Blogs & Articles
Our blogs focus on the role of Christianity in both Aotearoa New Zealand and globally.
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A joint statement by the national leaders of most New Zealand church denominations
We are sharing with you a very useful brief statement issued yesterday by the National Church...
The End of Life Choice Act: a dangerous line New Zealand should not cross
Many New Zealanders like the idea of euthanasia as an option for those terminally ill, and assume the End of Life Choice Act must be okay. But here’s a dozen very serious reasons why the End of Life Choice Act is so wrong and dangerous for New Zealand, and why we need to vote AGAINST it.
Responding to feedback on Is the legalisation of cannabis racist?
I’ve received some great feedback from my last article, ‘Is the legalisation of cannabis racist?’ One reader in particular pushed back on my argument…
Is the legalisation of cannabis racist?
There is a common accusation from those who support the legalisation of cannabis that the illegality of cannabis causes disproportionate harm to ethnic minorities. Joseph Boden, a professor in the Department of Psychological Medicine at the University of Otago, Christchurch and who sits on the government’s Expert Panel on Cannabis asserts that “Prohibition is racist, it operates in a racist manner, and you see this everywhere and that’s one of the main reasons, to me, to get rid of it. It’s actually a tool for white people to oppress minorities.
Critiquing Chlöe on Cannabis
Recently on ZM’s Fletch, Vaughan & Megan morning show, Green MP Chlöe Swarbrick was interviewed about the upcoming cannabis legalisation referendum. Mark Maney sums up Chlöe’s arguments and provides a short response.
An International Perspective on U.S. Christians & Politics
From an outsider’s perspective, the heightened partisan divide in America is disturbing. Some will dismiss this as an American issue and not the business of those beyond its borders. However, we live in a global village; when Americans sneeze, the rest of the world catches a cold!
A Canadian’s Reflections on Racial Injustice
Like many of you, I have been following circumstances in the United States surrounding the tragic death of George Floyd, a black man, by a police officer. Because of these events, I feel compelled to address this issue. This issue of racism and racial injustice is something that I think each one of us should care deeply about. – Mark Maney
Racism, police brutality, American politics, President Trump, MAGA caps, Christianity – and Aotearoa
Amidst all the rancour and toxicity issuing from a troubled USA, some questions to ponder and discuss. And some suggested responses…
WEA Joins National Association of Evangelicals in Lamenting Racial Injustice, Calling for Prayer amid Recent Turmoil
The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) joins the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE), its national member body in the United States, in lamenting the recent killing of a black unarmed man at the hands of a white police officer.
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place
Across Aotearoa, many churches will be delighted they can now freely begin to gather again in person. This is a great and welcome start, and we thank God for it (and also for God’s hand in keeping New Zealand relatively safe).
NAE Addresses Racial Turmoil, Calls for Action
No race or ethnicity is greater or more valuable than another. Evangelicals believe that the good news of Jesus Christ has the power to break down racial and ethnic barriers (Ephesians 2:14–18). Racism should not only be addressed after tragic events. Our communities of faith must pursue sustained efforts in this labor of love and justice.
“I wish all religious people in NZ would get together at once and die from COVID-19”
Last weekend there was a very disturbing illustration of that. A talkback radio host on Newstalk ZB expressed the desire that all religious people in New Zealand should meet together and catch COVID-19 and then die from it, so that “we won’t ever have to hear from them ever again”.
We strive to post articles that are either written by kiwis or are framed to our local and cultural context, and are faithful to biblical Christianity.