July 2009 Journal Summary 

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Summary of the articles and information in the Journal.

Editorial (full version below)
We need to ask ourselves, "If we are not OUT THERE actually Making A Difference in the world, who will be?"

Transsexualism - Part 4
Keith Tiller, Ken McGuire and Peter Stokes write the final article in the Transsexualism series about responding to those affected by transsexualism.

News & Action
Tasmania: Blood donation; Tasmania: Euthanasia; SA: Equal Opportunity Act; QLD: Abortion; NSW: Islamic school; Mardi gras shortened

Homosexual 'marriages' and the census
Homosexual lobby groups are celebrating the news that the Australian Bureau of Statistics has said they will count same-sex 'marriages' in the 2011 census.

Adult Stem Cell Success
Scientists at the University of New South Wales have successfully treated three patients with sight problems using their own stem cells.

"Choices"
Peter Stokes reviews "Choice, One man's journey out of homosexuality" by Christopher Keane.

Legalising Prostitution
Tasmania is once again facing proposals to legalise brothels despite the evidence that it leads to an increase in illegal brothels.

'Hate Crime' laws - more laws to divide people
Victoria's Attorney-General Rob Hulls announced that he was planning to introduce legislation for 'hate crimes' by the end of this year.

Website: Encouraging note from Germany
We are currently preparing a new, updated website which we expect to have up and running within a couple of months.

Memories
John Hompot shares his personal story about his mother's experience with abortion.

VIC: Exceptions to the EO Act - Submissions
Submissions to the review of exceptions to Victoria's Equal Opportunity Act are due on July 10, 2009.

Smoking, STDs and Condoms
Q: What's the best way to solve problems? A: Deal with the behaviour causing the problems.

Reality TV sinks to a new low
Surprisingly, a secular magazine prints a complaint about the loss of morality on reality TV.

Vodafone Ad
Vodafone's current ad campaign shows an offensive scene attacking the Christian stance on sexual relationships.

Who is my MP? What electorate am I in?
The 2009 Electoral Pocketbook has just been published by the Australian Electoral Commission. It provides a quick reference guide to the last federal election and more.

Bushfire Relief Fund - Thank you!
An update on the completed disbursements from the Bushfire Relief Fund opened by Salt Shakers.

UK: Free speech and homosexuality
In the UK, exceptions to the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 such as the free speech clause are being repealed.

Recent research on homosexuality & children
Rates of childhood sexual abuse amongst men who have sex with men range from 11.8% to 37.0% and children brought up by homosexual parents are 4-10 times more likely to be homosexual themselves according to recent research.

World News
USA: same-sex 'marriage'; UN and abortion; USA: Abortion; UK: Schools and homosexuality; USA: Bible banned; UK: Nurse sacked

Full Editorial - July 2009

Our 'motto', established at the beginning of 2008, is 'Helping Christians Make A Difference'.

Just a few Sundays ago we were awakened to a new meaning and emphasis on Making A Difference  when we listened to a message by a missionary to Asia. Her theme was "being MAD for God". She said being MAD meant being prepared to 'Make A Difference' for God.

We have often said, jokingly that "you don't have to be mad to take on the world but it helps". In fact, it is essential for us to understand that that is exactly what the world WILL think about us today if we are MAD for God.

But that should not come as a surprise. The Scriptures tell us that the world will always think we are mad - Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1: 23 "we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles".

We need to ask ourselves, "If we are not OUT THERE actually Making A Difference, in the world, who will be?"

There are certainly many opportunities to Make A Difference as the world continues headlong toward eternal disaster. Not from Global Warming or financial meltdown but from moral degradation. We are at a time perhaps never seen since the days of the government-supported Roman gladiators in the Coliseum.

Governments are clamping down on Christianity, often using the power of the law to do so. Hate Crime laws, anti- vilification laws, anti-discrimination laws all remove free speech and freedom of religion. They allow sin to abound unchecked with such aggression that people fear speaking out against any wrong that occurs. If they do they are castigated for judging others.

A recent letter to the editor of a Melbourne newspaper reminded people that once upon a time, if a young person misbehaved in a public place and a policeman saw them "he would cuff them behind the ear or give them a kick up the backside". In most cases it was enough to straighten them out - for a while anyway.

But today, that is foolishness to most people. Yet the Bible clearly states in Proverbs 13:24 "He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him." Naturally the latter half of that verse needs to go with the former half or else it could quickly become child abuse.

Yet even many in the church today hold to the idea that all corporal punishment is wrong - it certainly is according to the world.

When discussing discrimination recently we concluded that wise discernment was scoffed at and 'anti-discrimination' had became a new 'religion'. It is certainly the 'religious' pursuit of those who have no values, or those who have a political agenda or preferred lifestyle to push. Anti-discrimination theology is obsessively promoted by the media and adopted as a catch cry by every minority group, many minority religions and even Christian denominations today. They of course DO discriminate against anyone who does not agree with them.

Anyone who stands for truth and values today  is automatically seen as the bad guy. Pleasing the world has replaced being MAD for God - thus being MAD for God is becoming even harder. Nevertheless, MAD we MUST be.

Yours in His Service

Peter & Jenny Stokes