Hi There, Thank you for the interesting and thought provoking interview with Geraldine Doogue last Sunday.

The issue of martyrdom in religion is a difficult thing to come to terms with. Especially when we see reckless human carnage as people destroy themselves and as many others as possible, all for the glory of their god, and in the hopes of a better eternal life.

Christians are not exempt from these lusty desires. Some deliberately put themselves in harm’s way without plan or purpose other than to be seen for their Christian connections by those who oppose them, in the attempt for a glorious return with Jesus, others simply seek an easier way out of life than living in obedience.

I don't believe these are the types of martyrdom depicted in the Bible.
The act of Jesus dying for our sins is the foundations of our faith and without this belief, attempting to reach God is futile. Jesus, out of love and obedience to God, made a way for our redemption, and people driven by greed or bloodlust or fear, persecuted Him. We see this type of martyrdom replayed over and over again still to this day upon those who carry His gospel message.

The idea that Jesus had given up and simply surrendered himself to the cross as Doogue suggested is not accurate either. We know it is written that he prayed all night for the strength to die for us and asked God for any way out, even sweating blood in his efforts. He also was not just a great prophet. For if he was only a prophet and did not rise from the dead, he would have been completely wrong in his prophesy - and to quote C.S.Lewis, "a complete mad man".

It would seem to me that Geraldine Doogue has been disappointed in the God who she thought was and who He really is. He is not, as she suggested, annoyed by her need for connection, and doesn’t feel pestered when she asks for things.

And the idea that when you have found some form of peace, you have worked hard enough for his attention and can give him a break, is not my experience of God at all.

If you believe in a God that is big enough to create the universe - and one that is always expanding at that - then it is easy to accept that there is more to God than we can ever experience in this life time. I personally find the pursuit of knowing Him very satisfying, and find as I move toward a life of sharing all I learn with others, he becomes more personally real to me.

Above all I must say that what I heard in the interview did not shock or surprise me. Geraldeen Doogue has done an amazing job of giving every Faith Group and spirituality an equal voice on "Compass". It takes a deep faith and a strong connection to our Heavenly Father to work in such a job and not be spiritually affected by it. I encourage all those who listened to the interview and were moved by it, to hold her up in prayer.

Thanks for your feedback Kerrie, ... that's our aim on Open House too... draw peoples attention to the "Jesus bit"! Great to have you listening and great to hear your story Clare, OH Producer

Hi Sheridan, Thanks for a great interview with Geraldine Doogue. My parents were both christians while they were alive.My brother married a Roman Catholic and after 2 years they divorced, as they realised that a prot/rc marriage couldn't work. My parents still called her their daughter in law,and we still see her today. She was having a discussion with mum once & said, 'I know all about God I just don't get the Jesus bit. Mum simply explained that it was the Jesus bit that makes the difference. Mum explained that it was because Jesus took the penalty for everyone's sins on the cross that we are saved then it all fell into place for her.I'll certainly be praying that Geraldine meets someone who can explain the Jesus bit to her.
Once again to you and Clare Thanks heaps for a great show.