FAITHFULNESS, NOT POLYGAMY, THE HIGHEST FORM OF PRAISE FOR A SPOUSE

The debate now emerging about legalising polygamy will rightly inflame most Australians.

     In early October - in the same week Australia was recognised as second only to Norway as the best place in the world to live - we were again told by people who have come from some of the worst places in the world to live, to make it more like home - their original home.

      After writing in The Age on 2nd October about the supposed merits of polygamy, the President of the Islamic Friendship Association of Australia, Keysar Trad, quickly found himself on the defensive in trying to justify multiple wives.

     Few women will run to join the Islamic Friendship Association in the hope of romance, knowing that as Trad says: “the willingness of a man to take on another wife is in fact a form of praise to his first wife.”

     JIM WALLACE, managing director of the Australian Christian Lobby, argues against the legalisation of polygamy... | more... |

TIME TO TAME THE TUBE!

The f-word is used 80 times in one 45-minute episode of Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares screened at 8.30pm on Channel Nine (March 2008); a woman is raped during an episode of Channel Nine's Underbelly also screened at 8.30pm (March 2008); Channel Ten's Californication, billed as the 'filthiest show on television', is screened at 9.45pm but promoted to children watching Australian Idol in an earlier timeslot (late 2007); PG programs frequently include couples in bed together and increasing levels of violence...

     There wouldn't be a parent in Australia who is happy with the standard of content on commercial television screens. Sex, violence and foul language are almost normal fare these days as TV networks continue to push the boundaries of what's acceptable as part of their all-consuming quest for ratings.

     It probably comes as little surprise that now they want to make things even worse.

     Their representative body, Free TV Australia, is doing a review of the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice and surprise, surprise, most of their proposals aren't good. Not only do they want to make it easier to promote and broadcast programs full of smut and violence, but they want to stifle complaints from people who don't like it.

     GLYNIS QUINLAN, of the Australian Christian Lobby, takes a look at some of the issues which the ACL is calling people to voice their concerns about with regard to what we watch on TV... | more... |

THE TERRIBLE HUMAN COST OF LEGALISING EUTHANASIA

The issue of euthanasia is again raising its head in an Australian state, with Tasmanian Greens' leader Nick McKim introducing a 'Dying with Dignity' bill into parliament in late May.

     This is despite a previous Tasmanian parliamentary inquiry's unanimous decision to reject euthanasia in 1998, as well as last August's resounding defeat of Victoria's euthanasia bill by 25 votes to 13 in the Victorian Upper House.

     According to media reports, both Labor and Liberal MPs are to be allowed a conscience vote on the Tasmanian bill. However, thankfully, this vote is likely to meet with a delay while the bill receives closer scrutiny. Tasmania's Deputy Premier Lara Giddings has moved to have the legislation examined by a cross-party committee of both Houses of Parliament before being debated later in the year.

     But why are the Greens and others continually trying to resurrect the issue of euthanasia? And why should Christians be so concerned?

     GLYNIS QUINLAN, of the Australian Christian Lobby, outlines why Christians need to fight the latest push to legalise euthanasia... | more... |

THE LOBBYIST'S VIEW: COMBATTING AGRESSIVE SECULARISM AND RIGHTS-DRIVEN CULTURE

“The electorate has had enough of self-opinionated bishops and crazy imams, and many citizens are fed up with the way the main parties bow and scrape to religious groups.”

     So writes Ross Fitzgerald recently in The Australian in yet another attack on the rights of Christians to have an influence in the public square. Reading between the lines of the article, it's apparently better for the sex party and secularists to influence the way we are governed!

     It's easy to dismiss these articles as simply reflecting the writer's own anti-religious bias, but the concern is that they are part of wider endeavours to sideline Christianity which in recent times have reached alarming levels in Britain.

     Over there, several recent cases have given public sector employees good reason to fear for their jobs if they are open about being a Christian.

     GLYNIS QUINLAN, of the Australian Christian Lobby, writes about the rise of efforts to "sideline" Christianity... | more... |

2009 - A CRITICAL YEAR FOR CHRISTIANS

The year 2009 is well and truly upon us, with all the potential and challenges we were expecting and some we were not!

     Greatest on all our hearts and minds is the Victorian bushfire catastrophe, with the state enduring the worst bushfires in the nation's history, leading to a devastating loss of life. Our hearts go out to the many people, including fellow Christians, who have lost loved ones and often everything they owned in the fires.

     It has been a tragic start to the year which will take people a long time to recover from. We can only pray that people will know God's love and comfort in the midst of their suffering. In the words of Reverend Tim Anderson who leads an Anglican parish in one of the hard-hit areas: “We have a God who understands our pain from the inside...Whatever our pain we can bring it to God, confident that God knows exactly what we are going through." (as quoted in the Herald Sun).

     On the political front, minds have also rightly been occupied by the crisis and it is to be hoped that Governments will work quickly and effectively to help people rebuild their lives. In this they can take their lead from the community and its generous giving in the face of great need.

     JIM WALLACE, managing director of the Australian Christian Lobby, takes a look at some of the important issues on this year's agenda... | more... |

ACL NATIONAL CONFERENCE PROMOTES STRONG FAMILIES AS THE KEY TO A HEALTHY NATION

Christians from a wide range of denominations filled the ANU's University House to hear from Federal Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull and a solid line-up of speakers at the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) National Conference on 7th and 8th of November.

     During his keynote address, Mr Turnbull expressed his strong personal support for families, marriage and children, saying that there is no question that our nation, or any nation, is stronger if more people are legally married and if more children are brought up by a father and a mother.

     “Whether you look at it from a social, cultural, a spiritual point of view, or if you look at it from a hard-headed economic point of view, you need to have strong families,” he said.

    GLYNIS QUINLAN, of the Australian Christian Lobby, reports back from the organisation's annual conference... | more... |

SURVIVOR BREATHES NEW LIFE INTO ABORTION DEBATE

The abortion debate has taken a new turn in Federal Parliament in recent days, with Senators given the opportunity to hear a voice that is, inevitably, usually missing on this issue - that of a survivor of a failed attempt to kill her in the womb.

     Thirty-one years ago Gianna Jessen was burned alive in the womb by saline solution for approximately 18 hours before being delivered alive in a Los Angeles County abortion clinic.

     Currently visiting Australia as an advocate for unborn children, Gianna's poignant testimony cannot help but resonate with the 20 or so Senators who are yet to decide how they will cast their 17th September vote on a disallowance motion to stop the Medicare funding of second trimester abortions (14-26 weeks).

    JIM WALLACE, managing director of the Australian Christian Lobby, says Gianna Jessen's personal journey of survival is a powerful argument against abortion... | more... |

URGENT ACTION NEEDED TO RESCUE CHILDREN FROM TOXIC CULTURE

Billboards displaying sexually charged advertisements, pole-dancing kits for children, graphic sexual music videos on Saturday mornings, lingerie for pre-pubescent girls, bimbo games…these are just some of the examples of the highly sexualised environment in which children are now being raised.

     Most recently the depiction of children in art has also entered the fray, with community attention drawn to artist Bill Henson’s photographs featuring naked pre-pubescent children and Art Monthly Australia’s decision to publish a photograph of a naked six-year-old girl on its front page.

     There was, justifiably, community outrage about these incidents, with several prominent political leaders also expressing their concerns. There has also been widespread community concern about the current sexualised environment and the messages being sent to children in terms of how to be successful and popular, as well as the impact this has on their development.

    GLYNIS QUINLAN, of the Australian Christian Lobby, says urgent action is needed to address the sexualisation of children in our culture... | more... |

BULLYING, HOMOSEXUALITY AND THE SCHOOLROOM AGENDA

The letters pages, blogs and airwaves were running hot recently following a front page article in the Daily Telegraph about a ban on the terms ‘husband’ and ‘wife’ in NSW schools. “This is ridiculous” was the general tone, and to that one could only say amen!

     In many ways it turned out to be a storm in a teacup. The NSW Government quickly put an end to the gay lobby’s reported push and it seems that these family friendly terms are once again allowed in school - at least for a while.

     How long, however, is debatable, as the issue is more fraught.
     This incident has exposed the gay lobby’s agenda to change the social ethos of schools - supplanting traditional family relationships with terminology and teaching which normalises same-sex relationships and promotes the homosexual lifestyle.

    JIM WALLACE argues that schools should fully declare curriculum content... | more... |

CHRISTIAN VOTE HAILED AS KEY FACTOR IN FEDERAL ELECTION OUTCOME

The effect of Christian engagement in the political sphere has come to the fore again in recent weeks, with a respected election analyst finding that the Christian vote had a significant impact on the 2007 Federal election results.

    The findings are an encouragement to people looking to bring a Christian influence to bear on government and society as they highlight the need for political parties to pay attention to the Christian constituency.

     Opportunely, they have been released in the lead-up to the Australia 2020 Summit, which provides a further opportunity for Christians to be involved in the long-term development of our nation.

    GLYNIS QUINLAN reflects on how Christian voices have the opportunity to influence policy decisions... | more... |

NEW YEAR, NEW CHALLENGES

"If this is to be a Happy New Year, a year of usefulness, a year in which we shall live to make this earth better, it is because God will direct our pathway. How important then, to feel our dependence upon Him!” - Matthew Simpson (American Methodist Bishop 1811-84)

     A new year always brings new challenges and 2008 will be no exception.

     The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) enters this year on the back of a very busy and successful year in 2007 in which we saw the prominence of the Christian constituency increased significantly in both the political and public spheres.

    JIM WALLACE takes a look at the year ahead for the Australian Christian Lobby ... | more... |

BRINGING A CHRISTIAN INFLUENCE TO BEAR ON THE FEDERAL ELECTION

With a federal election fast approaching, campaigning is now in full swing. Almost every day we are learning of a new policy being announced or a new campaign-tactic being tried. Politicians and media commentators alike appear to have their eyes glued to the opinion polls as they try to deduce what the election outcome will be and if there are any variables which will come into play.

     The upcoming election also holds much significance for Christians. How effective will we be in making the Christian voice heard at this election? How much influence will we have in helping to shape a society which is more moral, compassionate and just?
    The recent Make it Count 2007 event on 9th August, which saw around 100,000 Christians view live webcast addresses from the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader, signalled to all politicians the importance of the Christian constituency.

   The big turnout, which is a credit to the large numbers of churches who took part, showed that Christians are actively engaging in the political sphere and that their views should not be ignored.

    GLYNIS QUINLAN, of the Australian Christian Lobby, takes a look at how the ACL is helping Christians prepare for the upcoming federal election... | more... |

SAY NO TO X-RATED PORNOGRAPHY

Since the Northern Territory Government’s release on 15th June of the Little Children Are Sacred report, the newspapers and airwaves have been full of accounts of the devastating plight of too many indigenous children. Predictably there is now a wide ranging debate over the Federal Government’s response to the situation.

     The report is heart-breaking reading, as it details an epidemic of child sexual abuse in the Northern Territory fuelled by alcohol, drugs and pornography.

    Among the many distressing stories to emerge are the rape of babies and a case of a 17-year-old forcing younger children to watch pornography and then act it out.

     The situation faced by so many young indigenous children who have been the victims of sexual abuse is nothing short of a national shame. No matter how much people might debate the rights and wrongs of the Federal Government’s ‘emergency response, it would be a rare person who would refuse to see that a substantial response is needed.

    GLYNIS QUINLAN, of the Australian Christian Lobby, calls for an end to X-rated pornography in Australia... | more... |

YOUR CHANCE TO HELP SHAPE THE WAY OUR NATION IS GOVERNED

As campaigning hots up for the federal election due later this year, Christians are to be given the chance to hear direct from the leaders of Australia’s two major political parties.

      In an Australian first, the Prime Minister John Howard and the Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd have agreed to speak live to Christians across the nation on the evening of Thursday, 9th August.

      Around 200 church, para-church and denominational leaders are expected to travel to Canberra for the event, hosted by the Australian Christian Lobby at the National Press Club, which will include an opportunity for them to ask questions of both Mr Howard and Mr Rudd, after their separate addresses.

      Congregations meeting in participating churches throughout the nation will simultaneously view a web-cast of the addresses and question sessions in locations across Australia. This will also be a great opportunity to pray for the election, with time scheduled for prayer in the program.

    GLYNIS QUINLAN, of the Australian Christian Lobby, reveals plans for an event allowing Christians to directly question political leaders ahead of the upcoming federal election... | more... |

EMBRYONIC CLONING IS REALITY GONE WRONG

They say that truth is stranger than fiction but sometimes it can take a fictional story to throw a light on some of the ‘strangeness’ or ills of human behaviour. Such is the case when you consider the parallels between the Australian push for embryonic cloning for research purposes and last year’s 'New Earth’ episode from the popular BBC series Doctor Who.

      A strange comparison, you might say, and you’d have a case. Certainly there are huge differences between the two. However, read some of the Doctor Who plot and it might bring to mind a familiar theme.

      In the ‘New Earth’ episode the Doctor goes to the Planet New Earth and visits an alien-run hospital which heals thousands of human patients of all different races – including those suffering from previously incurable diseases. What is the horrifying secret behind the hospital?

    GLYNIS QUINLAN, of the Australian Christian Lobby, finds disturbing parallels between a Dr Who episode and Australia's push for embryonic cloning... | more... |

STOPPING THE SEX INDUSTRY FROM SETTING THE AGENDA

Walk into a video store with your children practically anywhere in Australia and you’re likely to find R-rated videos depicting graphic simulated sex and violence in the next aisle round from the children’s movies.

      Visit the wrong street at night in Victoria or NSW and you may well come across a brothel operating with the full favour of the law - with pimps working as legitimate businessmen.

      Sounding a bit distasteful? It gets worse when you consider the human misery and exploitation which lies behind these industries. Not to mention their effect on families and the moral health of our society.

      And it gets even worse when you find out that action has been taken recently to extend these problems.

    GLYNIS QUINLAN, of the Australian Christian Lobby, says lobbying can make a difference in stop the sex industry from setting the agenda... | more... |

SPEAKING UP TO PROTECT MARRIAGE

Divorce, child abuse, pornography, unemployment, long working hours, de-facto relationships, gay unions, financial pressures, domestic violence - what do all these things have in common?

      They are all factors which can undermine the institution of marriage and the family. And, as such, they can also damage the very building blocks on which a healthy community is based.

      Another thing that they have in common is that they are often issues which come under the political spotlight - whether for good or bad. This has definitely been the case in recent years.

      In August 2004, marriage was put under that spotlight in a positive way, when the Federal Government legislated to amend the Marriage Act to define marriage as the "union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life". This thwarted attempts to allow gay marriage in Australia.

    GLYNIS QUINLAN takes a look at moves to protect the institution of marriage... | more... |

LOOKING FORWARD TO A POLITICALLY ACTIVE NEW YEAR

2007 will be a significant year in Australian political life. With a federal election likely to occur in the latter half of the year, it is important that Christians become familiar with political issues and spend time working through a Biblical approach to key election issues.
      The Prime Minister usually makes an Australia Day address to the National Press Club in which he outlines some of the major political issues for the year ahead. The looming election is sure to feature in this speech, to be delivered in Parliament on 25th January.

      The major topics in any election are usually health, education, security and the economy. The Government will want to defend and promote its track record on these issues while the Opposition will seek to gain votes from controversial areas such as industrial relations, the Iraq war and interest rate rises.

    BETH MICKLETHWAITE, of the Australian Christian Lobby, takes a look at how Christians can make their voice heard in the political arena this year... | more... |

VICTORIA'S RACIAL AND RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE ACT "AN EXAMPLE OF HOW NOT TO LEGISLATE FOR RELIGIOUS HARMONY"
Last week the Victorian Supreme Court handed down its verdict on whether Pastors Danny Nalliah and Daniel Scot had breached the state’s Racial and Religious Tolerance Act, upholding the appeal of Catch the Fire Ministries against the decision of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). 

    The decision means that the orders and penalties imposed by VCAT have been overturned and the case will be sent back to VCAT for a fresh determination by a new judge. The Islamic Council of Victoria has been ordered to pay 50 per cent of Catch the Fire’s appeal costs. 

    The case highlights the inherent problems and ambiguities in the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act, which is a very poorly construed piece of legislation. While it’s understandable to seek to prevent criticism of a person on the grounds of an inherent aspect such as race or sex, it is inappropriate for a supposedly free society to seek to prevent criticism of freely chosen religious beliefs. 

    In the first of a new regular column in Sight, BETH MICKLETHWAITE, of the Australian Christian Lobby, explains why the lobby welcomes last week's Victorian Supreme Court decision... | more... |