[Senator Wong, leader of the Opposition in the Senate, has introduced a Private Senator’s Bill aimed at removing the power of religious schools to discriminate against same sex attracted students. Unfortunately, the amendments do much more than stop schools expelling students on the basis of their internal sexual orientation (a goal all sides of politics agree on.) They will have a serious impact on the ability of such schools, and other religious bodies, to operate in accordance with their religious beliefs. A more nuanced approach is needed.
Education Wars: Raising Your Child in an Anti-Child Culture
Written by Bill MuehlenbergThe recent Victorian election has resulted in the most hardcore left-wing government in Australia being re-elected. Indeed, Premier Dan Andrews boasts about how leftist it is “We are the most progressive state in the nation.” And with majorities in both houses, that means there is now really nothing to stop him and Labor from further implementing their diabolical secular left agenda. And most of these radical agenda items have a direct – and negative – bearing on our children. The wretched “Safe Schools” programs and the like is just one example. They will now go ahead much further and much faster. I have said all along that these dangerous programs will not be confined to state high schools. Primary schools will now also be targeted, along with Catholic, independent and Christian schools. Those who want to protect their children from radical sexualisation, including all things homosexual and transgender, will increasingly find fewer and fewer alternatives available to them.
There will soon be nowhere safe for the concerned parent to send their children. Even home schooling – which is becoming a big option for many – will be targeted by our hard-left governments. Indeed, already it is being heavily monitored and regulated, and one wonders how much longer it will be a viable and safe option. And it is now very likely that a Bill Shorten Labor government will win the federal election in May, further promoting and solidifying all the ungodly and immoral leftist agendas. So between the states controlled by radical Labor-Greens ideology, and the federal government, we soon will have the entire nation under their militant and coercive hegemony. So what are parents to do? Nothing of course – that is, if parents do not mind the militant takeover of education. If they do not give a rip about the homosexual and transgender brainwashing going on in our schools, the promotion of identity politics, the dumbing down of educational standards, and the radicalisation of students by leftist teachers and education unions. Then they need not do anything. But those parents who want their children to actually learn how to think – and not just be force fed what to think – and who seek to have them adhere to Judeo-Christian values and beliefs are quickly running out of options – certainly in the public school system.
As I mentioned, home schooling is one option for now, along with private schools. But as I also mentioned, these too will not be exempt from the radical social engineering plans of Dan Andrews, Bill Shorten and others. However, for now, the real culprit is public education. What to do? Many are saying that we have only one option here: Get your kids out now! Indeed, that is basically the title of one very important new book making the rounds in America. Mary Rice Hasson and Theresa Farnan have just released Get Out Now: Why You Should Pull Your Child from Public School Before It’s Too Late (Regnery, 2018). The book is as serious and urgent as the title indicates. While describing the situation in America, it is fully applicable to what is happening here in Australia. The situation is really quite dire in America, and it seems that the only sensible option for concerned parents is to pull their kids out now before it gets even worse. I hope to have a full-length review of this book up in the next day or so, but let me here offer just a few snippets from it. The authors make a very strong case that the public education system is now so far gone that it seems to be irredeemable – at least in the foreseeable future. A paragraph in the introduction helps to set the tone for the book:
It’s time for an honest conversation about why we are losing our kids. Why are the children of patriotic Americans ready to believe the worst about their country? Why are the sons and daughters of committed believers becoming moral relativists and “nones”? Why are the children of well-grounded adults growing up unsure of “who they are” in the most basic sense—whether they are male or female—even as they embrace the mandates of identity politics?
Indeed, the opening chapters look at the madness of the transgender revolution which is being rammed down our children’s throats. The authors say that the militant LGBT gospel being peddled everywhere in our schools is the last straw, and demonstrates conclusively just how rotten to the core public education now is. [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text admin_label="Text #2" _builder_version="3.12.2"] The breath, depth and rapidity at which this evil sexual agenda has permeated all aspects of our school system is a clear indication of just how radically the schools have changed over the past half century. Indeed, the schools that most of us went to are no longer recognisable. The authors finish their book with these words:
American parents must face the reality that public schools are not going to improve in the next few decades. The political and ideological headwinds are too strong. As parents, you must first take care of your own children. It would be unthinkable to sacrifice your child’s future for the survival of the public school system. Look for alternatives: private school, parochial school, home school, cyber education, co-ops. Only you will be able to discern which school is right for your child. But we can assure you that if you are concerned about your child’s faith, intellectual formation, and patriotism, public schools are working against you. It’s time to get out, now.
But stay tuned for my full review of this very important and timely book. Australia is in the exact same boat as America is in this regard. Various radical leftist agendas have infiltrated and taken over almost all schooling in the West. Victorians now face very uncertain times with a hyper-left government in place, hell-bent on pushing deplorable anti-child agendas. Parents who care about the moral and spiritual wellbeing of their children need to prayerfully and carefully look at various options other than the state school system. Just yesterday a piece in the Herald Sun featured this headline: “More parents give school the flick.” It said this: “More Victorian families are shunning a traditional classroom education at school and are teaching their children at home with the number of home schooled students sky rocketing”.
That will increasingly be an option for many – as long as it is allowed to continue! Sure, not everyone may be able to home school, and other options will have to be looked at. But as I warned, all these options will be coming under further attack, and the future is looking very bleak indeed. We may soon get to a place where perhaps the only viable option remaining is to pack up and leave and find a country that still honours traditional and Christian values, and still seeks to help, and not harm, our children. Some of these nations still exist – including a number in eastern Europe. Maybe I will see you in Hungary! Update As mentioned, here is my review of this important book: billmuehlenberg.com/2018/11/27/a-review-of-get-out-now-by-mary-rice-hasson-and-theresa-farnan/
Senate Inquiry into "Legislative Exemption" reports
Written by Neil Foster
The Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee (“LCAR Committee”) has now handed down its report into Legislative exemptions that allow faith-based educational institutions to discriminate against students, teachers and staff . The inquiry has been incredibly short- the motion referring the topic was only passed on 13 November. As expected (due to the preponderance of ALP and Greens committee members) the report recommends complete removal of religious freedom protections for faith-based schools relating to how those schools deal with same-sex attracted students. There is a strong dissenting report from Coalition Senators.
George Orwell's 1984 surveillance-state is an oft-quoted reference when speaking of threats to our freedoms in the 21st century. But Orwell could never have imagined the technology that was just around the corner when he wrote his book 150 years ago. Data collection via social media, coupled with face and gait recognition, and almost unlimited data storage mean that every person on the planet can potentially be monitored in real time for the most nefarious purposes. China is leading the world in this kind of surveillance, which is aimed at modifying the behaviour of its citizens. With 200,000,000 (that's two hundred million) surveillance cameras, every action is evaluated and entered into China's Social Credit System.
Four more years of hard left rule: Why do the wicked prosper?
Written by Bill Muehlenberg
Every time a decidedly evil, ungodly and immoral politician or political party wins office, I ask myself questions such as the one found in my title. It is an oft-heard phrase found in the Old Testament. And these are the sorts of questions all true Christians should be asking at times like this. I not only ask such questions, but I feel sick in my stomach. When I see wicked men strutting their stuff, proud and arrogant, smirking as they think they are getting away with evil, I am reminded of Isaiah 3:9: “The look on their faces testifies against them; they parade their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to them!”
And I wonder why evil is allowed to go unchecked, why people are so blind as to elect such reprehensible individuals and parties, and why God allows all this to happen. And I grieve deeply for how much worse things will get – spiritually, morally, culturally and politically – when such ungodly rulers get voted in. With Dan Andrews and Labor getting back in for another four-year reign of terror in Victoria, I just groan within and get on my knees and cry out to God about all this. I do it because I understand that politics is important, and I understand the teachings of Scripture, including the biblical truths that “righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). I do it because I care greatly for the sort of world my children and their children will have to grow up in. I do it because I know that things will simply get much worse, and all that we care deeply about will be further attacked, undermined and destroyed.
The culture of death will simply get worse. The assault on family and children will get even more pronounced. The early sexualisation and politicisation of our children will go from bad to worse. The attack of freedom of all sorts will escalate. Christianity itself will become even more a target of the militants. I care about all this and it grieves me deeply. And I wonder why so many Christians do not seem to care. It seems they could not care less as evil triumphs and wickedness escalates. Worse yet, how many Christians actually voted for the ungodly and immoral policies of the Greens and Labor?
Victorian election results: the political
Obviously I am writing hot on the heels of today’s state election. Dan Andrews and Labor have been returned to do even more evil. While the final numbers are not fully clear, we know that the Liberals have not succeeded in replacing this diabolical government. The situation is this. Prior to the election this was the state of play. The two Houses of Parliament have 128 Members in total: 88 in the lower house (Legislative Assembly) 45 Labor 37 Liberal/National 3 Greens 3 Independent 40 in the upper house (Legislative Council) 14 Labor 16 Liberal/National 5 Greens 2 Shooters, Fishers, Farmers 1 Conservative/Independent 1 Reason 1 Local Jobs Now we seem to have something like this for the 59th Victorian Parliament, as seen in the Legislative Assembly results: 61 Labor 23 Liberal/National 2 Greens 2 Independents Politically, the short story is this: there were big swings to Labor and away from the Liberals and Nationals. It is a bad night if you are a conservative or a Christian. As I have written before, the Libs were certainly no panacea, but they would have been far better than the current mob. They had plenty of shortcomings, but at least they would have put a check on some of the evil Labor policies, and rolled back a few, such as the devilish “Safe Schools” program. But that is not to be, and the radical left agenda of Andrews will now further spin out of control.
Victorian election results: the spiritual
Spiritually, the short story is this: it seems the less Christian Australia and Victoria become, the less conservative they become. The more secular Australia and Victoria become, the more leftist they become. The two seem to go together, and we are on a real downward spiral. One can also argue that most folks – including most Christians it seems – really do not care about the things that matter. As Francis Schaeffer put it decades ago, all that matters for most people is personal peace and affluence. That’s about it sadly. I mentioned above that often God’s people asked God why evil seems to triumph. Many such verses can be mentioned here. A few of them would be the following: -Job 21:7 Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power? -Psalm 73:2-5 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills. -Psalm 94:3 How long will the wicked, O LORD, how long will the wicked be jubilant? -Jeremiah 12:1-2 You are always righteous, O LORD, when I bring a case before you. Yet I would speak with you about your justice: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease? You have planted them, and they have taken root; they grow and bear fruit. You are always on their lips but far from their hearts. -Habakkuk 1:13 Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrong. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?
As it became clear that we would have more disastrous Labor rule, my mind turned to the ancient Israelites. They too experienced this. Prophets like Jeremiah warned them that their sins – unrepented of – would of necessity lead them to divine judgment. The dreaded Assyrians and Babylonians – at the time perhaps the most wicked and blood-thirsty nations around – would be used by God to judge Israel. While most folks deserved their fate, there would have been some devout and godly Jews who bewailed all this. They would have been asking God the hard questions. They would have cried out to Yahweh, asking why HIS people would be so severely judged, and why such godless, pagan nations would seem to so thoroughly triumph. Well, we know the story: we know that these times of judgment and exile were temporary. We know that eventually the Jews were able to return to their land and rebuild. Yes, much was lost, and much had to be done – they had to start over in so many ways. And that too may be our fate. Thus the godly amongst us will cry out to God. Our hearts and spirits are utterly devastated. ‘Why God do you allow such evil and wicked rulers to get away with murder?’ And that is literally what this government is doing with its diabolical abortion and euthanasia laws.
They ARE getting away with murder, and blood is on their hands. And God will not hold them guiltless. But if the Lord should tarry, eventually this government will come to an end. Perhaps more godly and principled politicians and parties will arise to take their place. As I keep saying, politics alone cannot save us, but a return to less evil rulers will be a step in the right direction. And in terms of the bigger picture, one day ALL the rule of evil will come to an end. One day all these politicians will be judged. One day the wicked and the arrogant will no longer flourish. Yes it hurts terribly in the meantime if you are a child of God, and you ache with what breaks God’s heart. In the same way Christians and others suffered horrifically under godless Soviet communism for some 70 years. How many were killed, tortured, imprisoned and exiled by this monstrous regime? Millions upon millions.
People cried out: “Where are you God?” But eventually the wall came down and the evil empire came to a crashing end. One day the Andrews’ empire of evil will end – as will all wicked human rulers and nations. Yet, in the meantime the godly amongst us will travail in pain, crying out to God for mercy. We will be asking, “How long O Lord?” We will grieve and hurt, and feel overwhelmed at times when evil comes in like a flood. But we will also know what God promised in that passage (Isaiah 59:18-20): According to their deeds, accordingly He will repay, Fury to His adversaries, Recompense to His enemies; The coastlands He will fully repay. So shall they fear The name of the Lord from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him. The Redeemer will come….
The case for Kings has long been voted out. The problem with Democracy is that all votes are equal, so the vote of the King was (is) worth the same as that of the average taxpayer. And the half-wit who does not know her/his own gender, the mentally deficient dole bludger who holidays in Bali on the taxpayer benefits he gets fortnightly, and the Muslim fellow down the road who wants all Infidels to do as Allah said 1400 years ago, or else: and his four wives, who will all vote as he tells them or get a beating. He and they are all on benefits too. The taxpayer weeps. The King too. Then we have the election process. The pre-selection of toadies: branch stacking; gerrymandering. The average punter has little effect on who is being voted for. And 'the system'. Designed by clods in order to conflate. More weeping and gnashing of teeth have been heard from America in the past few weeks, such that normal conversation in the Tavern has been all but drowned out. The Land of the Free has never been known for clean elections. They have barely moved on from the Rotten Boroughs that blighted Britain.
The Labor/Greens Ongoing War on Christianity
Written by Bill Muehlenberg
With the crucial Victorian state election just hours away, the two major hard-left political parties in Australia have told us yet again how much they hate Christianity and how much they want to see it silenced altogether. While Victorian Labor and the Greens will be unleashing yet more damage and devastation if re-elected, the federal parties also continue their war on Christianity. Consider several recent items which demonstrate all this. The first concerns the Greens with more anti-Christian bigotry. They have come up with yet another bill to further clamp down on free speech and religious expression. The Institute for Civil Society offers this frightening headline: “Greens’ 2018 Schools Bill to Regulate Sermons?”
