Comments on: Where’s the respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples?!

By: Stanley

Stanley — Sat, 10 Aug 2019 05:24:48 +0000

I have a friend who insists that the Aboriginal people wouldn’t have received modern healthcare and other amenities if not for the white settlers and he feels strongly that Aboriginal communities are not helping themselves despite given large amounts of funding. It’s a shame but otherwise he’s a nice person. How do I engage people like that?

By: Michael Frost

Michael Frost — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 05:09:53 +0000

In reply to Living Liminal. Yes, well summarized. Sadly.

By: Living Liminal

Living Liminal — Thu, 18 Jul 2019 02:12:58 +0000

I suspect part of the problem is that so many christians have been taught to view the world through an “us vs them” prism (or should that be “prison”?). Holding fast to the certainty that our beliefs are the exclusively “correct” beliefs, we tend to approach others on the basis of competition – if we are right, then “they” must be wrong. Any acknowledgment of the legitimacy of differing views is seen as an attack on “our” beliefs and must be resisted at all costs.

Therefore, issues like this are not seen as a call to respect the culture of another. They are viewed as both a call to approve of something “wrong”, and an attack on what is “right”. Of course, the icing on the cake is the unshakeable conviction that God is on the side of that “right”.

By: Michael Frost

Michael Frost — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 00:44:15 +0000

In reply to Nathan. No, I wish that was all it was. However, the accusations of their religiosity haven't got anything to do with their "dryness" or the rote way they can be delivered. It has to do with racist assumptions about a ceremony that honors indigenous peoples. The comments I saw (and quoted) referred to panentheism, animism, and ancestor worship, not their rehearsed tone.

By: Nathan

Nathan — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 00:10:14 +0000

Perhaps one of the reasons for the accusation of the religiosity of the Acknowledgement of Country is the familiar, rehearsed tone that it can have, particularly when seen as a chore by institutions that require it at every meeting. This might give some the impression of a dry liturgy or chant that has lost its meaning and is better not said at all than said in this manner.

In what ways could this “dryness” be avoided? I have heard the words brought to life by speakers at events of different kinds, when they have made some personal connection, or have attempted to connect some aspect of Indigenous history or life with the occasion, eg. education, technology, etc. But I think this would be difficult to do everyday, sometimes multiple times in one day.

By: Eric Hatfield

Eric Hatfield — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 11:26:33 +0000

I read comments of that ilk, on this and other subjects, and I feel the world is going mad. I have to remind myself that it is possible that these people don’t know any Aboriginal people, and their fears and views have been promoted by conservative and bordering on racist media and politicians. And this misinformation may have stewed inside them because of uncertainty and anxiety about life and the insecurities that seem far worse than when I was a boy. That reminder doesn’t make me feel any better, but it may at least help prevent me over-reacting and perhaps point me to a way to help our society do better. Perhaps.

By: Dave Berlach

Dave Berlach — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 10:43:38 +0000

Oh boy. Glad I’m not on fb… but so sad that this sentiment still exists, and in Christian circles no less.

Makes me think that Pascoe, when in the intro to Dark Emu, suggested that a shared understanding of Australian history and our future could be discovered was being so much more generous than he ought to.

Shame on us!

By: Dave Fagg

Dave Fagg — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 09:44:59 +0000

Geez. Your Facebook poster would be ropeable if he came along to our church. We acknowledge country at our worship gathering.