Dr. Rachael Kohn, a leading Australian author and broadcaster argues that today, many people treat religion as a source of ills rather than a cure for social problems. There is, of course, much suffering caused by religion and its followers but the guidance, discipline and compassion provided by religion can be, and often is, a force for good in the world which is often overlooked. This article offers a measured defence of religion and its place the modern world.
How did the USA, a state with otherwise high human rights standards and a competitive democratic political system, end up prodding the C.I.A. into torturing people at ‘black sites’? Dr. Danny Coopers, an expert on American politics argues that the answer lies in the combination of the leadership personalities and the unique political situation in the USA after 9/11.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has been alerting the American people since August 2014 that the incidents involving police and minorities in America are symptomatic of a militarized police force that reflects a broader mindset on the part of the government. Other media outlets have expressed concerned about the militarized role of the police in a democratic society, and even the Department of Justice has raised concerns about how to deal with the brutal force of police toward minorities. Taking the long view, Jon Kofas argue that the militarized police is a reflection of the evolution of government toward a police state model. Although it is rooted in the early Cold War, this phenomenon evolved gradually after 9/11 in America and it reflects the convergence of foreign and domestic policy of dealing with “potential enemies as terrorists
Samuel Glen writes: “With acts of religious extremism and intolerance rife in the world today gestating seeds of doubt, fear and mistrust amongst the global community, the latest turmoil in Sydney, Australia is a prime example of why we need to engage in non-condemning and non-threatening inclusive dialogue that recognizes the legitimacy of the viewpoint of the ‘other’”.
Dr. Mark Beeson, a Professor of International Politics explains why we should take Russell Brand seriously. He argues “It’s easy to sound condescending about Brand’s book–Revolution. There is much that sounds naïve and entirely out of touch with what passes for reality. But that’s Brand’s point.”
A short story by Akash Nabik
Alochonaa (Dialogue) 