Banning Santa

The Bonifatiuswerk of German Catholics – a church aid organisation – has begun efforts to ban Santa Claus this Christmas because of his commercial hype. They are calling for "Santa Claus-free zones."

The organisation views Santa as "an invention of the advertising industry designed to boost sales" and as "a representative of consumer society who has little to do with the historical figure of St Nicolas."

The group does not want to do away with Santa entirely, rather just the commercialized version. In fact, the organization would like to see the present Santa replaced with the more charitable, and traditional, St Nicolas.

St Nicolas, who is the patron saint of children, is described on the group's website as "a helper in need who reminds us to be kind, to think of our neighbours, and to give the gift of happiness."

Far from being on the margins of German society, this campaign is actually being supported by several German TV celebrities.

"Unlike Santa Claus, Nicolas wants to give children inner riches and not just encourage them to strive for material wealth," said Nina Ruege, a German TV presenter.

The Telegraph reports that the word Santa Claus comes from the Dutch Sinterklaas, which means St Nicolas. In 1808, the American author Washington Irving created a modern version, depicting him as a jolly Dutchman.

In 1863, a German immigrant called Thomas Nast drew a short plump Santa for Harper's Weekly and gave him his traditional red clothing. The artist Haddon Sundblom then finished Santa as he is widely known today when he drew a larger-than-life grandfatherly figure for Coca-Cola.

Study finds that having faith 'helps patients live longer'

A study recently conducted and published in the journal Liver Transplantation has found that patients were up to three times more likely to survive a liver transplant if they had a “strong religious connection,” even if they didn’t attend church.

The study found that those who were actively “seeking God” had a better survival rate than those who did not hold religious beliefs, regardless of which faith they held.

This latest study adds weight to previous academic studies that illustrated how religion and faith can “influence disease progression”. Previous studies conducted by different researchers focusing on HIV, heart, as well as kidney dialysis patients have come to similar conclusions.

The leader of this study, Dr Franco Bonaguidi, said that patients with “high religious coping” who actively sought “God's help” and trusted their beliefs had a “more prolonged post-transplant survival than patients with low religiosity”.

“We found that an active search for God, (where) the patient's faith in a higher power rather than a generic destiny, had a positive impact on patient survival,” he added.

Bonaguidi said it was the “personal relationship between the patient and God, regardless of religious creed rather than formal church attendance that positively affected survival”.

Researchers focused the study on 179 liver transplant patients over a period of three years. Over that period, almost seven per cent of the actively "seeking-God" patients had died compared to more than a fifth of non religious believers.

A bittersweet day for South Africa

Today is a bittersweet one for South Africa, a mixture of contrasting emotions such as joy and sadness, pride and regret. It is joyful because today we celebrate Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s 79th birthday, but sad because this is his official day of ‘retirement’ from public life.

Tutu faithfully served South Africa for decades. He was a courageous and prophetic voice of challenge to the previous NP government, and then also to the ANC government when he thought they got it wrong. Tutu's unwavering stand for truth and justice sometimes lost him friends, but always deepened the respect in which he is held throughout the globe.

In a recent interview with Time Magazine, Tutu said that “the texture of our universe is one where there is no question at all but that good and laughter and justice will prevail”.

But Tutu has not just been a prophet he has also been a pastor. The Archbishop always played an integral role in reconciling division and healing brokenness within South Africa. More than that his laughter, zest for life and sheer joy have been infectious for many.

There is no doubt that South Africa will miss “the Arch” as he is affectionately known, but we can only wish him everything of the best in his retirement as he seeks to spend more quality time with his loved ones “sipping rooibos tea” and watching “cricket and rugby and soccer and tennis.”

Climate change will weaken poverty fight, report warns

A recent study conducted by Forum for the Future has found that strategic action is vitally needed in impoverished countries to tackle the impact of climate change alongside efforts to boost economic development. The study, which was supported by the Department for International Development (DFID) has found that climate change will undo years of work to tackle poverty unless it is urgently addressed.

International aid not only needs to assist poorer countries in adapting to the effects of climate change, but also to grab hold of the opportunities that will arise as there is a global shift to a more low-carbon economy. One example might be how investment in renewable energy could augment energy security in impoverished areas, while developing low-carbon transport options would reduce pollution and improve health.

The study assessed four different scenarios for how climate change would affect low-income countries over the next two decades, with likely dramatic impacts on societies and economies.

Just one of these consequences could come in the form of escalating conflicts over water and scarce resources which would then dominate international relations, and even directly challenge established Western society models the report said.

Peter Madden, chief executive of Forum for the Future, said: "Climate change and development should be seen as complementary, not competing issues.

"By putting climate change at the forefront of development thinking we will not only help the world's poorest to avoid serious risks, but we can also help them seize new opportunities to create better lives for themselves.

"Development aid should be much more climate resilient."

Stephen O'Brien, International Development Minister, said: "Without urgent action, climate change threatens to undo years of work tackling poverty in the developing world.

"That is why the UK is now working across the globe to help the world's poorest people prepare for the potentially devastating effects of climate change and shift to the clean technologies that are so vital to a stable, successful world for us all.

"This report will act as an important tool to help poor countries plan for an uncertain future, and underlines our need to build climate change into everything we do."

Churches and porn fests

At least 50 000 people were said to have visited the annual sex and lifestyle exhibition, or ‘Sexpo’ as it is more commonly known which was held at the Midrand at Johannesburg over the last weekend.

Interestingly enough, a number of churches attended the event, and not to picket and protest it either. No, these churches decided to rent stands and use the opportunity to preach the gospel of sex within the boundaries of committed, healthy, marital relationships, reported the Sunday Times.

A senior leader at God First Church, Bruce MacKenzie, said “a lot of stuff is overboard here,” but that the Sexpo was an ideal opportunity to promote a healthy sex life “within the confines of marriage.”

“We’re here to stand for what we’re for, not for what we’re against, and we will speak about God’s message to those who ask.”

MacKenzie added: “A guy wearing nothing but a gold g-string walked past our stand, and we ended up having a fat chat. It’s great.”

Another church that booked a stall was the Hatfield Christian Church North which offered counselling books on marriage and a “sexual wholeness” manual.

This year’s Miss Nude South Africa found herself next door to the stall of the African Church of Truth manned by Rev Daniel Brits. She said she was more than happy to find him there.

“Basically, everyone’s here and no one judges anyone,” she said.

(The image is of a United States based church logo. The XXX church exist specifically to minister to people with porn addictions and to promote healthy sexuality).

Church of England designs its own Easter egg

Admittedly it is early to begin talking about Easter but the Church of England have plans for a special egg that will go on sale next year as Britain's first Easter egg to mention Jesus on the packaging.

The Real Easter Egg is made from Fairtrade chocolate and explains the Christian understanding of Easter on the box.

The recommended retail price of £3.99 will include a donation to Baby Lifeline, which supports mothers and newborn babies in the UK, and development charity Traidcraft, which aids small-scale farmers and producers.

The Church of England which has almost 8,000 church schools will encourage the schools to advertise and place orders for the product before December 1.

The hope is that teachers will use the eggs to teach children about the true meaning of Easter, the role of Fairtrade and the place of charitable giving.

The Rt Rev Nigel McCulloch, Bishop of Manchester, said; ''The Real Easter Egg gives church schools their first ever chance to buy an Easter egg that not only tastes good but does good.

''I believe there will be widespread support for the product from the faith community with many others likely to be interested.

''We hope that all our supermarkets will stock the first and only Easter egg in the UK that explains the significance of Easter and, through the charitable donation, brings to light the Easter themes of hope and new life.''

Ramphele receives highest honour

Businesswoman and prominent social activist Mamphela Ramphele was this week awarded the highest honour that the Anglican Church of Southern Africa can bestow upon its lay members.

Archbishop Thabo Makgoba admitted Ramphele to the order of Simon of Cyrene at a church provincial synod in Benoni.

In a statement the church said that she was “one of the greatest prophetic voices.”

She had acted “with fierce determination” in the fight against apartheid, and still worked actively against injustice for the rights of women, the poor and marginalized.