Victoria – Review of ‘hate crime’ laws

Removal of Free Speech in VictoriaSalt Shakers E-News – Helping Christians Make A Difference

‘Hate crimes’ are under review in Victoria. If what is being proposed in one of the review documents is introduced into legislation, it will mean even MORE RESTRICTIONS on the freedom of speech.

In fact, if you OFFEND or INSULT a homosexual you could be hauled before the Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission – and with their NEW POWERS, the EOHRC could launch their own investigation into behaviour they think ‘offends’ someone! Churches and Christians will be under even more threat if this is put into legislation!

Last year Victoria’s Attorney-General Rob Hulls initiated changes to the Sentencing Act regarding the sentencing of hate crimes. The amendment requires a sentencing court to have regard to whether an offence was motivated (wholly or partially) by hatred of, or prejudice against, a group of people with common characteristics with which the victim was associated or with which the offender believed the victim was associated.

But that isn’t enough for Mr Hulls.

Mr Hulls has asked Hon Geoffrey Eames, a retired Supreme Court judge, to conduct a review of ‘Identity Motivated Hate Crime’ in Victoria to “determine whether current hate crime laws are adequate”. They are considering whether ‘hate crimes’ should be a specific part of the criminal law. (more…)

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Australia Bans Christian Schools from Teaching Creationism

By Thaddeus M. Baklinski ADELAIDE, South Australia, March 4, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/mar/10030403.html

The South Australian Non-Government Schools Registration Board has published a new education policy that states it requires the ”teaching of science as an empirical discipline, focusing on inquiry, hypothesis, investigation, experimentation, observation and evidential analysis.” It then goes on to state that it “does not accept as satisfactory a science curriculum in a non-government school which is based on, espouses or reflects the literal interpretation of a religious text in its treatment of either creationism or intelligent design.”

The policy effectively bans the teaching of creationism in South Australian Christian schools.

A spokesman for the South Australian Non-Government Schools Registration Board is quoted by the Sydney Morning Herald saying there is no ban on teaching creationism. “It can be taught in religious studies,” said the spokesman.

However, Stephen O’Doherty, the chief executive of Christian Schools Australia, said that he believes the intention of the South Australian policy was to ban the teaching of the biblical perspective on the nature of the universe altogether. It was the only such subject singled out, he said. (more…)

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Police stop re-enactment of crucifixion of Jesus in Geelong, Australia

Crucifixion of Jesus re-enactment in Geelong, Victoria, Australia deemed too offensive by local policeDear 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.   (more…)

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Christian villagers wail as hundreds of Nigerians slaughtered in machete ‘revenge’ attacks are buried in mass graves

Burying the dead: People gather at a mass burial of their kinsmen killed during a religious crisis in the village of Dogo Nahawa Mail Foreign Service 9th March 2010

Nigerian villagers wailed in the streets as dump trucks carried hundreds of bodies past burned-out homes towards a mass grave.

This was the scene of insurmountable grief after rioters armed with machetes slaughtered more than 500 people in a revenge attack following religious clashes near Nigeria’s city of Jos.

The killers had shown no mercy. They didn’t spare women and children, or even a four-day-old baby, from their machetes. In one area alone, five babies and 28 children aged five or less were killed.

Rubber-gloved workers pulled ever-smaller bodies from the dump truck and tossed them into the mass grave.

A crowd began singing a hymn with the refrain, ‘Jesus said I am the way to heaven.’ As the grave filled, the grieving crowd sang: ‘Jesus, show me the way.’ (more…)

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Netanyahu’s AIPAC Speech in Washington Receives Standing Ovation

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Nethanyahuby Teresa Neumann : Mar 24, 2010 : Israeli Prime Minister’s Office

“The connection between the Jewish people and the Land of Israel cannot be denied. The connection between the Jewish people and Jerusalem cannot be denied. The Jewish people were building Jerusalem 3,000 years ago and the Jewish people are building Jerusalem today. Jerusalem is not a settlement. It’s our capital.”

(Washington, D.C.)—A March 23 report in Haaretz describes the highly charged difference of opinions addressed in Washington when Israel’s Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu met with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. In contrast, however, at the same time, the Prime Minister received an overwhelming voice of support and a standing ovation from nearly 8,000 attendants after delivering a powerful speech at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).

The Prime Minister reportedly spoke several hours after Secretary Clinton charged that Israel’s building in parts of Jerusalem that the United States does not recognize as being under Israeli sovereignty “undermines” U.S. policy.

Noted the report in Haaretz, when Netanyahu spoke, he “pointed out that Israel has made constant to the concessions to the United States and Palestinian Authority but drew the red line at Jerusalem, reasoning that building houses for Jews in all of united Jerusalem in no way precludes the possibility of a two-state solution. More than half of the American Congressmen were among the more than 7,000 people listening to the speech at the annual conference of the pro-Israel lobby group in Washington. The speech was delayed in order to allow people to enter the packed convention hall.” (more…)

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Obama Says NO to Jerusalem as Israel’s Capital

Older photo of Obama and Nethanyahu as Obama censored all media coverage of their recent meeting in D.C.Following two lengthy meetings at the White House on Tuesday between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Obama, including a second unscheduled meeting, relations between the two nations remained icy. The White House refused to release the normal photos or briefings that would accompany such an event, leading observers to wonder if the silence was intended to punish Israel for the “insult” to Vice President Biden of announcing the construction of homes for Jewish people on Jewish land during his visit.
 
Observers had hoped that the high-level meetings would begin to repair the relationship, but that does not appear to be the case. The sticking point appears to be the Obama Administration’s insistence that Jerusalem is an issue that must be negotiated rather than acknowledging the ancient City of David as the rightful and eternal capital of Israel.

But despite the pressure, my friend Benjamin Netanyahu is standing firm. “Jerusalem is not a settlement—it is our capital!” he proclaimed at a dinner prior to his meeting with President Obama. He further told Secretary of State Clinton that Israel’s policy toward building homes in Jerusalem has remained unchanged for more than forty years and that it will not be changing, despite the protests of the United States. (more…)

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Vic – Equal Opportunity – URGENT: PLEASE write to MPs

Attorney-General Rob Hull’s proposed  Equal Opportunity Bill 2010 – with its many restrictions on freedom of religion and freedom of expression – will be debated NEXT WEEK (probably WED 24 March) in the Victorian Legislative Assembly.

Do you live in Victoria?

If so, please write to your MPs this WEEKEND

… to your ONE MP in the Legislative Assembly and your FIVE Members in the Legislative Council.

The Coalition will be deciding how they will vote on this bill early next week.

PLEASE encourage your Victorian friends and churches to write also!

Ask your MPs to vote against the  Equal Opportunity Bill 2010.

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Demand for Bible Outstripping Supply in China

Christian Post  – 02/21/2010 – Charles Boyd

LONDON – The U.K.-based Bible Society has reported a growing demand for copies of the Bible in China where an estimated 500,000 people convert to Christianity every year.

Although some four million Bibles were printed and distributed across China last year, the rapid growth of the church year on year means that demand for Bibles is now outstripping supply, according to the Bible Society.

The official number of Christians in China stands at 28.6 million, but it is believed the true figure could be as high as 90 million if the estimated number of worshippers at unofficial house churches is included.  

The Bibles are printed at Amity Printing Company, the only government-approved Bible printing press in China. It has printed around 70 million Bibles since it was established in 1987. Around 50 million of them have gone to Chinese believers.

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Governor Huckabee highlights ‘mission calling’ at FOX News

Mike Huckabeeby Peter Wooding : Mar 3, 2010 : ASSIST News Service

“…people ask me why I don’t do more Gospel orientated content on my show. FOX isn’t a Christian channel, it’s a news channel. They want me to be careful not to look sectarian but if anybody watches the show regularly they’re certainly going to see spiritual content whether it’s a Christian music artist or people giving very powerful testimonies of their own faith and walk with God. I’m careful to ensure we do that in the balance.” -Mike Huckabee

(Nashville, TN)—Following his quest for the Republican nomination for president in 2008, Governor Mike Huckabee shared at an NRB press conference, at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville on Sunday, February 28, 2010, how he’d now found his mission calling at Fox News channel, where he hosts his own weekend show HUCKABEE.

“I don’t consider myself a religious broadcaster in the sense that my programming is religious, but I consider myself unapologetically a Christian Believer and I take my Christian faith to work with me everyday. I don’t leave it at the door,” explained Huckabee who served as the 44th Governor of Arkansas. (more…)

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UK Christians Celebrate Victory over Equality Bill that would have Robbed Them of Religious Freedom

House of Lords by Teresa Neumann : Jan 29, 2010 : Jenna Lyle – Christian Today

“This is a great day for religious liberty in the United Kingdom…We give thanks to God for the outcome, and we continue to pray for our Government, as Scripture exhorts us to do, that God would bless their counsels.”

(London, England)—Christian Today has reported on the answer to many Christians’ prayers after the House of Lords on Monday defeated changes to a law that would have required church groups to hire homosexuals or others whose manner of life is inconsistent with their teaching.

Lady O’Cathain, whose amendment to the Equality Bill specified an exemption for religious groups to equality employment laws, said: “I know that very many Christians were praying that justice would prevail as the House of Lords voted on this important issue….We give thanks to God for the outcome, and we continue to pray for our Government, as Scripture exhorts us to do, that God would bless their counsels.” (Photo: House of Lords-BBC)

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Christianity being squeezed out in the name of ‘equality’, Archbishop of York warns

Dr John SentamuBy Steve Doughty 4th February 2010

Christianity is being wiped out from public life in the name of equality, the Archbishop of York said yesterday.

Dr John Sentamu accused politicians and others of trying to sideline religion by promoting their false idea of ‘tolerance’.

He cited Labour’s equality laws as an attack on the freedoms of churches.

Attempts to denigrate church schools and ban the mention of Christmas in favour of bland ‘Winterval’ celebrations were also part of a drive to censor Christianity, he said.

The Archbishop’s comments followed the Pope’s unprecedented attack on Harriet Harman’s Equality Bill earlier this week.

Benedict XVI called the proposed legislation ‘unjust’, saying it restricted religious freedom and violated ‘the natural law’  -  in other words, Christian teaching.

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MUSLIMS CONVERTED TO CHRIST IN IRAQ

by Dr. Peter Hammond

General Georges Sada, a former air force fighter pilot who once served as a senior military advisor to Saddam Hussein, is one of thousands of Iraqis who have become followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The remarkable testimony of General Sada was passed on to me by a former Frontline Fellowship mission worker, John Michael, who is working as a security advisor in Iraq. John Michael writes: “With all the negative and extremely disturbing violent news coming out of the Middle East, there is good news. Where there is conflict, there needs to be sober examination of our own faith as we are put to the test. Our purpose and meaning to life must be scrutinized. What is overwhelmingly obvious is that those who promote freedom and respect towards others are expressing their own personal faith in the God of the Bible. However, when confronting a religious system that lives for, and thrives on, violent conflict in Jihad with suicidal martyrdom seen as the only assurance of salvation, the question remains – what is the purpose of living? The hope for a peaceful and blessed life is really limited when such an extremely violent death is sought after. This raises some really disturbing questions about such a religious system, which has so little respect for humanity and life in general.”

“Religion can be a curse or a blessing. There is the God who blesses with life in all its abundance, and there is the god who steals, deceives, kills and destroys. It becomes as clear as the day when Elijah confronted the false prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. The power of God was revealed with fire from on high showing who the true God was (1 Kings 18). This spectacular demonstration of God’s power, awe and might is now clearly on display in Iraq for all the world to see who really is the one true God.”

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Zambian President: Country Should Maintain Christian Identity

Zambian President Rupiah Bandaby Aimee Herd : Jan 4, 2010 : Dennis May – Christian Post

Zambian President Rupiah Banda said Tuesday that the declaration of Zambia as a Christian nation should be retained in the Republican Constitution.

In a speech read at the 18th anniversary celebration of the country’s Christian declaration, Banda said, “It is my passionate desire that my government can access the prosperity which comes from the living God.”

“I am very positive that you, my fellow Zambians, share this belief with me that in this covenant lies the wisdom of God which, if you hold any kingly position like I do as the Republican President of this nation, then you can align with the covenant like King David did,” he said.

“If you are a spiritual leader, you can also align with the covenant like Moses did.”

Banda also said that people should not take Zambia’s peace for granted but rather see it as a gift from God. (more…)

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750-800 Christians Unite to Pray for Australia at National Australia Day Prayer in Melbourne

National Australia Day United Prayer in MelbourneDear family & friends in Christ in Australia and around thPastor Daniel Nalliah receives Honorary Doctorate of Divinity - Congradulations Dr Daniele World,

We thank our faithful Father in heaven for an amazing unity in the Body of Christ at the National Australia Day Prayer Gathering in Melbourne, buzzing with more than 3 hours of Holy Spirit empowered prayer, praise and worship to the reigning King of kings and Lord of lords, our Lord Jesus Christ!

Between 750-800 Christians from many churches, denominations, generations, and ethnicities (many travelling from interstate and some from overseas) packed the Springvale City Hall in Melbourne, Australia to pray for this Great South Land of the Holy Spirit! Many brought their Australian flags with them and waved them throughout the entire service declaring ‘Australia for Jesus’!

The CTF750-800 Christians unite at National Australia Day Prayer at Springvale City Hall in MelbourneM worship team led the interdenominational Christian prayer gathering in ushering in the manifest glory of God’s awesome and holy presence, as God’s people passionate for Australia’s transformation, joined hearts and hands in Kingdom unity to worship King Jesus!

The 20+ denominational representatives from the Salvation Army, CRC, Catholic Charismatic, Baptist, Anglican,Denominational and Christian Ministry Representatives with Dr Jackson (USA), Ps Wayne (USA) and Dr Daniel Nalliah AOG, Seventh Day Adventist, Uniting, Indigenous, and Christian ministry representatives from Culturewatch, Catch the Fire, Australian Marketplace Connections, Gospel Ministry, and Salt Shakers, led their prayer segment with the passion, fire, and love of Jesus for our nation of Australia, to absolutely storm heaven in prayer, standing on the sure promise of God’s Word from 2 Chronicles 7:13-14. We asked the Lord to protect Australia from natural disasters, especially during this bushfire season. There was also much intercessory and prophetic prayer for Rain, Farmers, Persecuted Church Worldwide, Government, Harvest of Lost Souls, Armed Forces, Pastors & Unity in the Body of Christ, Families, Children & Youth, Business & Marketplace, Indigenous People, and additional critical issues in the Kingdom of God.  The Samoan Choir stirred up the crowd with 2 special songs of exuberant praise and worship!

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70 million is too many: Immigrant-fuelled population boom will damage society, say leading public figures

By James Slack, Home Affairs Editor – 06th January 2010

Immigration must be urgently curbed to stop the population hitting 70million and causing ‘serious harm’ to society, an alliance of leading public figures demanded yesterday.

The call to action comes in a report signed by a host of respected names, including former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey, ex-Labour speaker Betty Boothroyd and former Tory Party chairman Michael Ancram.

The cross-party group wants manifesto commitments from Labour and the Conservatives to cut net migration to fewer than 40,000 a year – compared to the current rate of 163,000.

This is the reduction to net migration – the number of immigrants arriving in the UK, minus those leaving – needed to stop the population reaching 70million within the next two decades.

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