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Salt Shakers Journal February 2009

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Summary of the articles and information in the Journal. 

Editorial (full version below)
Welcome to the revolution! We know that 2009 will be challenging but we must look at the issues at hand and not fear what the future 'may' bring.

Re-shaping our culture
Peter Stokes writes on culture, who's shaping it and whose "principles" it's based on and more.

News and Action
Legislation passed: Federal - homosexual rights; Vic - ART Bill passed; WA - Surrogacy. Still being considered: SA - cloning; Vic - Caring Relationships; Update - Californication.

National Consultation on Human Rights
On 10 December, to mark the 60th anniversary of the United Nations' Declaration of Human Rights, federal Attorney General Robert McClelland announced a National Consultation on Human Rights.

Three leaders - and a spiritual adviser
Jenny Stokes asks, "What do UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, US President Barack Obama and Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd have in common?"

'Brave Little Bear' by Bernadette Black
A book review by Kerrie Ternes.

Reflections
Emma Hughes reflects on her time working in the Saltshakers office.

Beware Wikipedia!
Murray Adamthwaite explains why Wikipedia is an unreliable source.

Mardi gras again!
The Sydney homosexual mardi gras is on again in Sydney.

Transsexualism - Part 2
Ken McGuire continues his series on transsexualism.

NSW - adoption by homosexuals?
The NSW government announced an Inquiry to investigate giving adoption rights to same-sex couples and is likely to launch Inquiries at the end of the year.

UN - Homosexuality
On the 60th anniversary of the UN's 'Universal Declaration of Human Rights' the UN General Assembly reviewed the Declaration - and proposed calling for the removal of discrimination based on "sexual orientation" and "gender identity."

World News
UK: Genetic diagnosis - eugenics; UK: Hybrid embryos - Eugenics? USA: Richard Cizik resigns.

Editorial - Full Version:

Welcome to the revolution!

We know 2009 will be challenging but as our front page states we must look at the issues at hand and not fear what the future 'may' bring. In fact, there is way too much fear around at the moment, thanks to those who have rejected God and see no hope outside their own endeavours.

It never ceases to amaze us how easily the Jews took their eyes off God and wandered aimlessly, not only in the desert but wherever they were. It did not take the early Christians long to do the same thing and transform Christianity into a man-made religion of fear.

Today, many in the Church are doing it all over again as Christians become caught up in all sorts of conspiracy theories and live in fear of man-made issues like global financial crises, over-population and global warming, oops sorry, 'climate change'.

We have taken our eyes off God and His promise to sustain the world and the seasons until Jesus returns; we have become as (false) gods when we kid ourselves that we can save the planet.

Yes, we must do the best we can as 'stewards' to create the least actual pollution we can, but without detriment to good development and especially without restricting the advancement of the underdeveloped third world.

How sad it is that Christians soak up and even promote the fear of climate change, as we discovered in the last Tear Fund magazine at the end of 2008. We have personally supported this Christian group for many years but when we read their humanistic view on climate change we changed our mind and increased our support of Barnabas Fund instead.

We are supposed to bring hope to the world, not fear. Except, of course, the fear of eternal separation from God.

Rather than push the negative 'possibilities' we are to promote the facts. The main work of the Church and of every Christian should be evangelism. Not the feel good, it's all about love, of the postmodern church but the truth of the Gospel.

IF we do social work or political activism it is ONLY to show people the truth we celebrate at Christmas and Easter and throughout the year - that we have a Saviour who has paid the price for our sin and wants us to repent and follow him. Our good works through social justice and overseas aid, and our political activism must never become an end in themselves.

The world needs to hear about a Saviour who really can control the climate - not a hundred filmstars who make money out of talking about it and political leaders who are taxing us because of it.

This year we must show the fearful world the hope that only comes through Jesus Christ. If Christians live in fear of climate change or financial collapse, and tell the world it is over-populated and that our very existence is the problem, how will those without hope find Christ and the hope He alone can give.

There are many issues that we know will directly threaten the freedom and democracy Christianity has given - we must work hard on those, but we must not feel anxious.

Our aim for 2009 is to give hope to the lost and offer a better way and better values than those the world offers. A way based on THE Way, and THE Truth, and THE Life!

Yours, in the service of Jesus Christ

Peter & Jenny Stokes