August 2018

Re: Boris and the burka

It was interesting to read what Chris's said about Boris's article on the burka. As a women it wasn't so much the criticism of the clothing that worried me, as the supposition that women wear it under duress and the insulting language used.

Some women choose to wear the burka. I have actually talked with women wearing burkas. I'm pretty sure Boris hasn't. We live in a free society. If men are going to demand what we women can wear, then I despair. (It also concerns me too, that some male bosses expect women to dress a certain way with high heels, that ruin their feet, and to put on loads of make-up, without asking them what they want to wear.)

The insult to women that we look like a bank robber or worse still a letterbox is totally unacceptable. I could write what I think about him and his appearance but he will probably sue.

Whether we agree with the burka or not, is not the point. It is the language he used. He is not in the comedy club on a gig. He is a leading politician.
Boris doesn't object to bikers, usually male (although not always) who go through our cities with complete head helmets and smoked glass visors, where you can't even see their eyes - worse than a burka! You don't need a smoked glass visor! A normal helmet or a clear visor if you must wear one, would do.

So..............you have to be equitable. But it is very clear to me that Boris' appalling remarks are misogynistic and have already caused stupid people to put Moslem women's lives at risk.
Moira Kleissner

 

Re: From Prince Philip to Jesus: joy in Evangelism 

Reading with great interest Mark Roques' article on the above. It makes a telling comparison about the context of faith in worshipping a higher body. 
Martin Mendelssohn

It is encouraging to read Mark Roques' encouragement of an evangelism that actually enters into the world-view of non-Christians, and of fellow Christians who simply "go with the flow". Another of my friends in Cambodia tells me about his Aid and Development work among the indigenous people - helping to preserve the forests or using his projects resources to help families bury those who have died accidentally and thus left isolated because of the evil spirit stigma that is associated with such "unnatural" deaths. He calls it "Walking with the poor", the title of a book by Bryant Myers. Likewise, Mark in his story telling is certainly keen to "walk with" those reading his stories, getting inside the world-view of those for whom Christianity has lost its credibility ... I hope you can find your way to publish more of Mark's carefully crafted tales ... he's a hard working lad and I'm sure he's pleased you've published his reflection on how he has learned to "walk with" his incredulous interlocutors.  I've suggested to Sight Magazine (a Baptist-based web-magazine here in Geelong, Australia) that they might make a link to this article.
Bruce Wearne


In our contemporary world, which some describe as 'postmodern', there is a growing recognition that we learn about ourselves and the world through stories. Roques demonstrates how true stories can  stimulate the  the imagination and encourage reflection about the meaning and purpose of life. By opening up the worldviews that shape these narratives, he can connect the  big Biblical story through many vignettes. A parabolic approach, whose time has come!
Anne Burghgraef