It's not about charity, it's about justice
Africa makes a fool of our idea of justice; it makes a farce of our idea of equality. It mocks our pieties, it doubts our concern, it questions our commitment.
-Bono
Did you catch Bono's talk given at a recent Washington prayer breakfast? People often argue whether a rock star like Bono has any place amid the complexities of international development. After reading the transcript from his talk, I am convinced that Bono has a God given role to play. It is a must read for people tired of Christian hypocrisy, for people interested in Africa, for Christians themselves, and for people who love to see George Bush challenged (he was there) on issues of social justice.
God is with the vulnerable and poor.
God is in the slums, in the cardboard boxes where the poor play house… God is in the silence of a mother who has infected her child with a virus that will end both their lives… God is in the cries heard under the rubble of war… God is in the debris of wasted opportunity and lives, and God is with us if we are with them.
...
There's no way we can look at what's happening in Africa and, if we're honest, conclude that deep down, we really accept that Africans are equal to us. Anywhere else in the world, we wouldn't accept it.
...
There is a continent—Africa—being consumed by flames.
Bono does a good job of illuminating some of the the injustice in Africa, but what I like most about the speech is that it is hopeful. The reason that it is hopeful is because it is practical. He talks about injustices that can be righted, and calls on the president to step up and fight the injustice - he offers a plan.
Bush's response is available as well. It is not a must read. It is an uncontroversial, USA-praising, dumb-joke filled time filler couched in Christian-speak. Okay maybe it isn't that bad. I really do despise the man, but just to prove that I am open minded, I will share a good quote from Bush's response:
In prayer, we open ourselves to God's priority, especially His charge to feed the hungry, to reach out to the poor, to bring aid to the widow or the orphan. By surrendering our will to God's will, we learn to serve His eternal purposes. Through prayer, our faith is strengthened, our hearts are humbled and our lives are transformed. Prayer encourages us to go out into the world and serve.
See what I mean? Perhaps Bono can even get POTUS on the right track.
-Bono
Did you catch Bono's talk given at a recent Washington prayer breakfast? People often argue whether a rock star like Bono has any place amid the complexities of international development. After reading the transcript from his talk, I am convinced that Bono has a God given role to play. It is a must read for people tired of Christian hypocrisy, for people interested in Africa, for Christians themselves, and for people who love to see George Bush challenged (he was there) on issues of social justice.
God is with the vulnerable and poor.
God is in the slums, in the cardboard boxes where the poor play house… God is in the silence of a mother who has infected her child with a virus that will end both their lives… God is in the cries heard under the rubble of war… God is in the debris of wasted opportunity and lives, and God is with us if we are with them.
...
There's no way we can look at what's happening in Africa and, if we're honest, conclude that deep down, we really accept that Africans are equal to us. Anywhere else in the world, we wouldn't accept it.
...
There is a continent—Africa—being consumed by flames.
Bono does a good job of illuminating some of the the injustice in Africa, but what I like most about the speech is that it is hopeful. The reason that it is hopeful is because it is practical. He talks about injustices that can be righted, and calls on the president to step up and fight the injustice - he offers a plan.
Bush's response is available as well. It is not a must read. It is an uncontroversial, USA-praising, dumb-joke filled time filler couched in Christian-speak. Okay maybe it isn't that bad. I really do despise the man, but just to prove that I am open minded, I will share a good quote from Bush's response:
In prayer, we open ourselves to God's priority, especially His charge to feed the hungry, to reach out to the poor, to bring aid to the widow or the orphan. By surrendering our will to God's will, we learn to serve His eternal purposes. Through prayer, our faith is strengthened, our hearts are humbled and our lives are transformed. Prayer encourages us to go out into the world and serve.
See what I mean? Perhaps Bono can even get POTUS on the right track.
[...] s if they continue to commit human rights violations . Malawi: Blogger Mike of Hacktivate highlights rockstar Bono’s recent remarks at the prayer bre [...]