REALITY CHECK: WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE AN AUSSIE?

The recent out-cry over the death of a British nurse connected with an Aussie radio stunt, has shocked us all. Like others, my initial reaction was shock and horror, mixed with anger towards those who dream up such pranks.

Thinking about it some more, however, it is hypocritical to place blame fully on the individuals involved. The fact is that they are part of a system, they are suppliers of a product to Aussie consumers who are demanding to be entertained, titillated or amazed by new ventures into comedy. It is called ‘ratings’. We all share the blame.

It is also the case that Aussie humour always looks to make fun of (‘take the mickey out’) of others, and it does not matter who those others may be. As Aussies I think we generally understand this characteristic for what it is, mischievous, irreverent, cheeky, but not generally malicious. However, it is not a humour which translates across cultures very easily. It is open to being misunderstood or misinterpreted.

The Aussie tendency to make fun of others and pull others down to our level, is both a strength and weakness. On the one hand, we are less of a class society, we see people as equals, we are all the same. On the other hand, we can stifle positive ambition or achievement as people want to avoid the criticism of others (a report last week indicated how gifted students are ‘dumbing themselves down’ so they fit in).

I hope this sad episode is a learning thing for us as a culture. Humour and laughter is a wonderful gift of God. There is ample material in the quirkiness of life and in the reality of our own human failings, to make us wary of pushing the boundaries in the way we make fun of others.
When Jesus came at the first Christmas He came to bring life. The gospel of John tells us how there is an enemy that comes to take life away – to steal or kill or destroy, but that Jesus came to bring life, life in all its fullness (see John 10, esp v 10). The enemy likes to use us to pull down, to criticise, to find fault, and ultimately destroy life. But we have another Master.

My dream for St Luke’s is that we might be the most positive and up-building community you can imagine being part of. Here we need to go against the grain of Aussie culture. Instead of seeing problems, we see possibilities; instead of what won’t work, we see what could work; instead of finding fault, finding things to praise in others.
When I read the New Testament, time and again I read of this call to encourage one another and build one another up. We are to have a radical belief in the power and potential of every individual, the possibilities God has for them, and to cheer them on as best as we can Yes, it is right that we help one another get over our faults and confess our sins, but the whole climate is one of growth, encouragement and belief in the life given and restored by the coming of Jesus into the world.
Will you dream with me? Can we help each other make such a community more and more a reality?