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a healthy church...transformingLIFE

Tasmanian Anglican

April 2003

 

 

 

 

Editor's angle

by Sheelagh Wegman

 

 

What's the saying?

'Who makes the toys, makes the rules?'

Over past weeks, it has been as if the whole world is caught up in a gigantic electronic game, perhaps called 'Shock and Awe.' One of those empirebuilding, 'beat and subdue them' sort of games, complete with add-on sound effects and enhanced digitised video features.

In TV newsrooms men in grey suits speak a strange language of techno-speak and euphemisms, in measured voices which barely conceal a sense of excitement and impatience. Human beings and their lives are described in terms of collateral damage, speed, strikes, targets, strategic moves. Familiar words, unfamiliar meanings. It's as if all has been reduced to some game format, with virtual characters and weapons and strategies, remote and played out on a big plasma screen in cyberspace. I am reminded of that Michael Leunig picture with two people watching a beautiful sunrise on TV, while the real thing is happening outside the window behind them.

So who will win? Probably the 'toymakers'. Everyone knows about funding cuts in education, health and welfare, yet money for bombs and guns is always readily available. An American visitor told me recently that in his state 24 days had been cut from the school year because of reduced government funding.

But we need reminding that God is still Lord of the earth. Just as computer games are distracting, so too is this conflict. We are going through a very significant season in the church's year. Lent could easily pass us by. If we aren't attentive, the Easter message might go missing, just when the world needs it most.