Musician Moana Maniapoto found her beliefs challenged when the ashes of Headless Chicken’s founder Grant Fell were sprinkled on stage during an award ceremony by his wife Rachael. But one of Fell’s colleagues said, ‘I felt like he was there. It was a total magic moment for us.’ The broadening out of how we express […]
Secrets, God and broken glass
Everyone carries secrets. Not necessarily the kind that titillate, but the ordinary, everyday ones that rise to trouble us like a recurring virus. The pain of regret, of knowing that our lives are not perfect, not even close but sometimes a chaotic mix of halfway rational choices and haphazard mistakes. Knowing that this life may […]
No religion but still soulful
The moment arrived. I opened the New Zealand Census webpage, filled in my code and with one click of the mouse became a No Religion, one of the fastest growing groups in our community. To be honest, I didn’t feel that I had an option. Although I’ve tangled with what we mean by God for most […]
Support for the End of Life Choice Bill
New Zealand is currently considering David Seymour’s End of Life Choice Bill through the Justice Select Committee process. My submission is below in its entirety. Support for the Bill I support the intent of this Bill because it emerges from a compassionate approach to human suffering and moves towards a society where every person has […]
Voluntary euthanasia: an unfamiliar pilgrimage
Euthanasia is a hot political topic in New Zealand as David Seymour’s voluntary euthanasia bill has been drawn from the ballot forcing politicians to confront this important issue. I support euthanasia and have done for many years. For me it is the mark of a compassionate society to hear the suffering of humans and to help alleviate […]
Abortion, Godde and spiritual development
Pregnant, yet deep within I knew I couldn’t give this baby life. The decision was made to abort and back then, over 30 years ago, I was unaware of how this experience would influence my spiritual development. Now in my 60’s I can see how it contributed to the meaning and purpose of my life, […]
Neville Duckmanton: the great encourager
Dear Neville I want to tell you, and anyone else in earshot, that you were one of the most encouraging people I’ve ever known. You were also generous, kind, clever and remarkably adept at making archaic systems work for good. You were the school principal of second and third chances, a teacher who’d seen it […]
Naked fat women push boundaries of presence
As France tangles with burkini bans, who knew that images of pretty much butt naked fat women would leave such an impression on me, whilst 60 photographs of glorious women at 60 would seem lacklustre in comparison. The Adipositivity Project is images of fat women by Substantia Jones who explores ideas around social justice, body […]
Hospital Chaplains too Christian for Nones?
She sat beside the bed, tears brimming. ‘Mum’s dying.’ ‘Yes.’ We sat in silence for a bit. ‘I’ve lost my faith.’ ‘Uh huh.’ ‘When my friend died.’ ‘Mm.’ We held hands and Mum’s too, wondering in our own ways, about God and faith and people dying and what the universe meant, if anything. As we […]
Living with my desk skull
Amongst the debris on my desk sits a small skull. It’s just big enough to remind me that I’m not long for this world. No, I don’t have a diagnosis that may make you feel awkward, other than being terminally human that is. Keeping the end in sight instead of trying to clutch at immortality […]