Many Victorians are reeling after the passage of the Andrews government’s ‘Change or Suppression’ Bill. This is the most draconian legislation of its kind in the entire world.

Thank you to literally hundreds of Queensland ACL volunteers who successfully took a message of truth and of life to the hearts and minds of everyday Queenslanders in the streets of our great State. You were magnificent! Ultimately the desire for safety from COVID-19 won the day.

The High Court’s acquittal of Cardinal Pell reveals some interesting questions about justice and truth. If we truly care – about all people, whether victims or accused – then we will want our legal system, our leaders and our society to value truth above all else.

Biased media, writing to MPs and Christian involvement in the public squares

As Christians, we are called to take the message of the Gospel to others in our society. But how can we best do this when that message is obscured by media bias or simple lack of interest? And, more importantly, why should we keep trying? Martyn answers some of your questions about public engagement.

Governments should be servants of the truth; but what happens when truth is sacrificed? The coronavirus is an object lesson – for governments and individuals alike.

Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away;
for truth has stumbled in the public squares, and uprightness cannot enter.
Truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey.
The Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice.
He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede… 
[Isaiah 59:14-16a]

One year ago – almost exactly – I read this scripture. I was days away from starting my new job as ACL Managing Director.

Isaiah’s prophecy diagnoses many cultural maladies in his day. All of them are increasingly relevant to our times.

This one hits the bullseye.

Win or lose the marriage debate (and I think we are in with a real chance of winning), the need for continued and bold Christian witness in the public policy discourse will not go away.

That is why ACL has assembled a world-class line-up of speakers for our national conference and it is why we have called it Embolden.