I thought some of my friends might be interested in knowing about the plans for what I think will prove to be a very interesting and inspirational Interfaith worship service coming up soon, Sunday afternoon, 14th of December, here in Canberra on the theme "Healing our Relationship with the Environment."
This event was organized jointly by the Interfaith Forum of the Australian Capital Territory (IFFACT) in association with the United Ngunawal Elders Council, the ACT Indigenous Community and the ACT Palliative Care Society.
Here is the location that was selected. One can scroll down to see "Site C", quite close to Clare Holland House - Canberra's inpatient hospice facility - so that, potentially, hospice residents and their family members (who are themselves connected to a variety of cultures and spiritual traditions) can also easily access this service!
Below is the provisional outline of the program planned thus far:
PROGRAM
1. Acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the Land
2. Welcome to Country - …………
(United Ngunawal Elders Council)
3. Didjeridu interlude ………………….
4. Introduction of Theme: Kinship with the Land
(Speaker: Ngunawal Elder)………………..
5. Readings or stories from Spiritual Traditions:
a. Aboriginal/Indigenous ………………
b. Baha’i ………………
c. Brahma Kumaris ……………....
d. Buddhist ………………
e. Christian ………………
f. Hindu ………………
g. Jewish ………………
h. Muslim ………………
i. Sathya Sai ………………
j. Sikh ………………
k. Sukyo Mahikari ………………
6. Address: Healing our relationship with the Environment
Speaker: TBA
7. Musical or other cultural interlude
8. Prayers for the World and the Environment – Ahmed Youssef
9. Words of Thanks ………………
10. Light Refreshments (while visiting)
Monday, 24 November 2008
Sunday, 23 November 2008
Why President Bush Should Simply Resign - Right Now!
"It's time for President George W. Bush to go!" (How to do this...)
Why it should be done : (Read "We Found The W.M.D." which explains how the bottom just might fall out of the entire economy, even before Obama starts!)
There isn't a snowball's chance....or is there? If so, it would really give America something for which to be truly thankful -- on Thanksgiving Day, this week!
Hoping for better,
Clair Hochstetler
in Canberra, Australia
Why it should be done : (Read "We Found The W.M.D." which explains how the bottom just might fall out of the entire economy, even before Obama starts!)
There isn't a snowball's chance....or is there? If so, it would really give America something for which to be truly thankful -- on Thanksgiving Day, this week!
Hoping for better,
Clair Hochstetler
in Canberra, Australia
What Happy People DON'T Do!
Here is an interesting article in the news that I think will be quite good for folks to "take it to heart." It's based on research from the States...as reported in the New York Times this past week.
But I wonder: Might the results be influenced by the fact that what sells on TV is mostly "bad news", sex, and violence? Or is it the common sensical reality that most people watching lots of TV are not "out there" interacting with real human beings at the time?
And I want to ask my Australian friends if you think this article would apply to Aussies, as well?
-Clair
---
19 November, 2008
What Happy People Don't Do
By Roni Caryn Rabin - The New York Times
Happy people spend a lot of time socializing, going to church and reading newspapers - but they don't spend a lot of time watching television, a new study finds.
That's what unhappy people do.
Although people who describe themselves as happy enjoy watching television, it turns out to be the single activity they engage in less often than unhappy people, said John Robinson, a professor of sociology at the University of Maryland and the author of the study, which appeared in the journal Social Indicators Research.
While most large studies on happiness have focused on the demographic characteristics of happy people - factors like age and marital status -Dr. Robinson and his colleagues tried to identify what activities happy people engage in. The study relied primarily on the responses of 45,000 Americans collected over 35 years by the University of Chicago's General Social Survey, and on published "time diary" studies recording the daily activities of participants.
"We looked at 8 to 10 activities that happy people engage in, and for each one, the people who did the activities more - visiting others, going to church, all those things - were more happy," Dr. Robinson said."TV was the one activity that showed a negative relationship. Unhappy people did it more, and happy people did it less."
But the researchers could not tell whether unhappy people watch more television or whether being glued to the set is what makes people unhappy. "I don't know that turning off the TV will make you more happy," Dr. Robinson said.
Still, he said, the data show that people who spend the most time watching television are least happy in the long run.
Since the major predictor of how much time is spent watching television is whether someone works or not, Dr. Robinson added, it's possible that rising unemployment will lead to more TV time.
But I wonder: Might the results be influenced by the fact that what sells on TV is mostly "bad news", sex, and violence? Or is it the common sensical reality that most people watching lots of TV are not "out there" interacting with real human beings at the time?
And I want to ask my Australian friends if you think this article would apply to Aussies, as well?
-Clair
---
19 November, 2008
What Happy People Don't Do
By Roni Caryn Rabin - The New York Times
Happy people spend a lot of time socializing, going to church and reading newspapers - but they don't spend a lot of time watching television, a new study finds.
That's what unhappy people do.
Although people who describe themselves as happy enjoy watching television, it turns out to be the single activity they engage in less often than unhappy people, said John Robinson, a professor of sociology at the University of Maryland and the author of the study, which appeared in the journal Social Indicators Research.
While most large studies on happiness have focused on the demographic characteristics of happy people - factors like age and marital status -Dr. Robinson and his colleagues tried to identify what activities happy people engage in. The study relied primarily on the responses of 45,000 Americans collected over 35 years by the University of Chicago's General Social Survey, and on published "time diary" studies recording the daily activities of participants.
"We looked at 8 to 10 activities that happy people engage in, and for each one, the people who did the activities more - visiting others, going to church, all those things - were more happy," Dr. Robinson said."TV was the one activity that showed a negative relationship. Unhappy people did it more, and happy people did it less."
But the researchers could not tell whether unhappy people watch more television or whether being glued to the set is what makes people unhappy. "I don't know that turning off the TV will make you more happy," Dr. Robinson said.
Still, he said, the data show that people who spend the most time watching television are least happy in the long run.
Since the major predictor of how much time is spent watching television is whether someone works or not, Dr. Robinson added, it's possible that rising unemployment will lead to more TV time.
Monday, 17 November 2008
Reflections On "Dual Citizenship" and "Homeland Security" - from the perspective of Philippians 3:20
"For our country is in heaven; from where the Saviour for whom we are waiting will come, even the Lord Jesus Christ:" Philippians 3:20 (Today's English Version)
This brings to mind the song "this world is not my home, I'm just a passing through" and Jesus words, "My kingdom is not of/in/like this world's."
Many jubilant folks carry great expectations - especially throughout the international community - that the new Obama administration will be able to rebuild trust, provide good leadership, reshape priorities and rebuild the "infrastructure" of goodwill that had been squandered by the current administration, and find effective ways to deal with some of the most pressing economic and other systemic problems the United States has ever faced. In other words - 'rebuild the kingdom' and bring about the "change" Obama promised: "Yes, we can." Watching the rerun of this Sunday night's CBS "60 Minutes" interview of Michele and Barack Obama sure does give hope to those of us who actually supported him during this run for Presidency!
But, realistically, won't it be nigh to impossible for any mortal leader to live up to ALL of these elevated expectations? We are facing many of the same issues here, lead by the new administration of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd -- appointed less than a year ago to lead the charge in Australia.
Back to that Philippians passage: it does gives rise to a very relevant question: As a citizen, what now is my responsibility to this 'world' -- or, specifically, to 'my country' soon to be lead (thank God) by a new Commander-in-Chief?
"How are you traveling?" is a common greeting here in Australia...(No one greets you with the question "How are you DOING?" Aussies ask "How are you GOING?!") I like that little twist on the grammer of the journey of life. How am I 'traveling,' as a serious follower of Jesus our Lord and king, if I give PRIMARY allegiance to another commander-in-chief?
Or, to ask the question in a slightly different way, if US citizens rely on a particular branch of government for 'Homeland Security', are they placing their security and confidence in just 'another god?' Hmmmmm? This all reminds me of the sign in front of a security business which says: "Trust in God." Right under that: "Hawk Security Systems" !! It's worth some discussion.
Some important questions about "citizenship" ethics are worth exploring, which I hope get raised even if 'the elections' are finally over: For example, taking this passage in Philippians seriously involves asking "What is one to do when the moral and ethical demands of earthly and heavenly citizenship demands collide?" (Christians from all points on the political spectrum are often moved to ask this question - or at least should be!)
During the recent election my United States citizenship expectation was that I vote. And I did, with an absentee ballot. But, I found myself expressing a variety of moral/ethical qualms - and I confess I did not often have very good resolutions. My Republican friends often badgered me with questions about how I could vote for Obama with his stance on protecting Roe vs. Wade, among other "liberal" issues. While I do have a problem with liberal abortion policies, I, on the other hand have many qualms about many other "conservative" policies that foment violence and killing and compromise a seamless "ethic of life." Conservative Christian leaders have found ways to justify all this in the name of preserving "freedom" but these policies need to be wrestled with, in my view, in light of other clear biblical principles Jesus taught to protect and preserve life.
And what about this distressing issue: Could I vote with integrity for either of the two main party leader(s) who in a time of great financial distress in the USA - indeed, the whole world - spent nearly HALF A BILLION dollars in self-promotion during this unbelievably LONG campaign? Though I think most raising the issue recognized the importance of the outcome this time around, over the past several months I heard many here in Australia lament (or at least question) the incomprehensible sums of money spent. Wasn't at least half of it wasted? What, you might say in America -- there is no way around it. Oh, really?
Indeed, the rest of the world got very tired hearing the incessant news on the US Presidential campaign's "progress" - in very high gear for over two years. The US could learn a lot from most of the other western countries/democracies who would NEVER allow any campaign to extend that long. Will there, could there, ever be hope for CHANGE in such a "system" that so readily and wantonly squanders such huge resources? I'm just thinking about what even half of that money could do, applied to some of the other pressing needs of the world -- needs Jesus himself would consider to be priorities placed high on the scale of things we need to be about.
As citizens of God's kingdom - first and foremost - don't we share the responsiblity to address the wisest use of money and resources that can address these priorities in our world - and the countries in which we find ourselves participating as citizens? Setting and shaping priorities that truly work to improve the "security" and well-being of people will, I imagine, be the basis of much ongoing debate among the American people and in Congress, led by the new Obama administration chosen by the plurality of those same citizens.
Back, once more, to Philippians, so relevant to our current "situation." I invite you to absorb an astute British university professor's essay/sermon on responsible "dual" citizenship, based on the Phil. 3:20 passage I quoted above. (He notes the important factor of Philippian Roman citizenship to the thinking of Paul, the author of that letter of encouragement.) Thus, I do hope you will take the time to "scan" it now, to at least get the gist, and share your own comments and perspective.
Clair Hochstetler
Canberra, Australia
This brings to mind the song "this world is not my home, I'm just a passing through" and Jesus words, "My kingdom is not of/in/like this world's."
Many jubilant folks carry great expectations - especially throughout the international community - that the new Obama administration will be able to rebuild trust, provide good leadership, reshape priorities and rebuild the "infrastructure" of goodwill that had been squandered by the current administration, and find effective ways to deal with some of the most pressing economic and other systemic problems the United States has ever faced. In other words - 'rebuild the kingdom' and bring about the "change" Obama promised: "Yes, we can." Watching the rerun of this Sunday night's CBS "60 Minutes" interview of Michele and Barack Obama sure does give hope to those of us who actually supported him during this run for Presidency!
But, realistically, won't it be nigh to impossible for any mortal leader to live up to ALL of these elevated expectations? We are facing many of the same issues here, lead by the new administration of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd -- appointed less than a year ago to lead the charge in Australia.
Back to that Philippians passage: it does gives rise to a very relevant question: As a citizen, what now is my responsibility to this 'world' -- or, specifically, to 'my country' soon to be lead (thank God) by a new Commander-in-Chief?
"How are you traveling?" is a common greeting here in Australia...(No one greets you with the question "How are you DOING?" Aussies ask "How are you GOING?!") I like that little twist on the grammer of the journey of life. How am I 'traveling,' as a serious follower of Jesus our Lord and king, if I give PRIMARY allegiance to another commander-in-chief?
Or, to ask the question in a slightly different way, if US citizens rely on a particular branch of government for 'Homeland Security', are they placing their security and confidence in just 'another god?' Hmmmmm? This all reminds me of the sign in front of a security business which says: "Trust in God." Right under that: "Hawk Security Systems" !! It's worth some discussion.
Some important questions about "citizenship" ethics are worth exploring, which I hope get raised even if 'the elections' are finally over: For example, taking this passage in Philippians seriously involves asking "What is one to do when the moral and ethical demands of earthly and heavenly citizenship demands collide?" (Christians from all points on the political spectrum are often moved to ask this question - or at least should be!)
During the recent election my United States citizenship expectation was that I vote. And I did, with an absentee ballot. But, I found myself expressing a variety of moral/ethical qualms - and I confess I did not often have very good resolutions. My Republican friends often badgered me with questions about how I could vote for Obama with his stance on protecting Roe vs. Wade, among other "liberal" issues. While I do have a problem with liberal abortion policies, I, on the other hand have many qualms about many other "conservative" policies that foment violence and killing and compromise a seamless "ethic of life." Conservative Christian leaders have found ways to justify all this in the name of preserving "freedom" but these policies need to be wrestled with, in my view, in light of other clear biblical principles Jesus taught to protect and preserve life.
And what about this distressing issue: Could I vote with integrity for either of the two main party leader(s) who in a time of great financial distress in the USA - indeed, the whole world - spent nearly HALF A BILLION dollars in self-promotion during this unbelievably LONG campaign? Though I think most raising the issue recognized the importance of the outcome this time around, over the past several months I heard many here in Australia lament (or at least question) the incomprehensible sums of money spent. Wasn't at least half of it wasted? What, you might say in America -- there is no way around it. Oh, really?
Indeed, the rest of the world got very tired hearing the incessant news on the US Presidential campaign's "progress" - in very high gear for over two years. The US could learn a lot from most of the other western countries/democracies who would NEVER allow any campaign to extend that long. Will there, could there, ever be hope for CHANGE in such a "system" that so readily and wantonly squanders such huge resources? I'm just thinking about what even half of that money could do, applied to some of the other pressing needs of the world -- needs Jesus himself would consider to be priorities placed high on the scale of things we need to be about.
As citizens of God's kingdom - first and foremost - don't we share the responsiblity to address the wisest use of money and resources that can address these priorities in our world - and the countries in which we find ourselves participating as citizens? Setting and shaping priorities that truly work to improve the "security" and well-being of people will, I imagine, be the basis of much ongoing debate among the American people and in Congress, led by the new Obama administration chosen by the plurality of those same citizens.
Back, once more, to Philippians, so relevant to our current "situation." I invite you to absorb an astute British university professor's essay/sermon on responsible "dual" citizenship, based on the Phil. 3:20 passage I quoted above. (He notes the important factor of Philippian Roman citizenship to the thinking of Paul, the author of that letter of encouragement.) Thus, I do hope you will take the time to "scan" it now, to at least get the gist, and share your own comments and perspective.
Clair Hochstetler
Canberra, Australia
Thursday, 6 November 2008
Cars are about to run on air in other parts of the world, so why not in the United States?
Odds are you've never heard of this car. Why not?
Why is a company in Luxembourg developing it with zero help from the high rolling US-UK dominated global financial system?
The answer is quite simple: The banking system and the oil industry are closely intertwined and they want to protect their investment in the gasoline/petrol infrastructure at all costs!
Fortunately, Luxembourg doesn't have the same commitment to petrol as fuel that the US and UK does. France and Luxembourg don't have oil companies, but they don't have the equivalent of Exxon or Royal Dutch Shell. India doesn't either. But the French/Luxembourgish people and the Indians (Tata Motors) do have superb engineers.
Assuming the collapse of the global financial system doesn't derail the launch of this car over the next year, India and parts of Europe will have vehicles completely independent of the oil companies soon. No toxic fuel, no toxic emissions, super low cost, utter reliability, and here's the really cool part: the "fuel" could be available anywhere there is room for an air compressor including your own home. (Of course, the air compressors also need electricity for power, but this method of powering vehicles involves a whole lot less energy than the conventional way. And if alternative renewable energy sources - including "clean" nuclear energy (on which Europeans are also working successfully to develop) can be harnessed to power the compressors, just image the difference this could make in our future!
Cars like the one you saw above will be priced in a range ($5,100 to $7,800 US) within reach of consumers in a developing economy. The production of another CAT car for local markets might begin early 2009 in Spain and Australia.
What's not to like about this? Why is the news of this technology all but banned in the US? The banking system and the oil industry (and news media industry) are closely intertwined. It's really that simple, folks.
So do something - like this enterprising Italian- Australian trying to give his invention a "go." Yes, the time is right.
I'm going to try very hard to get one of these vehicles while living here in Australia. And I'll be happy to let you know how its "goes!"
-Clair
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