http://www.thepunch.com.au/author-bios/joel-hodge/ Dr. Joel Hodge is a lecturer in Systematic Theology at the Australian Catholic University. He previously lectured in the USA. He received his doctorate from the University of Queensland and his research focused on how Christianity forms responses to violence and oppression, with a particular focus on East Timor. Joel comes from Brisbane, though lives in the middle of AFL land in Melbourne. en Copyright 2012 The Punch penberthyd@newsltd.com.au penberthyd@newsltd.com.au Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 Politics, opinion, world news, sports news, latest news, views, Barack Obama, Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard, Nathan Rees, Malcolm Turnbull, Peter Garrett, Barnaby Joyce, Australian, federal politics, opinion polls, election, The Punch, thepunch, punch ExpressionEngine 1.6.7 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 15 http://www.thepunch.com.au/images/punch-logo-rss.png http://www.thepunch.com.au/ 144 70 Politics, political opinion, world news, sports news and the latest news and views updated live, daily on The Punch - Australia's best conversation. Search The Punch keywords http://www.thepunch.com.au/search/ http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-abortion-debate-has-gone-beyond-slogans/ Most people agree that we, as a society, want to decrease the number of abortions. Like any grand statement, the means to getting to this end will be the judge of our seriousness and principles. Tory Shepherd is right to point out our goals cannot be achieved through “guilt, hate and fear mongering”. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Joel Hodge) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-abortion-debate-has-gone-beyond-slogans/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-abortion-debate-has-gone-beyond-slogans/#item5242 Sun, 27 Feb 2011 19:30:50 +0000 Joel Hodge | Author bios | The Punch http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/does-the-flood-make-any-sense-for-our-lives-or-god/ The floods have caused great devastation and have presented fundamental challenges to our society and lives. This kind of crisis poses challenges to us on a number of levels – social, physical, emotional and existential. Tory Shepherd’s article “Digging a hole while trying to find God” outlines the existential challenges provoked by the flood. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Joel Hodge) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/does-the-flood-make-any-sense-for-our-lives-or-god/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/does-the-flood-make-any-sense-for-our-lives-or-god/#item5032 Wed, 02 Feb 2011 20:00:24 +0000 Joel Hodge | Author bios | The Punch http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/saint-or-sinner-who-makes-the-best-aussie-icon/ As I attended the celebrations for the canonisation of St. Mary of the Cross MacKillop in Melbourne, there was a man shouting for the recognition of Ned Kelly as the real saint of Australia. Though one could laugh this off, these cries (upon reflection) brought to light a stark contrast - between the narrative of the Catholic Church and the mythology of modern Australia. Australians continue to venerate Ned Kelly as the exemplar of the Aussie battler whose rebelliousness, courage and egalitarianism supposedly characterise our history and identity. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Joel Hodge) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/saint-or-sinner-who-makes-the-best-aussie-icon/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/saint-or-sinner-who-makes-the-best-aussie-icon/#item4280 Tue, 19 Oct 2010 19:50:26 +0000 Joel Hodge | Author bios | The Punch http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/is-sport-triumphant-tribalism/ What a weekend of football we have ahead of us! On the ABC’s Offsiders program (26/9), the sports commentator, Roy Masters, made comments about how the AFL grand final was a sign of sport’s contribution to the harmony of society; and that governments should recognise this in their continued sport funding. Mr Masters’ claim seems true; and it is no doubt the reason that Australian governments (and governments around the world) pour money into sports stadiums, World Cups, Olympics, training programs, and more. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Joel Hodge) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/is-sport-triumphant-tribalism/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/is-sport-triumphant-tribalism/#item4164 Fri, 01 Oct 2010 19:55:58 +0000 Joel Hodge | Author bios | The Punch