Publications

Opening of the International Humanitarian Monument

30 Oct 2013  |  Author: Archbishop Francis Carroll  | Theme: Civil society and politics; Public theology and ethics

It's a pleasure and an honour to share in the opening of this Monument erected, in the words of the Inscription "In honour and memory of all deceased Australians and members of Australian Aid Organizations who have served in International Humanitarian Aid work".
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The dark underbelly: Violence, culture and religion

01 Aug 2013  |  Author: Fr Scott Cowdell  | Theme: The Arts, Sciences and Culture; Public theology and ethics

I’ve been working for a couple of years on a French-American genius called René Girard, who has been called ‘the Charles Darwin of the human sciences’. He explains human origins and culture and religion from where Darwin left off, and as with Darwin there are only a few basic elements. Yet a lot of people don’t like Girard’s theory. They say it’s too comprehensive to be believable, or that it’s too dark and violent, but also I think because it’s not a take it or leave it thing. To understand and appreciate it you have to open yourself to some uncomfortable home truths, and be willing to change—because only when we start to change can the world start to change.
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Where lies happiness? The Christian understanding of contentment and community

08 Mar 2012  |  Author: Rev'd Prof James Haire  | Theme: Civil society and politics;

I speak as a Christian theologian. Who are we Christians? In theological terms, it is not precise to speak of our faith as “Christianity”, as if it were some sort of ideology competing with other ideologies in the marketplace of ideas...
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Opening of Hector Jandany's Mural

04 Aug 2011  |  Author: Dr Lowitja O'Donoghue  | Theme: Indigenous reconciliation;

Friends, this marvellous mural brings back so many memories. It has the potential to touch us to the core, to illustrate hope, and to keep doing so...
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Facing up to Richard Dawkins and the New Atheism

01 Oct 2010  |  Author: Fr Scott Cowdell  | Theme: The Arts, Sciences and Culture; Public theology and ethics

For many of us we have no problem reconciling our religious and spiritual vision with the world according to modern science. But many religious people are very anti-science, and very anti-much-else about the modern world, too. In many places, human freedoms that we enjoy are denied in the name of religion, while religious ideology is taught in place of proper science and proper history. Richard Dawkins condemns such bad religion, in company with a great many of the faithful. But his critique of bad religion becomes a critique of all religion, and his scientific vision is used to justify militant atheism, turning science into an all-encompassing ideology leaving no room for religion in general and for Christian faith in particular. This is a highly contentious view and I reject it outright.
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