We think that this model, which we acknowledge is the most conservative model for assisted dying in the world, is the right model for Victoria (Professor Brian Owler)
Claiming a world’s best regulatory document inevitably recalls Bob Carr’s comment in the course of the debate on an Australian bill of rights. Carr commented that, on reading, the world’s most impressive charter of rights came from the USSR in the mid 1930s. Recently, the difference between regulation and practice in banking and irrigation has made news. It’s all about compliance. How well will the 66 recommendations in the world’s most conservative model for assisted suicide accomplish compliance? This paper will briefly consider some of the recommendations, especially in the context of other regulatory systems.
Same Sex Marriage and Safe Schools are a Package Deal
Written by Bill Muehlenberg
The pro-homosexual marriage activists keep claiming our side is putting up a lot of red herrings and false diversions about legalising faux marriage. When we say that a vote for homosexual marriage means a vote for radical sex education, including the deplorable safe schools program and the whole transgender agenda, and much more, the other side claims there is no connection whatsoever. But the simple truth is, the pro-homosexual sex ed programs and the like have always been part and parcel of the radical homosexual agenda, including the push for homosexual marriage. That has been crystal clear right from the beginning. One simply has to look at statements made by these radical left groups to see that this is indeed the case. Yet so many in the media, in politics, and sadly even in so many of our churches are all insisting that homosexual marriage will be fine and nothing negative will follow on from this. They are quite clueless here. And sadly too many of these Christians seem to enjoy being armchair critics in all this.
An essay on one nation's experiment with marriage that demonstrates why voting 'Yes' is a choice to deconstruct family and marriage and is the road to statism - again. Are you voting ‘yes’ at the upcoming marriage postal plebiscite in support of gay rights and equality? Then please reconsider how your vote at its core is really not about either of these issues. But before going any further, it needs reminding that gay and lesbian civil unions already have the same legal recognition, protections and tax treatment that every other family possesses, so what is this plebiscite really all about?
Pop, Da, Daddy, Father, the Ol' Man, yes, we have had a special day, once a year for him for a while now. We celebrated him. For Generations it was Mum and Dad: both had their special days. Once upon a time we all had one of each to call our own but now Fathers are on the nose in 'official' circles. There are special 'family courts' full of weasels to throw him to the curb. Passports and Birth Certificates avoid mentioning his status as a Dad, preferring 'Parent B'. Even mums are losing out - Parent A.
While Dave Pellowe has written a very useful article intended to equip Protestant pastors, I thought I'd put together some resources specifically for Catholics or for those who want to understand the Church's stance on marriage. There has been a great deal of misinformation in Catholic circles regarding the marriage debate: while the Church's teaching is very clear, there are those who are content to deviate from this teaching and promote their own views - views which may in some circumstances be classified as formal heresy. [See Edward Peter's article linked below.] One example of this is a statement from Jesuit lecturer Fr. Frank Brennan, which suggests that it is appropriate for Catholics to support the redefinition of marriage and that it may even be 'good for society.' [Click here to read his views.]
The Marriage Plebiscite – A Pastor’s Resource
Written by Dave Pellowe
Brian Houston set an example to follow for many church leaders recently when he issued a media release outlining his teaching on Biblical marriage and encouragement for Christians to vote against its redefinition. He reiterated the literal interpretation of the Apostle Paul’s position on homosexuality, and called for respect from both sides for the other, clarifying that disagreement based in faith convictions is not bigotry. He encouraged Christians to participate in the voluntary vote, and to refuse to be the silent majority, in effect surrendering to aggressive voices seeking to dominate the future of our society. Christians are already being discomforted by cultural Marxism‘s advance in Australia. Just ask Tasmanian Archbishop Julian Porteous how free he feels to teach on marriage after being punished by the process of an anti-discrimination complaint against him for doing so. Ask Bernard Gaynor how free he feels to privately blog about the injustice and offense of Christian vilification and public indecency at the Homosexual Mardis Gras after the court ruled his employer could unjustly fire him for disagreeing with their workplace anti discrimination policies.
The Great Divide Where Religious Beliefs and the Law Meet
Written by Michael Quinlan
Australia is a multi-faith society. The 2016 Census shows that, while the mix of beliefs has changed over the years, Australia remains a pretty religious place. In the last census, nearly 70% of Australians self-identified as religious. The number of Australians who have self-identified as Christian in the census has fallen from 88.2% in 1966 to 52.1% in 2016. The number of Australians identifying as being of another religion has grown from 0.8% to 8.2%, with Islam (2.6%), Buddhism (2.4%) and Hinduism (1.9%) being the largest non-Christian faiths. The number who self-identified in the category of “no religion” has grown from 0.8% to 30.1%. This category includes having secular beliefs, other spiritual beliefs or having no religion. This makes it hard to be sure what these Australians believe.
