New Zealand is being ‘de-Christianised’

Over recent years New Zealand has experienced an unprecedented erosion of traditional Christian values at a political level. Some examples include:

§ Disconnecting New Zealand’s motherland ties to the Privy Council in favour of a politically appointed Supreme Court

How does this prove that New Zealand is being dechristianised? Since when does a countries link to their home colony prove the country is a Christian nation. Especially when the British role has been largely symbolic for the last goodness knows how many years. The queen reigns, but the power has always been with the New Zealand government. However I still fail to see the link between being linked to a colonial country and Christianity.

§ The fastest ever same-sex marriage laws to be introduced in the world
The Civil unions bill was introduced into the house in june 2003, had its first reading in parliament 28th June, 2004reading and and had its third reading 9 December 2004 when it was passed into law. a relatively short time if we look at bills such as that as the repeal of section 59.

However if we look at countries that also have same sex unions, in France equivalent law was introduced into the house in late 1998 and passed into law in November for the following year. In Portugal, civil unions were introduced for heterosexual couples at the end of July 1999, the legislation was amended 15 March 2001 to include same sex couples.

According to CIC, New Zealand was the fastest to pass these sort of laws, a total of 19 months from beginning to end. Even if the French bill was introduced in August of 1998. From beginning to end France took a grand total of 18 months. Portugal took 19 months. So according to CIC we were the fastest country in the world, yet with very little research I can find at least 2 countries that were quickeror at least the same as New Zealand. Ok, so point 2 pretty much refuted.

§ Legalised brothel keeping and prostitution

§ Underage abortions without parental knowledge or consent

I recall one case in the media where a 16year old girl obtained an abortion without her parents knowledge. However one case does not a precedent make.

§ Abortion on demand
Cant argue that one. However it would seem that the current approach the church is taking isnt too effective. We are supposed to be salt to the world, yet in 2005 the abortion rate was down from 2004. 2005: 17,530, 2004: 18,210, 2003: 18,510. Interestingly enough Bishop Brian Tamaki is still quoting 2003 figures in 2007. Despite the fact that more newer figures show a decrease in abortions.

§ Anti smacking legislation that undermines parental rights and gives increased power to the State

§ The Care of Children Bill aimed to eradicate the terms “husband” and “wife” from the Family Proceedings Act. References to the word “custody” were replaced with “day to day care,” thus removing the basic legal assumption that parents have “ownership” of their children. Section 17(2) of the first draft of the Bill defined a lesbian partner as a “father.”

Again, the terms mother and father are still mentioned in this act. Sections 17, 18, 19 make obvious use of the terms mother, and father. While section 17(2) of the draft bill may have defined a lesbian as father (which I doubt). Lets take a basic lesson in policy here folks. A bill does not become law, until after its voted on, after its third reading. It becomes formalized when the bill is given the royal assent by the Governor General. A draft bill is exactly that, it is not law.

All of these developments that are contrary to New Zealand’s traditional Christian values significantly weaken family structure and put more power in the hands of the State.