Feed on
Posts
Comments

I have changed religion

Jun 13th, 2012 by

I was recently in Indonesia and received a MacBook Pro. I posted the following text and photo on Facebook: Semarang, Indonesia: I’ve changed religion: I now have a MacBook Pro and must pay due respect to appropriate quasi-religious symbols

Comments came in from all over the world – samples:

  • Finland: Welcome to the MacBook Pro sect !
  • Sweden: I’ll show you the secret handshake when you get home. 😉
  • Denmark: In the picture, are you reciting the confession of the original sin of biting that chunk off the Apple, or the Confession of MacFaith?
  • Germany: I just quote Genesis: For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.
  • USA: Finally you have seen the light!
  • Thailand: Welcome to the world of Mac!
  • USA: Unlike, unlike…
  • Greece: Oh no…will pray for you…
  • USA: You went to the dark side? Ohh noooo…. 🙂
  • China: We have 4 of those people in our family…haha
  • Panama: oh Mats Tunehag, you are crazy…
  • Hong Kong: Congra to become a MAD man!
  • Sweden: Another backslider. I’m sad (former Dell and HP employee)

We can joke about PC vs. Mac and it can be fun.

But changing religions is not a laughing matter in many parts of the world. In Islam there is no general provision of Muslims leaving Islam. Those who do may face hardships in various ways: No jobs, no higher education, and no prospect of marriage. But they also face dangers of persecution, arrest, imprisonment and even death. This is a fact not only in Muslim dominated countries but also in countries like Sweden, Germany and UK.

Muslims also deserve the fundamental human right to choose and change religion. This is also a problem in other cultures and countries, like in Orissa, India. But the biggest lack of religious freedom exists in countries and areas (even in the West) dominated by Islam and where sharia is applied.

We are unfortunately very far away from the day when we can have a light and witty conversation on Facebook about leaving Islam for Christian faith.

But in the meantime I will gladly use my MacBook Pro to fight for religious freedom for all.

Tags: , , , ,

Posted in Religious Liberty | 2 Comments »

My father

May 12th, 2012 by

It is now ten years since my father died. I miss him.

Enclosed below is the note I emailed to friends around the world the day after he died.

I am thankful for my father. Among other things he exemplified what unconditional love means.

I am also very thankful for my mother, who still lives in Malmö. She is a constant source of encouragement.

****************************************************************************************

GRIEF & JOY

Friday, 17 May 2002

Dear friend,

My father passed away 16 May, 09:45 am. He has been fighting cancer since the late 80’s. His condition deteriorated significantly in the past 3 – 4 months.

Two days ago, Wednesday night, the doctor and other medical staff saw a turn for the worse and I decided to take the first train the following morning to Malmö, about six hours south of Stockholm.

Yesterday, while on the train, my mother called on my mobile: “Now it’s over”. I took a pen and paper* and jotted down a few words that came to my mind about my father:

  • Laughter
  • Warmth
  • Passion
  • Humour
  • Personal
  • Private
  • Visionary
  • Pioneer
  • Articulate Communicator

On arrival the nurse and I dressed up my father. My mum and I spent time talking, praying and crying.

My father was a pastor all his life and saw remarkable changes and growth in various churches around the country.

The funeral is tentatively planned for June 4.

Glory to God for his goodness – now my father has no more pain – he enjoys the fullness of life in the immediate presence of God.

Mats Tunehag

 

* I wrote these things on an envelope, see below.

Posted in Uncategorized | 9 Comments »

Business as Mission: People, Purpose, Planet and Profit

Apr 22nd, 2012 by

Businesses shape the world. But how can we shape businesses to shape the world for good and for God? That is the underpinning question addressed in a new book about Business as Mission, BAM: Building the Kingdom Through Business.

BAM is intentional about making a positive difference with regards to four bottom lines: economical, social, environmental and spiritual. Or put differently: BAM = 4 x P.

How can businesses serve people, align with God’s purposes, be good stewards of the planet and make a profit?

Building the Kingdom Through Businesses by Bridget Adams and Manoj Raithathamanoj is an important pamphlet, in the best Clapham group tradition. It is profoundly Biblical, historically reflective, and immensely practical. Wilberforce and the Clapham group were deeply motivated by profound Biblical truths; they understood their times and fought for a systemic change.

Bridget Adams and Manoj Raithathamanoj make important observations on the unbiblical and secular – sacred divide. This notion permeates our thinking and it stifles our ability to “shape the world for good and for God”.

The book clearly demonstrates a God perspective on work and business, and points out the need for wealth creation – for the common good and God’s glory.

Adams and Raithathamanoj align with the growing global Business as Mission movement, but suggest the term Kingdom Building Business. They illustrate the transformational nature of the concept by telling the story of the Quakers, whose guiding light was “spiritual and solvent”.

God is the original entrepreneur, and throughout His-story we’ve seen men and women who have made a positive difference through business. Building the Kingdom through Business may provoke some, but it will certainly inspire, educate and equip a new generation of Kingdom building business people. But we are not just aiming for a few inspired people and a few more Kingdom building businesses. No, we dream of and work for a paradigm shift – in the church and in the market place. This pamphlet is an important part to that end.

Order the book from: www.instantapostle.com

 

 

* 4 x P: Håkan Sandberg, Sweden

Tags: , , , , ,

Posted in Business as Mission | 1 Comment »

“Wrong” opinion censored. In China? No, in London!

Apr 14th, 2012 by

The attacks on free speech continue in Western democracies.  Here’s one more story:

There was a pro-homosexual ad campaign in London that said, “Some people are gay. Get over it”. It was sponsored by the lobby group Stonewall. That is one opinion, expressed in the public square.

Another group, an Anglican organization, wanted to run a similar ad campaign on London buses expressing a different opinion, saying “Not gay, ex-gay, post-gay, and proud! Get over it”. The campaign was cleared by industry regulator the Advertising Standards Authority and the bus company was ready to run it.

But the ad was banned by the conservative Mayor of London, Boris Johnson. It was censored. Such opinions must not be articulated in the public, according to the democratically elected Mayor.

This does not differ in principle from what the Iranian or Chinese governments do. Dictators censor opposing views and try to silence opponents. Only correct opinions, approved by authorities, can be expressed – other must be banned.

Freedom of speech is essential for democracy. Without it we have no free press, no freedom of religion, and no free and fair elections. Does Boris Johnson know that?

Tags: ,

Posted in International Affairs | 1 Comment »

We the Easter people

Apr 5th, 2012 by

“Do not abandon yourselves to despair.

We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song.“

Pope John Paul II

Happy Easter!

Christ is risen – there is hope !!

 

Tags: ,

Posted in Okategoriserade | Comments Off

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »