Kevin Rudd changes his position on MARRIAGE

They say a day is a long time in politics - and a week seems like an eternity. This week we've learned of Kevin Rudd's change of position with regard to 'redefining marriage'.

Why did he change his mind to now SUPPORT SAME-SEX 'MARRIAGE'?

In an article in The Australian, he cites the comments from his children and his wife - and claims that Christianity has changed position on issues such as slavery and race.
Perhaps most significantly, he reveals that a Pentecostal Christian and former political staffer came to see him - the man revealed he was homosexual and wanted to 'marry' and then asked Rudd about his position!

That's called LOBBYING! We always say - if WE aren't speaking to our MPs, the OTHER SIDE IS!

Here is the article by Kevin Rudd: A matter for the state, not church 

We have long been concerned about the sort of Christianity espoused by Kevin Rudd.
Some six months before he was elected as Prime Minister, we wrote an article in our Journal - noting that Kevin said "the starting point with Christianity is a theology of social justice” and that he wrote, "For example, there is no evidence of Jesus of Nazareth expressly preaching against homosexuality." 
Read our article online ... Kevin Rudd - faith in politics (April 2007 Journal)

So we're really not surpised at this ... in the past Kevin talked of the 'tradition' of marriage... but, of course, traditions can be 'changed'!

Several conservative Christian commentators have responded:

Bill Muehlenberg has a very INSIGHTFUL article: Kevin Rudd’s Mental and Moral Meltdown

Also read Michael Cook - Ditch the switch: why Rudd is wrong on gay marriage

Naturally Australian Marriage Equality congratulated Mr Rudd - they claimed things were changing and Mr Rudd's statement would influence other Christian MPs. In addition, LNP Member Wyatt Roy is now said to support changing the Marriage Act. (Media report)

One question to finish... Have you written to your MPs yet???

Peter posted the article about Rudd on Facebook... click here.

Peter's a bit blunter than me... He began "Kevin Rudd has completely lost the plot - not that I really think he ever had it in the first place, but his Biblical exegesis for supporting the redefinition of marriage is appalling...."

Reporting on the World Congress of Families

Time goes so fast. We spent a few days last week in Sydney attending the World Congress of Families - there were some great speakers. It was good to catch up with colleagues & supporters.
 
If you didn't make it to the Congress, one of the keynote speakers was Dr Janice Shaw Crouse, who is the Senior Fellow of the Beverley La Haye Institute, the think tank for Concerned Women for America.
Read her bio here -and her overview of the Congress here.

Read a sample of her work in this article: Five Myths about Same-Sex "Marriage"

Janice published a book in 2012 - 'Marriage Matters'. A brochure by the same title highlights the benefits of marriage between a man and a woman, voluntarily entered into for life - read it here.

The next World Congress of Families will be held in Moscow, Russia in 2014.

Make it your Facebook 'cover photo'! Man + Woman = Marriage

A colleague has designed a graphic to support marriage being between a man and a woman. . .

(This is edited to suit the Facebook layout - the original is centred on the blue background).

Graham, who designed it, recently put it on a billboard in northern Tasmania - and a furore erupted with local activists criticising him and some spraying the sign with rainbow paint! " (Read media report) He says he's just promoting marriage as defined by the law in Australia!

We've made it our 'cover photo' on our Facebook page...

Make it your 'Cover photo' on Facebook to show you support marriage between a man and a woman!

Visit our facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/saltshakersau
Click on our cover photo - save the photo on your computer. Hold cursor over your existing cover photo and 'change cover' will appear - click on 'change cover' and then upload the saved image as YOUR cover photo.

THEN hold cursor over your existing cover photo and 'change cover' will appear - click on 'change cover' and then upload the saved image as YOUR cover photo.

Let's send this viral around the world to support heterosexual marriage - the way God designed it!

Like it, share it, make it your cover photo and encourage your friends to do the same!

Removal of indigenous children in the NT - Chief Minister

For many years we have reported in our monthly Journal about the rates of abuse of children in Australia. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) collates the statistics from all states – for both allegations of abuse and substantiated abuse - and publishes a report on ‘Child Protection’. The AIHW documents various kinds of abuse – sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse and neglect.

The AIHW Child Protection reports can be found on the AIHW website – click here.

One of the things we have noted is the far higher rates of abuse of all kinds for aboriginal children. The ‘intervention’ in the Northern Territory was prompted by the abuse of children in aboriginal communities. It has often been seen as ‘politically incorrect’ to mention this abuse, in light of the federal government report on the so-called ‘Stolen Generations’.

Now the new Northern Territory Chief Minister, Adam Giles, himself an aboriginal man, has supported the removal of indigenous children from their homes when they are living in abusive situations. In fact, he has even called for such children to be adopted. The NT News reports he said “governments had failed Aboriginal children because of fears they would be accused of creating a new "Stolen Generation", but he would not be put off by such accusations.” He said, "There are situations in the Northern Territory where nobody has been prepared to support a permanent adoption of a child for fear of Stolen Generation."

In a situation when many people still talk of the so-called ‘Stolen Generations’ report as mistreatment of aboriginal children, this is a brave move. But then, as now, the authorities and the church missions of the day wanted the best for these children.

Read news reports about Mr Giles’ statements:

I will remove neglected kids, says Chief, NT News, 14/5/2013.

NT Chief Minister Adam Giles says fears over Stolen Generation are causing child neglect, Daily Telegraph, 14/5/2013.

ACTION needed on same-sex 'marriage'!

Action is still urgently needed on the same-sex 'marriage' issue.

We still need to contact the Coalition about having a firm policy opposing same-sex 'marriage' and opposing a conscience vote!

The Greens are NOT giving up - they are planning to bring their same-sex 'marriage' bill to a vote on June 6.

The Australian reported last week, "The [Greens] party's sole lower house MP and deputy leader, Adam Bandt, has told Fairfax Media he will seek to have his Marriage Equality Amendment Bill brought on for a vote in the House of Representatives on June 6."

They are hoping for a vote - or at least getting MPs to declare their position prior to the election! Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has also talked about moving to get same-sex 'marriages' that are performed overseas legally recognised in Australia.

So ALL your MPs and Senators need a letter from you!

- Have you written your letter to Tony Abbott yet?

- Have you written to your local federal MP (if they are a Member of the Coalition?

- Have you written to your Liberal state Senators?

- Have you written to your Labor MP or Senators yet?

For those who have written, THANK YOU!

When you get a reply, follow it up!

If you DON'T get a REPLY, WRITE AGAIN!

For contact details for ALL federal MPs, click here.