Salt Shakers Journal
Summary
August 2008
Editorial (In full below)
After writing last month’s Editorial
about the values presented to our young people, and sending the journal off to
the printers, I opened the following email... “In my two CRE classes, the
subject of the f*** word and unsafe sex has come up. The children stated
that sex education is coming up in the near future. What did I think, they
asked...
The Illegal attack on the Family
Dr. Ted Baehr looks at the issue
of same sex marriage and how this affects the family. He identifies the
illegality of the former looking at theology and legal history.
Climate Change: Carbon-trading scheme
Jenny Stokes analyses the Rudd-government’s
carbon-trading scheme, evaluating the Garnaut review and the Green Paper.
News and Action
Euthanasia; Superannuation; Nude Photos of
children
Medicare funding of abortion
Did you know that Medicare funds
abortions? During the last session of Parliament, Senator Guy Barnett, along
with Senator Julian McGauran, presented a motion to the Senate to disallow
Medicare funding of second and third trimester abortions.
Emily’s voice- changing society’s attitudes
A new campaign designed
to promote a pro-life culture within society at large, particularly related to
the unborn, was recently launched in
Queensland.
Family Voice
Australia
Thirty-five
years after its launch in 1973, Festival of Light has changed its name to
FamilyVoice
Australia.
Television: Big Brother and Californication
Television standards
are of continuing concern, with sex and violence frequently served up whilst
teenagers are watching. However, this month there is SOME reasonably good news.
Will I always struggle like this?
Mosaic Ministries, located in
Melbourne, provides support and
assistance to those wishing to deal with homosexuality.
Homosexuality is not natural- there is no ‘gene’
Peter Stokes looks at research by
homosexuals admitting that there is no such thing as a ‘homosexual gene’.
Victoria: Update on
Abortion
The Victorian government is still considering the Options for
‘decriminalising’ abortion given by the Victorian Law Reform Commission (VLRC).
Anglican update: Lambeth and GAFCON
The Lambeth conference was held
from 20-31 July 2008. It is the meeting of Anglican (and Episcopalian -
USA) bishops held every ten years at
Lambeth Palace in
the UK.
Justice Kirby on religion and human rights again
Justice Michael
Kirby gave a speech titled People of the Book: Reconciling religious
fundamentals with universal human rights.
USA:
Same-sex marriage
The first same-sex ‘marriages’ were performed in
California on 16 June 2008, following a ruling by the state’s Supreme Court in
May 2008.
Opposing the OIC- defamation of religion
A few months ago we
reported that the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (representing the 57
Islamic nations) has proposed a Resolution to the United Nations on ‘Combating
Defamation of Religions’.
Another Global Interfaith initiative
Since resigning as the Prime
Minister of the United
Kingdom, Tony Blair has taken on a number of
roles. Immediately after announcing he was standing down as PM he was appointed
a “Middle East envoy”.
World News
UK: Muslim
prayer; USA: Homosexuality and Bible;
Brazil – Abortion;
USA: Transsexual gives birth;
USA: Homosexual
adoption; World Bank supports abortion.
Editorial (full version)
After writing last month’s Editorial about the values presented to our young
people, and sending the journal off to the printers, I opened the following
email...
“In my two CRE classes, the subject of the f*** word and unsafe sex has come
up. The children stated that sex education is coming up in the near
future. What did I think, they asked...
Have you any material to suggest for use in secular government schools in an
RE context, where we can address the concept from God’s point of view – how He
meant it to be for full enjoyment.
I imagine these children are just following the trends they see on TV,
movies, magazines and pop idols.”
Note this is a PRIMARY school, with children under 12, asking about swearing
and sex!
When we speak at meetings we are often asked, “Is this presentation suitable
for primary school children to hear?” Many parents seem quite unaware of what
their children are confronted with at primary school. Although we may do a good
job of protecting them, it does not seem to matter what type of school they go
to - these issues are on the agenda today.
Back to the email - sadly, my response fell short because I was unsure how to
answer the question, “Have you any material to suggest for use in secular
government schools in an RE context”.
Then I picked up the latest copy of ‘Every day with Jesus’ the daily
devotional notes that we use to take-in from God’s Word (almost) every morning.
It is highlighting the value of studying the Book of Proverbs. The very book we
mentioned last month
in reference to the vision (revelation) our young people are confronted with
today.
There are 54 verses about ‘Wisdom’ and 39 verses about ‘Knowledge in
Proverbs.
I have often said at meetings that if you hear the same message more than
once it is not a ‘coincidence’, but it probably means God is trying to get your
attention and you did not listen the first time. I think God is wanting to draw
His people back to the importance of studying the Old Testament.
There is too much good wisdom in the OT to dismiss it. Of course, many people
want to say it is irrelevant today because there are also lots of ‘do nots’ and
‘laws’. It also shows that God is a God of Justice and therefore has to punish
sin. Thankfully we can then point to Christ as our redeemer if we trust Him and
obey Him. This is all part of the knowledge young people need to know because
they need to know He cares that much.
Yes, we must also appreciate that some aspects, such as the sacrificial laws
and cautions about imitating specific cultural practices of the day (such as
trimming a beard a certain way), do not apply today.
The history, wisdom and values that flow right through the OT and on into the
New Testament, especially in Books about life and morality rather than history,
like Proverbs and Psalms, need to be taught to today’s young people and to
future generations. They are the very basis of Christian living and God’s
creation.
We hope that CRE organisations are aware of the vital need to deal with the
‘practical’, but confronting, issues and have a suitable, Bible-based curriculum
to help Primary-aged children understand what God says about such issues and the
relevance of His OT values to today’s children.
Yours in Christ Jesus
Peter & Jenny Stokes Author: Jenny Stokes | Modified: 17 September 2008 |
