Political statistics

Some friends told me about drug rehabilitation centers last night.  Among their comments was the fact that they think the government are not the best people to administer such centers.

Their logic goes is as follows.  Drug addicts look for rehab.  The government looks for statistics.  The government do not really care about the people.  They care about looking good to the community.  The statistics look better of the numbers are larger.  It does not matter to them if the drug addicts go back for rehabilitation many times.  So long that they do not report that these are the same people, their statistics for the numbers that have passed their doors and receive aid would look better.

These friends think that the church would do a better job with the rehab centers.  Churches look for changed lives.  Church would call on God prayerfully to help the people who need help.  Church would want people to meet Jesus, who can give people deliverance and new life.

Would you agree?  Why or why not?

In what ways do churches succeed where governments do not?  In what ways do churches fail?

Please share your thoughts.  Thank you.

Positive parenting

A few of the tips on parenting that I learned are listed below:

• Say it positively, eg. encourage "indoor voice" instead of "do not shout".  Say "tidy your room" rather than "your room is messy".
• Encourage and reward good behaviour.
• Explain consequences of bad behaviour.  Implement those consequences.
• As much as possible, the consequences must be logically connected to the offence.
• A "stop" instruction must be obeyed immediately.  A "go" instruction may be repeated after 5 seconds, but no further follow up.
• No spanking.  Rather, send the child to "quiet time" where he can think about what he did wrong, or to "time out" - a safe isolated area.
• "Time out" is a more positive name than "naughty spot".

What do you think about such a parenting style?  Has it worked for you?

Did our parents do it wrongly?

Is the style of parenting related to culture?

What about the Bible?  Is positive parenting Biblical?  Why did the Bible command some "thou shalt not ..." instead of using these "positive parenting" techniques?  Did God get it wrong?

What has been your experience?  What do you think?

Is it fair or sexist or neither?

Tony Abbott, the new Prime Minister of Australia, has chosen who he wants to be on his front-bench team in Parliament.  Many have noticed that he only has one woman on that team, and commented on it.

Some seem to think of him as sexist and old-school, to have so few women on the team.

I see the opposite, though.  Isn't it that those who think so the sexist ones?

I mean, Mr Abbott may have chosen his team based on the merit or reputation or credibility of those people.  As the Prime Minister, he would want people that he trusts in those positions.  He shouldn't be forced to think about the gender of his team-mates in the course of choosing his team, should he?  That the team-member is a man or a woman should be a minor detail - rather who they are and what they can do are the important aspects.

Maybe it is those who think in terms of the gender who are the sexist ones.

Maybe, if Tony were less sexist, more women would end up on his team since he regards these people as the ones with the merit, reputation and credibility.  Maybe not.  I am not saying that women are not trustworthy for these roles.  Just understanding that only one woman was chosen this time.  And that Tony should be allowed to make this choice without having it based on gender.

What do you think?  Is it sexual discrimination, or lack of sexual discrimination, that the ratio of men:women on the front bench ended up being what it is?  Does it matter?  Why or why not?

7 things women should know about relationships

A list I saw in the "Relevant" magazine said that women should know the following things about their potential partners:

• Your love isn't going to change him.  Love him for who he is - not who you wish him to be.  Otherwise, you are going to be disappointed.
• Men want to feel needed.  He won't be there for you if you don't need him.
• He already has a mother.  You don't need to be a second one to him.
• Look for a life-time commitment.  Not just one that gets fleeting attention.
• Manipulation will sour the relationship.  Eventually.
• Men are not mind-readers.  Tell him what you want him to know.  Tell him directly.
• He is not your last chance.  There is likely to be others.

Does the list seem pretty obvious to you?  Do you think it applies for all women?

What do you think women should know about men?  Is this list complete?

I see that this list emphasises honesty and commitment.  I like that in boy-girl relationships.  Do you?

What should guys look for in a girl?  Why?

Secular vs. scripture

I noticed a few areas where the values of society is different from what the scripture says.  I suppose this is why Christians talk about the difference between sacred and secular, between the Church and the world.  Let me list a few of these differences, as I remember them tonight:

• Scriptures advise us to make our money slowly.  The world wishes for instant profit.
• People want to keep their riches for themselves.  The Bible says we should remember to share with the poor.
• Society says to put "me" first.  Look after number one.  Do what "I" want.  It is all about me and for me.  Scriptures says to put God first.  We are to honour Him.
• We are taught to think positively.  We can do it.  Scriptures tell us to think humbly.  God gave me the strength.
• Many people think that it doesn't matter what you do, so long as you don't hurt anyone, and so long that you don't get caught.  The Bible tells us to live more uprightly than this.  Be holy, as God is holy.

Can you add to this list?

What does this mean to you?  Would you follow after society's values?  Or Scriptures?

How do you reconcile the differences?  How do you hold them in tension?

Has the church gotten it wrong?  Or has society gotten it wrong?  What do you think?