Curious Christian

Reflections on culture, nature, and spirituality from a Christian perspective

Spirit of Australia

Published by

Matt Stone

2009-01-26

How does place effect perspective?

How does space shape spirituality?

Gary Bouma, author of “Australia Soul” observes,

“While Americans seem to have an immediate sense of the presence of God, for Australians, God is more distant – I suppose, at least as far away as London is from Sydney. The centre of imperial authority was a long way away and only partially effective in exercising control, providing the necessities of life and observing the behaviour of convict and colonist alike. Such experiences correlate with the sense I detect among Australians that God is distant, able to be got around and, while useful for desperate last-minute appeals, not quite relevant to everyday life. The influences and effects of Australia having long had an absent ultimate authority in political, economic, social and cultural life can be seen in the distant, indistinct, low-expectation relationship with the transcendent that I have come to consider characteristic of Australia’s religious and spiritual life.”

I find this an interesting observation.

I think many Australians do perceive God as distant, and I think this represents a considerable challenge for the missional church.

But what if there was another way of looking?

What if, instead of focussing on the space between us and the centres of influence, we instead focussed on the place where we are at? Over the holidays I was reflecting on the vastness of our land and the vastness of God. The same God who created Galilee, created Australia, in all its rough beauty. I was reflecting on how Jesus spurned the power of Caesar, the dominating ways of Rome. It prompted me to ask, what sort of influence matters? Is God only to be found in the centres of influence? I think we need to be more open to finding God anywhere and everywhere, sometimes where we least expect.

Synchroblog: Christianity in Australia

This post is part of the Christianity In Australia synchroblog which a number of Australian Christians are participating in to celebrate Australia Day. For more on Christianity in Australia see:

Ben Wheatley on Australia

Les Chatwin on Some People are Never Happy

Fernando Gros on Australian Days

Steve Taylor on Credible Witness

Brunette Koala on Spirituality in Australia

Heather on Together

Tags Australian

4 responses to “Spirit of Australia”

mary

2009-01-26

Re Gary Bouma —> ‘While Americans seem to have an immediate sense of the presence of God, for Australians, God is more distant…’
Ridiculous statement. Perhaps if he is referring to the dumbed down masses in America who will vote for anyone who states they are a Christian it would be valid. (After all who voted in Bush and his murdering lying regime…)
I think Australia’s history and the great white British colonizer Aryan Jesus has shaped a distrust of established christian institutions which has intensified in the 21st century.
We are more laidback in Australia and apathetic politically and not as floorshowy spiritually because of the laidback life style.
The divorcing of our involvement in having a part in war and oppression or needing to have a voice on these issues is erroded… We as Christians are being propelled forward into having to make a choice as to our apathy. Example – do we sit silent whilst Israel commits war crimes or do we speak out, rally and protest.
The absence of church voices and leaders speaking out against the oppression and murder of Palestinians in the name of a Zionism ideology is tragic/shameful
The growth of Islam in Australia (conversions) is happening just as it did in america decades ago. In jails across Australia… it is happening Why? because it answers not just a spiritual facet but also strongly endorses political and social action. It addresses what institutionalized christianity has consistently failed to do.
Australia is a beautiful country and once you leave the crammed cities and hit the vast expenses of deserts etc the spirituality of this land is obvious.
having said that you could also go down The Block Redfern and see the strong spirituality there that has welcomed and cared for Indigenous brothers and sisters for decades.
I believe Christians are living in a matrix of lies politically, socially and spiritually. The sooner we recognise this and agitate for truth literal and spiritual the sooner we shape a Christian society that is real, heard and powerful.

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mary

2009-01-26

Australia Day and Christianity – 2009
The Genocidal Jesus came
down under
to split cultures
& peoples asunder
then
gloating over his plunder
He said:
“Let’s build our church
& civilize the oppressed”
“Let’s utilize our convicts
& the black man”
“Let’s make a river of blood
flow under a Union Jack”
“Let’s teach them about God &
Jesus and that place called Hell”
Let us build a great nation
Let’s honor our
‘Genocidal Jesus’
(They build a police station)
The Genocidal Jesus
is still alive and kickin
in the 21st century
All you got to do
is switch on your TV…
He mutters concern
from the pulpit
about the homeless, broken and insane
He looks at the poverty
and asks for a donation
He introduces the
Tokenism
Multi-culuralism
contorts his face into a patronising
smile with death on it’s breath
He now says the Muslim and Arab
are second best
because surely we all now know
The Genocidal Jesus
knows how to appropriately talk and dress!
And there every Sunday
in their churches
They sing their hymns
thanking the Genocidal Jesus
for their passage into heaven
and the privileged life
of living down under
Rich o so rich on Brit plunder
“Forgive them Father for they know not what they do”
Jesus on the cross dying
(Written on a blisteringly hot day in Sydney!)

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Ben

2009-01-27

Wow – our thoughts did sort of go in parallel directions.
I love that thought:
“The same God who created Galilee, created Australia, in all its rough beauty.”

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Heather

2009-01-28

Hi, Matt. I’m not sure if you got my other comment letting you know my entry is here: http://deconstructedchristian.wordpress.com/2009/01/26/together/
Heather.

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