section at that time was bumped to a committee. This apparently “practical, sensible, Christian way of dealing with our conflicts” [...]
Review: The Big Picture Story Bible
Friday, December 18th, 2009I have been introduced to the best children’s Bible I’ve ever come across. The Big Picture Story Bible by David Helm with illustrations by Gail Schoonmaker is fantastic. Most children’s bibles are cringeworthy offerings. At best they are a loose collection of the exciting bits of the biblical narrative. At worst they are bibliotainment pieces [...]
500 Words
Friday, December 18th, 2009Let’s cut across a caricature in the present debate. Argument against ISP-level filtering does not imply support for the sex industry. Socially conservative Christians like myself can and do hold an anti-filter view based on the reality of what the internet is, the ineffectiveness of a filter, and the negative impact of insisting on one. [...]
7even
Wednesday, December 16th, 2009I had this piece emailed to me today by a member of my leadership team. Bill Wilson posts “7 Things Your Pastor Wishes You Knew, But Is Afraid To Tell You” It’s not their fault, but your minister didn’t learn everything they needed in seminary to be a pastor. Like doctors leaving medical school, clergy [...]
Filtering Round-Up
Wednesday, December 16th, 2009An interesting evening. #nocleanfeed trended up to third spot on twitter. The longer analysis and comment has begun. I shouldn’t be surprised, but the media doesn’t get it. For instance the SMH poll asks, What do you think of Senator Conroy’s plan to filter the internet? Yes, I think it’s a good idea No, it [...]
A Christian and a Pirate?
Tuesday, December 15th, 2009Can anyone think of a reason why membership of the Pirate Party of Australia would be discordant with faith in Christ. They have published their constitution and are calling for founding members. Tell me what you think.
