Archive for category Your community

Politics and religion

Dec 1

Posted by Adam Stanecki in Opinions and observations, Politics, Religion, Your community | No Comments

I’m sure I remember my mother telling me not to discuss politics or religion in polite company. But I just can’t help myself. How can anyone these days? It seems like the two are intrinsically connected these days. One might think that the USA is home to religion control of the political arena but Australia is not far behind. With the rise of Tony Abbott to the leadership of the Liberal Party, I can’t help but wonder if we are about to see an era of Christian values being forced down our throats…please God anything but that. (Yes, it is a little amusing that an atheist – I do detest that term – is calling for God’s help!)

In a few days I’ll be voting in the Higgins by-election. It’s a (fairly) safe Liberal seat yet I hope the constituents stand up and give the Liberals and the religious right in general a good old two fingered salute.

My vote will go to The Greens. (I’m purposely not mentioning climate change herein.)

Here is Dr Clive Hamilton’s campaign launch speech:

http://www.vimeo.com/7622317

If you’re feeling even more adventurous, perhaps the Australian Sex Party might get your vote?

Tags: Dr Clive Hamilton, Greens, Higgins, Politics, Tony Abbott

Philosophy for today

Oct 20

Posted by Adam Stanecki in Education, Society, Your community, Yourself | No Comments

I’ve only read one title by Alain de Botton but his philosophy has already made a major impact on my approach to life. I look forward to reading more of his works in the very near future.

I recently found a great video and highly recommend it to anyone that wants to learn more about what’s making us all tick these days.

Tags: Alain de Botton, philosophy

Bill Hicks – another dead hero

Sep 3

Posted by Adam Stanecki in Society, Your community | No Comments

I knew nothing of Bill Hicks until I saw his photo on a Tool album cover with the words Bill Hicks – another dead hero beneath it. Being a massive Tool fan, I began investigating this Hicks fella. Lo and behold! I discovered one of the greatest comedians and humanists of our time (all time?). Bill Hicks had a knack of telling it like it was/is. He never pulled his punches. His act was funny, brutally honest, truthful and sincere. Hicks was one of those guys that thought for himself and came to some astonishing conclusions. If I could wrap up his ideals simply I would say he was extolling love over hate, the truth of one consciousness and how we could easily become a better society if we only just thought about it.

Here is a great clip of Bill in his element on stage…

Tags: Bill Hicks, comedy, drugs

Pilger on Obama

Aug 31

Posted by Adam Stanecki in Politics, Your community | No Comments

The Barrack Obama Roadshow was an absolutely amazing spectacle. One cannot help but marvel at the immense passion, cost and footprint such an phenomenon manifested. We all seem to have gotten caught up in the hype, in the hope, in the dream. Well, maybe not all of us.

John Pilger is one of the greatest journalism alive. He is an Australian, an unashamedly dissident and a socialist. But beyond his politics he is honest, accurate and fearless in his dissection and presentation of the governments of the world and what they are really up to. Pilger’s dedication to true journalism is uncommon in the extreme. If you haven’t read one of his books or watched one of his documentaries, then do so without delay. Pilger has a clear vision of our world and chances are it’s not the way you see it. He peels back the layers and pries out the truth.

In the below video Pilger talks about Obama and explains how he isn’t the President you perhaps thought you he was.

Richard Dawkins: a true free-thinker

Aug 25

Posted by Adam Stanecki in Religion, Your community | 3 Comments

Richard Dawkins is a true free-thinker. He is a celebrated evolutionary biologist and a staunch atheist. I read his book “The God Delusion” last year and have to say it is one of the most important works that I have ever read (I’m currently listening to the audio version). It is at times funny, sarcastic, and poignant; and always well researched, considered and delivered. It should be read by all (those with and without religious beliefs) for it explains clearly the polarity between science and religion.

I enjoy Dawkins because he does not suffer fools lightly and because he has the courage to speak about his beliefs in a world in which atheist is still a bad word.

The below video is of an interview on The Hour about The God Delusion. I hope you enjoy it.