NEWS From the Editor Would you consider yourself a decent person? That is the question on my mind this week as a seemingly small issue takes over the social media feeds of Lithgow, with discussions about a mosque on Ferro Street, leading to a call for a ‘peaceful’ protest at an information evening being put on by the Ahmadiyya muslim community next week titled - Demystifying Islam. For me, it all started when A photo of someone I think is a thoroughly decent human being Matt Trounce posted a photo of himself with Imam Mohammad Atae Rabbi Hadi, Ashfaq Ahmad President Penrith Chapter and Usman Mahmood from Lithgow. I find Matt to be very open minded in my discussions, and to see him post this image gave me hope that a reasonable conversation could be conducted around people’s rights to choose their own religion. After all, isn’t that the country we live in, we get to choose what we believe? Sadly the conversations on social media have been a split between decent human beings that have recognised that gaining a better understanding puts us in a better position to discuss issues with some knowledge, and those pedalling the same fear and misunderstandings that have been so popular in the mainstream media. That all muslims are bad… so lets break it down and see if we can maybe understand this a bit better. In the 2011 census, there were 476,291 people, or 2.2% of the population. Of this 2.2% figure, some estimate more than half are non-practicing cultural Muslims from within the varying denominations and sects of Islam present in Australia. (Wikipedia) There is no data released from last years bungled census on the increase, but most estimates in the media have it pegged at around the same figure currently. In the 2011 Census, there were more Buddhists than muslims. With that in mind, if we had an application from a buddhist organisation to build a buddhist monastery similar to the amazing one on the South Coast, the Nan Tien Temple, would we be protesting their right to build their place of worship? The facts are that there is not going to be a knock down rebuild on Ferro Street taking down a picturesque Lithgow home and placing a mosque in it’s place. The Council would clearly not allow that. At Monday Night’s council meeting after a thoughtful and well worded presentation by a local resident, the Council confirmed the development application received was for a place of worship in the current structure, which will be called in before council for determination in coming months. There was also a commitment that if the premises was
Issue 160 - 12 May 2017
being used ‘illegally’ at the moment, then the Council Staff would investigate and make recommendations within their scope of power. What are we really doing though? Asking people to stop praying to the god they believe in? Is that a world we want to live in? I agree that a more appropriate location could be sought to give the muslims of our region a chance to pray in peace, however, I don’t feel that we are on the crest of a wave of Muslims coming to Lithgow to try and change our way of life. In my experience, the muslims I have met are decent people. I am certain I am not alone in that. In fact, half the time they are like us good christian people… that don’t go to church, don’t pray every day and identify as christian because it is how we were brought up. The number of muslims in the world is growing that is a fact, and in areas that are now predominately muslim areas, such as parts of inner western Sydney, then I am sure some things have changed, for example if a school now has a 90% population of muslim students, celebrating Christmas the same as they did when they had 90% christian students may be irrelevant. It is not change being made for the minority. In my experience, some of the worst perpetrators of this are organisations that are so fearful of offending anyone, they change because they perceive there may be an issue in the future. I will be attending the Demystifying Islam information night next week, as I believe that until I have some semblance of understanding, I am in no position to agree or disagree. For the record, I have also spent a weekend at Nan Tien Temple on the South Coast and found the buddhists there to be amazing people, and the building is incredible. And just so everyone knows where I stand on things: I believe in people’s right to choose for themselves - whether it be their religion, who they marry, what they wear, where they live, what they eat and how they make their way in the world.
Your Say Submitted by community members Thank you Rich for continuing the conversation about the Bible and Church in Issue 159. And well done after not having done it for 30 years, to go against the tide of our society to go to a church apart from a funeral or wedding. I think one of the best ways to “experience it and understand the subject” is in the passage you mentioned, the Road to Emmaus in Luke 24 just after the historic death of Jesus. Like most Aussies, the close followers of Jesus think when you’re dead, you’re dead. Two of them unload upon a stranger their disappointment that their hopes in Jesus are dashed, they thought he was the one to fulfil all of God’s promises and are confused to hear reports that his tomb is empty and no Jesus. The stranger gives them a strong rebuke for not paying more attention to engaging with the text of the Bible. They should have spent more time letting it shape their hopes and dreams. The twist at the end is the stranger turns out to be the risen Jesus whom they hadn’t recognised! “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory? And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” Engaging with the text of Scripture is the best way to “experience it and understand the subject” because it focusses our attention on Jesus, the one who fulfils all of God’s promises. Engaging with the Scriptures, letting it change our worldview, shape our hopes and dreams now and in the future may be very challenging as it was for the two followers on this occasion, at other times it will be wonderfully comforting and rewarding. Engaging with the Bible is best done in community with others. When you arrive at the church I attend with my family and are welcomed, you are given a Bible indicating the importance of engaging with the Scriptures with others. Why not follow Rich’s lead and go to a church. Find a community of people that engage with the Bible. Many in the local area including myself have discovered it is lifechanging! Peter Avery, Lithgow
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