Reggie Nel

You don’t bomb nations towards peace. We sit down and talk.

Remembering the remarkable legacy of Pope Francis. The world is a better place because of his humble and humane witness.

So blessed. Had an awesome time in Zim and Botswana over the Easter weekend. This has got to be the highlight.

Claiming that America is a “Christian nation“ while actively creating legislation that directly harms the very people Jesus called us to serve—namely the poor, the sick, the hungry, the immigrant, and the marginalized—is the height of both religious and political hypocrisy.

CUP OF PROMISE: Down to a tea — how Stellies graduate brought us closer to an indigenous gel to protect against skin cancer

Dr Lana Keet’s research has shown how rooibos and honeybush leaves can be combined to create a highly effective local sunscreen.

UN chief Antonio Guterres says he is “outraged by the Israeli air strikes in Gaza” as global condemnation grows over the killing of more than 400 Palestinians, including many children.

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Many a (violent) conflict today is thoroughly political, but is experienced as religious (with many religious actors participating in atrocities), Brewer.

Solomons: often the same text fuel peace, as well as the conflict (violence). Monotheistic religions need not to slide into violent insurgency ..

Solomons, monotheistic convictions also drive protests against totalitarianism or oppression.

Solomons, is all nationalisms destructive? What about an inclusive nationalisms and what about the role of faith in building inclusive?

Solomons, when faith is captured by tribalism … it become totalitatian. But that can happen with any system - religious or not.

Solomon, religion turns violent under certain social conditions.

Solomons responds:

Brewer, monotheism can be the problem hindrance of reconciliation … that’s the paradox. It constrains peacebuilding.

Religion turns murder: 7) religious spaces becomes partisan, those othered, become targets …

Religion turns murderous: 5) fusing national interests with scriptural principles, 6) belief becomes stricter, exclusive forms of “faithfulness”; 7) religion goes public as cultural and political … no pluralism … Brewer

What happens when religious turn murderous? 1) scriptures are weaponised; 2) beliefs are politicised .. defending political ideology; 3) faith commitment becomes cultural religion … identities are fused. Like loyalists in Ireland …

“Holy wars” wreak itself out most particularly on women’s bodies: Brewer

When linked to land … claims, on the basis of religion and election, played itself out in SA, Palestine, “New England” .. #othering

“Othering” is a key dynamic … the creation of the religious other. It often (mixed with ethnic nationalism) lead to
oppression … genocide.

This stuff of Brewer is so critical for what happens in Gaza today - at this moment.

Brewer: monotheistic religion there is both hope and despair … it was born in violence.

Listening to John Brewer author of Monotheism and Peacebuilding. He speaks on “Why people kill for religion?”

Incisive analysis by Judith Butler.

The fact that the SA government are turning their backs upon our Ambassador in Washington, Ebrahim Rasool reminds us again, in politics there’s no friends, just interests. Its all powerplay.

GREAT LAKES CRISIS: SADC leaders to decide on fate of peacekeeping force in DRC

Southern African leaders will meet in a summit on Thursday, 13 March to decide whether and how to withdraw their ill-fated military force from eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Ebrahim Rasool’s only crime is, he spoke the truth.

Thanks Benjamin. Great to connect!

We see whats happening in the US and need to recognise that the same undercurrent is everywhere.

One thing about me is that I will fight Nazis until I’m six feet in the ground.