A Council for the Clarifying of ideologies
A Council for the Clarifying of Ideologies in every secular democracy, at least, would be a very significant way of responding to the dangers presented by Daesh (IS) and other extremist groups. A number of people have been saying in the light of recent terrorist attacks in various parts of the world, and particularly last week in Paris, that ultimately, Daesh (Islamic State) will only be defeated through the clarifying of ideologies, rather than on the battlefield.
The Politics of Envy
A woman somewhere in Africa, surrounded by dust resulting from drought, holds her dying child in her arms. There is nothing she can do. There is nowhere she can look for help. There is no food. A person comes by from the western world, from Australia. He speaks of how many people in Australia speak of ‘the politics of envy’.
As we know from the response to Labor’s so-called attacks on the Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, over certain issues related to his wealth, Malcolm Turnbull replied by saying they were indulging in ‘the politics of envy’. Many Australians think that this was a good reply for it is not a criticism of the wealthy, it is a criticism of those who criticise the wealthy. Many Australians want to believe that they have the chance to be wealthy too, so they mindlessly support the right of the rich to be rich. When the Australian explains to the African woman what this phrase means, she is surprised.
Will Turnbull’s new style really make a difference?
Will Malcolm Turnbull becoming Prime Minister, make a difference? The answer probably lies in a critical question raised by opposition leader Bill Shorten, ‘Is this is a change of style rather than substance’?
Malcolm Turnbull announced his leadership challenge saying that his government would be a truly Liberal Government, focusing on the market, the individual and that his government would be a traditional Cabinet Government based on inclusiveness, and advocacy, explaining policy rather than just using slogans.
In his interview with Leigh Sales of the ABC 7.30 report he spoke of how wealth was not
A Universe from Nothing?
These are some reflections as I read theoretical physicist and cosmologist, Lawrence Krauss’s book ‘A Universe from Nothing’.
Krauss’s basic thesis seems to be that the laws of physics and particularly of quantum mechanics, show that the universe can have just happened without a Creator God.
If you look at my page on God’s existence (https://aquest-for-truth.net/existence-god/), I find it difficult to see this can be true. Krauss argues that resolving the infinite regress by arguing that an eternal being is necessary for there to be creation is logically fallacious. Consequently, as the infinite regress is unresolvable, then the best way to resolve it is to argue that the universe just happened or a universe from nothing. But of course that begs the point about what is ‘nothing’, which Krauss seems to consider in in terms of ‘dark matter’ and dismisses philosophical questions about the nature of nothing, not based on empirical science, as useless and a waste of time. This might be part of his problem. I will develop this more in later blog.
A fundamental paradox of life
In the very profound War Movie ‘A Thin Red Line’, the main character, Private Witt, says ‘one person sees a dying bird and sees death; another sees a dying bird and sees glory’. In this reflection on life, nature and war, Witt points to a fundamental paradox of life, that the essence of life is beyond logic.
Krauss makes crass statements
I always find it disappointing when people who are esteemed for their intellects make crass statements.
On his recent visit to Australia, I saw and heard Lawrence Krauss, Theoretical physicist and cosmologist, interviewed on the ABC 7.30 report and on the panel, at the moment, infamous ABC Q and A show.
On the 7.30 report, interviewer Leigh Sales gave him a seemingly Dorothy Dix question on God, namely
Profound gesture by Australia’s Grand mufti
It is wonderful news to hear that the most senior Muslim cleric in Australia, the Grand mufti of Australia, has flown to Jakarta to plead the lives of the Bali 9 ringleaders, Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan.
The Grand mufti’s reasons enhance the implications of his visit. He said, quoted in the Age:
“On behalf of the Islamic community of Australia, we plead, with respect and humility, for mercy for the lives of two young Australian men, who have not only shown repentance for their serious crimes, but have rehabilitated themselves and indeed others” he also said that this plea for mercy and forgiveness ‘is the spirit of Islam’ and is central to its heritage, especially when there is true repentance.
Attack on human rights commission President
The all out attack on the President of the Human Rights Commission, Gillian Triggs, since the public release of the report on The Forgotten Children, by some members of the Abbott Government, is deceitful politics at its worst. Accusing her of political bias does not seem to fit some of the most important facts, which seem to have been hidden by the smoke screen.
Indonesian double standards
A lot of ink has been spilt over the seemingly imminent execution of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, the two Australians on death row in Indonesia.
The Indonesian government has replied to the claim of their having double standards, where they plead for clemency for their own citizens facing the death penalty in other countries, yet will not respond to pleas for clemency for the two Australians, by quoting John Howard as thinking that the death penalty was appropriate for the Bali bombers. It is hardly the same situation and I doubt whether Australia actively pleaded for the Bali bombers executions.