Australia Day: Can We Find Peace in Difficult Times?
A recent Institute of Public Affairs (IPA) poll revealed that 69% of Australians support Australia Day remaining on January 26th.
This commemorates the date of the arrival of the First Fleet in Port Jackson. This date also commemorates the arrival of Judaeo-Christian values and Western civilisation to the shores of Australia.
For many, 26 January represents a day of mourning. Undoubtedly, there were atrocities that took place against the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who inhabited the land prior to the arrival of the First Fleet.
We as a nation cannot and should not ignore the atrocities that took place, and these atrocities have been and should be condemned.
In light of the historical atrocities that have occurred against Native inhabitants, alternative dates have been proposed for the celebration of Australia Day. One date that has been suggested is 1 January, which commemorates the anniversary of Federation in 1901.
A Fine Balance
Interestingly, Indigenous Elder Ps James Dargin, a long-time friend of the Canberra Declaration, wants to celebrate Unity on Australia Day. See his plea for love, forgiveness and unity around our national flag and as one people, in the video below.
As Australia Day soon approaches, the question comes to mind of how we can balance the importance and necessity of cultural sensitivity towards Native Australians, with the recognition of all the good that has been achieved in Australia.
For many, Australia Day represents a day of positivity and gratitude. It is a day in which many Australians celebrate all the things that make our country good, including:
- The natural beauty of our country: our beaches, lakes, and mountains
- Mateship, and our friendly, laid-back way of life
- World-class medical care, and access to bulk-billing
- Democracy, and the right to have and share your own opinion (whether this be right or wrong)
- Recognition and appreciation of the importance of equal rights for men and women
It is for these reasons that each year, thousands of people from countries all over the world choose to call Australia home. We are a country where you are given a fair go – where you can set goals, achieve those goals, and have aspirations for a better future.
Tumultuous Times
Arguably, it is now more important than ever to remember the key values that underpin the success of our country.
According to the Youth Survey Report 2024, published by Mission Australia, 56% of young Australians rated cost-of-living as their primary concern. Further, mental health was rated as a major concern in approximately 1 in 4 young people surveyed.
Some of these concerns appear to be mirrored by the Australian public at large, with YouGov polls taken in November 2024 indicating that fewer than four in ten Australians believe that they are “going forward financially”.
Times are tough for many.
As Australia Day approaches for 2025, I’m reminded of the Apostle Paul’s teachings on the Holy Spirit:
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. ~ Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV)
It is with this teaching in mind that we may consider the issues facing our country at present. The following questions then come to mind:
- How can we foster genuine and peaceful dialogue with others who may share different opinions to us about the appropriateness of Australia Day being on 26 January?
- How do we find peace, amidst the suffering that is associated with the current cost-of-living crisis?
- How can we be kind to others, and towards those with whom we may disagree, or whom we even dislike?
In times when there is much fear and anger in society, I’m reminded of the following:
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
~ 2 Timothy 1:7
Whatever Australia Day means to you, let’s hope that it can be a day of peace and goodwill for all.
___
Image courtesy of Adobe.
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Changing the date will never satisfy the Marxist Guilt Industry who want complete destruction of our Western democratic govt. our culture and traditions. Marxists are so indoctrinated that no reasonable argument will make them meet us half way ! Aborigines already own 50 % of Australia + receive about $ 400 million a year, but, it is never enough! The Radicals want 100% of OZ+ to able to Tax us, etc . Learning Aboriginal history has come at the expense of learning World History which has resulted in Australians being grossly ignorant of everything else! I come from a background of exile+ dispossession because of British interference in my country, far worse than what the Aborigines have endured–at least they are allowed to live in the country of their ancestors + have received compensation. I have neither + am only alive by the Grace of God + my brave mother!
I am fed up with vandals desecrating historic statues + cutting off heads, particularly Capt. Cook, for whom , with my centuries ‘ family background of sea captains + owners I hold the greatest respect as a great navigator + explorer of the Pacific + of the Southern Ocean almost down to Antartica in a TINY ship whose replica I have seen ! It took great COURAGE to sail in that with no charts ! We should be proud of him !
Thank you Ben for promoting unity and gratitude on Australia day. Also, thanks to James Dargin for his longing to see people gathering together with love, forgiveness and unity around our national flag and as one people.’
There cannot be true unity without forgiveness and respect of differences.
May God help us move together as a nation and to remember all that His Son Jesus Christ sacrificed to reconcile us to God and to pave the way to love and accept each other.