Scene and Herd: 8-JUL-05

Persecution: I wrote here recently about a conversation I had with a member of China's underground Christian church. Stacy Harp of Persecution Blog picks up a story from Stuff.co which reports that a Chinese spy infiltrated a church in New Zealand to report back on its activities to the Chinese police. Also from Perscution Blog, an article on a Chinese pastor "kidnapped by four men in an unidentifiable white van as he waited for the bus." As my own source related to me recently, in China the police arrests of Christians are like kidnappings.

The Great Separation links to and comments on Robert S. Leiken's article: "Europe's Angry Muslims". It's a well written look at Europe's homegrown extremists. Leiken is Director of the Immigration and National Security Program at the Nixon Center and a nonresident Fellow at the Brookings Institution. And The Great Separation mentions Kerry Livgren who used to lead the band Kansas - anyone familiar with "Dust in the Wind"? It foreshadowed Livgren's own change in spiritual direction. I used to love that song. Still do.

Africa, Poverty and Live8: I saw a little bit of Live8. I wasn't aware that no money was raised for charity, as Joe Carter of evangelical outpost satirically points out. (The comments are amusing on that post). David Wayne of The JollyBlogger also has some analysis. I think he's too hard on Annie Lennox though. Her song lyrics aren't about Africa - true. But she's well known for supporting humanitarianism - so in her case it's her actual appearance that sends a message. David also discusses the misappropriation of aid money by corrupt African governments. Agreed. But there are aid agencies one can donate to where the money goes directly to the people in need. So we do a bit of homework and can still give wisely. I guess what I have difficulty with, and this is not the intention in David's post, is that sometimes the "corrupt government" line is put forward by those who resent helping at all. As I said, that's not where David is coming from in his post, but I have at times seen it used as an excuse elsewhere. Andy Jackson at Smart Christian notes that evangelicals are polarised on Live8 but says, "I am willing to be a prophetic voice against extreme poverty in Africa whether I like my company or even think the specific proposals are well reasoned or might not even work". I think I probably come down closest with Andy's position. However I don't understand Bob Geldof not using Live8 to raise money to fight poverty. Live Aid raised money back in the 1980s, and it does seem like a missed opportunity to not raise money from the event. Primarily I think much is required from those who have been given much. So working out the best ways to give and be of help seems the most appropriate response to me.

Congratulations: To John of Scotwise on his Ruby Wedding anniversary, and Andrea of Tales of a Farmwife on her ninth wedding anniversary. God bless you and I hope you and your spouses have had great anniversaries.

Tech Tip: You might like to use Technorati Tags in your posts. The tags mean others looking for posts on a particular topic will find yours under that heading at Technorati.

I've used tags for this post, and in my previous post, in which I give an update on my family and some thoughts on the London bombings, here, (or see the post below). London is very much in my thoughts and prayers.

Technorati Tag: Persecution, Christianity, Live8