This weeks Quantum is a bit early (I have a wedding to go to!). It covers Afghanistan, China, the Crown, India, Iran, Brexit, Bob Dylan and George Harrison, Praising too Loud, Justin Bieber, free meals, Hondurus, Covid vaccine; Persecution of Christians in Egypt, NIgeria and Indonesia; Pastor Olaf Latzel; Ben John; and Dolly Parton.
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Here are some of the links to the stories and music covered…
Andrew Hasties brilliant article on the Australian SAS in Afghanistan
“In waging war, cherish the spirit of a peacemaker, that by conquering those whom you attack, you may lead them back to the advantages of peace.” (Augustine)
“I know just how much I rely on my faith to guide me through the good times and the bad, I know that the only way to live my life is to try to do what is right, to take the long view, to give of my best in all that the day brings and to put my trust in God.” The Queen
Other World News – China microwaves Indian troops; Iranian nuclear scientist assassinate
and Brexit…
Did you hear about the church in England raided by police – for having too loud praise?
We also look at another difficult situation in Honduras and our national anthem is the Honduran one…
We need to be more realistic about the Covid vaccine –
Christians are again being attacked in Egypt, Nigeria and Indonesia
Pastor Olaf Latzel in Bremen is prosecuted for speaking against homosexuality. And Ben Love of Christian Concern is reported to the police by a transgender activist.
We leave you with news of the wonderful Dolly Parton giving $1 million for Covid vaccine research and this Christmas song…
Catch up on last weeks here – Quantum 122 – The Times they are a Changing, Maradona and Armenian Heavy Metal!
And if you would like to support Quantum please do so here – https://patron.podbean.com/theweeflea
First off – as an ex-serviceman I am sick and tired of anyone taking the moral high ground with regard to service personnel. Yes war is ugly, it’s not good for anything but it is the reality. We don’t stop war happening by stating the obvious about it but by putting on our armour, standing against attack and choosing to engage proportionately, and only ever using force to a minimum amount to achieve the objective of protection against attack and only then when it is absolutely necessary. If you want to do something constructive to be part of that stand with service personnel, with a gun if necessary or if you lack the courage to do so then at the very least be grateful that there a people out there providing protection for you that you are not brave enough to provide for yourself.
The quote from Augustine is a good one. Also, Jesus, the prince of peace, did paradoxically say, as reported, that he did not come to bring peace but a war and than members of his followers own family will be their worst enemies.
Yes it is appropriate to be at peace wherever possible with everyone and to observe the golden rule of treating others as we would like to be treated ourselves. At the same time, in order to have peace we must train for war. And everyone who follows Jesus authentically knows what it is like for the kingdom of God to suffer violence with violent men taking hold of it.
Not enough penance. Bob Dylan singing the Beatles is as unnatural as a cat barking. Still, playing Dolly singing a gospel song probably redeemed you.
On a more serious note, the free meals stunt by the SNP was no election bribe. They have no concerns about the outcome of the next election in Scotland. It is straightforward virtue signalling.
I’m the pastor of an English-speaking church in Germany. To update you on Olaf Latzel: he has been found guilty, and sentenced to 3 months in prison, convertible to a fine of 90 Euros a day for 90 days, i.e 8100 Euros. He has appealed the judgement.
Re The Crown and its obvious fictional aspects . Perhaps TV programme – makers should not be too proud to learn from countries in which there was a British Imperial Presence , in this case, India.
The way Bollywood attempted to alert Indian viewers to the crucial difference between factual and fictional screen content was for Government film censors to insist upon the inclusion of a dance routine scene in all of the latter productions , regardless of plot relevance.
Perhaps the the hapless citizens of Neo – Marxist , Post – Modern UK require a similar measure.
Did Christian Concern remove the article about Ben John being reported to the police?