Jon's Deep and Meaningful

Jon and Communism

Since I have been accused by Markk of being a communist, I should define myself in that regard!

I was attracted to socialism as a teenager looking to help create a better world, without injustice and poverty and war. Lots of my generation were marching against Vietnam war. I joined the Socialist Club at Sydney University in 1966, which was largely dominated by Trotskyites (Trotsky was Lenin's henchman in the communist take-over of Russia but was later driven out by the rise of Satlin and eventually murdered while in exile in Mexico) and I took part in some pro-Labor rallies in the 1966 elections, won overwhelming by the Liberals under Harold Holt. I also joined the Sydney University Settlement, which helped poor people in the old slums near Redfern. I was also motivated by a desire to be a good Christian, as God was drawing me but I had a fairly distorted idea of Christianity.

But I came to realize that political action was not the answer to the world's problems. It doesn't address the sinfulness of human beings. I'd experienced enough of that as a boarder at Barker and it was crystallized for me thru the book and movie "Lord of the Flies". And the track record of socialism wasn't very good. Also I started really hearing the gospel for the first time, realizing that peace with God did not come by good works but by faith in Jesus and being born again. A significant conversation took place on the door step of an old poor lady in Chippendale when we were visited by a Moore College student. She was a Catholic but really knew the Lord, and so did he. Then a few weeks later I was led to Christ by a charismatic Baptist at the uni. After that I gradually lost interest in politics as the Answer to the world and instead I was gripped by a new vision of sharing Christ.

It's been interesting to see some Christian Laborites rise up recently: Tony Blair, Kevin Rudd. Maybe that could've been me, but I don't regret my change of priorities.