Edition 2, page 2

Editorial Introduction


The mission of God’s Review will probably have to be re-stated for many (possibly several times over), so that they do not fall prey to prejudices, and understand the reason for GR’s existence. God’s Review is a bridge between the religious and the non-religious, an open forum for both sides of an extended divide to come together. It is a chance for evangelical religious people to extend their hand in friendship, and the completion of a broken feedback loop for religions of all kinds around Hobart. If you do not like what is published in here, send your own contribution to godsreviewhobart@gmail.com. You have the protection of anonymity for all written contributions. You need not fear repercussions for speaking your mind openly. The editors will cop any flak for you. We have thick skins; we can take it.

God’s Review is Hobart’s social response to the social responsibility of religions. What is social responsibility? Here is a real example: a church in Hobart has recently relocated, and in the process, redrawn property boundaries to accommodate mobility impaired people on council land, a development that was a long time coming. This is a social responsibility, and this church deserves respect for this. On the other hand, this very same church has also labelled homosexuals as wrong, sick and misguided, and this is socially very irresponsible – to promote homophobia. So we see that religions can be both socially responsible and irresponsible. For a church to promote homophobia in Uganda could be seen as socially responsible – homophobia is deeply rooted in culture in sub-saharan Africa, and for a church to openly support homosexuals would be more than scandalous, it could easily result in lynchings, riots, and the burning of churches, so strong is homophobia in some African cultures. So, GR’s ‘truth’, if you will, is context-specific. Another recent development we are unable to ignore is the recent Atheist bus advertisement campaign, echoed from similar campaigns in the U.K. and Ireland. It has been said that Atheism is the fastest-growing religious perspective in Australia. However, if Atheism is a religious perspective endeavouring to supplant religions, then it should have something to offer people in need beyond mere scientific answers to the deep questions of life, such as: Why are we here? What happens to us after we die? How can we be better people? And of course, Is there a God? Well, let us throw the gauntlet at Atheists by asking what do Atheists worship? Nihilism? Science? Materialism? Or is Atheism simply a negative perspective on religion?

Let us remember this parable: There was this dog, he had his own yard, got patted all the time, got fed whenever he needed to be fed, water when he was thirsty – everything he needed! And all of it from these tall creatures called humans. He thought to himself: “Surely these creatures are God!”

In the neighbours yard lived a cat, who got looked after very well by her owners, got pats whenever she wanted, food regularly, water was always around, and all of it came from these human creatures. The cat thought: “I must be God!”