There are few Bible teachings as misunderstood and misapplied as Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:1-2 : “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you too will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” What follows is the exhortation... Continue Reading →
For The Love of Money
My new job has me doing a lot more flying than I am used to. That is why it took me so long to notice that British Airways does not have a row 13. It is pretty obvious why – many people regard it as unlucky. What is perhaps not quite so obvious is the... Continue Reading →
Learning to Forgive
It seems that every day brings news of another hate-based crime. As shocking as Paris was, it was certainly nothing new. And as I have done the necessary reflecting, in the wake of each heart-breaking story, I have been struck by the realisation of how much the world needs to understand and practise forgiveness. I... Continue Reading →
Reflections on Paris
After any tragedy, it is right to let the emotional flood subside a bit before thinking about it rationally. Emotional wounds need to be handled emotionally (not intellectually) , and people need to purge themselves of the emotional pain – through tears or anger, for example – before being able to make sense of things.... Continue Reading →
A Patriot Speaks Against His President
This week our president made a jaw-dropping claim: loyalty to the ANC (the ruling party), he glibly remarked, is more important than loyalty to the country. My initial response, after the shock and anger wore off, was a pragmatic one: in the interests of ANC public (local and international) relations somebody should probably tell our... Continue Reading →
Making the Darkness Conscious
Introspection is an art. It is possibly the most important skill we can develop if we want to find a measure of contentment in life. But, like any art, it takes a lot of time and practice before we become skilful enough that the results are considered admirable by others. It is hardly surprising that... Continue Reading →
Reveling in Transience: Thoughts Inspired by Cheese
Everything you need to know about installation art would have been evident to you had you ever had the (probably quite surreal) opportunity of seeing (and certainly smelling) Dieter Roth’s Staple Cheese (A Race), which was part of his exhibition in Los Angeles’ Eugenia Butler Gallery in 1970. The work consisted of 37 suitcases of... Continue Reading →
Talking in Tongues: A Skeptic’s View
I will concede that it is a possibility that my vehemently anti-tongues stance was born out of a couple of negative experiences with charismatic churches. I certainly would be loath to tar all such churches with the same brush or to insinuate that all or even most members of such churches are in any way... Continue Reading →
Why We Need Values-based Education
I am concerned by the reluctance of governments and schools to encourage talk about morality in the classroom. They are happy to talk to business ethics, but not personal values. It seems that we are too afraid that by engaging in such discussions we might accidentally offend somebody. The result is that we are raising... Continue Reading →
Heritage Day: Reflecting on What Matters
I have been told that I am overreacting when I express criticism of how we celebrate Heritage Day (September 24th in South Africa). I truly love the concept of Heritage Day. Knowing how the currents of history have influenced the space in which we find ourselves provides invaluable insight into who we are, both as... Continue Reading →
Vapors In The Wind 