True Freedom Is Not to Be Feared

Decoding a Terrorist’s Conscience

In extremist Islam, morality is dictated by law.

Commentary

Just after the Oct. 7 attacks, world leaders called for peace and restraint. They appealed to the better judgment and the conscience of all involved.

I knew that those words would be wasted on Hamas, because their view of conscience is very different from the one most of us share.

I will be forever haunted by an interview with a would-be suicide bomber. When he was asked what he thought of being sent to maim and kill innocent women and children, he replied, “I knew it was wrong but my commander said it was ‘the will of God.’”

To read more, please visit the Epoch Times, https://www.theepochtimes.com/opinion/decoding-a-terrorists-conscience-5567485

Looking Behind Hamas' Recent Motivations

 This genocidal hatred of the Jews predates the creation of the State of Israel.

Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations Gilad Erdan holds up a 1941 picture of Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Haj Amin al-Husseini, with Adolf Hiter in New York City on Nov. 29, 2023. (David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)

Commentary

In The Art of War, Sun Tzu assures his readers that, “If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat.” 

That saying rings true in the current conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Too many responses to the conflict are rooted in the myth that Hamas’ acts of terror are motivated by land, politics, and grievances against Israel. 

But that myth reflects a catastrophic ignorance of the violent anti-semitism that motivates groups like Hamas. 

This genocidal hatred of the Jews predates the creation of the State of Israel.

To read more, please click on this link

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https://www.theepochtimes.com/opinion/looking-behind-hamas-recent-motivations-5542818

Voting "No" This Saturday Is a Vote Against Bullying

 Parts of the "Yes" campaign have faltered due to their tone and contempt for the other side.

I believe that at this Saturday’s referendum on the proposed change to our Constitution, to establish a “Voice to Parliament,” Australians will vote “No” to bullying.

We don’t like bullies, we don’t like elitists, we don’t like lies, and we don’t like people who punch down.

To read more, please go to  https://www.theepochtimes.com/opinion/voting-no-this-saturday-is-a-vote-against-bullying-5506358

Healing from the Voice will take years

 

My latest opinion piece in the Spectator

When goodwill prevails, the most prominent voices will be those who support reconciliation, solidarity, and a positive way forward. When ill will prevails, the loudest voices will be those who seek division and revenge for the past.

The ‘Voice’ campaign has divided our nation. Whichever way the referendum goes, if we can heal from the divisive experience, it will take years.... 

To read more, please click on this link at the Spectator. 

https://www.spectator.com.au/2023/09/healing-from-the-voice-will-take-years/

https://www.spectator.com.au/2023/09/healing-from-the-voice-will-take-years/

The Full Uluru Statement Talks About Grievance and Struggle, Not Reconciliation

 

Several months ago, The Australian newspaper broke the news of the “White Hands on Black Art” scandal where Indigenous artists allege studio staff regularly meddled with their artworks.

Evidence included a video of a white Aboriginal art centre manager painting on the canvas of what was meant to be the work of an acclaimed Indigenous artist.

The scandal is a metaphor for the proposed change to the Australian Constitution to establish an Indigenous Voice to Parliament. My work with Aboriginal people, and my academic research on their faith and culture, led me to wonder if something similar to the “White Hands on Black Art” scandal is happening.

Does The Voice campaign embrace traditional Aboriginal values, or does it reflect values that are not Aboriginal?

To read more, click here

https://www.theepochtimes.com/opinion/the-full-uluru-statement-talks-about-grievance-and-struggle-not-reconciliation-5465823?utm_source=ref_share&utm_campaign=copy

Is Liberal Democracy Possible Without God?

My latest article for the Epoch Times, is titled Is Liberal Democracy Possible Without God?

Commentary

As Western society becomes increasingly secularized, can our liberal democracy survive without God?

John Adams wrote to the Massachusetts Militia in 1798 that “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious People. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

The claim made by Adams’ makes eminent sense if we consider that liberal democracy is founded upon the equality and human rights of all people.

How can we make sense of equality without God?

If we are judged against our fellow humans, or against the state, then none of us would seem to be equal. But if our value is judged in relation to God, then we can make the claim to equality ......

To read more, please click on this link 

https://www.theepochtimes.com/is-liberal-democracy-possible-without-god_5274250.html