A bad cult, communist leader and preacher...

This Sunday night, 9-11pm on TripleJ, John Safran and I (Safran mainly, 'cos he's the celebrity host of the show - don't expect too much of me!) interview Kristina Jones, author of "Not without My Sister".

She tells the story of her and her two sisters born into and growing up in a dangerous cult known as The Children of God (now called simply The Family).

Despite her tender years, Kristina seems to have maintained a commonsense, critical approach to her enforced brainwashing, finally escaping to share her tale in an honest account.

Our second guest, Rachel Cook, is a columnist for MCV (a gay and lesbian publication). You mightn't hear much from me on this one, except for the occasional bit of, what John calls, "bobbywaffle"! We'll see.

Next, we question and learn from Simon Sebag Montefiore author of "Young Stalin". He's now writing "Jerusalem: the Biography" a fresh history of the Middle East.

Based on intensive research and astonishing new evidence in archives from Moscow and Georgia, "Young Stalin" is a chronicle of the Revolution and a pre-history of the USSR - and an intimate biography: this is how Stalin became Stalin.

One good thing about being on TripleJ with John is that I have to read these books. Most of them, leaving aside the expense, wouldn't be my normal fare. They, therefore, challenge me to read and think outside my comfort zone.

Maybe my captive audience every Sunday benefits from this enforced reading and reflection. I don't really know because there's not much feedback.

Jewish/Christian scriptures are on the menu whenever we Catholics assemble for Mass (worship).

But, there's another traditional feature called preaching. That's when the celebrant (presiding officer) is expected to grab the core meaning of the scripture readings and add the essential ingredients of "right here, right now". It's alleged that many preacher's are OK at rehashing the scripture readings but not too good at adding the essential ingredient.

Worse still, some preachers may add the toxic ingredient of their own misguided prejudices, bringing both the scriptures and religion itself into disrepute.

I don't know what the vaccine is for this troublesome virus. Secular societies are entitled to expect that preachers in mosques, synagogues, churches, temples, ashrams and atheist assembly halls will at least stick to the ethic "Do no harm and, even a little good".

Maybe preachers from all the above mentioned sources could be awarded a "tick" just like dairy products or an award offered by my friend Hans, founder of NAITD (National Assessment of Industry and Trade Development), whereby preachers can be identified as, at least, not harmful.

 

Comments

[Anne Digges]

If only it was that easy to have a Quality Endorsed Preacher Bob!

The problem is what is quality to me may be crap to you and visa versa.

Like being a lefty green catholic quality to me would be preachers who engage with what matters to me.

If you are a Right Wing Liberal or Right Wing Labor Catholic quality to them would mean preachers who engage with what matters to them.

They are not the same. The goals aims and aspirations are poles apart so much so that they are going in parallel lines which never connect.

Which is why somewhat jokingly you get people saying that there will be a left wing heaven and hell and a right wing heaven and hell.

i enjoy hearing you talk on the radio. father bob.

[Esther]

Dear Bob,
I really agree with the "essential ingredient". Too often it is the missing ingredient and those being preached to miss out on being challenged to think and act in the right here, right now.
Keep up the reading and the Bobbywaffle it all makes for great listening!

[Rick]

Correct me if I am loosing my marbles,
I was looking forward to the Starlin bit but I heard none of it.

Pushed to next weekend??

[bobmaguire]

rick, we did the interview.I was there!BobMaguire.

[Rick]

Sure, sure. But maybe it was a prerecord that didn't make it onto this show- or this podcast?

I sought but I did not find!

Anyone?

rick, you may well be right.We are now embroiled in a tussle with 3jjj techies about complaints from punters about downloading podcasts.Touche.BobMaguire.

[Kim]

Rick, did you listen to Sunday Night Safran or Father Bob's podcast? The Starlin thing was on Sunday Night Safran and it came through itunes fine for me.

Father Bob, you are a gem. I look forward to hearing you every week. I'll send some $$ via mail and one day hope to make it across to a Sunday Mass.

I'm sure it's good that you're reading outside your field, but surely JJJ should be footing the bill for the books, or the publishers giving you freebees.

Kim.

[Rick]

Thanks Kim,

I figured it out. The latest Sun Saf just came out today- for me- via my feed.

I'd been combing the previous! No man should have to listen to such things twice- better go see a doctor.

[bob maguire]

kim, the books ARE free from the publisher.Sorry, I misled you.I meant that I wouldn't be able to read widely IF I had to foot the bill.Respect.BobMaguire.

[Ged]

Heaven and Hell there is probably one of each for all ideology' for me eating meat is heaven and for others its hell.

It is interesting that Religion in all its guises isn't acknowledged as a brainwashing cult.
and
Wouldn't that standards mark be likely to attract the type of people that need something to hide behind.