Turning Morality on its Head

By G

See how we've turned morality on its head?
"Oh but it's the system you see not the man
He can't help but go down south instead
He can't help it, the system forced his hand"

You know I think it's all bullocks!
I see good men resist "the system"
Standing fast on principles strong as rocks
No. Sinking men are those who stand on sand

See great academics gun down their woman's lover
And more fail miserably
To maintain marital fidelity
And still others abuse their women with masculine power

See how babies are popped out everywhere?
By young souls, who know not good parenting?
See the young man pop one in the oven,
Yet not wanting to be the husband?

See that crowd over there, the disrespectful one?
They comfort themselves; they all do it some
Carried by the tide of vice and immorality
A fallible ideal the end of which they cannot see

Watch how we fail to define morality
Wrong or right so long as our heart is content
"So long as I don't pay the price for this"
Guiltlessly immoral, innocent intent

How can the one system produce both good and bad?
Surely those who choose well choose by divine power
To resist that which others have not resisted
To refuse to reduce their dignity any lower

See how we've diluted our moral code?
How God-less we would rather have this guide?
We decide what's right and what's not
If we choose to we can let whatever slide

"Chip 'em off those Godly concerns!
Our laws needn't such transcending restraints
Those intolerable overbearing God-breathed measures
They need not confine our good pleasures"

Where then does it end?
How do we know when to stop chipping?
Is there pleasant end for a Godless morality?
Is there truly such "heavenly" liberty?

"None sirs!", I humbly submit
At the end of such a tunnel there is no light
There is chaos, because everyone is doing it
Each one what himself thinks is Right!

Such is our Godless "morality" headed...
Doomed for irreverent death
We each sing our frivol song
And when dead how sad we shall find...

We were simply wrong...

aTypical Sunday

By Ganjiki

 

We struggle out of bed, a typical Sunday

Somehow at the back of our minds

In bed we would rather lay

But to church we drag our blessed behinds

 

We don't even get there on time

Like we do the other days of the week

To work to school our punctuality is fine

I wonder what makes our bodies weak

 

We glance at our watches just as we enter

This Sanctuary, for two gruesome hours

We sing our songs, prayer at the alter

Celebrate His love and blessed showers

 

We glance again at our watches

"When will this be over?"

So we can return to bed, lock the latches

Or carry on with life's trifle pleasures

 

Oh blessed Word from which we receive

Wisdom, comfort, rebuke, instruction

How much of it in us can others perceive?

How much of it do we really live?

 

Beautiful words; we mean it when we sing

These simple songs our hearts' truly cried

But ONLY when we sing do we really mean?

When the music fades, we forget: He really died

 

We rejoice in how good He's been to us

Does He rejoice in how good we've been to Him?

What song does He sing, what hymn,

To describe the good works we may have done?

 

Oh dear me, we may have forgotten

That one greatest commandment

Loving God is more than heart's content

It's love lived, love testified, love unwritten

 

It's love that drives an enthusiastic heart

To joyfully grant Him a punctual audience

To live for Him all week, not just in part

To inspire Him more than once a week

 

Sharp Talk Week in Review

By GDW

(20-26/11/11)

 

Well this week we started off pretty much like we ended last week. The homosexual issue was again debated for two straight days. It looked like same old arguments were brought to the table. Some talkers got tired and asked people to move on. Don't worry folks! I've been with ST since its creation, and I know topics are seasonal. People eventually get weary of a topic and move on to others. I do note that the discussion eventually turned to religion, and attempts at poking holes in the Christian faith sparked some fire.

 

Some threads got so confusing at times as several discussion topics were built into one thread. I guess that's expected from people who are so opiniated about many things...related things. Id encourage Talkers to start a new thread if what you are going to say is not directly (but can be indirectly) related to the original post.

 

Martin Maden's challenge to Sam Koim for a 1-on-1 debate lead to a debate about debating. J Questions on how ST admins will regulate such a debate came up; because people love to get into the discussions when they want to say something. Ahh well, we'll figure out something.

 

Mid-week and towards the end week, thanks to Parliament's passing of the Equality and Participation Bill, discussions about the Bill thrived with equal or more passion to the homosexuality debate. I noted that threads could not remain consistent as there were some misunderstandings of a number of issues. Feminists and women advocates celebrated while hard-line democracy advocates decried the bill as "undemocratic". The issues I notice were:

 

-          Women in Parliament vs. Women not in Parl (this however was not really an issue. All agreed that Women should be in Parliament. The real question was the second issue)

 

-          Women in Parliament through normal election process vs. Reserved seats where women compete only with women. This is a question of whether it is really democratic to allow women to compete with themselves and then give them same status as those who compete in the "normal" elections.

 

-          There was also a lengthy discussion on whether the idea of reserved seats was "unPapua New Guinean"—that it was an idea pushing "foreign interests". Some sort of neo-colonialism mechanism. This was quite an interesting angle and brought some fiery debate among some leading Talkers. I do note that this issue wasn't debated on point but ventured into the above two issues.  

 

On this note I'd encourage Talkers to really understand a fellow Talker's point before countering it. I do this by attempting to ask a question that would clarify a point. Then I try to respond accordingly (not always accurately of course!). So please, do ASK QUESTIONS too!

 

Another Sharpie suffered a death in his family. "Odou ThirdGen" lost his son at POM Gen last week Friday. Sharp Talk wishes Anthony and family the Peace of God. Our sincere condolences.

 

There were pockets of discussions on the failed economic, and socio-political systems and structures which seem to hinder good governance and service delivery. I guess there is a consensus among Talkers that a great deal of our systems and structures need to be revamped to make our public service machinery more effective.

 

The lack of tourist activity in PNG was lamented. Despite our natural beauty our tourism industry struggles. General consensus was that WE THE People need to change. Our attitude seems to have the exact opposite effect to our natural scenic beauty. We need to each learn hospitality and friendliness and cleanliness and stewardship if this industry is to rival that of other Pacific nations. Other noted stumbling blocks to tourism include the high airfares and accommodation for PNG, and the lack of effective marketing and advertising of our beautiful land.

 

Speaking of people's attitude Jodam Allingam's suggestion for "liklik spet cups" being distributed to buai chewers sparked an array of condemnations on this terrible annoying little Papua New Guinean sin of which many PNGeans (dare I say us Sharpies included!) are guilty of. Calls for banning of chewing buai in public were raised. But reminders of the futility of banning can be seen in the smoking-in-PMVs ban. Still not followed! It would do PNG a huge favour if the 1700+ members of Sharp Talk would lead the change by not spitting the buai indiscriminately or littering all over the place. Let's WALK OUR TALK sharpies!!

 

And there's the other thing: in-house matters. Kevin Soli posted a really nice graphic for Sharp Talk with the slogan "Walk the Talk, Talk the Walk". Very attractive piece of work that got calls from Talkers to the administrators to make it the group profile pic. Admins are having a meeting this arvo and may endorse the same. Also in-house: A cautionary advice by Martin Maden regarding the internet phenomenon known as "trolling" was misunderstood to mean he was accusing some regular genuine Talkers as trolls. This lead to a half-departure of key Talker Frank M. Thankfully Frank and Martin reached an understanding and he remains on Sharp Talk. Later Martin posted a more comprehensive advice singling out the one suspect "troll" allegedly using the name "Clyde Willis".

 

On leadership, sharpies discussed ways of getting good leaders into Parliament who will STAY good leaders. So many times we've seen leaders get in there who seem to be the best...but then end up popping our balloons by compromising their standards and looking...well...just plain hypocritical. Suggestions of screening the candidates to accountability measures for incumbent MPs might help. Our checks and balances mechanisms could use a revamp! Anyway it kind of put us Talkers in our place too. We really don't know what these MPs have to deal with in their line of work. The bribes being offered on every side. The political implications of their decisions (e.g. being in Government to secure funds to better serve your electorate). Like Abraham Lincoln reminds us, character is best tested by access to power; more than in time of trials or ditch-low moments.

 

On that note I guess I can speak for Sharp Talk by wishing intending candidates on ST all the best for next year. And I guess I can also appeal on ST's behalf to you to maintain your integrity, professionalism and patriotism if/when you win next year. We have a unique opportunity here to give you our piece of mind and we trust that your leadership is mature enough to accept our comments. WE ARE SICK AND TIRED OF SEEING "GOOD" MEN LET US DOWN when they enter into Parliament. As members of this forum, we hope you will WALK THE TALK! Cheers!

 

Oh! Almost forgot to mention the drama in Parliament between Tiensten and that dreadful (my opinion) speaker Jeffrey Nape. Embarrassing moment again in our Parliament. Thanks to the journalists on ST for keeping us and the nation informed of how idiotic our Parliament can get. Speaker made a u-turn on his decision following proper advice....which came LATER in the week! Ah the circus!

 

To end I'd just like to appeal to Sharp Talkers. This may be a personal point. But I posted a couple of times informing ST of the Sovereign Wealth Fund forums to be held in different centres in the 4 regions. Please be watching and attend those forums where you can have your say. The Equality and Participation Bill passing and the subsequent debate tell us that we need to be proactive in our debate instead of Sharp Talking too much after the fact. Please make an attempt to attend the forums if you are in the relevant centres. I know you'll want to fry us (SWF team) after the law gets passed. But you have an opportunity to fry us NOW. Thanks!

 

Well another eventful week draws to an end. What do we do with all the ideas? A journalist in PNGFM suggested we arrange for a weekly sum-up talk on radio. This is being considered by the admins. I guess I can speak on behalf of other administrators to appeal to journalists on ST to talk to your bosses (news companies) with ideas such as this. I think a regular column like this (ST) or a talk-back program may gain for your company increased readership, listeners or viewers. So consider it, talk to your bosses and talk to us!

 

Having said too much...thanks Sharpies!

 

Heavenise week!

 

Ganjiki

 

 

Shredding the Spirit of our Nation

By Ganjiki

I’m depressed
I see them shred our Constitution on every side
I turn to the right, to the left, I see they’ve lied
Interpret it selfishly
Apply it abusively
Change it recklessly

I see us constantly using its letter to destroy its spirit
My heart bleeds, as it loses its feet
Oh Narakobi, you must be turning in your grave?!
See how we lose ourselves in these ideas the white man gave?
That Melanesian Way you tried to help us see?
It’s drowned out in our modern humanity

I’m confused. Why can’t they see??
It’s right there; look and let it be!
The spirit of our Nation, our Sovereignty
Our guide no longer has a heart
They ripped it out that vital part

How can we who can’t define ourselves,
Expect to stop this rotting mess?
How can we of a thousand tongues,
Claim basic conscience on which all hangs?

That dear House standing on a Hill
Ruled by a master who does not yield
To this dear Mama Lo, our Nation’s Word
He rules by his chair, if only he had his sword...

I see more chairs, carrying worthless bodies
Puppets who love to tickle our ears
They put on a show and the world laughs
I hang my head in shame...in my fathers’ house?

I see good men fall, respect tumbles
Integrity sold, no longer humbles
I see good women...no I don’t see them
So now they stake their claim

Momis please make a stand, give us sight
Tell us we’re not doing this right
Tell us we need to talk to the people
Isn’t that what you did when you wrote the fundamental?

Leave that Document alone
Let it guide us, I say
Stand by its spirit
It’ll show the way...

God Bless Papua New Guinea...

(23/11/11)

"In Conclusion" (Graduates' Response 2008--53rd UPNG Graduation)

Graduates' Response

(4th April 2008, Afternoon Session)

 

"IN CONCLUSION"

 by

 GDW 

 

 

The Governor General of PNG His Excellency Grand Chief Sir Paulias Matane and Lady Kaludia; Chancellor Stephen Pokawin and Distinguished Members of the UPNG Council; Prof. Ross Hynes and Members of the UPNG Senior Management; Academic and Non-Academic Staff of UPNG; Parents and Family of the Graduates; and lastly to fellow graduates...Good Afternoon.

 

It is truly a great honour and privilege for me to stand before you to deliver this Graduate's Response. I am also sincerely humbled to be given this opportunity.

 

Firstly our gratitude.

 

Firstly to the greatest and only God there is. To the Maker of the Heavens and the Earth. To God in whom we live and move and have our being. Outside of whom we cannot find purpose and reason and meaning. To our Great God Jehovah The Great I AM...."I Thank you....For All You've Done"

 

To our families and especially to our Parents. Take this moment as for yourselves. To Every Father and Every Mother who worked so hard to see us get to where we are, on behalf of every graduate and myself I say this "Thank you from the deepest parts of our hearts. We would not have made it without you...God Bless You...We Love You"

 

To the University Administration and Staff, both Academic and non-academic, we thank you for your dedication to the development of the graduates and students. For those lecturers and tutors who are overworked and grossly underpaid, we applaud your dedication and attitude of service towards this nation. Thankyou for not giving up along the way like a lot of others. God Bless you and Your families.

 

Finally to every one who has played a part, one way or another, in assisting these graduates through their pursuit of education: You can also take a moment for yourself. I say simply "Thank you and God Bless You"

 

It is said that the most exciting phrase in Graduation speeches is the phrase "And In Conclusion" and so I am content that if this talk needs a title I should call it "In Conclusion".

 

The theme for this 53rd Graduation carries quite a great deal of words but the key phrase I'd like to point out is "higher education as the key driver of good governance in PNG democracy".

 

After four years of undergraduate study I have arrived with perhaps one conclusion. This conclusion that I would like to share with you all is not new and this won't be the last time you hear it. The one person who has always spoken on this topic, and I am deeply honoured to stand before him to present this talk, is the good Governor General Sir Paulius Matane. But my prayer is that you hear this as if for the first time. It is my hope that every single person listening today would appreciate the sentiments expressed from this podium. I sincerely believe that true change and progress would come about if everyone would appreciate this very simple truth and act upon it. Every graduate and every continuing student and ultimately every Papua New Guinean citizen should appreciate this simple truth.

 

So what is this conclusion that I would like to present?

 

The Conclusion is this: that the KEY to good governance, or good leadership (or bad leadership), is all wrapped up in this one word: ATTITUDE.

 

It is the ATTITUDE of the most important & fundamental unit of any human society. It is the unit of the SELF (myself and yourself). Ultimately it is my own attitude that either makes or breaks me. And eventually it is my attitude that would bring this nation out of the mess that it is in. Likewise your attitude.

 

It does not take a University Graduate to realize that this nation suffers from lack of good governance and leadership and that it is performing well below its potential. So whose responsibility is it to change this country?

 

Everyone thinks it's someone else's responsibility to change and make a difference. This is having an adverse effect on our attitude and ultimately on our actions as units of a single nation.

 

For four years I have been watching us. We who are often referred to as 'future leaders' and the 'hope of the nation'. Those phrases come from what they call "The Knowledge Myth". That good leadership comes from good education. If this was true PNG would be one of the greatest nations in the world because we have some of the world's top brains in our leadership. There shouldn't be any problems with the usual evils that we read about each day. But NO! We are still struggling to compete with even our smaller and younger neighbours in the Pacific. Obviously education isn't helping.

 

I regret to say that I have observed over the last four years that we, so-called future leaders, have devoted more time to gaining more knowledge and have neglected building our character and developing positive attitude.  I have witnessed from a national University, active ethnic differences amongst the educated elite. And yet we criticize and condemn nepotism and wantok system in government and bureaucracy? I have witness destructive little habits such as vandalism of state property by us the educated elite. Little things such as graffiti and the stain of beetle nut all over our infrastructure and land. And yet we expect our grassroots and leaders to show respect to each other and for property? I have witnessed drunken brawls and fights and have even witnessed domestic violence and abuse of women here on campus. Only very few are committed to building good character and attitude. And yet they call us 'future leaders'…I am often embarrassed by those tags.

 

Unfortunately our education system has not and still does not actively promote the building of good character and values. I would like to challenge the government and the University and other Education institutions to focus on developing character and not just equipping with education. I do not believe that education alone is paramount in the building of our human resource. The building of our human resource lies in our laying down values which eventually shape our character.  Good attitude in people means effective human resource and eventually good leadership.

 

I believe that this nation can be great. I believe that it will be. I am confidant because I feel, and so should every one of you, that the responsibility for progress in this nation rest upon me...It rests on the improvement of SELF. It starts and ends with the SELF. As an individual I have to change. I have to move towards building character and a positive attitude within myself. We have to Change our mentality in thinking that everyone else has to change for this world to change. Leo Tolstoy describes the defect in our way of thinking like this: "Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself".

 

It is an issue of responsibility. Do you know that the responsibility for change and progress rests solely on you? 'Cause if you think it is someone else's than you will not take any steps to changing...to growing as a leader and as a good citizen of this nation. And if you stop growing and developing positively in your character....There's only one other direction for your character to go...DOWN...it starts decaying. Even Michael Jackson understood that if you wanted to make a difference you have to start with the "Man in the Mirror". It's my responsibility. It's YOURS. It Starts and Ends with me. That should be our attitude.

 

RESPONSIBILITY comes from two words: Response and ability. So if you have the ability to respond then you cannot deny that you have a responsibility. Your ability to respond lies in first changing yourself, something that is within your power.

 

As student leaders we are fond of criticizing our current leaders. We talk about their failure and their corruption. But let me challenge ourselves with this question to the SELF: "Am I going to be any different?"… "Will people say positive things about me when they talk about me?"… "One day when my name is on the papers will they treat me with contempt or with deepest respect?"

 

The building of good attitudes and character does not happen overnight. It's a long process that needs patience and discipline. Are we in that process? Have we started yet? Because we can't wait another day to start changing. We can be confident if we are changing because if we change positively; like fire that attitude of change will spread and eventually the whole nation will catch on. Good leadership is not a phenomenon that arises in a day. It is a daily process of development and change.

 

What are the qualities you and I demand from our leaders? Selfless-ness? Sacrifice? Integrity? Honesty? Loyalty? Nationalism? Respect? Honour? Courage against Corruption? Those same things are demanded of us no matter what capacity we are in. You are always in a position to influence those around you, and they influence you. Will you give in to corruption in the tiniest  of measures. What have you and I done for ourselves that would see the development of these traits within us. The good Governor General always stresses these qualities and Henry Kila has stressed them to us today as well; what are we doing to improve ourselves and develop these qualities cause you cannot sleep and wakeup one day all of a sudden have an attitude of sacrifice and loyalty to this nation. More importantly what are you and I doing now? If we do not embrace them we will always only be criticizing others and developing ourselves into hypocrites.

 

These are challenges that we have to really ask ourselves and think about and act upon. And we have to act now to develop ourselves. Maybe when we do we can really earn the tag future leaders. Only by being different can we really make a difference.

 

I leave us with this quote from one of the history's greatest leaders Benjamin Franklin: "By improving yourself the world is made better".

 

That is all I have to share with you: these small thoughts that every citizen of this great nation should appreciate.

 

Again to all who have played a role in the achievements of these fine women and men...our deepest gratitude.

 

And to the fellow Graduates...I wish everyone, not just success, I wish you satisfaction and fulfillment in whatever path you trod in the next steps of your lives. In whatever role you play in life and whatever roles you play in this country; that you shall find your purpose and be fulfilled.

 

Congratulations!

 

Thank you and God Bless You All!

--

Ganjiki

"INSPIRING PASSION"

 

http://ppngtokauttokstret.blogspot.com/ 

Ambassadors: For Better of For Worse...

By GDW


I walked down the streets of Suva in a T-shirt proudly declaring “I LOVE PNG”. In the wake of a recent Rugby League clash between the Kumuls and Fiji Batis—the Kumuls thrashing the Batis 26-Nil—I was sort of rubbing it in on our Melenesian brothers. The few I chatted with conceded how strong PNG was. “The first game was a fluke eh?” one of them said. I don’t know. Our boys made too many handling errors the first game in Mt. Hagen and “gave the game away”. Maybe…

In stark contrast to my beloved capital city, Suva looked very…“international”. Everyone was from everywhere. We travelled into Nandi the day before and the international Airport was packed! The connection to Suva even more so. Tourists! They flocked in and out like we flock to our buai-markets every day at home.

One word sticks out when I arrogantly contrast this city to mine back home: CLEAN. Anyone who’s been here knows this. Not only was there no beetle-nut sputum anywhere, there was no rubbish. No plastic bags, chewing-gum packets, soft-drink cans, bottles. Nothing! (It wasn’t perfectly clean of course, but you know what I mean). I dream of POM city being like this. Yes as much as the realists hate to see it, some of us still dream. Impossible? Not in a hundred years? I dream.

At breakfast (sandwich and coffee) at the market I helped out a beggar (yes they have one or two). A Fijian, seated next to my colleague and I, seems impressed and asked where we’re from. I proudly tell him. He mentions he met a PNGean not many days ago: a law student here at USP. We talk about the rugby. We ask about Fiji, the Melanesians. We are seated at a bench at the markets were the native Fijians have set up stalls to sell coffee, cakes, sandwiches and packs of cassava and fish. This seems to be what they can do. And we are only too happy to support them. Our friend says thanks for supporting. “You’re welcome.”

Since I’m wearing the T-shirt—but not only because of that—I am conscious that people not only see me, they see my country. I reflect my beloved nation. I feel an urge to say things like “Oh do come to PNG, we are a great people!” but I refrain. I’ll just do my thing and hope that my conduct is sufficient to arouse within them a desire to come visit our country.

In the evening I went to a small PNG men’s fellowship where five guys meet to share the Word of God and pray together. My former lecturer Douveri invited me. We study God’s Word. We pray for PNG. We pray for Fiji. And we pray for Israel. Driving home afterwards my brothers lament to me how they have observed many PNGeans—not all, but many—who come to visit Suva, squander their lives by living loosely and wrecklessly: to their own disgrace and country’s. In fact one of the main reasons they started having the regular fellowship was to strengthen each other in upholding the Godly principles they had subscribed to. To live well and honourably, attempting to keep from being negative ambassadors for God and country.

Everywhere in the world there are Papua New Guineans: living, working, schooling, playing. They are ambassadors, clothed with the beauty of our nation. All who look upon them see not only the individuals, they see PNG. Being overseas might demand a more conscious watch over every word and deed you say or do. You need to deliberately choose to be good.

I know people are not dumb. They won’t conclude automatically that a PNGean they see out there is what every PNGean is like back home. Indeed it may be a far cry. But they catch a glimpse of who we are. I hope that when you give the world a glimpse of our nation, they will like what they see.

I don’t really know how you would do that. I know how I would if I was out there. I’d be proud of my country. Carry its flag always. Physically whenever I can—on a t-shirt, an armband or scarf—but always in my heart. I’d try to ensure that whatever I did was both an accurate reflection of my people, and a good one. This means I would have to understand my country: its fundamental ideals, our collective character and conscience. I would have to know what we stand for. What makes us unique in this world apart from our geographical location, skin colour, and diversity? What is the common thread that runs through our divergent individual cultures? Because when I’m out there I won’t be a Sepik, Tolai, Papuan or Engan. I’d only be Papua New Guinean. Therefore my philosophy would have to correspond to whole of Papua New Guinea’s.

Are we a kind? Hospitable? Decent? Family-oriented? Fun-loving? Teachable? Patient? Are we “wiser, smarter, fairer” yet? What kind of people are we supposed to be?

We need to be great people. Which means we need fundamental shifts in the way we behave. Which means we need fundamental shifts in the way we perceive ourselves. Our beliefs need to be re-affirmed.

I started out talking about the streets and ended up with international representatives of our nation—short trippers to permanent residents. We are all PNG. Why? Because our conduct, both abroad and local, reflects what we believe of ourselves. Our squandering of our Moresby and Lae streets, or our representation at an international meets, reflects badly on us. Let’s change it around. For our nation to be greater, we must become better. We are clothed with our nation’s beauty. Change Starts With Me.

Heavenise Day!

Ganjiki

Change Starts With Me

By Ganjiki D Wayne
 
“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself”~Leo Tolstoy
 
The theme of changing ourselves before demanding change in others is slowly gaining a footing in the mindsets of our people. Slowly we are starting to realise that in order for real change to happen in our land, “I must change”. From adamant cynics—who blame the system, the unstable social structures, the ineffective legislation, weak procedures, inadequate funding, bad planning, corrupt leadership, foreign dominance/influx, non-education, and a whole list of social evils, etc—to self-evaluating citizens, questioning their own contribution to society and who are now taking responsibility. A soft breeze of self-change is blowing through our country.
 
Increasingly we are now measuring our own worth and value to this nation. On which side of the ledger do we sit? We either add value to our nation, or we don’t...in our micro-economy and budget-setting, peer interaction, family-leadership, and our primary stewardship, etc. In EVERYTHING we do we either make our nation better off, or we keep it from getting better.
 
For one we need to seriously question our habitual littering of our streets. Good ol’ BSP tries vainly to clean up once a year. NASFUND too. Hours later and we’re back to square one. Bai yumi weit wanpla yiar gen lo narap’la klinup?! But should we wait for our kind corporate citizens or our government to clean up our streets? Perhaps we wouldn’t have to wait if we just DON’T LITTER like our communities were big dumps?! And don’t use lack of bins as an excuse—I’ve stood at bus-stops watching people who will not take a 5meter walk to the nearest bin to dispose their rubbish..or spit their buai!
 
We should also question why we love colouring our pavements with our endurable red spittle that puts Taubmans to shame. Should we be proud of ourselves for this simple atrocity when it makes us look bad and stupid; and brings the likes of Powes Parkop and his family literally onto their knees to scrub the Waigani junctions?? Spitting has always been, and still is, an ancient significant symbol of utter disgust and contempt.
 
And we spit on our country...every single day...
 
Surely we have a love for our land somewhere in us that should keep us from such a contemptuous deed! Surely we’re better than that!
 
I wonder if calculating the financial cost of our actions and inactions would help. If we know how the litter and spittle on our streets keep ten-thousand high-paying tourists away? If we knew how many were not only turned away and made no plans to return, but also did not extend a heartfelt recommendation to their wantoks to “go to PNG”—because PNG’s cities scared the daylights out of them, despite the fact that they loved our rural locations? If we knew how much money we don’t get and then waste cleaning up again? Would knowing such projections help us change? I doubt it. If we don’t change out of a genuine love for our land I doubt we’d change for the love of money.
 
How can we expect others to love and appreciate our land when we have an attitude that’s a far cry from patriotism? If we have no interest in helping ourselves yet demand the massive improvements? If, through our habitual lateness and procrastination (2 of my great sins I admit!), we aren’t very productive yet expect high productivity and growth! The only thing growing at top speed is our population!
 
This nation is not just the trees, the rivers, the rocks, or the roads and the buildings...it’s the people. You. Me. We are PNG. And if it must be greater, we must become better citizens. “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek” said Obama. But I like how Michael Jackson put it in his song: “I’m starting with the man in the mirror, I’m asking him to change his ways....If you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make the change!”
 
Let’s do the little things right. Perhaps they will add to great change. Stop littering. Stop spitting the buai indiscriminately. Stop being late to work and taking off early. Stop abusing your spouse and kids; love them. Cut the prejudice and extend love beyond your tribe, your province or your region. Make peace quickly. Respect yourself so you can respect others. Celebrate your countryman’s success; don’t haul them down. Have some pride in our country...it’s the only one of its kind. Defend her honour. Give more than you take. Go the extra mile for her.
 
Just....be a great citizen!
 
God knows this nation needs better citizens than what we’ve all been to her.
 
The best formula for this wind of change is of course articulated by my Lord: “Hypocrite! FIRST remove the plank from YOUR OWN eye, THEN you will SEE CLEARLY to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” JESUS....
 
Hard words. But can the world truly change any other way?
 
Let’s Change!
 
Ganjiki
Patriots PNG Inc
 

COMPLAINING COMPETITION

Sometimes I think we’re all in one big competition. Trying to see who can complain the best. Who can articulate society’s problems most cleverly and clearly? And who can say it first? Who can best fuel the flames of frustration and get most people on the same whinging-wagon? Who can promote a complaint to get the admiration of our people—with praises that we’ve “hit the nail on the head”? We want people to adore our complaints and extend them till we’re singing a dirge together. Now there’s not a great deal of wrongs with complaining. It is a form of noise and perhaps when enough noise is made, action can be taken.

David Sode once said that it’s like we humans are built to complain. If all the problems we currently complain about were to be solved, we would then complain about how imperfect those solutions are! We just have to...it’s human nature!

Turn to the letters section of any daily newspaper and see how many people are complaining (among them my proposed solutions). Now with technology and the internet it’s very easy to get a better glimpse of the degree of complaining going on.

I complain too. So I’m talking to myself as well. But I try to limit my significant complaints to matters that I am ABLE to do something about. Or to communicate them to people who can do something about them. And I try to include potential solutions in my complaints.

I once read about a leadership guru who got so tired of his people complaining a lot to him that he set a rule. No one was allowed to bring a complaint to him unless they also brought along three possible solutions to that problem. Immediately the number of people complaining in his organisation decreased greatly; and the problem-solvers rose up. This is because it takes less wit to identify a problem than it takes to identify a solution. I think one solution is worth ten complaints when it comes to using our mind power (an unscientific assessment of course).

The problem is people want to SAY things...but they don’t want to THINK too much. So the solution to that problem is easy. Say things that don’t require much thinking; ergo...COMPLAIN! Problem solved! We said much without having to think much!

Are you a complainer or a problem-solver? You don’t have to think about solving the world’s problems. But you can think about solutions to problems in your immediate sphere of influence. Think about those little problems that you CAN impact. Then THINK HARDER about the solutions to those problems. I’m quite confident that you’ll become more influential as you continue to work within that sphere—solving those problems that you can solve. Eventually that sphere will get larger. Complaining and worrying won’t extend your borders.

As my Lord Jesus says, “Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?”

Happy Problem-Solving!!

Heavenise day!

Ganjiki
(27/10/11)

READING CULTURE GROWING: SLOWLY BUT SURELY

By Ganjiki D Wayne

Following my last commentary on the reading culture (or lack of) in PNG, it seems the bookworms have really been let out. Responses are quite uplifting. We heard from people who share the same burden for the reading culture in PNG. People were starting small book club programs at their homes, getting their families in on the action, even reading to their babies in the womb! And they were seeing positive impacts of such programs. A few colleagues of mine were so encouraged that they’ve suggested we do book club at work. So now we’ve designated a lunch time once a fortnight to have book reviews.

I was even encouraged to start an online book club. I didn’t think it would be received well at first, but I did so anyway—on facebook. The response was overwhelming. The facebook page “PNG BookClub” grew to 2800 members (and climbing!) in the space of four days! I’ve never been so happy to be proven wrong. There are people out there who are actually reading books like crazy...and they’re quite excited that they have a forum in which they could just talk books! People are conversing as if they’ve known each other for years...all because they share a common love for books and favourite authors!

On that page people have been recommending books and authors; giving snippets of books they’re currently reading or just completed or starting. They’re setting up meetings with each other to exchange books. More stories of family book clubs are shared. People who lost the passion for reading are telling us that they’re now picking up books again—inspired by the collective passion. Aspiring writers (including me) now have hope that we will surely have readers for our books when they’re published. People have expressed frustration too with the fact that the public libraries in the major centres are non-existent and that access to books is almost zero at the moment for rural and semi-urban areas. A story of a boy named Ngaru Nen—who goes to school in the US—distributing books to rural Watut has warmed our hearts. And news of others also attempting such deeds is encouraging. People with an abundance of books are even willing to contribute to a distribution effort—from within and abroad!

There’s even talk going on to materialise the movement into a formal club—aimed at building and sustaining the reading culture in PNG. A blog for book reviews and a website have been created (but not yet complete). People want a place where they can meet and exchange books both physically and in cyberspace. They also want to get involved in distributing books to people (especially children) who need them. Many ideas are put forward but we’re keen to just take it one step at a time. All good things are built slowly.

Bottom line is that people are being encouraged to read. We don’t yet know the full extent of the influence of the PNG BookClub on facebook. All we know is that members of the page are being encouraged to read more, and whoever they interact with (beyond facebook) are also being inspired to read...and a lot of them are! That gives us hope.

Vision2050 expresses a desire to see PNG people become “smarter, wiser”. These qualities are slowly being realised as more and more people pick up books and read. We can’t rely only on our Education system to make people smarter and wiser. Nor do we have to wait for the government to make things happen. It can start with us; wherever we are. We hope that you will pick up book soon—if you haven’t. And that you will encourage those within your sphere of influence to read books. You can prod them along by holding book review meetings—which are both educational and fun. Give books to them and follow-up regularly. Eventually your involvement will become unnecessary as they will soon get hooked on reading.

Most young people in PNG know Dr. Ben Carson’s story. The power of reading is well-illustrated in his story. Yet many still need to unlock their reading passions. There’s no doubt that if we are to become smarter and wiser, we must read. It takes more than just one week a year to highlight the importance of book-reading. We must prod the young people of our young nation to get their heads out of the clouds and into the books. True and long-lasting change starts right there. To change the attitude of people we need to change the mind of people. Books can do that.

Happy Reading PNG!

Heavenise Day
Ganjiki



"INSPIRING PASSION"

WHO LET THE BOOKWORMS OUT?!

By Ganjiki

I’ve commented before on reading in PNG and I’d like to do so again. Because I think it is such an underrated activity in PNG. For most PNGeans reading is a hard laborious and boring activity. We’d rather chew our beetle-nut and carry on with mindless chatter with our equally narrow-minded peers, or watch a movie that stimulates none of the imaginative and creative power of the brain, or allow desperate songwriters to shape our thinking by listening to their garbage. Reading is just not a PNG thing. And perhaps in our access to social network and blogging we have worked ourselves into a false sense of security—that reading short comments and blogs is sufficient reading—besides, this way we can challenge the author right!? And feel good about ourselves!

The few times I see my fellow PNGeans reading a book, be it on the bus commuting to and fro, or at a park, or wherever, it thrills me. It’s thrilling because it’s such a rare sight. One day while sitting and waiting for an appointment outside our Revenue Haus, I was reading a Robert Ludlum novel. An expatriate stopped, checked out the title of my book and asked me where I got it. After I told him he simply said: “It’s rare to see PNGeans reading...”

Things like facebook and blogs and the newspapers are huge hits with our people. I dare say we delight in reading generally junk (or snippets of junk). We seem to have such a short attention span that we can tolerate newspaper articles, blogs and fb comments...but great books by great authors are not at all in our scope of interest.

It’s even occurred to me that while most PNGeans like to posses KNOWLEDGE, we hate LEARNING. Have you ever wondered how odd it was for flunking Uni students to go riot over grading system? That was in my time and I’m still embarrassed because I didn’t think we deserved any grade higher than what we got! We didn’t like learning but we wanted the As. And if we our lecturers didn’t give it we tried to squeeze it out of them by threatening to burn a few cars!...Comeone PNG let’s change and create a true culture of reading and learning...

Wouldnt it be nice to see a lot more countrymen read. This is why I truly appreciate some great organisations whose mission is to make as many books accessible to as many people as possible. But we can all play our part in creating a new culture of READING...

At home I’ve started a book-club with my hauslain. Everyone was given a task to read a book and give a review at Book Review Night every week. This evening (10/10) we had our first Book Review night. My brothers and cousins from primary school to working/Uni class all gave reviews on their books followed by some comments and questions. It’s a way of getting us out of the trivial and generally unhelpful activities such as watching movies, playing computer games etc...and getting into more positive activities.

This is a simple way to bring change to our nation. We start with the ones at home; start by helping them broaden their worldview, enlarge their brain power as well as their vocabulary. Simple things like this can make a huge difference in the lives of people who are within our immediate sphere of influence. Please consider this an option for your household.

Reading short comments on fb and blogs may be helpful but reading books is priceless if you really want to gain real wisdom and knowledge. I implore you all to read further than this. Even though I’d love for you to read my blog-posts and comments, and emails, and “like” them and “share” or “forward” them...it would do you and this nation much better if you NOW decide to pick up a good book and dive into it.

Like Abigail Adams says: “Learning is not attained by chance. It must be sought for with ardour [zeal, passion, intention]”

Happy Reading everyone!

Heavenise Day.

Ganjiki

HAPPY SEPTEMBER 17 PNG!!

By Ganjiki D Wayne

Last year Independence Week I wrote a piece challenging PNGeans to be patriots beyond September 16. PC published it as Letter of the Week. This year I can’t think of anything better than remind us of that message again. It seems come this month and day we slap on the colours, dance to the tunes, sing the anthem and share opinions on how great we think our country is. Come September 17, for most PNGeans...its back to square one.

How many of us are truly nation-conscious? Do we really think every day about how our actions (or inactions) and our words, affect our nation? When we pick up the newspapers and read of State affairs, how long do we rejoice or stay upset? Public servants, how many times have we reminded ourselves that we work for the very people we pass by on the street or sit next to in a PMV? Do we lovingly embrace ALL PNGeans instead of just people of our provinces/regions? Does your heart break when you see the unnecessary injustice all around you?

I’m sure many PNGeans have such a PNG-oriented mindset. They don’t stop thinking of solutions that they keep sharing them on every medium, regardless of whether any attention is given; patriots who argue their case or serve tirelessly till they’re sapped of their energy. PNG is forever indebted to people like that.

Gary Juffa once gave a very profound analysis of people who serve in the Public Service. There are three types he said: (1) those just PASSING through, who leave as soon as they find another job; (2) those who CANNOT leave because no one else will employ them; and (3) those truly DEDICATED to their nation that they stick around no matter how bad it gets for them. The third are true patriots, embodying John F. Kennedy’s “Ask not” challenge. I hope you are too. I hope you don’t milk this nation for your own sake but constantly give yourself for it.

When September 17 comes around and the emotion is doused, the flag has fallen out of your hat, the singing has stopped, and the paint on your face and body has faded; will you still love this great nation? Will you not spit that red spittle on her, nor litter on her streets or pollute her land? Will you not abuse public property? Will you not smoke in the PMV, respecting and loving your fellow PNGeans? Will you serve diligently with few complaints, and lots of heart? Will you carry our flag honourably if you live in a foreign land? Will you not sell her cheaply to foreign interests, obnoxiously and selfishly? As you drive along Waigani Drive, look to Independence Hill and see that mother of all PNG flags fly high. Will you whisper a prayer for PNG? Will you be a steady and constant patriot; not swayed by the emotions of the moment but forever dedicated to a cause greater than yourself?

I hope you answered affirmatively to these challenges. This nation can be made great only on the backs of truly dedicated patriots and good responsible citizens who start changing in the little things. It starts with you. It starts with me.

God Bless Papua New Guinea

Heavenise day!

gg

patriotspng@yahoo.com

Your House First, The Nation Next

By Ganjiki D Wayne


We often talk of the family being the most basic unit in society, and that we need to protect it in order to protect our society. How do we do that? But before we protect, I think we first need to restore it.

How do we even begin to restore the family unit when almost every home in our society (especially the urban but increasingly in rural areas) seems broken and/or dysfunctional? Spouses cheating on each other, abusing each other, parents abusing their children. Children growing up in single-parent families lack proper guidance from a father or love from a mother. We see people deserting their families and their responsibilities everywhere we turn. Go to any family court and watch aggrieved mothers trying to seek justice for their children; children whose father’s most substantial contribution to their existence was a cell from his body. Young women, falling pregnant before getting married find themselves at loss because the men have no intention of sticking around (but they had no problems with sticking it in). Or a young man finds himself with a baby the mother of whom, having no intention of raising the baby, dumps it with him and his parents. Actually I think in many cases the parents are not more emotionally mature than the babies they make!

Kids these days are unrestrained, having had no discipline and guidance from their parents. They get their idea of morality and ethics (or lack of) and about the world from the countless movies they watch, the songs they listen to, their peers and for many, on the streets, not forgetting the internet...I doubt they read books at all. Walk down the street any morning or afternoon and watch most school children unashamedly letting out obscenities at each other...one can only conclude that it is everyday language for them at home. Watch the constant in-fighting and inter-school fighting. Watch them smoke and chew and head to school looking scruffy...having little or no sense of decency. At school they disrespect their teachers. A cousin of mine who went for teacher training at a public school in NCD, spoke of how the students would walk in and out of the classroom without any respect whatsoever for her. At 8:30am many high school students are still at the markets chewing or smoking time away. (Interestingly school only lasts till 1:00pm these days and they’re back out again). Informal sector mothers publicly abuse their children at their markets for being disobedient. But you wonder where the kid picks up that disobedience since the mother defies authorities by sitting in an undesignated selling spot. Fathers introduce their babies to the sweet aroma of cigarettes and/or alcohol; yet at some point they would probably tell their children that smoking and drinking is bad for them. Cheating parents cannot expect their children to be honest to them about anything. The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree.

What shall we make of our society and its future if this is the way the family is disintegrating? If these are the types of “future leaders” we are breeding? I hear Community Development Secretary Joseph Klapat calling for government measures to protect children and the family unit. “Hear hear!” I say. (But I’m wondering how his department would protect the family by decriminalising prostitution. Seems diabolical. But that’s just me.)

My appeal is not to the government. It’s to YOU....How’s YOUR HOUSE?

Have you been spending enough time with your children? It would be a shame if you spent so much time contributing to public cyber discourse, public service, community work and yet your family hardly sees nor hears you. Have you been treating your spouse well? Have you been disciplining your children in love and not in anger? Have you encouraged them to seek after wisdom by reading books? Fellow young people yet to be blessed with that burden, how much time have you given to dreaming about your future children? Have you thought how you'd raise them in a hostile world—a world that is sure to tear them apart? What values will you communicate to them when they come? Bear in mind the most powerful form of communication is to walk the talk. God forbid our kids would be like those described above. Even as I write this I shudder to think that I may be inadequate. Yet I hope...

In the days of old, a biblical hero named Nehemiah rallied his fellow Israelites to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. He and the people completed the task in 52 days! (A feat we would not likely match despite our modern technology). His most effective method was to get families to build the section of the wall just outside or nearest to their houses. And every family rose to the task diligently. Each family would have had a father who would have believed that the greatness of Jerusalem counted on him and his family’s contribution. He would have then rallied his household, shaped his family to be positive impacts of society. He would have been a good family man.

When my kids come into this world and meet yours...would they talk of great parents who taught them to be respectful to each other, to be loving and caring, courteous, to be honest and diligent, to be punctual? To understand right and wrong using objective truth and morality (as opposed to subjective relativistic morality)? Would they have learnt from their parents to be deep thinkers? To have empathy for fellow man? To respect the rule of Law? To be Patriots? Would they understand that the greatness of this beautiful nation depends not on great policies or economic models, or foolproof legislation, or on systems and processes; but on great people—starting with them?

I certainly hope those things for my unborn children. I think about them regularly. Heck I even have names for them already!  I worry about what sort of world they will come into and how I would help them navigate these terrible seas. I’m grateful I had parents that gave me direction. I hope I would do a good job when my time comes. And I hope that you would too...or that you are doing a good job right now.

MAKING OUR NATION GREAT STARTS RIGHT WHERE IT SHOULD—“MY HOUSE FIRST”!

GOD BLESS PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Heavenise Day!

Gg

(10/09/11)

National Repentance Day: How Then Shall We Live??

By Ganjiki D Wayne
 
As we near the first National Repentance Day, let’s take some time to reflect on its significance. During the reign of the last government our then Acting Prime Minister and the National Executive Council became convinced that such a commemoration was pivotal to national change (and I could not agree more). And so, August 26 will be National Repentance Day for Papua New Guinea.
 
My humble question: Do Papua New Guineans understand the meaning of Repentance? And therefore do we understand the significance of this day?
 
What is REPENTANCE? It is quite a religious word these days. Perhaps its earliest usage in the English language (at least in the Bible) was when it appeared in the King James Bible exactly 400 years ago. It is an expression especially familiar with the Christian faith. “Repent! For the Kingdom of God is at hand!" Christians proclaim to this lost world, echoing the Lord Jesus and his announcer John the Baptist. I’m not sure if we really know what we are saying. Non-Christians or the irreligious would probably balk at this concept; concluding confidently that it does not apply to them. Christians would embrace it ecstatically; believing its high time the whole nation REPENTS or at least appreciates its eternal importance.
 
In chasing the definition of REPENTANCE the most obvious meaning jumps out: CHANGE OF MIND. The English word REPENTANCE comes from the Greek word matenoeo (metanoia—meta “after, with”, noeo “after one’s mind”), a compound word which simply means “a change of mind”, it can also refer to “change of conduct” and “change of consciousness” (but strictly speaking it refers to change of mind). Change of mind means changing beliefs and perceptions on a certain subject matter. If not believing something in the past, Repentance means now believing it.  In the Christian context repentance means believing in the Lord Jesus, having previously NOT believed and turning away from sin. If I did not think a certain way before, I would now embrace that way of thinking.  Change in the thinking is supposed to naturally show in the conduct.
 
In the Christian context repentance is associated with sin. True repentance is supposed to mean no longer allowing sin to reign in us. In the ordinary non-religious context repentance generally relates to changing the way we think. And on both notes I think PNG is well overdue for repentance. Never before has changing of the mind been so vital to national progress than it is today. We cannot continue in our way of thinking if we are to see real long-lasting change in our Nation. This is something that Patriots PNG has been campaigning for (changing of mindset) since its inception and which the Church has been pushing for since coming to PNG (repentance from sin and faith in God). Steve Biko, in the movie Cry Freedom, says it clearly: "Change the way people think, and things will never be the same."
 
I do not know exactly what stifles our progress as a nation. But I have a clue that it has a lot to do with our mindsets: individually and collectively. WE NEED TO CHANGE OUR MIND. Then and only then will we see changes in our lives and in our country. Repentance usually means change “for the better”. If we do not show signs of becoming better people, better citizens, better leaders etc. after 26/08; then we have missed the mark in commemorating a day dedicated to REPENTANCE and our mindsets would not have changed.
 
One thing for sure in the religious and irreligious context: true Repentance must be preceded by an understanding of that which you must change your mind about. If I used to think that spitting beetle-nut all over the streets was ok (or if I DO NOT THINK IT IS WRONG), before changing my mind about it I would have to first be convinced in my mind that it is indeed wrong. Otherwise there would be no basis on which I would then “change my mind” and stop such a habit. So if there has to be any real repenting, any real minded-change, there will have to be some real hard-hitting revelation (I tried to find a less-religious word but this is most appropriate) of the defects in our current way of thinking and conduct. The kind of revelation would cause us to swallow our pride and humbly accept that we need to change.
 
That part of the process (revealing our defective ways of thinking) has to be intensified in PNG. The people need to appreciate what need to be repented of. We need to appreciate what’s wrong with our current mindset, our current beliefs, our conduct, etc. before any successful effort can be made to improve or change.
 
Every person who understands the wrongness of a belief or conduct must make it his duty to inform others so as to help them change their thinking and conduct. And the Church must not slack of in speaking out against sin and what is morally wrong. And every individual has a duty to reflect on his current beliefs and perceptions, attitudes and conduct. Please do not assume that repentance is an exercise only for the religious. We all have things that we can and should change. Some honest self-reflection will reveal a lot. We ALL can do with some change of mind...some repentance...

As a facebook user posted so profoundly “no person or country can change until they face the hard ugly truth about themselves”. True.
 
For only then will you be compelled to truly repent.
 
REFLECTION PRECEDES REPENTANCE
 
God Bless PNG.
 
Heavenise Day!
 
gg
 
 

MOTHERS MYSTERIOUS

By Ganjiki D Wayne

This task got me seriously thinking
How mysterious is this amazing creature?
A mix of sweet strawberry motherly love
And dedication to make the Maker proud

I thought of great mothers, their deeds
Dr. Ben Carson’s mother, Moses’ mother,  
Jesus’, and St. Augustine’s, and mine
And even William Kapris’ mum!
Great mothers whose love out-value a million goldmines

Dad came down hard with a cane, belted
Mum came down with a soft heart, melted
Tears fell freely from mother’s eyes
Her children pained from being chastised

Tonnes of meals by mother’s hands we’ve had
A river-worth of water, detergent and sweat
A thousand hours spent cooking, cleaning, laundering...
Lives took shaped by mothers simply being

Even eternity’s secure salvation
By her faithful tears, constant supplication
She has drawn God’s Amazing Grace and Hand
By which now we call Jesus “Friend”

Can words surmise one of life’s greatest wonders?
A brilliant symphony of strength seemingly endless
And heart and soul truly tender, amazing softness
Amazing that in that softness we find shelter nonetheless

Only a mother could love a child the world hates
Longing to serve her children with divine grace
Seeing an angel while the world sees the devil
Only a mother only a mother...

Shall men be glad we don’t carry a mother’s load?
Oh but it’s not only just 'cause mothers are supposed to
It’s because they can take it and men cannot
Heap a mother’s burden on man’s lonely shoulder,
He shall not last long, that is the order

First to rise and last to lie
Almost like Master she seems to neither slumber nor sleep
Almost....
How did He think up such beauty, such strength, such devotion?
Mysterious beyond my simple comprehension

Be of good cheer oh dear mother!
You bear the complexity, love mysterious
Of the God who made this sweet Universe
In this short verse I have not justly described
Your infinite worth in this world in which we abide...

Have a glorious Mothers Day!

(8th May 2011)

The Case for Christianity in the Affairs of PNG

By Ganjiki D Wayne

As debate on reforms to our sex laws and other moral questions intensify, conversation often naturally flows on to Christianity and its application in our national legislative programs and social engineering projects. Why should its precepts and principles be applied in shaping our society? Why should it have prominent application over other religious/irreligious opinions? Why do we even call PNG a “Christian Country”???

Increasingly people question the merits of calling PNG a “Christian Country”. Christian leaders often say our Constitution declares PNG a “Christian country” so we must therefore adhere to Christian principles. They are mistaken. Our Constitution does not make such a declaration. However it does subscribe explicitly to the Christian principles.

I’d like to put forward the following argument in light of the Preamble of the Constitution—our “Declaration of Independence”. What does it really say?? The Preamble contains the “spirit” of the Constitution and by extension the Nation. In law the spirit of a document is a significant aid to interpretation. Without the letter the spirit is ineffective and dead; but without the spirit the letter is without ultimate meaning, without coherence and is vulnerable to abusive interpretation. Whilst many argue on the “letter” of the Constitution, few really understand its spirit.

Our founding fathers and the drafters of the Constitution—after nationwide consultation and affirmation from the people—put into the Preamble a pronouncement of certain fundamental beliefs and values that as a nation we would (or should) live by. These foundations provide a coherent ethos for our nation. Such an ethos is necessary for our society to maintain some coherence and, dare I say, order.

Some of those principles include: the declaration of being “united as one nation”; the memory of our ancestors; the people-power basis for our democracy; the prominence of the dignity of the human being and community; the rejection of violence and encouragement of peaceful consensus; and hard work and equitable sharing of benefits for all.

These are but few of the foundation pillars set for our country. Among them, the Preamble declares—in fact it pledges!—to “guard and pass on to those who come after us our noble traditions and the Christian principles that are ours now”. The writers included Christianity as a major facet for our national society. This has, through ignorance of the real wording of the Preamble, been taken to mean that the Constitution declares PNG to be a “Christian Country”. Perhaps it’s only a matter of argument whether it’s a declaration or not. But for me it’s quite clear. Our Declaration lays down a pledge to do two things for the Christian worldview in PNG: to guard it and to pass it on.

Christian principles form part of the fundamental philosophical makeup of our nation, meant to permeate not only the private lives of us the citizens but every objective strategy we think up for progress as a nation. As a people we are called by the supreme document of our land, to guard those Christian principles we had wisely adopted. So when challenged by philosophies and ideologies directly contradictory to those Christian principles, the Christian principles be given prominent consideration. That is our duty under the Constitution. And if our first Basic Social Obligation (under that same Preamble by the way) is anything to go by, we are called to “respect and act” in the spirit of the Constitution. Notice it does not say we must respect and act according to the “letter” of the Constitution. Our writers knew the fallacy of leaning on the letter alone. We must be guided by that “spirit”—and therefore by extension the Christian principles.

For those naysayers who insist we are not a nation built on Christian principles, our Constitution leaves no doubt (unlike the American Declaration of Independence which is not as explicit) that it is indeed part and parcel of our pillars. And a further reading into the writings of John Momis, Sir Michael Somare and late Bernard Narakobi will confirm this explicit subscription to the Gospel of Christ. And to say otherwise would be to disagree with the spirit of the Constitution...the same one that gives us the right to argue one way or the other.

Where there is a need for coherence in our society where shall we get it? Should we spin a bottle on every separate issue and apply that worldview to which it points; regardless of the contradiction and incoherence in society? I contend that we need no such exercise. Our Preamble—the Spirit of Our Nation—provides such a coherence, it defines us sufficiently. If we should look everywhere but there we may end up sufficiently confused, frustrated, without direction and without identity. And even if we gain so much ground yet we may effectively get nowhere...

God Bless Papua New Guinea!

Heavenise Day!

Gg