Scoop

The Journey team explores the stories that got us talking this week.  Yoga’s link to homosexuality a bit of a stretch Newsweek reports on Russian prison authorities’ decision to reinstate yoga classes after an initial ban due to theological concerns the practice could lead to homosexuality. Theological professor Alexander Dvorkin raised the issue when he wrote that yoga “could cause ...

What’s coming up Annual Palm Sunday Rally This year’s Palm Sunday Rally for Peace and Refugees will be held on Sunday 14 April, from 2-4 pm, at Speakers corner, outside Queensland Parliament, corner George and Alice Streets. Speakers will include Aran Mylvaganam, co-founder of Tamil Council of Australia and Professor Susan Harris-Rimmer, Griffith University. The themes are “Justice for refugees; ...

My Year 10 English teacher Miss Sweeney set us a question in an exam: “Conflict is the essence of all drama. Discuss”. That aphorism has stayed with me for 46 years! I’ve often reflected on how I might answer it again. It’s helped me make sense of how the mass media posits what its various agencies present to us. Income ...

“Hope has two beautiful daughters—anger at the way things are, and courage to see they do not remain that way.”   –Augustine of Hippo What’s coming up Faith and climate Interested in theology and climate change? Then here are a couple of events for you! Both feature Dr Mick Popo meteorologist, theologian and writer. Firstly on 5 April from 6.30pm to ...

Royal Commission – people with disability Do you or someone close to you have a disability? Have you or they experienced violence, abuse, neglect or been exploited? Have your say on the draft terms of reference for a Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability. This public consultation runs from 13 March until 28 March. ...

The Journey team selects stories that got us talking this week.  Cash splash on religious security after terror attack The Conversation reports on Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s announcement of $55 million for enhanced security measures at religious premises. In the wake of the Christchurch massacre, Morrison spoke of tribalism and managing differences but was ready to put money towards ensuring that religious ...

As mainline Christianity declines in Australia what does the future hold for Christians in this nation and more broadly in western societies? Rodney Eivers reviews John Bodycomb’s latest and last book Two Elephants in the Room and ponders the way forward for Christians and especially, the Uniting Church. Written and published by John Bodycomb in the years leading up to ...

In recent news schoolchildren around the world have been striking to draw attention to climate change issues as scientists continue to send warnings about the catastrophic emergency facing the planet. Marguerite Marshall explores the current state of climate science and answers common questions regarding Australia’s part to play, the costs involved with greening our economy and what everyday Christians can ...

In the days following the horrendous events in the two mosques of Christchurch I have struggled to make sense of my internal responses. I have visited Christchurch before and after the earthquake and felt for the people who are trying to re-build their city on shaky ground. There was the immediate feeling of empathy and horror that several hundred people ...

Two retired Uniting Church ministers are taking up the cause of more than 1000 ministers and spouses whose retirement incomes were slashed by aged pension changes in January 2016. Journey reports. The federal policy change affected the treatment of income in defined benefit superannuation schemes. National Assembly estimated in December 2016 that more than 80 per cent of retired members ...