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Christianity behind much of what we value. Visiting speaker J. Johns, UK.
'Increasingly, I'm coming across a distorted view of history and society. It is taken for granted that the values we prize, and which most of the world seems to want, are simply … View moreChristianity behind much of what we value. Visiting speaker J. Johns, UK.
'Increasingly, I'm coming across a distorted view of history and society. It is taken for granted that the values we prize, and which most of the world seems to want, are simply accidents of history. The truth is that Christianity played a significant role in shaping what we call “the West”.
Consider human rights; the idea that every individual has rights and freedoms. It is most famously expressed in the American Declaration of Independence: “... all men are created equal ... they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
It's no coincidence that Amnesty International, the leading human rights group, was founded in 1961 by Peter Benenson — a Christian.
Consider children. In the ancient world as in parts of the modern world - children were of little value.
However, following the example of Jesus (Matthew 19:14), Christianity values children. That high evaluation was worked out in the creation of orphanages by Christians such as Thomas Barnardo, Charles Haddon Spurgeon and George Muller, and in the labours of the tireless Lord Shaftesbury in creating laws to restrict the use of children in factories and mines.
Consider education. Today we believe in universal education but it was not always so. History tells of the important role of Christians in promoting education not just for an elite but for all. So while some have mocked the idea of Sunday schools, by 1830 they were bringing literacy to more than a million children in Britain. At a very different level, the importance of Christianity in education is seen in the way that so many Oxford and
Cambridge colleges bear the names of saints and men and women from the Bible.
Consider the economic systems that underlie modern Western society and that have allowed health and prosperity to so many. The Christian attitude to labour and wealth, widely but simplistically termed “the Protestant work ethic", was fundamental. Its attitude to wealth was summed up in John Wesley's words: “Gain all you can, save all you can, give all you can.” Possibly even more significant was the condemnation of those scourges of every economic system: dishonesty, corruption and laziness.
Take politics: look at the correlation between stable, functional democracies and those cultures based on "biblical values”. The largest aid organisation working with the homeless, the Salvation Army, proclaims its Christian ethos in its name. The Red Cross was started by Henry Dunant -- a Christian.
Alcoholics Anonymous was started by Christians. The modern hospice movement was founded by Cicely Saunders – a Christian. The Samaritans was founded by the Reverend Chad Varah. The YMCA was originally the Young Men's Christian Association.
Care for animals? The RSPCA was founded by the Reverend Arthur Broome with that champion against slavery William Wilberforce.
Of course, I have to admit that the record is not unblemished; history also yields the names of those who, despite naming the name of Christ, sadly perpetuated evil and ignorance. Nevertheless, the record of Christianity in creating much of what we value is overwhelming.'
J John will be speaking on Easter Saturday, 7pm, at 33 Porowini Ave, Whangārei.
Beautiful handmade stained glass light shade. 600mm diameter. Brass fittings including ceiling rose. We got this for a high ceiling house project, but plans changed. Includes 2 bulbs, but we thought it would look better with clear glass bulbs.Weighs 10kg. This is not suitable for posting or courier… View moreBeautiful handmade stained glass light shade. 600mm diameter. Brass fittings including ceiling rose. We got this for a high ceiling house project, but plans changed. Includes 2 bulbs, but we thought it would look better with clear glass bulbs.Weighs 10kg. This is not suitable for posting or courier and will need to be collected.
Ooops. Posted this as wanting to buy - mistake!! Want to sell. Good condition. Ph 0278411158. Current WOF and Reg
Northland DHB's campaign to vaccinate against the outbreak of meningococcal W is wrapping up but just 62% of eligible children have got the jab. Have you vaccinated your children? Why or why not? (Please put NFP in your comments if they are not-for-print).
HEADING AWAY: Enjoy your #HolidayBreak by planning ahead! Visit our holiday journeys tool at nzta.govt.nz... & find out where traffic is likely to be heaviest when travelling around the Auckland & Northland regions this extended holiday period.
Ben the Kiwi, Flash the Tuatara, Fat Albert, Pounamu, Fred and the other gecko are preening, bathing and shedding skins to make sure they look their very best for all the School Holiday visitors over the next 2 weeks starting on Monday.
A Northland marae has banned women while building work is taking place. Have you ever been banned from a building site? Why?
(Please put NFP in your comments if they are not-for-print).
Bring your visitors to meet Flash and see Kiwi in their natural habitat. We are so lucky to have Kiwi North right on our doorstep - Open every day - we look forward to meeting you!
We have put together an Easter Care Package so you can be road trip ready this long weekend. This package is only available through our online store so make sure you get one before this special ends on the 27th of April! It’s just $99 for cars and $115 for SUV/4x4.
BMW very good condition, well service, original German Built, Give me a ring , talk to me if you are interested on 0273443633.
I have too many free-ranging chooks. If you would like some - various ages, genders, some black, some Barred Rock, 6 white - please contact me . Phone 09 4375822 or 0211835108.
Fun for all the family this Easter Sunday. Bring your family and your visitors - Costume Parade at 12 noon - plus all the Fun of the Fair until 3pm.
Ben the Kiwi, Flash the Tuatara, Fat Albert, Pounamu, Fred and the other gecko are all spending the weekend preening, bathing and shedding skins to make sure they look their very best for all the School Holiday visitors over he next 2 weeks starting on Monday.
First tuatara encounter of the … View moreBen the Kiwi, Flash the Tuatara, Fat Albert, Pounamu, Fred and the other gecko are all spending the weekend preening, bathing and shedding skins to make sure they look their very best for all the School Holiday visitors over he next 2 weeks starting on Monday.
First tuatara encounter of the holidays Monday morning after 11am kiwi feeding!
Hi Neighbours
Our littlest people need your help. Poverty doesn’t start at 5, but until now there’s been no nationwide programme to help preschoolers who are hungry and cold.
KidsCan is changing that. They’re delivering raincoats, shoes and five fresh meals a week to 25 early childhood … View moreHi Neighbours
Our littlest people need your help. Poverty doesn’t start at 5, but until now there’s been no nationwide programme to help preschoolers who are hungry and cold.
KidsCan is changing that. They’re delivering raincoats, shoes and five fresh meals a week to 25 early childhood centres. Attendance is up, and the children are happier and more settled.
"Everyone has the same meal so children don't feel like they have less," Manaia View Kindergarten teacher Kathy Belz says. "It's upholding everyone's mana.”
40 more centres are waiting for help. KidsCan, Stuff and Neighbourly have partnered up to raise enough money to support 1000 more children - and we need 400 more generous Kiwis to hold little hands. To support a child, sign up at KidsCan.org.nz
© Neighbourly 2024
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