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[[http://www.jesusnetwork.eu/de/doku.php/jn_de_2012_02_08|Deutsche Version]] [[Start|| Wiki Start]]
[[topics_collection_iv|| Topics Collection iv ]]

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======The Problems in Greece Today ...======


Wednesday, Feb 8, 2012. In today's news we saw Greek people raging against
the international pressure to lower salaries and to open the labor market. 
They were really furious, speaking and acting against those who seem
to try to destroy their country.

{{2012_02_08.jpg }}

**What do you believe in the news? ...**

It is really difficult to judge what is true in the middle of a conflict. 
The difficulties from the Greek budget seem to come from the structure of
institutions. Too much money has been spent over the years (as almost
everywhere in the world!). Now, expenses are out of control - and the 
international fight seems to be about how to resolve the situation. I love
Greece and the Greek people. I have been in Athens and other places many
times. And it hurts, when I see this situation!
 
But who is responsible for what? The European Union tried to get some kind
of control into all of this. But there seems to be no-one who can control
Greek expenses currently, not even its own government or its own people. Is
it the EU who is now destroying the country? Is it the government in Greece
or in Brussels? Or is it the whole administrative structure in Greece itself?
When you are in a recession, it is extremely hard to get out of it anyway! So
we should be careful with quick recriminations!

Where do we get reliable information about what is going on? The Greek
government has been lying about its finances for years. Whom to believe now?
It is really difficult - how can we act in full trust towards the people
of Greece? How can Greece recover and restore trust towards itself and the
countries around it? Here, the media play a key role, but they need to use
truth and full clear information about the situation on all layers.

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**Biblical guidance ...**

What do the Old and the New Testament tell us about situations like this? 
First, it tells us that lies do not work. Lies destroy, and a good part of
the current situation has been caused by lying, lying again and again and again. 
Even now, there is no clear line of truth visible in the international media. 
The strikes seem to be about ideology rather than any clear way to resolve the
situation. 
 
Second, it tells us that help needs to be offered in a way which fully keeps
the dignity of all people involved. That also includes to insist on sustainable
solutions. It means that a lot of talks are needed, that all sides need to 
sit together and find a realistic path out of the dilemma. It also means of course
that problems need to be addressed and resolved. 

Of course, the New Testament also points to God himself, to his interaction
with human history, to the power of prayer and of discipleship. That also includes
repentance from ways which have been wrong. As a Christian, repentance is a 
very positive action, since it restores trust. It means that all problems are
put onto the table, into the light of God. We do not need to fear problems, 
but with him we can study and resolve them!
(Roland Potthast)
[[http://www.jesusnetwork.eu/en/doku.php/topics_collection_iv|... more texts]]
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