Tutu pleased that Sirleaf won Nobel Peace Prize

Speaking at his 80th birthday celebrations over the weekend, Archbishop Desmond Tutu has praised the decision to grant the Nobel Peace Prize to Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Sirleaf was elected as Africa’s first woman president in 2005 and has transformed Liberia since then. Before Sirleaf’s election into power, Liberia had suffered through 14 years of bloody civil war.

Sirleaf shares the prize jointly with Liberian “peace warrior” Leymah Gbowee and Tawakul Karman, an activist in Yemen.

“The president of Liberia? She deserves it many times over," Tutu said of the woman known by her supporters as the “Iron Lady”.

"She’s brought stability to a place that was going to hell.”

U2 frontman Bono agreed with Tutu’s assessment saying Sirleaf was an “extraordinary” woman that he felt lucky to have worked with on the cancellation of Liberia’s debt.

Happy Birthday Arch!

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu is one of the greatest figures of South African history. The Arch, as he likes to be called, was a key figure and spiritual leader during the battle against apartheid, and then again during the first years of democracy in South Africa as he led the Peace and Reconciliation Commission. Tutu is recognised the world over for his commitment to peace and justice and for his warm wisdom and gracious faith. He stands alongside Nelson Mandela as one of the greatest moral figures produced by South Africa.

We would like to join in the well wishes and prayers issued by other South Africans as we say Happy Birthday to the Arch! South Africa has been blessed to have such a man working so hard in our midst, to make this country a better place for all.

To commemorate the Archbishop’s 80th birthday, we decided to carry portions of an interview with another great spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama was at the centre of the controversy over the last week as South Africa failed to grant him an entry visa into the country so he could attend Tutu’s birthday celebrations, leading the Archbishop to angrily accuse the ANC government of bowing to the wishes of the China. The following is sourced from iol.co.za and is an extract from the new book, Tutu: An Authorised Portrait:

“Emotionally and mentally, Bishop Tutu and I are very close. I call him my spiritual older brother. We are both fully committed to the value of spirituality. We both belong to the camp of people who believe in spirituality. He not only believes, he practises and has gained some experience. In age, I’m younger. So, naturally, he’s my elder brother!

In front of an audience, he praises me. He says long praises in many sentences. Then he states, “Unfortunately he is not Christian!” The audience always laughs at this. They understand that he’s saying that he respects different religious traditions. So here, also, we are similar. We each have faith in one form of religion, but respect all religions.

On one occasion in South Africa, I had some lengthy discussions about methods to promote harmony among the religions. It has been my practice, since 1975, to meet with scholars of different religious traditions and discuss the similarities and differences between our practices.

When we find differences, we ask, “What’s the purpose?” since religions have the same intent: the promotion of basic human values. We have different views, different philosophies, but the same purpose. When I have met with religious practitioners we find more or less the same qualities in them. They are using different methods or practices, they are of different religious traditions, but they exhibit more or less the same qualities. People like Mother Teresa and Bishop Tutu himself and many others, through their own Christian faith, really transformed their lives. Their lives were more meaningful. They were more compassionate, more sensible and more responsible. So meeting and speaking with religious practitioners, that’s a second method to promote closer understanding. Then the third way is pilgrimage. People of different races and different religious traditions can make pilgrimages to each other’s holy sites. People of different faiths can meet together. They can share a message of peace and spirituality.

Archbishop Tutu added another idea. When disasters happen, people from different organisations can come together and help. Since then, on many occasions when I speak of ways to enhance harmony, I add his suggestion. And actually, we experienced that in 1959 when large numbers of people from the Tibetan community arrived in India. Many Catholic organisations and Protestant organisations offered us lots of help. That also created positive feelings toward each other.

He is always playful, always jovial, always teasing. He is such a nice person. On one occasion, I think in America, a few Nobel laureates were moving from one place to another. In the hall we walked in a procession. I always push him ahead because he is the older spiritual leader. So I was behind him. I pretended to choke him. He turned back. “Dalai Lama, I will inform the police that I need protection!” We are always teasing each other. In any meeting of the Nobel laureates, he always brings a very jovial atmosphere. Of course he can be very serious. But generally, whenever he joins, the atmosphere completely changes. He is an easy-going, open, wonderful person.

He is a freedom fighter but the fight is carried on with compassion, forgiveness and a full commitment to non-violence. He is a wonderful person. His commitment to reconciliation in South Africa is wonderful. He did not just say nice words, but he actually carried out committed action. I really admire him, and, of course, Mr Mandela also, for that.

Besides his spiritual practice, his commitment has been a lesson to me. In South Africa he committed the practice and provided the teaching. He made an example to others of forgiveness. He showed the basis for the work of reconciliation and forgiveness. When I have spoken to audiences, I have sometimes said: “After democracy was achieved, Bishop Tutu and the black people became the leaders in reconciliation. They carried out this work very sincerely. For black South Africans, once they got the power it would have been easy to forget about reconciliation. But they did not. This was really wonderful.”

So I learnt. In the same sort of spirit that Bishop Tutu implemented reconciliation, we can learn from his experience. In the future we may have that kind of work when the time comes (for Tibet).

He is the elder spiritual brother. That means mentally he is the elder, the senior, the more experienced. I’m his junior, so logically the junior can learn more from the senior. The senior may learn from the junior. I never expect he should learn something from me.
He is my friend. Once a person is a very close friend and develops respect, then the other’s problem you feel as your own problem; the other’s happiness you feel is your own. That’s quite natural. In our case, it is not just a friendship but it is a friendship with deep admiration, deep respect and, I think, no barrier; we can be quite frank with each other. That’s very nice.
Politically, in the initial period he did not touch on the Tibetan problem. But then later, actually at one meeting in New York, he mentioned the Tibetan problem. He used his moral authority to bring attention to the issue. Then also in Delhi, when he was awarded the Gandhi Peace Prize, he said that the government of India looks after the Dalai Lama and this makes him very happy. He added that the government of India should also support Tibetan freedom.

We appreciate his support. Last year, before the World Cup, the South African embassy in New Delhi declined a visa for me. Bishop Tutu publicly expressed his unhappiness and displeasure about this. He really showed solidarity. I’m very impressed.
Jointly Bishop Tutu and President Havel wrote an article about Liu Xiaobo. I think it appeared in the Guardian. It was a very strong statement. I heard about it through the BBC, although I didn’t see the article itself. It is very helpful to have someone like him, someone with moral authority, to make clear what is wrong and what is right. That’s very important.

I think spiritual leaders should do more. They should speak out. The politicians and leaders of government have to take into consideration various other factors: the economy and many, many things. But spiritual leaders are supposed to stand firm on moral principle. Even if there are some immediate consequences, it doesn’t matter. On this planet everybody says, “Peace, peace, peace.”

Even North Korea says, “Peace, peace, peace.” But reality is just the opposite. The United Nations is supposed to be the highest world body, but sometimes it looks like a trade centre: “If you do this, I will do that.” Someone must make clear that right is right and wrong is wrong fearlessly, truthfully, honestly. Although Bishop Tutu is retired, whenever there is an issue of humanity, I think he must speak. His voice is important. He should stand firm as he has done.

He must continue, please, ’till his last breath. He should stand firm. It’s very important. And also (the fact that he is) a black person from the African continent is very helpful.

Maybe it’s a little selfish of me. If some Europeans make a statement then the Chinese communists say, “Oh, it’s Western imperialist anti-Chinese forces speaking!” They can easily dismiss it.

South Africans suffered a lot under white colonials, under apartheid. When he speaks strongly, it is difficult to say that he’s the instrument of Western anti-Chinese forces. I guess the Chinese may try to say that Archbishop Tutu is the instrument of Western anti-Chinese forces. After all, they described me as an instrument of Western anti-Chinese forces.”

* Tutu: An Authorised Portrait by Allister Sparks and Mpho A Tutu can be found in all good bookstores.

Steve Jobs: Wise thoughts on death

The passing away of Steve Jobs has generated a huge deal of attention, both by industrial media and social networks. Jobs has rightly been acclaimed for his genius and inventions, but certain sections of the media have also highlighted his earthy wisdom. Jobs was first diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2004, and it seems that facing up to death had a profound impact on the man.

Jobs’ wisdom is seen clearly in the following words, which he made in 2005 at the Stanford commencement address:

“Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything – all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.

“About a year ago I was diagnosed with cancer. I had a scan at 7:30 in the morning, and it clearly showed a tumor on my pancreas. I didn't even know what a pancreas was. The doctors told me this was almost certainly a type of cancer that is incurable, and that I should expect to live no longer than three to six months. My doctor advised me to go home and get my affairs in order, which is doctor's code for prepare to die. It means to try to tell your kids everything you thought you'd have the next 10 years to tell them in just a few months. It means to make sure everything is buttoned up so that it will be as easy as possible for your family. It means to say your goodbyes.

“I lived with that diagnosis all day. Later that evening I had a biopsy, where they stuck an endoscope down my throat, through my stomach and into my intestines, put a needle into my pancreas and got a few cells from the tumor. I was sedated, but my wife, who was there, told me that when they viewed the cells under a microscope the doctors started crying because it turned out to be a very rare form of pancreatic cancer that is curable with surgery. I had the surgery and I'm fine now.

“This was the closest I've been to facing death, and I hope it's the closest I get for a few more decades. Having lived through it, I can now say this to you with a bit more certainty than when death was a useful but purely intellectual concept:

“No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don't want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life's change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true.”

Jobs’ thoughts are words that are worth reflecting upon as the world says goodbye to a man who made a massive impact. RIP Steve Jobs!

Harold Camping revises Rapture date

Family Radio’s Harold Camping, the pastor who infamously predicted the Rapture would occur on May 21 of this year, has revised his prediction date to October 21.

Camping, who said he was "flabbergasted" when the end of the world did not occur on May 21, has just been released from nursing care after suffering a stroke. Soon after his release, Camping said via an audio message on Family Radio’s website that:

"We would have not been able to be used [by God] to bring about the tremendous event that occurred on May 21 of this year, which probably [will] be finished out on Oct. 21 that's coming very shortly. That looks like it will be ... the final end of everything."

Camping admitted he has "restudied" his predictions, and then added that the rapture will be quick and quiet.

"Probably there will be no pain suffered by anyone because of their rebellion against God," Camping said.

"This is very comforting to all of us because we all have children, we all have loved ones that are dear to us that we know are not saved and yet we know that they'll quietly die."

Camping said in turn true believers "will quietly receive the new heaven and the new earth."

"I really am beginning to think as I restudied these matters that there's going to be no big display of any kind. The end is going to come very, very quietly probably within the next month. It will happen that is by Oct. 21," he said.

This latest announcement has predictably set off a frenzy of activity on social networks, with the majority of people calling the minister a fake and false prophet.

Further calls for Iran to free pastor under death sentence

Foreign Secretary William Hague has added his voice to those condemning Iran’s refusal to rescind the death sentence of a church pastor.

Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani been held in Rasht prison in northern Iran since last year after trying to officially register his church. The pastor was charged with apostasy and sentenced to death. He has refused to recant his faith in appeals hearings – a condition for his acquittal.

Mr Hague said, “I deplore reports that Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani, an Iranian Church leader, could be executed imminently after refusing an order by the Supreme Court of Iran to recant his faith.

“This demonstrates the Iranian regime’s continued unwillingness to abide by its constitutional and international obligations to respect religious freedom.

“I pay tribute to the courage shown by Pastor Nadarkhani who has no case to answer and call on the Iranian authorities to overturn his sentence.”

The international group, Human Rights Watch also urged Iranian authorities to free and drop all charges against the pastor.

“Iran is one of the very few countries in the 21st century where authorities would drag an individual before a court of law and force him to choose between his faith and his life,” said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch.

“Nadarkhani should not have to spend one more day in jail, let alone face execution.”

“Both international and Iranian law require Iranian officials to safeguard the equality and human rights of all Christians, regardless of whether they are historic communities such as the Armenians, Assyrians, and Chaldeans, or Christian converts,” added Stork.

South Africa urged to allow Dalai Lama to attend Tutu’s birthday

The international group, Human Rights Watch, has urged the South African government to allow the Dalai Lama into the country for Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s 80th birthday celebrations.

South Africa has not yet issued a visa to the spiritual leader of the Tibetans, who also plans to deliver a lecture at the University of the Western Cape.

The Dalai Lama’s visa application has faced continual delays by South African officials with the Human Rights Watch claiming there was no objective basis for refusing to grant a visa to the Dalai Lama and that it “appears to be based on no more than fear of Chinese government displeasure”.

“If South Africa refuses a visa to a Nobel Prize recipient and human rights campaigner, with no objective grounds for refusal, then there can only be less-than-noble motivations for its action,” said Daniel Bekele, Africa director of Human Rights Watch.

“For the government to block a leader who supported South Africa’s struggles is not only to deny its own history, but it raises questions about whether the government looks to Pretoria, or to Beijing, for some of its domestic policy decisions.”

World’s earliest Christian Inscription found in Rome

A carved stone that formed part of the collection of the Capitoline Museums in Rome, Italy, has been identified by scholars as the world’s earliest surviving Christian inscription.

The stone is officially called “NCE 156,” and the inscription concerns an ancient sect that followed the teachings of a second-century Gnostic theologian, Valentinus.

“If it is in fact a second-century inscription, as I think it probably is, it is about the earliest Christian material object that we possess,” researcher Gregory Snyder informed LiveScience.

The inscription is in Greek and alludes to Christian beliefs. Snyder believes it could be a funeral epigram, incorporating both Christian and pagan elements.

Snyder studies over 50 years of research done by multiple scholars, before translating the inscription as, “To my bath, the brothers of the bridal chamber carry the torches, [here] in our halls, they hunger for the [true] banquets, even while praising the Father and glorifying the Son. There [with the Father and the Son] is the only spring and source of truth.”

NCE 156 was found in the suburbs of Rome near the medieval tower of Tor Fiscale, suggesting that a community of Valentinus’ followers may have lived there during the second century, Snyder added.

“We know that Valentinus was a famous Gnostic teacher in the second century [who] lived in Rome for something like 20 years, and was a very sophisticated ... poetic, talented, thinker, speaker, writer,” he said.

Snyder, who found some similarities between the inscription and ancient funeral epigrams composed for non-Christians, said the Christian identity at the time was perhaps flexible.

According to Tertullian, the first author of Latin Christian literature, Valentinus was a candidate for bishop but after he was not chosen he started his own group. Some of his teachings are believed to be found in the Gospel of Philip, a collection of Gnostic beliefs.

Valentinus was eventually declared a heretic. He taught his followers that there were three kinds of people. Those of a spiritual nature had the “gnosis” or knowledge to attain salvation whereas those of a psychic nature – ordinary Christians – could attain only a lesser form of salvation. And those of a material nature – pagans and Jews – were doomed to perish, he believed.