May 2009 Journal Summary

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Summary of the articles and information in the Journal.

Editorial (full version below)
Sadly, today there is too much vision. Not the vision the Bible is talking about, of course, but television, computer vision, internet vision, billboard vision, magazine vision, and on it goes.

Prescription for raising children
Russell Grigg and David Catchpoole examine a study by the Mapping America project which found that "children have fewer behaviour problems when they live with both biological parents and attend religious services frequently".

Valueless web based sex information for 10-12 year olds!!
Peter Stokes highlights the valueless information found on the interactive sex education site, The Hormone Factory, aimed at 10-12 year olds.

News & Action
Companies and same-sex marriages; SA: Cloning Bill passes; SA: Equal Opportunity Bill

Are you 'heterosexist'? Please Explain!
Jenny Stokes discusses how words are often redefined by those using them to promote their particular agenda.

Sweden and USA: same-sex 'marriage'
Jenny Stokes reports on the legalisation of same-sex marriage in Sweden and certain states in the USA.

Vic: Exceptions to the EO Act
One of the looming battles facing Christians in all States is the removal of exceptions or exemptions for religious belief in the state equal opportunity Acts.

Bill of Rights Consultation
Don't forget to prepare your submission to the 'Human Rights Consultation' to oppose a Bill of Rights for Australia.

Atheist Ads
Around the world there is a proliferation of atheist/humanist ads appearing on buses.

Complaining about an advertisement
Advice on taking action against advertisements you think are morally offensive.

Queensland: abortion and Emily's List
Bonny Barry, the Queensland ALP MP and Emily's List member who had canvassed the possibility of introducing a private member's bill to decriminalise abortion, lost her seat in the recent Queensland election.

Who is the Master Designer?
Mandy Thomas asks, "Who is the Master Designer" and explains her answer.

Forgiven of murder... A True Story
Jenny Stokes reviews this book authored by Denise Mountenay.

Using Google for research
This article explains how to effectively use Google News for research.

Bible and Cross removed from hospital Chapel
Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital recently removed the cross and Bible from the hospital's chapel citing that it is used by all religious groups - and that having a cross in the chapel could offend those of other faiths.

UK: Pregnancy, Condoms & Abortion
In 1999 the UK government implemented a range of strategies to try and deal with the growing number of teenage pregnancies. Presently they are promoting abortion and the morning after pill.

World News
UK: Girl dies after abortion; Finland: Pregnancy & Abortion; UK: Teaching Code; UK: Aborted babies and transplants; BBC pushes lesbianism.

Full Editorial - May 2009

The Bible states, "Where there is no vision, the people perish" (Proverbs 29:18).

Sadly, today there is too much vision. Not the vision the Bible is talking about, of course, but television, computer vision, internet vision, billboard vision, magazine vision, and on it goes.

The wrong vision can be just as deadly as the lack of vision spoken of by Solomon.

Earlier this month we read in the newspaper of two boys in Britain, just 10 and 11, who badly beat and slashed two boys aged 11 and 9.

In the same newspaper we were told children, boys as young as 7 and 8, were caught smashing school windows and damaging a classroom.

What causes children to turn violent and destructive? It is one thing to throw a tantrum at 7, or even 10, but smashing up the school or using a knife to slash another child?

That sort of behaviour should be ringing warning bells. It immediately raises the question, "What are we doing to cause  our children that much distress"?

Perhaps the answer is the visions our children and young people are confronted with every day.

As if to give the answer, but without even coming close to tying the two together, there in the same newspaper was the headline "Abortion web site angers parents". This is about a web site designed for 10 - 12  year olds but accessible to any child. A web site about sex with no values attached, just information - very graphic and suggestive. It states that sex can be just for fun, you don't have to love someone, and you decide when you're ready for it. It even suggests an average size for male sex organs!!! To read more and to take action see page 4.

Is it just possible this is the sort of 'vision' that so messes with children's minds that it creates the sort of anger the children above displayed?

The reason given for this and other 'sex education' initiatives is that society is so sexualised today. Yes, children are confronted with adults behaving badly and scantily clad women on advertisements and growing violence and casual sex on TV and now the addition of very sexualised heroes in animated computer games. All created by adults. Adults with agendas.

The decline started a long time ago, and we did not see it coming. Children were confronted by violent Ninja Turtles and transformer toys (which may have seemed harmless) and the slim very-well-proportioned Barbie became the image for young girls to aspire to. These images have changed, subtly at first but then more overtly. It is what it sets in motion that is dangerous, even if the initial 'hero' seemed harmless enough.

This month we have seen a lesbian liaison developing on Home & Away, a program now swamped with adult themes, including sex and drugs, nightly at 7pm. It should be no surprise that the writer of this program is a homosexual. It has also now surfaced that the creator of Barbie was a sex addict.

Clearly it is not the children's fault, but rather than censor the adults we now have to desensitise and sexualise the children.

We know the church should be the answer but does it care enough to speak out? It is happy to talk about the poor, refugees, and justice, but is it prepared to swim against the tide of Political Correctness and challenge the demeaning of our children?

Yours in His service

Peter & Jenny Stokes