George Zachariah | Trinity Methodist Theological College (original) (raw)
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Books by George Zachariah
In a context when religions in general and religious leaders in particular tend to betray the bas... more In a context when religions in general and religious leaders in particular tend to betray the basic tenets of their faith traditions and engage in the politics of legitimizing systemic evil, Pope Francis is a redeeming presence as he continues to inspire us to live out our faith differently by protecting and celebrating life. The Holy Father's recent Encyclical on the care of our common home is a testament of his faith and commitment to re-imagine the witness of faith communities in the public sphere in the context of the ecological crises. While I endorse the encyclical as a scripture for all those who are committed to the healing and flourishing of our common home, let me share some critical observations, informed by the politics and spirituality of the subaltern social movements in India, to enable us to continue to engage in the mission of healing the earth.
Papers by George Zachariah
A sermon preached at the Ziegenbalgh Chapel, United Theological College, Bangalore on 29th Novemb... more A sermon preached at the Ziegenbalgh Chapel, United Theological College, Bangalore on 29th November, 2015
Global leaders will be gathering in Paris soon for the annual ritual called the United Nations Cl... more Global leaders will be gathering in Paris soon for the annual ritual called the United Nations Climate Change Conference to discuss about modalities and policies to confront the "inconvenient truth," climate change. Communities whose very survival is being threatened due to climate change are skeptical about such rituals where the global leaders will continue to engage in blame game without addressing or disrupting the colonization of the atmospheric commons. On the final day, solutions developed in the mould of corporate interests would be declared as the global commitment and resolve to solve climate crisis. It is important here to reflect upon the observation of Slavoj Zizek: "What if the way we perceive a problem is already part of the problem?"
When the tourists flew in, our island people metamorphosed into a grotesque carnival A two-week s... more When the tourists flew in, our island people metamorphosed into a grotesque carnival A two-week sideshow
When the tourists flew in, our island people metamorphosed into a grotesque carnival A two-week s... more When the tourists flew in, our island people metamorphosed into a grotesque carnival A two-week sideshow
The book of Revelation is a subversive literature emerging from a colonized community, articulati... more The book of Revelation is a subversive literature emerging from a colonized community, articulating their resistance and alternate visions. The book juxtaposes two journeys: the imperial voyage of conquest and destruction, and the pilgrimage of the earth community to bring about healing and restoration to create a redeemed earth. Envisioned by the vision of the new heaven and new earth, Revelation further challenges the believers to come out of the Empire and to celebrate the experience of the redeemed earth in the here and now, trusting the promise of God who is making all things new.
In a context when religions in general and religious leaders in particular tend to betray the bas... more In a context when religions in general and religious leaders in particular tend to betray the basic tenets of their faith traditions and engage in the politics of legitimizing systemic evil, Pope Francis is a redeeming presence as he continues to inspire us to live out our faith differently by protecting and celebrating life. The Holy Father's recent Encyclical on the care of our common home is a testament of his faith and commitment to re-imagine the witness of faith communities in the public sphere in the context of the ecological crises. While I endorse the encyclical as a scripture for all those who are committed to the healing and flourishing of our common home, let me share some critical observations, informed by the politics and spirituality of the subaltern social movements in India, to enable us to continue to engage in the mission of healing the earth.
A sermon preached at the Ziegenbalgh Chapel, United Theological College, Bangalore on 29th Novemb... more A sermon preached at the Ziegenbalgh Chapel, United Theological College, Bangalore on 29th November, 2015
Global leaders will be gathering in Paris soon for the annual ritual called the United Nations Cl... more Global leaders will be gathering in Paris soon for the annual ritual called the United Nations Climate Change Conference to discuss about modalities and policies to confront the "inconvenient truth," climate change. Communities whose very survival is being threatened due to climate change are skeptical about such rituals where the global leaders will continue to engage in blame game without addressing or disrupting the colonization of the atmospheric commons. On the final day, solutions developed in the mould of corporate interests would be declared as the global commitment and resolve to solve climate crisis. It is important here to reflect upon the observation of Slavoj Zizek: "What if the way we perceive a problem is already part of the problem?"
When the tourists flew in, our island people metamorphosed into a grotesque carnival A two-week s... more When the tourists flew in, our island people metamorphosed into a grotesque carnival A two-week sideshow
When the tourists flew in, our island people metamorphosed into a grotesque carnival A two-week s... more When the tourists flew in, our island people metamorphosed into a grotesque carnival A two-week sideshow
The book of Revelation is a subversive literature emerging from a colonized community, articulati... more The book of Revelation is a subversive literature emerging from a colonized community, articulating their resistance and alternate visions. The book juxtaposes two journeys: the imperial voyage of conquest and destruction, and the pilgrimage of the earth community to bring about healing and restoration to create a redeemed earth. Envisioned by the vision of the new heaven and new earth, Revelation further challenges the believers to come out of the Empire and to celebrate the experience of the redeemed earth in the here and now, trusting the promise of God who is making all things new.
I am IGNATIUS. I belong to the village Idinthikarai in Thirunelveli district in southern Tamil Na... more I am IGNATIUS. I belong to the village Idinthikarai in Thirunelveli district in southern Tamil Nadu. Since a few years my family lives in the Casa Nagar Colony that was built as part of the Tsunami rehabilitation program. Though not many human lives were taken away, the tsunami gave us all a taste of what a natural disaster is. It took us all some time to get over the fear of living so close to the sea which behaved so strangely that day. But now the memory of that day is faded out by the new knowledge of a disaster that is looming over us and is going to be there every day. Our village and region are now famous for the upcoming Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP). Now two events loom loud in my mind. Let me share it with you all. Last year, one quiet peaceful windy night we were woken up by a loud unfamiliar sound that pierced our ears and shocked us out of bed. We ran out in fear and saw that many others had got out of their houses searching for the source of the sound. All eyes turned towards the Plant area which is just 1.5 km from where I stay. We realized that something was happening there. The noise subsided. We later came to know that that was a trial dummy run that was done in the Plant. If the memory of a sound can frighten and bring your life to a standstill, then we know what it means because we experienced it. The second event is the news we saw last March about the Japan Tsunami and the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant explosion. More than how and why it happened, we understand how weak the nuclear power plants are. Any small delay in getting the right amount of water, any human error in turning on or off a switch, a short tremor or shift in the earth, a wave from the nearby ocean that rushes in astray, a valve with a rusted nail in it can all start a disaster. And we realize that we are just 1.5 kms away from a disaster. Someone who came here to see us asked about how we spend our free time. I thought aloud with my friends Washington, Arnold, Josan, Riyas, Raja, Preston and Donald. It seems strange that for the past 358 days all we do when we have some time is to run to the compound of the Village Church where our mothers, sisters, aunts and grandparents are sitting as part of the struggle to stop the Power Plant. We have lost the urge to play. All we want is to know if the Power plant will be stopped. The other day someone asked me to sing a song. All I could remember were our slogans "We do not want the Power Plant. We want to live. When there are so many other sources of power generation, why go Nuclear? That too at the cost of our life?" I love to dance in tune with the beat of drums and good music. But now I dance with all my energy to the tune of songs like "Velkave Velkave Anukulaye ethirku makkal poraattam velkave…" It fills my mind with the determination that on no account should the plant be established here or anywhere in the world. If I can stop the plant with my legs and hands, I will keep on dancing forever so that the world will
As people of faith we are committed to the universal principles of justice, compassion, and love.... more As people of faith we are committed to the universal principles of justice, compassion, and love. Therefore, we stand in solidarity with the principles of the Occupy Movement. Grounded in our traditions of nonviolence, we are committed to being one community, pursuing the goal of economic, political, and social justice for all. Our respective faiths teach us to always remain open to unseen possibilities, and to welcome the movement of the spirit of love within and among us." 1 This was the statement issued by the Occupy Philadelphia Interfaith Working Group, expressing their support to the Occupy Movement, explaining the rationale for interfaith engagement in the Occupy Movement.
Mary of Nazareth is one of those biblical characters who has been mythologized and sanitized far ... more Mary of Nazareth is one of those biblical characters who has been mythologized and sanitized far beyond any historical likeness. Our dominant Mariology is both patriarchal and hegemonic, and it continues to legitimize male domination in church and society through compelling women to internalize patriarchal values. For the Church, Mary is the ultimate ideal of true womanhood, something similar to the Sita of the Hindu scriptures, the epitome of the ideal Indian womanhood. Our Mariology continues to devalue women by valorizing obedience, humility, passivity, and submission as the virtues of women.
Before the dying of the body and tongue Speak, for truth still lives, Speak, to say what needs to... more Before the dying of the body and tongue Speak, for truth still lives, Speak, to say what needs to be said "Bol," Faiz Ahmed Faiz Academic titles are always ambiguous. Higher titles could increase one's status and market value in the academic guild, but they do not necessarily attest to our academic credentials. Ultimately it is not the prefix or suffix that makes a person an authentic theological educator; rather it is the witness of the larger community that testifies the commitment and scholarship of a theological educator. Promotion, based on the number of years of service, is just an institutional policy without any theological or praxeological significance. Under the current policies of promotion, one has to go through these rituals and ordeals. However, the true challenge before us is to turn these occasions into self-reflexive sessions to rethink our vocation and thus keep theological education relevant and transformative. Hence, I welcome all who are gathered here this evening to journey with me in this ritual of public confession with the spirit of self-reflexivity to be true to our calling.