The year 2009 is upon us, with all the potential and challenges we were expecting!
Last year proved to be a momentous one, but 2009 is shaping up to be even bigger in terms of major strategic issues with important implications for Christians.
Looking back over 2008 there were some concerning developments but also some very good gains for the Christian constituency.
In the latter half of the year, despite strong opposition from the Christian community, some appalling laws were passed in Victoria - decriminalising abortion and making surrogacy and IVF available to single women and same-sex couples in that State. All these laws have been passed with total disregard to the best interests of the child.
But there were also many successes. Christians have played a role in strengthening the government’s hand in addressing poverty, homelessness and the need for increased overseas aid. The Federal Government is acting on its commitment to clean up the internet, and the work of many groups saw victories in defeating a euthanasia bill in Victoria and embryonic cloning legislation in WA, as well as the blocking of moves to provide marriage-like ceremonies for same-sex couples in the ACT.
Elections
There were three elections last year – in the Northern Territory, Western Australia and the ACT. In all three of these closely fought elections the Christian constituency showed itself to be a significant force with a clear commitment to bringing an influence to bear on the public square.
This year we will be fully involved in the Qld election, which is expected to be held early.
Critical issues
As we head into 2009 there are two issues which loom large with implications for Christians, church organisations and some of the important freedoms we enjoy in Australia.
One is the national consultation on a charter of rights and the other is the Australian Human Rights Commission’s freedom of religion inquiry.
ACL is opposed to a charter of rights because it would fail to protect the vulnerable in society, but would transfer some of the power to make laws away from a democratically elected parliament to an unaccountable judiciary. In this way it would deliver increased power to vested interest groups who have failed to win their case with voters, while important freedoms Christians take for granted could be put at risk.
In our view, human rights are best protected through specific tailored legislation relevant to the right in question, such as legislation providing for equal treatment whilst allowing exemptions for religious organisations in recognition of their right to freedom of belief and practice.
Likewise, the Human Rights Commission’s freedom of religion inquiry ironically appears to actually questions Christian freedoms – such as exercising our democratic rights of free speech and engaging in public debate.
For example one of the questions asked in the Commission’s discussion paper reads: ‘Is there a role for religious voices, alongside others in the policy debates of the nation.’ We would have thought that the issue of freedom of speech and universal participation in government in western democracies were a matter of historical fact!
It is vitally important for Christians to be involved in the consultation process for both these issues if we are to safeguard important Christian freedoms in Australia.
A world in need of solutions
There is universal acknowledgement that greed and avarice have been a large factor in the current economic downturn. At the highest levels greed for profit and unsupportable bonuses and remuneration levels, while at the individual level the impatience with waiting to save for a house and other luxuries before owning them have contributed equally to this problem.
A world operating to Christian principle, believing in a fair return for work and the biblical maxim to treat others as you would want them to treat you, would not exhibit this level of avarice or the consequences.
At the same time society is experiencing horrific levels of child abuse, neglect and homelessness, all well recorded as mainly due to the breakdown of family. As the UK’s Dr Samantha Callan, a co-author of the Breakthrough Britain report, told the ACL’s National Conference last November, support for marriage and the family is the key to social stability and reversing poverty.
And yet here in Australia, as with many nations, the natural family seems to have become “the elephant in the room” – it is the solution to so much of what we know is wrong in society, but because people are fearful of being seen as critical of other family types, we fail to promote it or hold it up as an ideal.
It is time for the church and individual Christians to enter the public debate on issues from family to economics and cause the nation to recognise the appropriateness of Christian principles to all areas of live. Please join us in this.
Support welcome
Our supporters play a vital role in a myriad of ways – such as sending emails to politicians, praying about crucial issues, and contributing to our financial support. We greatly appreciate all the support we receive!
The downturn caused by the global financial crisis would be impacting many Christian ministries, but it is important that we don’t allow it to detract from the valuable achievements being made in different areas, including that of bringing a Christian influence to bear in the public square.
With that in mind, we encourage you to prayerfully consider four options for providing increased financial support to the ACL:
• Increasing your regular monthly giving. If you don’t give yet, why not begin with $20 a month? If you are giving $20 a month, why not increase it to $50? Regular contributions by credit card or direct debit allow long-term planning for ACL.
• Give a one-off donation. Whether you are giving regularly to ACL or are unable to do so, why not consider a larger one-off donation?
• If you operate a business or a service you may want to consider taking advertising space on our website, sponsoring an event or some ‘in kind’ provision that can provide cost savings to the ACL.
For any other financial contributions or further information, please email the national office at natoffice@acl.org.au or call us on (02) 6259 0431.
Many thanks for your support and we look forward to working with you to bring an effective influence to bear on our parliaments in 2009 and thereby engendering an increasingly moral, just and caring society.
Jim Wallace AM
Managing Director
Australian Christian Lobby
The Australian Christian Lobby does not necessarily endorse the views held by contributors, or by authors of linked websites. This material is provided for your information to assist you in forming your own opinion. The Australian Christian Lobby encourages its supporters, and readers of its website, to research the issues raised.
