Issues to Explore
Sexuality and Faith
Our sexual identity is an important part of who we are. Is there only one way of expressing this, the binary pattern of male and female? How does God invite us to understand who we are as beings made ‘in the image of God’? Whatever our sexual orientation is, how are we invited to express our sexuality in ways which are life-giving and not destructive to ourselves and others? These are big questions and hot topics in the wider community and within the church.
Part of the debate within the church has been about attitudes towards homosexuality and, more recently, the marriage of people of the same gender (which is now legal within Australia under civil law but not yet allowed within the Anglican Church).
A recent collection of essays has been released and can be downloaded free to encourage us to reflect on this question. Be prepared that the essays come from a variety of viewpoints and so none of us will agree with everything that is written there! As this is an important and complex matter the depth of the material presented may feel daunting. Please explore and come along to bring your questions about this. Share them with us.
The collection of essays can be accessed and downloaded at:
https://www.broughtonpublishing.com.au/marriagedoctrineessays/ or at: https://anglican.org.au/our-work/doctrine-theology/.
For those who prefer a hard copy book in their hands these can be purchased for $34.95 at:
https://www.garrattpublishing.com.au/product/9780648265948/
Reconciliation and the place of Indigenous people in Australia
Until 1967 the indigenous people of Australia were considered part of the fauna (animal life) of this country. The recognition which they deserve in our constitution is a matter for current debate.
The Uluru Statement from the heart (https://www.referendumcouncil.org.au/sites/default/files/2017-05/Uluru_Statement_From_The_Heart_0.PDF) called for a deeper appreciation in the whole of the Australian community of the history, experience, hopes, dreams and aspirations of indigenous Australian. How will we respond?
The Recognise campaign (http://www.recognise.org.au/index.html) seeks a just way forward.
The calls for reconciliation are important to hear, and especially for an honest remembering of the past and the ways in which indigenous land and lives were taken through the colonial period (and since). See https://www.reconciliation.org.au/
How will we engage with these issues?
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