Category Archives: News and events

Crown Minerals Amendment Bill

Submission on the Crown Minerals Amendment Bill September 2024 Student Christian Movement Aotearoa (SCMA) Tēnā koutou Economic Development, Science and Innovation Committee: We are writing on behalf of the Student Christian Movement Aotearoa, a progressive Christian group active within tertiary institutions across the Motu, to express our grave concerns about the Crown Minerals Amendment BillContinue reading “Crown Minerals Amendment Bill”

Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Bill (No 2)

Submission to the Committee Secretariat Health Committee September 2024 Student Christian Movement Aotearoa (SCMA) Tēnā koutou katoa: Student Christian Movement Aotearoa is a progressive Christian group in tertiary institutions across the Motu. We write to give our partial support of the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Bill (No 2). As a Christian organisation, weContinue reading “Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Bill (No 2)”

Bookworm (2024): a theological review

Bookworm (2024) is a compelling story about a precocious, adventurous 11-year-old girl connecting with her absent father as they search for one of Aotearoa’s only cryptids, the Canterbury Panther. Through the story’s twists and turns, the daughter Mildred and father Strawn get to know each other in their most vulnerable moments.  Reader be warned, spoilersContinue reading “Bookworm (2024): a theological review”

Biotech, Religion, and Treaty Obligations

The government announcement today about ending a gene technology ban outside the lab was noticeably (but unsurprisingly) silent on any reference to matauranga Māori, Māori kaitiakitanga, or religion. Alan King-Hunt’s 2023 thesis on biotech control of predator wasps, matauranga Māori, and religious and spiritual Māori perceptions offers an incisive perspective about the plurality of viewsContinue reading “Biotech, Religion, and Treaty Obligations”

Drag, Olympics, and Offense

It’s Olympics time! We’d be remiss if we didn’t chime in on the Dionysus / Last Supper controversy! A few quick comments:1. I’ve seen a lot of people arguing that it wasn’t meant to depict The Last Supper, rather its referent was a painting of Dionysus and a bacchanal. This is plausible (though some sources,Continue reading “Drag, Olympics, and Offense”

Set Free for the Present: Queer theology and post-heteronormative ethics

All are welcome to this public theology forum exploring post-heteronormative ideas. We are delighted to have Liam Miller, PhD Candidate at Charles Sturt, join us to explore the radical turn away from the future espoused by queer theory and queer theology.Tuesday 9 April 6:00-7:30pmZoom link: https://vuw.zoom.us/j/96866787090?pwd=VGRVWWdNQ21idW96UWZPRHRUTUk3Zz09No need to be a “theologian” or even a Christian.Continue reading “Set Free for the Present: Queer theology and post-heteronormative ethics”

Worshipping a Slutty God: Salvific and relational implications of a non-monogamous God

All are welcome to this public theology forum during Wellington Pride Week to explore post-heteronormative ideas as they relate to Christian theology. It has now been well documented that the Bible traces a move from being monaltrous (worshipping one God in a pantheon of gods) to monotheistic (there is only one real God). This workshopContinue reading “Worshipping a Slutty God: Salvific and relational implications of a non-monogamous God”

Palestine, Performativity, and Prophetic Action

The images and stories coming out of Palestine are horrific and shocking — but, as Susan Sontag wrote, do these images have any power to tell a story or change a mind or only to shock? When people share these stories, reports, and images, especially online, what goals are there other than awareness? Whilst itContinue reading “Palestine, Performativity, and Prophetic Action”