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Author Archives: George Browning
GEORGE BROWNING. Australia’s two personalities-pandemic and climate change
In recent domestic policy and international engagement Australia is demonstrating two contrasting personalities. One is demonstrated through our response to COVID 19 and the other through our troubled inability to form responsible climate and energy policy. Why do we have … Continue reading
Posted in Environment and climate, Health, Politics
6 Comments
GEORGE BROWNING. The power of narrative: Nakba, annexation and antisemitism
Friday, 15 May, was Nakba Day, Nakba, (al-Nakbah, literally disaster, catastrophe, or cataclysm), is a commemoration of the events in 1948/1949 which saw approximately half the pre-war Palestinian Arab population driven from their homes.
Posted in World Affairs
2 Comments
GEORGE BROWNING. Australia turns its back on the rule of law
Australia’s efforts to block an International Criminal Court investigation into alleged war crimes in Palestine are inexplicable, given the court’s brief to investigate abuses from all sources, be they Hamas, Palestinian paramilitary, or Israel.
Posted in Politics
2 Comments
GEORGE BROWNING. Trump’s definition of peace in Israel
The strong prevail – the rest submit
GEORGE BROWNING. Change the date!
The reasons why the date for Australia Day are contentious will not go away.
Posted in Politics
11 Comments
GEORGE BROWNING.CONSERVATISM, BEAUTY AND SIR ROGER SCRUTON
The philosopher, Sir Roger Scruton, the darling of contemporary conservative politics died on 12 January 2020 aged 75. Tony Abbott is reported to have said that if John Locke is the father of western political conservatism, Roger Scruton is its … Continue reading
Posted in Politics
8 Comments
GEORGE BROWNING.- How good are the fires?
The country clearly owes a debt of gratitude to the Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his government for their sterling leadership, their visionary approach in vastly changed and challenging circumstance and for their assurance that under their leadership all manner … Continue reading
Posted in Politics
3 Comments
GEORGE BROWNING. Morrison Government you are a disgrace
NSW is alight, and it is still not the right time to talk about Climate Change!!!!! What message of commitment did we have to give the world community in Madrid? – nothing. You said Australia is reducing its emission year … Continue reading
Posted in Environment and climate, Politics
7 Comments
GEORGE BROWNING. Peace on Earth, Good will towards all: Tale of Two Jerusalem Prizes
The holy city’s name focuses the universal longing for peace: the hope, indeed the expectation that diversity and difference do not need to issue in animosity, injustice and violence, but in mutuality, enrichment from the other’s difference. It is associated … Continue reading
Posted in Religion and Faith
1 Comment
GEORGE BROWNING. Please Leave.Please Come Back
In his speech at last week’s Sydney synod, Archbishop Glenn Davies made it clear he wished those who support the blessing of same sex marriage unions to leave the Church because ‘you cannot bless sin’. Subsequently he attempted to clarify … Continue reading
Posted in Religion and Faith
4 Comments
GEORGE BROWNING. Zionism – the ugly truth
Alex Ryvchin’s article “Zionism and the big lie. How Soviet anti-Semitism shaped contemporary anti-Zionism”, published through the ABC’s “Religion and Ethics” site, is too cute by half. Of course the strong critique of current Israel (which likes to call itself … Continue reading
Posted in World Affairs
3 Comments
GEORGE BROWNING. We are the company we keep – A theology of eating
Prime Minister, Scott Morrison has announced he is to go to Washington to have dinner with President Trump. In the past such an invitation would be considered a great honour, especially as few other world leaders receive similar invitations. But … Continue reading
Posted in World Affairs
4 Comments
GEORGE BROWNING Former Middle East diplomats urge PM to reject Trump Middle East plan.
In response to the Kushner announcement about an economic plan for Palestine, 18 former Australian diplomats have written to Prime Minister Scott Morrison calling on him not to support the plan. The signatories include two former Australian Ambassadors to Israel … Continue reading
Posted in World Affairs
1 Comment
GEORGE BROWNING. Democratise Energy: Reform Taxation: Save the Planet.
Stuck in a traffic jam every day on the way to work do you imagine this is the way it is always going to be – only a little worse? If your livelihood is agriculture, like your father and his … Continue reading
Posted in Environment and climate
3 Comments
GEORGE BROWNING. Is Christian Zionism contributing to the Israel Palestine Impasse?
The insidious influence of Christian Zionism on domestic American politics and through these politics on actions that prevent a just outcome to the Israel Palestine impasse is far deeper and more threatening to peace and security than is popularly understood. … Continue reading
Posted in Religion and Faith
2 Comments
GEORGE BROWNING. Peace on Earth, Goodwill to all Humankind
Is ‘peace on earth, good will to all humankind’ a cruel fantasy? Are we destined to live in increasingly walled off environments, afraid of losing the little advantage we think we have? I have recently returned from 10 days in … Continue reading
Posted in Religion and Faith
5 Comments
GEORGE BROWNING. Nationalism: the world’s greatest threat
We owe President Emmanuel Macron a debt of gratitude for yesterday’s speech in Paris. “Patriotism is the exact opposite of nationalism. Nationalism is a betrayal of patriotism,” the French leader said. “In saying ‘Our interests first, whatever happens to the … Continue reading
Posted in Politics
5 Comments
GEORGE BROWNING. The Jerusalem Embassy thought bubble.
To contemplate moving the Australian embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem to shore up the chances of the Liberal candidate for Wentworth, Dave Sharma, is a small but very significant example of what is horribly wrong with Australian … Continue reading
Posted in Politics, World Affairs
1 Comment
GEORGE BROWNING. HOMO SAPIENS – REALLY?
Along the evolutionary trail we have somewhat ambitiously called ourselves homo sapiens, or humans who are sapient – knowing or wise. The truth of the matter is tragically far from this: we seek to resolve difference through violence rather than … Continue reading
Posted in Religion and Faith
1 Comment
GEORGE BROWNING. The Prime Minister: personal faith and public values
On 29th August comedian Tom Ballard chose to parody the faith of the new Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, on the Tonightly ABC series by contrasting his perceived lack of love or concern for refugees with his espoused love of Jesus. … Continue reading
Posted in Religion and Faith
3 Comments
GEORGE BROWNING. Alternative facts & fake news – the lubricant of conservative politics.
We are spending an inordinate amount of money on ‘defence’ and ‘security’ to protect ourselves from an enemy without, but it is now clear that we face a far greater threat from the enemy within, revealed through ‘alternative facts and … Continue reading
Posted in Media
2 Comments
GEORGE BROWNING. Domestic Violence
Last week we were confronted with domestic violence in the most tragic of circumstances as a NSW father became the brutal killer of his two teenage children. Most Australians will have found this news inexplicable. How could a father submerge … Continue reading
Posted in Human Rights
2 Comments
GEORGE BROWNING. Child sexual abuse, the Church and the Royal Commission.
The findings of the Commission have sent shock waves through the institutional Church and generated disgust in the wider community. Is there any good news, any reason to hope for something better?
Posted in Human Rights, Religion and Faith
2 Comments
GEORGE BROWNING. Violence and Religion
Recently released Fairfax poll figures indicating that Australia records the highest percentage of citizens of any comparable country believing the world would be better off without religion because of its assumed connection with violence is somewhat of a shock. That … Continue reading
Posted in Religion and Faith
3 Comments
GEORGE BROWNING. Confession and Child Abuse
The Royal Commission has made what most Australians believe to be a very reasonable and overdue request – that priests should be obligated to report evidence of child abuse no matter what the circumstance. Resistance from the Church will not … Continue reading
Posted in Religion and Faith
5 Comments
GEORGE BROWNING. Monotheism, Terrorism and Injustice
I want to reflect on the unspeakably appalling terror events that have occurred recently in Afghanistan, Iraq, Manchester, London, Melbourne and Tehran in the light of monotheistic religion and the ethical requirements that flow from it.
Posted in Defence/Security, Human Rights, Religion and Faith, World Affairs
Tagged George Browning
1 Comment
GEORGE BROWNING. The non-existent Australian government energy policy.
It has been clear for some time that the normal capitalist approach of privatising everything does not work in relation to energy.
GEORGE BROWNING. Benjamin Netanyahu – Hero or Villain?
Benjamin Netanyahu is about to make an historic visit to Australia. Should he come and how should he be received? Having just guided legislation through the Knesset ‘legalising’ the illegal: settler outposts on private Palestinian land; he has seemingly set … Continue reading