Photo: Revelation chapter 6 - The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

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Don’t freak out, humanity was not destroyed by past catastrophes and that suggests we will survive what we are going through at the moment. While locked away during the pandemic, it’s probably a good time to reflect on saving the natural world, protecting Gods creation and creating a better future.

 

RELIGION

 

Religion prompts us to contemplate things like the apocalypse so, let’s have a look at that… The above mentioned apocalyptic sequence of events has been exacerbated by global warming and catastrophic climate change impacting the natural world. The more fossil fuel we burn, the more greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere and the hotter the planet becomes. Like it or not, nature is sending us a procession of powerful signs we can no longer ignore.

 

Now, you would have to say that anyone promoting the destruction of the natural world is pushing for the apocalypse and that in turn is evil. If follows that anyone fighting to protect the planet and humanity is therefore good. It boils down to Good v evil or, God v the devil. Within the context of religion it’s the same thing... So, where does the church stand in the fight against evil or, in their words, the fight against their nemesis, the devil?

 

To start with, prior to the pandemic, the LNP Morrison government was in chronic climate change denial to protect the fossil fuel industry. That has progressed to blatant fraud with the government's energy policy written by fossil fuel companies, to promote fossil fuel companies, with taxpayers handing $10 billion in subsidies to fossil fuel companies and comes at the expense not only of taxpayers but the generations to come who will suffer from our governments greed driven, planet destroying, climate denialism. So basically, in terms of driving the world towards the apocalypse, that would be viewed as something rather evil.

 

Keeping that in mind… If God is good, what are the people who hide behind religion to do evil?

 

You would be forgiven for thinking that Morrison’s $1.2 billion 'slush fund' for Catholic and independent schools and $4.5 billion church funding was to buy the religious vote. Why else would a political party, or their leader, align themselves with the church?  This suggests that the church is a political force prepared to sell their votes, and their soul, to the highest bidder and it’s got nothing to do with what’s good or what their God may want with Morrison using his so-called faith as a marketing advantage.

 

This brings us back to what the church is all about. What’s outlined above suggests it’s all about money, power and control over men, by men, with religion as the intangible product they sell. It follows that if you’re looking for good, or God, the best option is to look no further than what’s in your own heart.

 

Please don’t get me wrong… The religious doctrine is a good thing for society in that it teaches us to be good, charitable, nurturing, humble and empathetic. It’s very socially progressive so, why does the church back the authoritarian, environment destroying, war mongering, self-serving right-wing in politics?

 

Hiding behind the veil of the church, and God, is a perfect cover to do evil and prompts questions about the validity of some religious institutions and about the integrity of those politicians who court the church for a vote. It’s the epitome of hypocrisy to say you have been "called upon", Mr Morrison. It's straight out of the conservative politicians playbook and it's yet to be seen if the greater population falls for another pathetic vote grab. Even Trump gave it a shot when he held up a bible and everyone on the planet could see through what some church leaders called blasphemy. 

 

Kevin Rudd has a pretty good take on the LNP religious push with Scott Morrison at the helm, and the disturbing implications for our democracy. Like any, self centred, self opinionated and egotistical person in power, Morrison's beliefs, religious or otherwise, have been twisted and rationalised to suit himself. He has become so arrogant and self righteous that he now believes whatever he thinks is the will of God. Just like Trump believing whatever popped into his head. For a Prime Minister with religious beliefs that serve himself and not society, this is a truly disturbing revelation. 

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Another example of politics from the pulpit: A secret plot to dump seven Victorian Liberal MP's based on skin colour, gender, ethnicity and religious beliefs has sparked a new branch-stacking crisis. An internal strategy document shows the Victorian Liberal Party’s religious right ($) conspired to purge the state’s upper-house sitting MP's to favour themselves. 

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Keep in mind that there has always been two pathways that lay ahead. We were born knowing the difference between right and wrong but, part of being human has always been about choosing our own path: Evil and the devil, dark or light, good and God, self or society? You have a conscience, use it.

 

In our current apocalyptic state, it’s not just politicians that need to be held to account. The church also needs to take some responsibility for blindly backing environment destroying politicians for a buck. If God is having any say at all about the destruction of his creation, and the evil in the hearts of men, then you can understand why he is not particularly happy.

 

Praying for good is one thing, voting for good is better.

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KINGDOM OF THE LORD

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Take my hand and walk with me
What’s in your heart that will be
What’s wrong is wrong and what’s right is right
And that's as simple as day and night

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Those who give and those who share
Those who feel and those who care, they will stand
The good will stand, and the bad will fall
It’s the kingdom of the Lord after all

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SteveFitz

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Go to the next article: Net Zero - When Zero Equals Everything

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