Where have all the values gone?

Peter Whiting SPC Chair

As I prepared this commentary, I was reminded inexplicably of that Peter Paul and Mary classic, Where have all the flowers gone?. Written by Pete Seeger in the 1950s, the folksong includes the question “Where have all the soldiers gone?”, and after locating them all in graveyards, the ending lines repeat the lament of the song: “When will they ever learn?”. So, with apologies to Pete, who died early this year at 94, I found myself asking “Where have all the values gone?”
It seems to me that, in my lifetime, virtually all those groups which were once held in regard by society as honourable and trusted to work for the good of society have been discredited by the actions of some of their members. Police, lawyers, clergy, doctors, elected members, businessman, bankers, and entertainers have all fallen from grace. And the list goes on. Perhaps it is just that a lifetime of experience has worn away my youthful naїvety, but I think there is more to it. Societal values have fallen, and sadly, with them, our expectations of our own and others’ behavior. Read this editorial in full.
Photo Universal Declaration of Human Rights Jordan Lewin flickr cc

New articles on our website

The Coalition: how to lose friends & alienate people
Bruce Duncan
Why has the Australian government drifted from Tony Abbott’s pledge of fairness in his book, Battlelines, and instead been swayed by exaggerated neoliberal views?
Bruce Duncan looks at the issues. Read this article in full.
Transnationals, tax havens, & tax dodging – is time up?
Tony French
Countries everywhere are struggling to control massive tax evasion by international companies. Tony French looks at promising new efforts to crack down on tax evasion and avoidance, and
restore government finances. Read this article in full.
Battling for asylum seekers: a personal journey
Colleen O’Sullivan
Troubled by Australia’s treatment of asylum seekers? Colleen O’Sullivan asks how it has come to this, and reflects on how she, as a media worker, can help asylum seekers tell their stories and win a humane hearing from Australians. Read this article in full.
Pope Francis: economic system is failing billions of people
Bruce Duncan
Pope Francis is causing controversy for his continued attacks on the unfairness of the global economy which piles extreme wealth into the hands of a tiny minority, while many millions struggle to survive. Bruce Duncan outlines the debate, and indicates how Francis is highlighting inequality as a moral issue. Read this article in full.

Book on globalisation launched

Revd Dr John Henley launched A World United or a World Exploited? Christian Perspectives on Globalisation on 20 June at Yarra Theological Union at Box Hill. Dr Henley commended the book for tackling such crucial current issues in such a multi-disciplinary way. His address will be posted on our website shortly as a podcast and via Youtube. Dr Henley was dean of the Melbourne College of Divinity from 1976 to 1990, and is currently Chair of the Department of Justice Human Research Ethics Committee.
The book was a project of the Yarra Institute for Religion & Social Policy, with some of its board members contributing chapters. It is published by ATF Theology both as a book and as the final issue of the journal Interface. Read this review in full.

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Books available at SPC

Young People, Faith, & Social Justice Joan Daw. $20+$5 postage & handling.
Social Justice: Fuller Life in a Fairer World Bruce Duncan. $25+$5 postage & handling.
Sufficient for the Day: Towards a Sustainable Culture Geoff Lacey. $20+$5 postage & handling.

Revd Dr John Henley launches
A world United or a World Exploited?

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