Dear family & friends in Christ in Australia and around the World,
Due to the widespread national and international media coverage, you possibly would have heard by now that a church in Geelong, Victoria, Australia did a re-enactment of the crucifixion of Jesus on the Easter weekend, which was shut down by the local police because a few complaints were alleged to have been received.
However, what seemed to be initially negative has now turned out to be very positive for the Kingdom of God!
The senior minister of the church in Geelong told Pastor Daniel that he had challenged the police as to how many complaints they actually had received and as to why they abruptly shut down their street drama. He also told the police that the ‘Gay and Lesbian Mardi-Gras’ is very offensive to many people (Christians and non-Christians alike) in addition to the ‘Nude Bike Ride’ and people posing nude in public places for photos. He challenged them as to what they do when they receive many complaints on those issues. The police admitted that they received only 2 complaints in relation to the re-enactment of the crucifixion of Jesus and that they had over reacted. The police have now made a public apology which was printed in several newspapers. Â
Click the following link to read the Herald Sun news article regarding the police apology: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/crucifix-church-to-complain-to-simon-overland-after-re-enactment-halted/story-e6frf7jo-1225850617377
Following is a statement from the Heaven on Earth Church in Geelong.
“Heaven on Earth Geelong church were halted by Geelong police in the middle of a crucifixon re-enactment outside the local shopping centre on Saturday. About 40 minutes into the hour long demonstration, the police arrived and put a stop to the reenactment, saying they had received complaints from the public that the demonstration was offensive.
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Pastor Sarah Kenneally of Heaven on Earth questioned them as to what law was being broken, and the police responded that there was a new bill of rights stating if something is deemed offensive, it must be stopped. Afterwards, the police told the group they had technically not broken the law.
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Heaven on Earth Rory Lennon met with the Geelong police on Tuesday. The police have apologised and will be working on clarification of what is deemed offensive and what is not, as there seems to be some uncertainty.
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Heaven on Earth is satisfied with the outcome from the local policeâ€.
Click the following link to read the article that appeared on the front page of the Geelong newspaper,
http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2010/04/05/161225_news.html
Pr Daniel stated, ‘It is definitely time to stand your ground in Jesus name and not back off! Christians have been made an easy target for political correctness and the onslaught of the enemy (satan). We cannot let it happen anymore. We are called to be on the offensive against the devil and not the defensive!’
Praise God that the proclamation of the glorious Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ has gone out from Geelong, across Australia and around the world, the awesome reality of His horrific suffering and sacrificial death for every man, woman, child, nation, tongue, tribe, people, and land!Â
All Glory to God as He truly works in mysterious ways!
Rising Up Australia and the Nations as His Kingdom Comes,
Jason Golden
Catch the Fire Ministries
Dear Jason, Thanks for this email. It is tremendous to know that the Pastors took a stand with the Police. Too often we accept what they say without questioning it. God bless. Audrey & Maurice.
Well said- This political correctness is a devilish means of trying to stop Christians proclaiming the truth. The initial police comment that the Christians could have their re-enactment behind close doors had massive implications when thought through. This is the approach of communist dictators both past and present to allow some Christians to worship behind closed doors and never enter the public square.
Christians have a duty to obey the great commission and no government has a mandate to outlaw proclaiming the gospel.Underneath everything is an attack by the devil against the proclamation of John 14-6,
Blessings,
Pastor Peter
A major problem is that we are multi-cultural with many Moslems. The Christian background of our country is not as it was even though now there would be many more church goers than fifty years ago. Then, it was sparse. Now it has increased maybe 120%. That being the case, the Christian background of our country should be considered more than anything. Maybe the churches should go for this?
Peter & Irene
It’s called PROPHECY.
Matt. 23:33 “Serpents, offspring of vipers, how are YOU to flee from the judgment of Ge•hen´na? 34 For this reason, here I am sending forth to YOU prophets and wise men and public instructors. Some of them YOU will kill and impale, and some of them YOU will scourge in YOUR synagogues and persecute from city to city; 35 that there may come upon YOU all the righteous blood spilled on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zech•a•ri´ah son of Bar•a•chi´ah, whom YOU murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. 36 Truly I say to YOU, All these things will come upon this generation.”
Nick
Somebody needs to do something.
I’m glad it got people’s attention.
We Christian’s should use all the opportunities we have to convey our message to The Lost while we still have the Freedom to.
I think Heaven on Earth did a good thing with their re-enactment.
Geelong Sin City
I feel obliged to write about the article last week in the paper regarding the re-enactment of Good Friday, being stopped by Geelong Police.
When I read this, I immediately felt ashamed to be part of Geelong. I recall in the weeks leading up to Halloween, I saw many shops displaying horrifying images on their front windows. Ghosts, Witches and bloodied chopped off heads just to name a few.
I wonder if those who complained about Jesus on the cross, also complained about the equally (if not worse) images of Halloween?
Would the Police have stepped in?
Should other shop owners have complained because people were busy looking at Halloween images rather than spending money?
I wonder if the shop owners, who were more concerned with greed on a holy day, now face greater quite times as a backlash of their complaints, for the measly 45 minutes they claim they were affected?
If people are more interested in watching a FREE re-enactment of good Friday rather than spending money, isn’t that their choice?
The complaints are that this was too confronting for some. But this is real life. Parents take their kids to watch violent sports like AFL. The foul language and obscene gestures that come from these matches is disgusting. Not to mention the fights. But the AFL is allowed to continue in Geelong and is encouraged.
Images of the crucifixion are usually surrounded by Roman soldiers and those who condemned Jesus. But the images in Geelong show the Geelong Victoria Police surrounding Jesus. Surely the Police had other things to do. Have they not already had enough allegations of Racism and corruption against them, and now this!
The next time I read stories of people trying to contact the Geelong Police with serious matters, but are unable to get help because Geelong apparently does not have enough Police officers, I will now know they have their hands full with complaints about a Crucifixion re-enactment.
I think the re – enactment should have been allowed to stay. After all, I think it is the Geelong Police who need Jesus most. They should apologise to everyone who believes in freedom, and ask Jesus for forgiveness. The same goes to those who made complaints. Take a good look at your own lives, if you think you are perfect, you can throw the first stone!
In closing, I would like to congratulate the Church of Heaven on Earth for the courage shown. The effort they went to far outweighs those of the bigger richer Churches. WELL DONE
Passion for Christ (Norlane)