In a previous post I commented on the events surrounding celebrity rugby player Israel Folau’s posting on social media of a meme stating that various groups of sinners, including “homosexuals”, were destined for hell unless they repented and put their trust in Jesus Christ. He was immediately threatened with dismissal by his employer, Rugby Australia (“RA”), a threat subsequently implemented through an internal tribunal finding that he was guilty of a high level breach of the RA “code of conduct”.

The story of Abby Johnson's shock turnaround from abortion advocate to vocal pro-lifer is changing the minds and hearts of people from all persuasions in the US. The film has just been shown in private pre-screenings here in Australia; I caught up with producer, Daryl Lefever, to ask him some questions about Unplanned. 

Traditionally, a doula is a female birth attendant, who provides non-medical support to a woman during and after labour. Now, Queensland abortion business, Children by Choice, is launching an abortion doula training program, modelled on similar services offered in the US.

On Saturday May 18 Australia decided who should run the country: Scott Morrison and the Liberals, or Bill Shorten and Labor. Although there are still more votes to be counted, we now know the results: the Liberal/National Coalition will get back into office.

Australia goes to the polls in a Federal election on May 18, 2019. It seems worthwhile to note, for those interested, some recent information about the views of the major political parties on religious freedom, and to report an important study of public opinion on the topic.

Mark Latham, former Labor Party leader, is now head of One Nation in NSW and was recently elected to the Legislative Council . Broadcaster Alan Jones called his inaugural speech “The most outstanding political speech I have ever read”.

Here's a round-up of resources to help you make your vote count at the May 18th Federal Election.

Israel Folau has lost his job (or come very close to it) for quoting Scripture on social media. That statement should make us think long and hard about the state of religious freedom in Australia. The football star has exposed a huge divide that exists among the Australian public by preaching basic Christian doctrine, but his comments are a challenge to all of us to defend the Truth, no matter what the cost.

In an important decision on free speech issues, the High Court of Australia, in its decision in Clubb v Edwards; Preston v Avery [2019] HCA 11 (10 April 2019), has upheld the validity of laws in Victoria and Tasmania prohibiting communication about abortion within 150m of an abortion clinic. The decision may have serious implications for free speech about other issues on which religious believers have deep-seated convictions contrary to the general orthodoxy of modern Australian society.