June 2009 Journal Summary

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Summary of the articles and information in the Journal.

Editorial (full version below)
How often have you heard Christians say, "I won't fight a battle I can't win"? How do you know you can't win?

Liberal or Conservative? The Way Forward
Dr Kameel Majdali takes a look at the definitions of the terms 'liberal' and 'conservative' in a political context.

Abortion - NSW and Queensland
The Greens are running a campaign to decriminalise abortion in NSW, whilst pro-abortion group, Children by Choice launches a campaign to do the same in Queensland.

News & Action
Freedom of religion inquiry; Tai Chi at church?; Neighbours: lesbian relationship; Camden - Islamic School

One child policy for Australia?
Jenny Stokes reports on Sandra Kanck and the Sustainable Population Australia group.

Adult Television for children?
A study released by Children's Hospital Boston, and presented to the Pediatric Academic Societies in May, found that the younger children are when exposed to content intended for adults in television and movies, the earlier they become sexually active during adolescence.

Double Mastectomy at 16 and school GID policy
Giving a 16 year old girl named Alex, who is clearly psychologically disturbed, permission to proceed with a double mastectomy is a clear failure in the duty of care that Australians should expect from the Family Court.

Toddle sex ed - lesbian mums and surrogacy
Where Did I Really Come From? is a book aimed at 2-12 year olds and talks about lesbian mothers getting pregnant using sperm donors.

Centrelink - Couples?
Centrelink is running an a print, audio/video campaign to tell same-sex couples that they are now considered 'couples' from 1 July - instead of receiving two single pensions they would now receive a 'couples pensions' and get less money!

A Bill of Rights?
Murray Adamthwaite explains the Bill of Rights that has been in existence since 1689.

The woman who outran the devil
Kerrie Ternes reviews The Woman Who Outran the Devil by Shirley Baskett.

Resources on Islam
Islam continues to challenge the church and society. It is vital that we have an understanding of Islam itself and its impact on society and the church.

My body, my right?
Darren Speers investigates the argument, "it's my right to do what I want with my body."

VIC: Exceptions to Equal Opportunity Act
An Options Paper has been released in regards to the exceptions to the Equal Opportunity Act. Submissions are due by 10 July 2009.

USA: 'Hate Crimes' Bill
The US House of Representatives has passed a law that adds sexual orientation and gender identity to official categories in 'hate crime' law. The Bill doesn't define 'sexual orientation' yet an amendment to exclude pedophilia was defeated!

Abortion - Mr Obama and Notre Dame
A controversy erupted in the USA over Notre Dame University's invitation to President Barack Obama to give a commencement address, and receive an honorary law degree. Notre Dame is a Catholic university.

World News
UK: MAP by text message; UK: Muslim head of BBC Religion!; UK: Homosexualist training; USA: Presbyterians.

Full Editorial - June 2009

How often have you heard Christians say, "I won't fight a battle I can't win"?

I heard it again a few Saturdays ago at a
pro-life conference and I squirmed.

We are hearing it more and more often and the first thought that comes to me when I hear it is, 'How do you know you can't win?' This is a very defeatist attitude and one full of compromise.

Are we not told in the Bible to "trust God, not ourselves"?

Secondly, I think of Winston Churchill's great message to the boys of Harrow School about leadership and life. He was an old man of great experience, of both the good and the bad of life. During his speech he said  "Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never - in nothing, great or small, large or petty - never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense."

Thirdly, probably the most important thought is, "when you believe in a miracle working God, how do you know you can't win"?  Even when the task seems impossible to us, NOTHING is impossible to God.

The Israelites had seen miracles, but when they came to cross into the Promised Land they thought they 'could not win'. They spent 40 years, and many eternity, regretting that decision.

The early church faced enormous opposition. The 12 disciples and the few other followers of Jesus became depressed after Christ died; they thought it was all over until they saw the risen Christ. After that, nothing was impossible.

Paul wrote, during the extreme persecution of the early church, "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."

That must have seemed an impossible task, but he and others like Peter and John never gave up, even when they saw their friends facing imprisonment, torture and even the most hideous death.

Today we face great opposition with the rise of atheism and what is called 'secularism'. In a political sense, what was once a Christian-based culture and political system now seems to be going pear-shaped with immorality being legalised and encouraged. The tendency seems to be to compromise and 'negotiate' for the lesser of two or more evils rather than to stand and fight and, yes, lose more often than win.

Even some Christians call us foolish for not negotiating, but if we don't fight, if we compromise, we can never win. We can never hope to wind back the clock, undo the damage and regain this nation for God. You can never expect to obtain a better position than the place at which you surrendered.

If we don't stand for truth, and that means true Biblical justice for all, even non Christians, we will never reach it. And we never know we can't win until we have lost. Even then we must not look back like Lot's wife lest we are encouraged to compromise next time.

The US Institute on Religion and Democracy President stated recently, "History shows that accommodationist Christians are ultimately irrelevant Christians."

We want to be there when the worst is realised and people ask 'Is there anything better?' We can say "Yes, there is!
It is time to do it God's way."

Yours, in the service of Jesus the King

Peter & Jenny Stokes