Action Australia

Federal government plans to 'remove discrimination' against same-sex couples

30/04 Saltshakers Media Release | Australia's federal government has announced today that it plans to rush legislation into Parliament next month to change 100 pieces of Commonwealth legislation to 'remove discrimination' against same-sex couples.

The proposed changes give benefits including tax, superannuation, social security, health, aged care, veterans entitlements, workers compensation, employment entitlements. 

The finance to cover these changes to the law will be provided in the May budget. The estimate of the cost is said to be up to $400 million over four years.

ACL calls for marriage and family safeguards in same-sex law changes

30/04 Australian Christian Lobby | The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) has never been opposed to addressing unreasonable discrimination against same-sex couples in Federal laws provided that the changes do not tamper with Australia’s definitions of marriage and family. ACL Managing Director Jim Wallace said today that it is fair that homosexual couples should be able to share finance and property with one another so long as marriage and biological parenthood is protected.

“We welcome the Rudd Government’s clear commitment to retaining the special status of marriage as being between a man and a woman – a pre-election and a bipartisan commitment which continues to recognise the special role and value of marriage in Australian society,” Mr Wallace said. .

Aboriginal earth worship in parliament and now in our schools

Herald Sun Vote line - http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/opinion
Should primary school assemblies acknowledge traditional owners?

Following the new Federal government’s promotion of Aboriginal earth worship in the federal Parliament, schools in Victoria, and possibly other states, are being encouraged to begin assemblies with an aboriginal “Welcome to Country” ceremony. This ‘ceremony’ usually states: "I would like to respectfully acknowledge the (insert tribe) people who are the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which we stand."

Federal Education Minister Julia Gillard said the Australian Government would not force schools to take part. "These things are best left to emerge organically from a community movement," - and they are. The Victorian Principals Association said it was a growing trend, it was appropriate, it was good practice and the organisation would certainly be encouraging it.

The Victorian Aboriginal Education Association programs manager, Lowana Moore said she was enthusiastic that Victorian schools were recognising Aboriginal people. Apparently the ceremonies may already be in common use in NSW, Queensland and West Australian schools.

This is not about recognising aboriginal people, this is about declaring they are the ‘owners’ of the land and also about the recognition of aboriginal spirituality

This has two main dangers – 1. It removes the idea that the land (whole creation) belongs to God and 2. It invokes aboriginal earth worship spirits into our culture. This is no different to New Age ‘earth worship’ of the ‘created’ rather than the ‘Creator’.

·         Pray that school principals will reject this type of activity and that they will give glory to God not to aboriginal spirits.

Peter P Stokes - Co Founder & Executive Officer
Salt Shakers Inc - Ph: 03 9800 2855 - Mb: 0413 084 145

Mission Australia welcomes groundbreaking youth homelessness report

30/04 Media Release | Mission Australia has welcomed the National Youth Commission’s report into youth homelessness and supported its call for establishing a National Homelessness Strategy along with a range of other measures to tackle the problem.

Mission Australia – which last year assisted more than 70,000 people across its youth and housing support services – said the report, Australia’s Homeless Youth, accurately exposed the scale of the problem and offered a range of solutions for moving ahead.

Jihad body linked to top univeristy

29/04 News.com.au | THE Muslim cleric at the centre of Griffith University's Saudi embassy donation affair - Mohamad Abdalla - is regarded as the Brisbane leader of an Islamic group whose overseas members have been linked to al-Qaeda and the 2005 London bombings. Dr Abdalla, who has refused to be drawn on the Tablighi Jamaat group, has been identified as its Brisbane head by Muslim community figures, including prominent Islamic leader Fadi Rahman."He's the head of Tablighi in Brisbane," said Mr Rahman, who attended the 2020 Summit as a delegate with Dr Abdalla."I know Mohamad Abdalla very well," he said.

...The Tablighi's non-violent teachings about the importance of the afterlife had left some young followers susceptible to recruitment by terrorist outfits as suicide-bombers, said former Howard government adviser Ameer Ali."They are not violent, they don't preach violence. But their mind is set - they've prepared the minds of the youngsters who can be trapped by the jihadis and terrorists," he said. "So when the jihadis say are you prepared to go to heaven ... it carries with their thinking because they are not interested in this world, they believe (their) future is in the next world." ... Muslim leaders have urged Griffith University to return the Saudi grant.

An appalling pro homosexual decision has been made by the NSW Discrimination Tribunal against the church in Australia

25/04 Saltshakers Media Release | The Uniting Church in Australia (NSW) has been told by the NSW Administrative Decisions Tribunal that its foster care agencies, including Wesley Dalmar Child and Family Care’, against whom the original case was brought, cannot refuse to accept homosexuals as foster carers.

Wesley Dalmar (Part of Wesley Mission) has been ordered to pay $5,000 to EACH of the two homosexuals who brought the case against them for not accepting them as foster carers.

Gay couple wins $10,000 in foster care case

25/04 Brian McDougall for The Daily Telegraph | A GAY couple have won a landmark discrimination case after being banned from becoming NSW Administrative Decisions Tribunal foster parents because they are homosexual. The couple, whose identities have been suppressed, took legal action when their application to become foster carers was refused by a welfare agency linked to the Uniting Church.

... The Anti-Discrimination Act prohibits unlawful discrimination in the provision of services on the grounds of homosexuality and marital status. Gay couples are legally allowed to become foster carers in NSW but the agency defended its decision by arguing it was exempt from the Anti-Discrimination Act on religious grounds.

The Iemma Government has since flagged it will change the law to grant lesbian parents the same parenting rights as heterosexuals.
Legislation will be introduced to Parliament amending a total of 50 laws across NSW to include new parental presumption protection for female same-sex couples. In schools administration staff will be forced to recognise both partners in the gay couple as "parents".

Chinese students bully torch crowds

25/04 Paul Maley for The Australian | GANGS of Chinese students have marred the Australian leg of the Olympic torch relay, assaulting, intimidating and harassing vastly outnumbered pro-Tibetan activists as the torch was carried through Canberra's streets.

Last night, the ACT Government proclaimed the event an "outstanding success" after managing to avoid the violence that has marked the flame's passage through Europe and the US.... While the torch carriers were allowed to travel unmolested through the streets, dozens of Tibetan activists were assaulted or intimidated by highly organised groups of Chinese students who flocked from around the country to support the relay.

In one incident witnessed by The Australian, brothers John and Nick Price were forced to jump a barricade to escape a gang of young Chinese men who attacked them after they attempted to walk down Anzac Parade with a Free Tibet banner. ..."We were being pushed and spat on, abused. We were kicked in the back and punched. We were hit with flagpoles. They pushed me to the ground," John Price said.

The Chinese members of the crowds became angry when a plane skywriting the words "free Tibet", bankrolled by Greens senator Bob Brown, crossed the sky.

Referring to reports the Chinese embassy had been involved in organising the students, Mr Stanhope said he was aware of "contact" between the embassy and some of the Chinese groups.

Top university an 'agent of extreme Islam'

23/04 The Australian | A JUDGE has likened Griffith University to hardline Islamic "madrassas" in Pakistan - notorious for breeding radicals - and accused the Queensland institution of promoting a Muslim ideology espoused by Osama bin Laden.

Queensland District Court judge Clive Wall also accused Griffith of becoming an "agent" through which the Saudi Arabian embassy was propagating extreme Islam.

Judge Wall, a deputy judge advocate-general in the Australian Defence Force holding the rank of air commodore, told The Australian it was clear what brand of Islam the university would be teaching through its Saudi-funded Islamic Research Unit. "It would have to be Wahabism, similar to many of the madrassas in Pakistan who receive funding from Saudi Arabia," he said.

... The Australian revealed yesterday that Griffith asked the Saudi embassy in Australia for a $1.37m grant for its Islamic Research Unit, even telling the ambassador that certain elements of the controversial deal could be kept a secret. It was also revealed through documents that Griffith - described by vice-chancellor Ian O'Connor as the "university of choice" for Saudis - offered the embassy a chance to "discuss" ways in which the money could be used.

The Australian Senate is conducting an Inquiry into the sexualisation of children.

18/04 Saltshakers Media Release |The Democrats initiated the inquiry in the Senate.

The 'Inquiry into the sexualisation of children in the contemporary media environment' is being conducted by the Senate Environment, Communications and the Arts Committee.

Democrats Senator Lyn Allison said 'the inquiry would review the effect the viewing or buying of sexualising images and products has on people’s attitudes, beliefs, sexuality and mental health'. “It is crucial to proper development that children are free to have a childhood,” she said.

Submissions are invited from the public - the closing date is 18 April.

The Committee has to report to the Senate by 23 June 2008.

Click here for the Inquiry WEBSITE.

Media: Herald Sun, 13/3/2008

Mum's the word as gay lobbyists denied

17/04 Sydney Morning Herald | Schools will not move to stop using words such as mum and dad, or girlfriend and boyfriend, the NSW Education Department says, despite reports that public schools are under pressure to provide gay-friendly environments. Changes to terminology, such as using the word "partner" to cover heterosexual relationships, are being sought by gay lobbyists bent on reducing discrimination in a major anti-homophobia push in the state's schools, News Ltd reports.

But Department of Education and Training director-general Michael Coutts-Trotter says there is no move to stop using terms such as boyfriend, girlfriend, mum or dad in public school classrooms.

Same-sex push in NSW schools

18/04 Excerpted from Australian Christian Lobby Newsletter | A concerning front-page article in yesterday’s Daily Telegraph has raised the question of just how much of a gay agenda is being pushed in NSW public schools. The article said that teachers are being urged to stop using terms such as husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend and spouse and to replace them with the generic term “partner” under “a major anti-homophobia push in schools”.

Please click here to read the full article which includes reference to lessons being taught in high schools on “same-sex attraction issues” and a mandatory 25-hour course for Year 11 and 12 students in government schools which examines “issues relating to sexuality and sexual diversity”.

This article sparked a lot of concern and today’s Daily Telegraph is full of letters berating the idea of banning terms like husband and wife, even including letters from gay people who think it is ridiculous. Thankfully, the NSW Education Director-General, who earlier this week opened a conference called ‘That’s So Gay’, has since ruled out any plans to implement this “politically correct” language, as has the NSW Premier. Please click here to read more.

What hasn’t been ruled out, however, are the programs being run in the NSW curriculum teaching about sexual diversity as part of a supposed anti-homophobia agenda. While the ACL is opposed to any form of school bullying or discrimination, we are concerned that these programs may be going much further than this and could be actively promoting a homosexual lifestyle to impressionable teenagers. It is difficult to see how teaching on “same-sex attraction issues” and “sexuality diversity” is a necessary part of tackling homophobic bullying. The fact that such lessons are mandatory is also concerning.

What this week’s issue has also highlighted is the gay lobby’s push to pursue their agenda within the school grounds – endeavouring to supplant traditional family relationships with terminology and teaching which normalises same-sex relationships and hence promotes the gay lifestyle. It is an issue that we need to be active in combating.

If you live in NSW, please consider writing to the NSW Education Minister, the Hon. John Della Bosca, and asking him to provide details of the way sexual diversity and the gay lifestyle is being taught in NSW schools and the kind of resources being used. Please also make the point that, while you appreciate that action needs to be taken to prevent homophobic bullying in schools, you are concerned that the gay lobby seems to be pushing for the promotion of the gay lifestyle at the expense of the traditional family.

Ask for assurance that this will not be permitted. The Minister’s email address is office@smos.nsw.gov.au and his postal address is: Level 30 Governor Macquarie Tower, 1 Farrer Place, Sydney NSW 2000.

Church support for gay school formals

15/04 Daily Telegraph | THE head of the Anglican Church in Australia has backed gay and lesbian students taking same-sex partners to school formals. Anglican Archbishop Phillip Aspinall yesterday said he had no "personal objection to a school deciding to allow boys to take friends who are boys, or girls to take friends who are girls to school formals".

His comments came after it was revealed that a prestigious Brisbane school had insisted students take a member of the opposite sex to their school formal. ... Despite his apparent support for the gay students, Dr Aspinall, who is president of the school's council, said the school had a right to enforce a ban on same-sex partners if it felt the move was necessary. ... The issue of same-sex partners at the formal has sparked massive debate throughout the wider community, with principal psychologist with the Centre for Human Potential Paul Martin arguing that many schools believed it was OK to be gay as long as you did not act in a way that reflected it.

...Mr Martin said he saw three or four clients a week who had been "extremely damaged" as a result of homophobic schoolyard bullying.

Religious freedom under new threat in Victoria

14/04 Festival of Light Australia | Victorians have already lost the right to free speech on religious matters because of the Racial and
Religious Tolerance Act 2001 - under which Christians have been prosecuted for truthful but critical comments on Islam and for opposing witchcraft.

The Victorian Department of Justice is now carrying out an “Exceptions Review” of the Equal Opportunity Act 1995 which could lead to the removal of the three important general exceptions to discrimination based on religion:

(PDF)

Religious freedom under threat in Victoria - Please ACT NOW!

14/04 Saltshakers Media Release |The Victorian government is REVIEWING the exceptions and exemptions in the Equal Opportunity Act. The Act contains several religious exceptions (Sections 75,76 and 77).

Peter Stevens, Festival of Light's Victorian State Officer says "The Department of Justice is carrying out a review of all exceptions and exemptions under the Equal Opportunity Act 1995 to see if they are in conflict with the Charter of Rights and Responsibilities. The Equal Opportunity Act 1995 provides exceptions not just for religious bodies (eg churches) and religious schools but also for individuals to discriminate where it is necessary to comply with the person's genuine religious beliefs or principles.  These exceptions are vital in preserving Christian freedom.  Without these exceptions churches, Christian schools and individual believers could be forced to act in ways contrary to our beliefs, or face serious penalties.

He notes that "Some groups hostile to Christian freedom have already called for the removal of the religious exceptions".

We need to make our voice heard!

Abortion does not bring the relief hoped for ...

13/04 Cardinal George Pell - Archbishop of Sydney | Women were told that abortion would bring them relief, but often found only depression and grief, whose causes they did not recognize.  Often the woman’s loss is secret, preventing help from family and friends and, in any case, society generally does not want to know.

For some years now there has been evidence published in top level journals, such as the British Medical Journal, about post-abortion traumas in the U.S.A., Britain and Finland.  This complements the research from Professor Fergusson in New Zealand about increased suicide risks, more depressive psychoses, nightmares, flashbacks and emotional numbness.

In 1989 a panel from the American Psychological Association concluded unanimously that legal abortion “does not create psychological hazards for most women undergoing the procedure”.

Such a claim is no longer valid.

Google sued for banning religious pro-life ad

11/04 Catholic Diocese of Melbourne | A Christian group in the United Kingdom is suing Google, claiming the dominant search engine company engaged in religious discrimination by refusing to take its pro-life advertisements ... The group was trying to publicise its articles against abortion before a controversial vote in the House of Commons that could place restrictions on abortion.

The Christian Institute, which describes itself as a "non-denominational Christian charity," wanted to purchase an advertisement that would be displayed whenever the word "abortion" was typed into the search engine.

Google's Dublin-based advertising office said that their refusal was based off of a company policy.  "At this time, Google policy does not permit the advertisement of websites that contain 'abortion and religion-related content'," the office said ... However, Google does accept advertisements for abortion clinics, secular pro-abortion sites, and secularist sites which attack religion.

The advertisement was part of the Christian Institute's efforts to promote its on-line articles on abortion before legislation regulating the practice arrived in the House of Commons.

Next month's vote on the Human Fertilization and Embryology Bill provides the House of Commons its first opportunity in 18 years to vote on the upper time limit for legal abortions. The Christian Institute has filed a lawsuit against Google, arguing the company discriminates against Christians in violation of the Equality Act 2006.  The institute is seeking damages, costs, and permission to publish its advertisement.

Showcasing - Centre for Public Christianity

10/04 Media Release | Thursday 10th April saw the official launch party of the Centre for Public Christianity. John and Greg introduced CPX and talked about its aims to a diverse group of business leaders, supporters, politicians and friends at Albert's Corner Bar in North Sydney.... The Centre for Public Christianity is a research and media organisation promoting the public understanding of the Christian faith.

An exception to the Act

10/04 Bishop Christopher Prowse | CURRENTLY abortion is defined in the Crimes Act as an offence, but the law allows exceptions for the sake of the woman's health or life. In practice, abortion is allowed virtually without restriction

The Victorian Government wishes to remove the offence altogether, to "decriminalise abortion" and regulate it as an "ordinary medical procedure". The church is often criticised for having a say on matters such as abortion. It is argued church and state should be separate and government is not the business of the church.

The reality is that the constitutional separation of church and state is to protect the church from interference by the state and to ensure that government treats religions equally.

The Australian Constitution protects religious freedom, including the freedom to speak on issues of importance.

In Australia, a very aggressive exlusionist form of secularism has developed that views religious belief and practice with arrogant intolerance and dismissiveness and which is characterised by attempts to exclude contributions to public discussion by persons who are religious.

Pope: Take Gospel of mercy to those who've divorced, had abortions

09/04 Catholic News Agency | Pope Benedict XVI said the church must bring the "Gospel of mercy" to those involved in abortion and divorce, showing sensitivity to the inner burdens they bear.

He made the remarks 5 April in a meeting with participants of an international conference on the aftermath of abortion and divorce.

The Pope said both practices had created much suffering in modern society, particularly among innocent victims, leaving wounds that affect people's lives permanently.

Relationships Register Bill passed by Victoria's Legislative Council

06/04 Saltshakers Media Release | Thank you to everyone who contacted their MPs in both Houses about this Bill.

We are disappointed that the 'Relationships Bill' has now been passed by Victoria's Parliament.

The debate about amendments and the third reading vote were held yesterday - on Thursday 10 April.

None of the amendments proposed by the Greens were passed.

Senate Enquiries

Senate Inquiry into the sexualisation of children in the contemporary media environment.

Senate Inquiry regarding Euthanasia

Family First's bill to reduce the impact of poker machines has gone to a Senate Community Affairs Committee.

Senate Inquiry into effectiveness of broadcasting standards

Tasmanian Legislative Council Select Committee on surrogacy

Victorian Equal Opportunities Act review

DECRIMINALISING ABORTION VS HUMAN LIFE

05/04 Queensland Right to Life |

What Would be the Impact for Queensland?

The real impact of the decriminalisation of abortion would be the removal of all legal protection for the nine months of life in the womb.

How would Queensland Rate in the World?

Decriminalisation of abortion would mean that Queensland would rank amongst the most permissive countries in the world.

What is the QUEENSLAND LAW ON ABORTION

The Queensland law is contained in Sections 224 and 282 of the Criminal Code, a statutory codification of the Common Law which had adopted the Hippocratic medical ethics of 25 centuries ago. The law prohibits abortion unless a mother's life is in immediate danger from the continuation of the pregnancy. This law has been obfuscated by Judges in this and a number of other countries over the last 60 years, and therefore has become unenforceable. However, the High Court of Australia has now been offered the opportunity to sweep aside a maze of minor court decisions and to authoritatively interpret the law and it is to be hoped that they will not let this opportunity pass. No Court of Appeal in Australia has yet considered when an abortion is lawful - in recent times they have repeatedly avoided doing so. One of Australia's leading lawyers,the late John Trail Q.C., described the situation with regard to abortion thus: "Without review, the law remains misruled, misstated, uncertain and unsatisfactory" (in The Petition of Harrigan, Privy Council, 1983.)

PRAYER FOR OUR CHILDREN - THAT THEY WILL BE VALUED & BE GIVEN THE RIGHT TO LIVE - “Rescue those being led away to death, hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say "But we knew nothing of this," does not He who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done? .” Proverbs 24:11

Your help needed to fight euthanasia

02/04 Australian Christian Lobby | Greens’ Senator Bob Brown has introduced a bill to reinstate the Northern Territory’s euthanasia laws and to restore to the ACT and the NT the ability to legislate on euthanasia.

The Rights of the Terminally Ill (Euthanasia Laws Repeal) Bill 2008 has been referred to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Committee, which has called for submissions by 9th April 2008.

PRAYER:

High Court Overrules State Anti-Gambling Law

02/04 Christian Democratic Party | ... The Rev Fred Nile, Leader of the Christian Democratic Party, has raised concern that a loophole in the Commonwealth Constitution has enabled a Gambling Exchange to successfully challenge a State Government in the Australian High Court, overturning anti-gambling legislation it had enacted to protect it’s citizens.

The Tasmanian branch of the UK owned internet gambling exchange, Betfair, took the Western Australian Government to court last week arguing that gambling was a domestic trade and therefore can not be prohibited by any State Legislature under section 92 of the Commonwealth Constitution.

“Since when did we regard gambling a legitimate trade? This was not the intent of our Constitution. Aside from the significant social costs of gambling in our society, these gambling exchanges enable bets to be placed on the worst performing entities, thus opening the door to all sorts of corruption”, stated Rev Fred Nile. “I hold grave fears not only with regard to gambling throughout the nation, but for the very sovereignty of our States. What other State protections will be circumvented via the same mechanism?”

UK: Google faces court for ban on religious abortion ads

22/04 The Christian Institute | Internet giant, Google, is facing legal action in British courts because it will not allow adverts for websites which contain "abortion and religious-related content". The well-known search engine blocked a pro-life ad for The Christian Institute's website, christian.org.uk, because it is a "religious" website. Lawyers for the Institute say this is unlawful discrimination.

Google is happy to allow adverts for non-religious sites with views on abortion. It also allows adverts for pornographic sites as long as the sex is consensual and does not involve children or animals. But Google banned the Institute's ad for "inappropriate content", saying "Google policy does not permit the advertisement of websites that contain 'abortion and religion-related content'." The Institute's draft ad was worded: "UK abortion law: Key news and views on abortion law from The Christian Institute. www.christian.org.uk."

...Colin Hart, Director of The Christian Institute: said: "Google promotes itself as a company committed to the ideals of free speech and the free exchange of ideas. It is against this standard that Google's anti-religious policy is so unjust. For many people, Google is the doorway to the internet. It is an influential gatekeeper to the marketplace of debate. If there is to be a free exchange of ideas then Google cannot give special free speech rights to secular groups whilst censoring religious views. To describe abortion and religion-related content as 'unacceptable content', while at the same time advertising pornography, is ridiculous."

UK: Lords approve free speech change to 'gay hatred' law

22/04 The Christian Institute | Lord Waddington has succeeded in amending the proposed 'homophobic hatred' offence to include a free speech protection. Shortly before midnight last night (Monday) Peers voted 81 to 57 in favour of his amendment. The Christian Institute supported Lord Waddington throughout his campaign.

The amendment says, "In this Part, for the avoidance of doubt, the discussion or criticism of sexual conduct or practices or the urging of persons to refrain from or modify such conduct or practices shall not be taken of itself to be threatening or intended to stir up hatred." The amendment must be approved by MPs in the House of Commons. The Government may try to overturn the amendment there.

.... In recent years there have been a number of cases where overzealous police officers have unjustly interfered with the rights of people to express their religious beliefs on sexual ethics.

Speaking during the Lords debate, Lord Waddington said: "Some might say that the amendment is now so moderate in its terms that it merely states the obvious and is therefore unnecessary, but those who say that are, I fear, closing their eyes to what has really happened in recent years."

"When it comes to language touching on matters of sexual orientation, there has already been a load of trouble with the police misapplying the existing Public Order Act. It is our plain duty to try to prevent this continuing to happen," he added.

Labour Peer, Lord Anderson of Swansea, said: "I guess that many of us have been impressed by letters from individuals around the country who have been met with overzealous police officers who have caused great anxiety until eventually the individuals have been told that no prosecutions will follow.

USA: Student planned mass slaughter at his South Carolina school

Is it time for parents to pull their children out of public schools?

23/04 American Family Association | Did you read The Associated Press story about Ryan Schallenberger in Chesterfield, S.C.? Authorities learned of the student’s plans to commit mass murder at his school. Police discovered a hate-filled journal lauding the Columbine High School killers, an audiotape to be played after he perished during his rampage, and a year's worth of plans for the bombing that included a hand-drawn map of the school. Prosecutor Jay Hodge said, "The kid had the intellect and the means and the materials to carry it out."

UK: Psychics see trouble over new laws

02/04 Christian Democratic Party | FORTUNE-tellers, mediums and spiritual healers marched on Downing Street on Friday to protest against new laws they fear will lead to them being "persecuted and prosecuted". Organisers say that replacing the Fraudulent Mediums Act of 1951 with new consumer protection rules will remove key legal protection for "genuine" mediums. They think sceptics might bring malicious prosecutions to force spiritualists to prove in court that they can heal people, see into the future or talk to the dead.

Psychics also fear they will have to give disclaimers describing their services as entertainment or as scientific experiments with unpredictable results. "If I'm giving a healing to someone, I don't want to have to stand there and say I don't believe in what I'm doing," said Carole McEntee-Taylor, a healer who co-founded the Spiritual Workers Association.

The group delivered a petition with 5000 names to the prime minister's office, although Gordon Brown is away in the United States.
With the changes expected to come into force next month, spiritualists have faced a barrage of headlines gleefully suggesting that they should have seen it coming.

UK: Human dignity in the balance

01/04 Father John Flynn, LC | A proposed new law regulating in-vitro fertilization in the United Kingdom is under fire from the Church and bioethics groups, who are concerned over the loosening of regulations regarding the procedure. The Human Fertilization and Embryology Bill has finished its passage through the House of Lords and will be debated in the Commons in the near future.

In his message the archbishop of Westminster noted that among the changes contemplated in the bill is the extension of scientific experiments using human embryos, and even the creation of animal-human hybrid embryos for research. It also removes a clause from the existing law, which requires the child’s need for a father to be taken into consideration when clinics receive requests for IVF treatment.

In addition to drawing attention to these dangers, Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor asked that members of Parliament should be granted a free vote on the bill, so they can follow their conscience.

ITALY : An Act of Barbarity

01/04 Father John Flynn, LC | The quest for a perfect child is leading to the increasing use of techniques to discover possible health problems in the unborn. Normally this is not done with a view to healing, and results in the deaths of embryos considered imperfect.

It Italy court decisions are in effect undoing a legal prohibition against the use of such screening programs, known as preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). A 2004 national law vetoes screening embryos before they are implanted in the mothers' womb.
Nevertheless, a court in the Lazio region of Italy last week declared this restriction as being "illegitimate," reported the Italian daily newspaper, Corriere della Sera on 24 January.

.. Eliminating embryos who suffer from malformations or hereditary illness, is a violation of the unborn child's right to life and as an abuse of the rights ....

Thalidomide survivors seeking $6.8bn

THALIDOMIDE victims yesterday began a campaign to win €4billion ($6.8billion) compensation, 50 years after they were damaged by the drug. Survivors from around the world marched on the German embassy in London's Belgravia in what they described as a moral crusade. About 3500 victims are still alive.

British victims have reached a settlement and have no complaints against Distillers (now Diageo), the British licensee of the sleeping pill that caused about 10,000 babies to be born with deformities between 1957 and 1962.

USA: McDonald's CEO: Company will put full resources behind gay agenda

02/04 American Family Association News | . According to McDonald’s CEO Jim Skinner, McDonald’s will aggressively promote the homosexual agenda. In remarks on McDonald's Web site concerning the company becoming a member of the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), Skinner wrote: "Being a socially responsible organization is a fundamental part of who we are. We have an obligation to use our size and resources to make a difference in the world … and we do."

The company gave an undisclosed amount of money to the NGLCC in return for being recognized as a major promoter of the homosexual agenda. In return, NGLCC placed Richard Ellis, vice president of communications of McDonald’s USA, on the NGLCC Board of Directors.

Ellis was quoted as saying: "I'm thrilled to join the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce team and ready to get to work. I share the NGLCC's passion for business growth and development within the LGBT community, and I look forward to playing a role in moving these important initiatives forward."
McDonald's refused to comment to World Net Daily on the placement of its executive on the board of the "gay" advocacy organization but did send an e-mail confirming the corporation's support for the agenda of the homosexual business lobby.

"McDonald's is indeed a Corporate Partner and Organizational Ally of NGLCC. Our vice president of U.S. communications, Richard Ellis, was recently elected to its board of directors," said Heidi M. Barker, senior director of media relations for McDonald’s. NGLCC describes itself as promoting the LGBT community first and always, including same sex marriage.

NGLCC gives credit to sponsors such as McDonald's for its financial and other support that helps in its work. "Through the commitment of our corporate partners, the NGLCC has been able to advance the ideas and causes of the LGBT business community," the Chamber said.

Remember Terri, 3 years after 'deliberate dehydration'

01/04 World Net Daily | ... Family members and friends of a brain-injured Florida woman who died after U.S. courts allowed her husband to deprive her of food and water are launching an effort to observe "Terri's Day" each March 31, in recognition of the anniversary of her "death by deliberate dehydration," says a priest who is a pro-life activist.

"This third anniversary should be an occasion for all of us to both remember the injustice done to Terri, and reach out to others with prayer and concrete action when they need the kind of help Terri needed," said Bobby Schindler, Terri's brother.

Schiavo, on whom WND reported extensively, died of starvation and dehydration in March 2005, two weeks after a federal judge ruled her husband could order doctors to withhold food and water.

Her parents, Robert and Mary Schindler, battled unsuccessfully through Florida's state courts and federal courts to spare her life. She was not on artificial life support but needed a feeding tube to eat and drink, a measure her husband opposed. Congress got involved by allowing the Schindlers to argue their case in federal court after their appeals in state courts failed. The Senate approved by unanimous consent a compromise plan that the House later endorsed and President Bush signed.

Father Frank Pavone of Priests for Life told WND his organization is working with the Terri Schindler-Schiavo Foundation to gain recognition for the day. "Terri's death was not the end of her fight," he said. "It was the beginning of a new chapter in the pro-life movement. I call upon all those who were moved by Terri's death to continue their courageous activism in the cause of life, and never to be silent."

"LIFE" Expo

April 23rd

Highlighting the Frontline Christian groups across the Sunshine Coast Region that work to care for, protect and counsel the community's future generations.

Some community problems cannot be solved by ONE group or ONE church, they need the support of the region. Today's rape and abuse - abortion and adoption statistics are a concerning indicator that ACTION is needed.

Often when a woman is faced with an untimely pregnancy she feels as if her life has ended and that she has ruined her future. We know this is not the case and there are many FRONTLINERS helping them to discover that they don't have to endure the grief of abortion and that their future is not bleak.

For more information ring 07 54423631 / 0401 976625 or email admin@link-zone.net

NATIONAL DAY OF THANKSGIVING - SATURDAY 10th MAY 2008

THOSE BEING HONOURED AND THANKED IN 2008

This year the National Day of Thanksgiving coincides with Mothers Day weekend, Saturday 10th May 2008. 

We wish therefore to honour all Mothers and thank those people throughout our respective communities who nurture, train, teach, mentor or care for babies, children and youth.

This would include but not be limited to: Full and part time workers and volunteers in Babies and Children's homes, Foster Carers, staff in Child Care and Pre-School facilities , staff and volunteers working in Youth Shelters, School Teachers and Chaplains, Youth Workers, Sporting team coaches and administrators.

Churches that have not previously been involved with the National Day of Thanksgiving will find our Church Kit helpful in understanding how they can become involved and the resources that are available to assist them in celebrating the day in their community. To order a kit simply write to info@thanksgiving.org.au advising us of the postal address to which you want it sent.  The Kit which includes an information booklet and DVD is free, and is posted to you at our expense.

This year we are providing Schools with their own kit as a way of encouraging them to understand how they can use the day in promoting thanksgiving to their students, but also, by undertaking acts of kindness in the community, showcase their values to the community at large.  Whether you are a Principal, Teacher, Chaplain, or a Parent wanting to encourage your child's school to become involved, we encourage you to email us at info@thanksgiving.org.au and ask for a School Kit to be electronically transmitted to you free of charge.  

Training tomorrow's leaders

There is a great need in this nation to assist those students and recent graduates who demonstrate a high potential to become influential leaders for Christ across strategic areas of our nation including politics, law, media, science, education, arts and philosophy.
The Compass program, an eight-day course in Christian worldview, aims to address this need.

The inaugural program kicks off this Sunday with 40 students at the University of Queensland. For more information and to register interest for 2009, please go to www.compass.org.au .

Lyle Shelton
National Chief of Staff , Australian Christian Lobby