by NZ Christian Network | 9 Jan , 2015 | FOCUS, Secularism
Michael Cook (MercatorNet) has written a useful reflection on the latest terrorist attack in France, asking whether the approach advocated by many commentators is the best way.
He quotes novelist Michel Houellebecq, who was featured on this weekโs cover of Charlie Hebdo, saying,
Look, the Enlightenment is dead … May it rest in peace. โฆ In itself, it can produce nothing, just emptiness and unhappiness. So yes, I am hostile to Enlightenment philosophy, I need to make that perfectly clear.
via Islamic terrorists mow down staff of Charlie Hebdo.
by NZ Christian Network | 16 Dec , 2014 | FOCUS, Media Releases, Secularism
Media Release – 15 December 2014
New Zealand Christian Network director Glyn Carpenter is calling for people to pray and exercise understanding over the Sydney hostage incident.
“Most important” Carpenter says, “is to pray for the victims and families of those directly involved in the incident – especially those who have been killed or injured.
“I wrote earlier today to our sister organisation in Australia expressing sympathy and saying that Kiwis all over New Zealand would be praying for them all.
“We are also calling for understanding, and praying that this will not result in any backlash towards Muslims in Australia or New Zealand.
“News reports indicate that the gunman was a sociopath who was using religion as a cover for his common criminal activity. We have plenty of examples of sociopathic behaviour in New Zealand and I’m sure in Australia. Most commonly these are not linked to any religion and don’t result in any negative backlash, so there’s absolutely no reason for there to be one in this case.
“We thank the media who have quickly exposed the gunman’s lack of connection with mainstream Muslim community in Australia, and call on Kiwis to continue to grow friendship and hospitality to Muslims living in New Zealand.
“And we pray for all the victims and their families as they try to come to grips with the aftermath of this tragic incident”.
New Zealand Christian Network is a broad-spectrum network of churches and Christian leaders, with a Board of Reference that includes leaders from all the main denominations. It seeks to present a biblically orthodox position on issues, reflecting the views of the majority of Christians in New Zealand.
For queries or further information contact: Glyn Carpenter
National Director, New Zealand Christian Network
by NZ Christian Network | 4 Dec , 2014 | FOCUS, Media Releases, NZCN, Secularism
MEDIA RELEASE – 4 December 2014 (Updated 12 Dec)
UPDATE (12 December) – media have reported that the Speaker of the House has decided to retain the current prayer.
Concern over Parliamentary Prayer Decision
New Zealand Christian Network director Glyn Carpenter has raised concerns ahead of a decision on the prayer used in parliament.
Parliamentโs speaker Rt. Hon. David Carter has written to all Members of Parliament seeking their views on an alternative prayer by this Friday.
Carpenter has written to MPs supporting the updating of language and inclusion of te reo Maori, but stating that if itโs an either/or choice between the current Christian prayer and the proposed alternative, there are good reasons to retain the status quo.
โThis Christmas Day we mark 200 years since the Christian message was first preached in New Zealandโ says Carpenter, โhighlighting the fact that New Zealand is in many ways still a distinctively Christian country, even if many people no longer practise the faith.
โWeโve had many supportive responses, but also a couple that are hard to understand. One MP said that the House of Representatives must reflect the various faiths of all New Zealanders so that all New Zealanders feel represented by their Parliament, regardless of their religious beliefsโ.
Carpenter says this is simply impossible. โHow can the proposed new prayer that starts with โE te Atua Kaha Rawa (Almighty God)โ make the 40% of New Zealanders who do not claim a belief in God feel included? How can a prayer not offered in the name of Jesus Christ make Christians feel included?
โIt is a mistake to believe that all Christians will feel represented by a prayer that is made to some generic deity.
โIf they want to get rid of the Christian prayer, then they should have the courage to be upfront and say soโ says Carpenter. But letโs not pretend thereโs a way to satisfy everyone on this matterโ.
The Christian prayer should be retained in Parliament, reflecting our heritage, culture, and the faith that is foundational in our society, and still claimed by nearly 50% of New Zealanders.
New Zealand Christian Network is a broad-spectrum network of churches and Christian leaders, with a Board of Reference that includes leaders from all the main denominations. It seeks to present a biblically orthodox position on issues, reflecting the views of the majority of Christians in New Zealand. For queries or further information contact : Glyn Carpenter
National Director, New Zealand Christian Network
by Glyn Carpenter | 13 Oct , 2014 | FOCUS, Value of Life
Kim Workman (Rethinking Crime and Punishment) blogged recently about Christians and the death penalty. This is a controversial issue, although maybe less so now than in years gone by.
October 10th was the 12th World Day against the Death Penalty, promoted by the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, an alliance of more than 150 NGOs, bar associations, local authorities and unions, created in Rome on 13 May 2002. The aim of the World Coalition is to strengthen the international dimension of the fight against the death penalty. Its ultimate objective is to obtain the universal abolition of the death penalty. To achieve its goal, the World Coalition advocates for a definitive end to death sentences and executions in those countries where the death penalty is in force. In some countries, it is seeking to obtain a reduction in the use of capital punishment as a first step towards abolition.
The topic was debated at the Eight Biennial International Council meeting of Prison Fellowship International held in Johannesburg, South Africa from the 17 โ 19th September, and Kim Workman attended and presented New Zealandโs position on the topic.
Prison Fellowship founder Chuck Colson supported capital punishment in the most extreme cases. His successor (recently retired) Ron Nikkel recognised there were different views within Prison Fellowship and felt the matter needed to be debated properly.
Read the conclusion of the debate ..
Ron Nikkel is in Auckland this week, and has agreed to speak on the topic “Just Prisonโ at a public meeting hosted by Prison Fellowship and the Robson Hanan Trust (Rethinking Crime and Punishment/JustSpeak) to be held on Wednesday, 15th October, 7.30pm at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Cnr St Stephens and Parnell Road, Auckland.
by Glyn Carpenter | 2 Oct , 2014 | Church, FOCUS, Marriage and Family
A married man with heart disease can be expected to live, on average, 1,400 days (nearly four years) longer than an unmarried man with a healthy heart
Some may dismiss this as ‘special pleading’ given that the article does after all feature in a ‘religious’ newspaper (the Catholic Sun). Others however may read it and consider that there is more to God and God’s ways than they had previously thought.
Either way, make sure to share it with friends.
via Studies confirm religion increases longevity, and marriage does too | The Catholic Sun.
Check out also the NZCN|Notes on marriage at http://nzchristiannet.wpengine.com/nzcn-notes/
… and the Marriage Week (7-14 February) website www.marriageweek.org.nz
