Lawyers commenting on NSW Abortion Law changes

Posted on August 8, 2019 
Filed under Australia, Culture wars Comments Off on Lawyers commenting on NSW Abortion Law changes

Assoc. Professor Neil Foster writes, “I am a member of an informal coalition of practicing lawyers and legal academics which goes by the name of the ‘Wilberforce Foundation’. A number of us have signed off on a press release designed to make it clear that comments from the ‘Australian Lawyers Alliance’ supporting the proposed changes to abortion laws in NSW do not represent the views of all lawyers. The statement follows. …”

– It’s worth reading in full. At Law and Religion Australia.

Annual Moore College Lectures 2019 – Gary Millar speaking

Posted on August 7, 2019 
Filed under Resources Comments Off on Annual Moore College Lectures 2019 – Gary Millar speaking

The Annual Moore College Lectures 2019 start next week – 15th, and 19th – 23rd August.

Dr Gary Millar, Principal of Queensland Theological College.

Topic: ’Great Expectations? A Biblical Theology of Transformation’.

Chinese authorities remove words Bible, God and Christ from classic children’s stories

Posted on August 7, 2019 
Filed under World news Comments Off on Chinese authorities remove words Bible, God and Christ from classic children’s stories

“Authorities in China have erased the words Bible, God and Christ from classic children’s stories including Robinson Crusoe and The Little Match Girl as part of moves to redact Christian references.…”

– Story from Barnabas Fund.

Berejiklian government risks alienating the west with abortion bill

Posted on August 6, 2019 
Filed under Culture wars, Opinion Comments Off on Berejiklian government risks alienating the west with abortion bill

“The Liberal Party should tread extremely carefully in dealing with the attempt to decriminalise abortion in NSW, lest it put off the conservative-leaning voters (particularly in western Sydney) that helped it retain both state and federal government earlier this year. …”

– An opinion-piece in The Sydney Morning Herald, by Nepean Young Liberal Branch President. (via SydneyAnglicans.net.)

Bishop Rick Lewers on the proposed Abortion Bill

Posted on August 5, 2019 
Filed under Australia, Culture wars, Opinion Comments Off on Bishop Rick Lewers on the proposed Abortion Bill

“It is a little staggering that after weeks of writing articles on family I have to write in the hope of saving our children from the poor decisions of our politicians.

There is before our State Government the ‘Reproductive Health Care Reform Bill 2019.’  It is a Private Members Bill, but don’t let the title of the Bill deceive you. It would seem that those moving the Bill and those supporting it are too embarrassed to call it what it actually is.

This Bill, if it is passed by the NSW State Government, will significantly change the law on abortion. …”

– Bishop of Armidale, Rick Lewers, has written this column for his local newspaper. It’s also published on the diocesan website. Do read it all.

Unborn children need your help

Posted on August 5, 2019 
Filed under Australia, Culture wars, Resources Comments Off on Unborn children need your help

In an e-mail, the Australian Christian Lobby is encouraging people in NSW to contact their MPs to ask them to vote against a bill which is scheduled to come before the Lower House tomorrow (Tuesday 6th August 2019).

In his e-mail, NSW Director of the Australian Christian Lobby, Kieren Jackson, writes:

“What is in the bill?

See also:

The Australian Christian Lobby.

Public Statement from Archbishop Glenn Davies.

Contact details for Members of the Legislative Assembly.

 

Wangaratta Lays Down the Gauntlet … who will pick it up?

Posted on August 5, 2019 
Filed under Australian dioceses, Culture wars Comments Off on Wangaratta Lays Down the Gauntlet … who will pick it up?

“The Anglican Church of Australia has arrived at the crisis moment that so many of us have feared and warned about.

The Melbourne Anglican reports that Bishop John Parkes of Wangaratta will ask his diocese’s upcoming synod (meeting on the weekend of August 30-31) to endorse a liturgy for the blessing of same-sex marriages and will, himself, be prepared to preside over such a service.

So why this move and why now? Parkes gives his own reasons in the interview but one key factor isn’t noted. …”

– David Ould alerts us to an impending crisis for the Anglican Church of Australia.

Religious leaders to lobby MPs ahead of abortion vote

Posted on August 2, 2019 
Filed under Australia, Culture wars Comments Off on Religious leaders to lobby MPs ahead of abortion vote

“Religious leaders will lobby MPs ahead of a vote to decriminalise abortion, after the historic bill was introduced into NSW Parliament with support from across the political spectrum. …

‘This bill allows late-term abortions up to a week before birth, indeed, a day before birth,’ Dr Davies said.

‘When people realise that, I can’t believe for the life of me that these respected parliamentarians would ever put their name to a bill which would kill an unborn baby the day before birth.

‘And I don’t think anyone in NSW would think that is a good idea and why they would promote a bill like beggars belief in my view.’ …”

– Story from The Sydney Morning Herald.

Related:

Barnaby Joyce weighs in on NSW abortion decriminalisation bill debate – ABC News.

Abortion: Life or Death – Martyn Iles.

Contact your local MP.

The Tragedy of Joshua Harris: Sobering thoughts for Evangelicals

Posted on August 1, 2019 
Filed under Opinion Comments Off on The Tragedy of Joshua Harris: Sobering thoughts for Evangelicals

“Several people have obviously wondered, ‘How did this come out of the blue?’ But it didn’t really come out of the blue. There had been troubling signs for some time …”

– in his latest issue of The Briefing, Albert Mohler addresses the tragedy of Joshua Harris’ ‘falling away’ from the Christian gospel.

Law allowing late-term abortions will pass – unless voters call their MPs

Posted on August 1, 2019 
Filed under Australia, Culture wars Comments Off on Law allowing late-term abortions will pass – unless voters call their MPs

“Reader straw-poll: if the NSW parliament was poised to enact the most extreme abortion laws in the country (perhaps in the world), including unrestricted abortion until the moment of birth, should the people of the state be given the barest courtesy of an explanation – perhaps even a modicum of consultation?

That’s the question I have been forced to ask my colleagues this week, after legislators from across the political divide tried to ride roughshod over parliamentary procedure and pass abortion laws that barely anyone in the state has even heard of. If democracy dies in darkness, this week it is on life support in NSW. …”

– NSW Minister for Finance and Small Business, Damien Tudehope, writes an opinion-piece in The Sydney Morning Herald.

See also:

Contact details for Members of the Legislative Assembly.

Rochester Cathedral opens crazy golf course to tee-up younger generation

Posted on July 31, 2019 
Filed under Church of England Comments Off on Rochester Cathedral opens crazy golf course to tee-up younger generation

“Not content with offering a venue for weddings, baptisms and holy communion, Rochester Cathedral in Kent has added crazy golf to its repertoire. …”

– Story from Sky News. Image: Lesley Olley via Rochester Cathedral.

A Prayer for the Protection of Unborn Children

Posted on July 31, 2019 
Filed under Australia, Culture wars, Resources Comments Off on A Prayer for the Protection of Unborn Children

Next week, a new bill to make abortion more available in New South Wales will be debated in NSW Parliament.

Archbishop Glenn Davies has urged Christians to pray, and to contact local MPs, who will be in the process of deciding how to vote on the legislation.

Archdeacon Kara Hartley has written a prayer you could use at home, or in church:

Heavenly Father, Lord of life, We thank you and praise you that you are the author and sustainer of life and that every person is created in your image and is precious in your sight.

We pray today knowing that our Parliament is considering significant changes to abortion law in this state.

Father, we pray for those among us for whom this is a very personal issue and a source of deep distress. Strengthen and uphold those who grieve the loss of their child. May the love, forgiveness and hope found through Christ be their comfort. As a Christian community give us compassion and understanding for any among us who have faced this situation.

We pray for our politicians, as they come to vote on this issue next week. May they show courage and commitment to the dignity and sanctity of each human life.

We also pray for ourselves. Help us to speak with grace and sensitivity to one another, among our friends and neighbours and with our local MPs. Help us to be courageous and wise in defending unborn children. Help us not to shy away from our convictions, but boldly stand firm in the truth that all life comes from you and is precious in your sight.

For Christ’s sake and in his name, we pray.

Amen.

Also available as a PDF file. (Photo of Kara Hartley courtesy Sam Law.)

We are a resistance movement

Posted on July 30, 2019 
Filed under Encouragement, Resources Comments Off on We are a resistance movement

“I don’t know about you, but I’m intrigued by resistance movements – those organised efforts by a portion of a populace to withstand a government or occupying power. When those in control are evil, resistance can be seen as an admirable and even noble task. …

The book of 1 Peter highlights that we – the Christian church – are a resistance movement.”

– At GoThereFor.com, Stephen Liggins draws encouragement from 1 Peter.

O church of God – rise up and pray

Posted on July 30, 2019 
Filed under Culture wars, Other denominations Comments Off on O church of God – rise up and pray

“Pray for our brothers and sisters in NSW who are seeing diabolical legislation being introduced into state parliament this week – legislation that permits abortion, regardless of pregnancy term, with only the most generalised and barest of provisos to be met first.

Our church stands with the unborn child: ‘human life is a gift from God from conception’. That’s what’s being attacked – life in the womb. Hear the wailing voice of the unborn – give them a choice. …”

– Presbyterian Church of Australia Moderator-General, the Rev John P Wilson, urgently calls on Christian people to speak up, in prayer, and in messages to members of NSW Parliament, in behalf of the not-yet-born.

Abortion bill to be introduced into NSW State Parliament this week — Public Statement from Archbishop Glenn Davies

Posted on July 29, 2019 
Filed under Australia, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Abortion bill to be introduced into NSW State Parliament this week — Public Statement from Archbishop Glenn Davies

Anglican Diocese of Sydney

Public Statement

I appeal for a respectful debate concerning abortion and I urge MPs to use their conscience vote to reject this bill. It is not appropriate to rush this bill without widespread community consultation.

Abortion is available in New South Wales and the criminal code provisions have not prevented women from seeking abortions. Rather, the law strengthens the protection of women from pressure, medical malpractice and safeguards the consciences of doctors. In the rare cases that criminal sanctions have been applied, it was clear the circumstances warranted prosecution.

Further, the laws are being proposed at a time when those who wish to speak against abortion, including many women, are being denied that opportunity.

In particular, signs sponsored by the Emily’s Voice group were recently ordered off buses for simply stating a medical fact – that an unborn child’s heart is beating at four weeks.

When has a democratic society prevented the publication of facts?

A respectful debate needs to hear all sides of the issue, including those who wish to speak on behalf of those yet to be born.

Dr Glenn N Davies, Archbishop of Sydney, 29 July AD 2019.

Source: SydneyAnglicans.net.

See also: ‘Speak on behalf of those yet to be born’ – SydneyAnglicans.net.

Related:

Controversy surrounding Emily’s Voice billboard.

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