Latest thoughts part two - political persuasions

Why do I have the political persuasions that I do? I believe that politics and the church should always work towards the common good. If we want unrestrained 'dog-eat-dog', why have government at all! The 'common good', as I have written in my books, is one of the major features or dynamics of what Jesus meant when he used the term 'kingdom of God'. Everyone getting a fair and equitable go at everything available within God's creation. No selfishness, no stockpiling, no partiality, no prejudice. 

This way of thinking completely trumps (appropriate pun) any thought of government needing to protect or promote any form of religion, as, for government, the well-being of all people (especially those being left behind) and community harmony is their foremost agenda. This certainly and naturally spreads to the natural environment and the protection of earth's various species. Besides, those purporting religious protection (beyond the normal need for certain freedoms) are really only doing so for the benefit of their own donors and powerbrokers or for some sort of twisted desire for control. 

Everything and all those created by God are intimately and intricately connected to one another. Our welfare depends on their welfare - think of bees. Any area of suffering becomes each of our suffering. That is one of the reasons why I joined the Animal Justice Party,  along with the fact that the ALP (especially in Victoria) had proven to be so weak on animal protection issues. Having said that, it was federal Labour, under sustained pressure from several animal lobby groups, that successfully legislated for a phase-out of the horrific live sheep export trade by 2028 - legislation that is now safe due to the recent election result. 

While religion should never be coerced by government, the roles of government and church do overlap - thus, in the Christian sense at least, our practice of spirituality and pursuit of Jesus-style social justice must inform our political persuasions within a unified approach to life in the world. To be continued. 


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