I get many spam emails each day and I don’t mind that much – I am often pleasantly surprised to discover how many dead millionaire relatives I have. But you know, there’s a limit to how many lollies you can buy with your inheritance money, so I just delete the notices, along with the ones that tell me I have been offered an exclusive business partnership that will result in me being excessively wealthy.

But recently I received an email that claims to contain the opinions of politician Bob Katter. In it are some strong sentiments about how the author loves Australia, is proud to be a genuine Australian who works hard for their living, and supports their country. Okay, that sounds sweet… but wait, the tone becomes a tad harsh as it criticises the rich who find ways to pay less taxes, and the author hates how the poor are always crying that they are hard done by. The email says all Australians should speak English, and the only flag flown in this country should be the Australian one - I’m not sure where that leaves the status of the state flags and the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander flags. And what about Navy flags or the banner of the Boy Scouts? …Clearly these must be quite divisive and anti-patriotic.

The email then goes on more of a tirade, saying: “I dislike those people standing in the intersections trying to sell me stuff or trying to guilt me into making 'donations' to their cause....Get a job and do your part to support yourself and your family!” I wonder if the author of this piece of sensationalism really understands what charity and sacrifice is about.

I wonder if the author of the email realizes the impact volunteers make to our country – in 2006, 5.2 million people (34%) of the Australian population aged 18 years and over, participated in voluntary work, contributing 713 million hours to the community. And contrary to the above mentioned slur about the charity worker being a dole-bludger, the statistics show that employed people, either in full time (34%) or part time work (44%), had a higher volunteer rate than those who were unemployed (26%). In addition, the higher the education level, the more likely the person is to volunteer.*

I could go further and pull the email apart word by word and point out its rabid claims, but that is not the point. The real tragedy of this communication is that it was forwarded by someone I know who professes to be a Christian. This endorsement of such self-absorbed, narrow-minded prejudice is utterly painful. Painful for those who read it, painful for those it is directed at, and painful for the Christian movement. Last time I looked, I didn't think we lived in a vigilante state. 

When I think of the hatred and judgement in that email, I wonder, would Jesus have sent an email like that? What would he think of the Christians who put their name to this sort of dogmatic declaration?

I look to Jesus as my Guru, the one who strode around the barren hills of Gallilee wearing common clothes and sandals. Jesus was the guy who turned the establishment upside down, and instead of revving the Jews up to defend their country against the Romans, he taught about accepting their circumstances. Amidst the ethnic tension between Jews and Gentiles, and melting pot of African, European and Middle-eastern cultures, Jesus embraced the outsiders. The only damaging influence he pointed out was that of the self-righteous Jewish leaders. “Beware the leaven of the Pharisees and Saducees”, he said - in effect, saying “Watch out for the insidious poison of religious judgement and controlling behaviour.”

He challenged the people to abandon their pride of genetic purity and to concentrate on a purity of heart instead. He proposed that you could change your world, not with political slagging of your enemies, but by starting the change within yourself.

Perhaps the spammers could take a few leaves out of the Guru’s book.  

Comments (0)