JourneyOnline
Uniting Church President Rev Gregor Henderson has asked federal parliamentarians to broaden Australia’s fundamental national goals beyond that of economic growth.
Preaching at a service to mark opening of Parliament this morning Mr Henderson said economic growth should never be an end in itself.
“It is but one part of what leads to human happiness – other components are the quality of our relationships, the beauty of our environment, the pursuit of justice and equity, enjoyment of the arts, realisation of our individual giftedness, and of course our spiritual wellbeing.”
Mr Henderson said the Uniting Church welcomed the efforts being made to measure true human wellbeing through environmental and sustainable development indicators rather than the economic indices that feed the idol of mammon.
Mr Henderson pointed Christian parliamentarians to Jesus commandment to “Love God, and Love your neighbour as yourself”.
“For Parliamentarians with religious faith I would suggest that these two commandments, the summary of God’s Law, should be at the forefront of their minds and consciences every day.
“For Parliamentarians without religious faith I would hope that at least the second, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’, recognising that we are to be good neighbours to all, is at the forefront of their minds and consciences too, every day.”
Quoting UK Conservative leader David Cameron who said “It’s time we admitted that there’s more to life than money, it’s time we focused not just on GDP but on GWB – general wellbeing”, Mr Henderson Churches have been working on that notion for centuries.
Mr Henderson thanked parliamentarians for the service and leadership they provide.
“May love for God and love for neighbours predominate in Australia and in the Australian Parliament this year.”
Photo : Uniting Church President Rev Gregor Henderson
