Are we as Christians that insecure in our faith that we are threatened by a statement that says, New Zealand has no state religion?", But also how do we hope to make any difference in a hurt and broken world. With events like the CIC and Destiny march at Waitangi, do we come across as actually giving a dam about the world, or as a bunch of whinny intolerant Christians. The news snippet of Brian Tamaki was nothing but vitriol, the man does not speak for New Zealand as a whole, heck, he doesn't even speak for all of christiandem as a whole.
One of my pet rants, is the utter drivel out there about occult practices, there are a few, which are good, however the biggest percentage are just that drivel. Anyhow after the spirituality week at uni, I decided that when I want to know about another religon, I will go to members of that religon and ask. Met a nice young Hare Krishna today, and had a chance to put it into action. While I may think that a large number of Gods people are wack jobs, I'm still 100% for God as I know him and I have no interest in converting. Its really interesting to find out what other people believe.
Labels: Brian Tamaki, National Statement on religous diversity, Waitangi
There were 17,5000 abortions in New Zealand last year, yet no one marches to protest against that.
The muppets came out in protest against the repeal of section 59
513 people died by suicide, but yet no body was out marching then.
The Muppets also came out in protest about the civil unions bill.
Between 20 November 2005 and 3 January 2006, six women were killed by their partners or previous partners - leaving 19 children orphaned. During December 2005 and January 2006, NZ Police attended nearly 11,000 instances of reported family violence - this is about one incident every eight minutes.
No one was out protesting about that.
Its so nice to see that the churches have their priorities straight
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
§ Removing legal terms specific to traditional marriage in existing law, such as “husband,” “wife” and “marriage,” which involved amending up to 1000 provisions in over 100 existing Acts to give same sex marriages equal status, benefits and recognition to the traditional ‘marriage.’
Dont even get me started on this one. The marriage bill 1951 which is the current legislation that governs marriage, however yet it still carries references to husband and wife. Part 5, section 31 carries references to husband and wife.
(a)
“I AB, take you CD, to be my legal wife or husband”; or
(b)
(c)
The current version of this legislation can be found here. Schedule 2 of the same act, also carries many mentions of the terms husband and wife. Section 67 of the same act also covers what sections of the act have been repealed, yet there is no mention of the terms wife and husband in that list of repealments.
§ 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.
Now perhaps my standards are higher, having been a student, and needing to reference and back up everything I write. This article, is the most badly researched and down right in factual article I have ever had the misfortune to read. To those of City Impact, who still check on this blog site, do yourselves a favor and check your sources before you publically endorse articles. Because badly written and untrue articles just make you all look really stupid.
I hit one of thee today, not a literal wall, more of a figurative one. R walked into class mouthing off about yesterdays performance and how she didnt want to see all these showoffs and generally bitching and moaning.I hit the wall, had to get up and walk out because I knew that if I didnt, the likelihood of explosion was imminent.
Went out tonight, didn't really want to go, but figured I should push myself, and to be blunt am really glad I went, some parts were a bit painful however all in all, it was good
Labels: Wall
Was off to my sisters tonight for her birthday. Stopped in at the devonport New World to get her a block of chocolate to go with her birthday card and decided instead to get her a potted plant, because the store had some nice cyclamens. Anyhow, got it alright, got out to the car, got in the car and made it to my sisters.At my sisters got out of the car, took the keys out of the ignition, hit the door lock as I usually do, had put the plant on top of the car, and shut the door.
It wasn't till I went to go and get my map book for my mum and I couldn't find my keys went out to the car and lo and behold there were my keys sitting on the front seat of the car.
I could have cried. It was the first time I'd ever done it, and while we tried to get in via the door I had left the windown slightly down on, but alas no it was not to be. However luckily my sister had lots of unused AA callouts.
Labels: Birthday, Blonde Moment, Sisters
However its also very simplistic and in all reality would likely not work. By removing a parents benefit, because they or their partner are gang members or associates, ignores whether that couple have children. If they have children, by not allowing a parent to receive a benefit or other welfare help based on whether they are gang members is contrary to the United Nations contention on the rights of the child, particularly in contradiction to section 2 & 3, which states that a crown authority may not discriminate against a child based on the status of their parent.
The government are insisting on pushing the anti smacking bill, I wonder if they will really try and push this one?
Labels: Black Power, Micheal Laws, Mongrel Mob, Whanganui
Yes folks, I've been to a gay church a grand total of about three times in the last 12 months. It was quite an enjoyable experience. I don't know how they reconcile being gay and being a Christian, there are those who would say that a person can not be gay and be a Christian. I don't believe the issue is as cut and dry as all that.
The first time I went was apart of the Inner City Exposure Course, it was at a time when I was really struggling with the crap from my old church, and for such a bunch of "rotten hell bound sinners, it was amazing how strongly the presence of God was in that Church. They are an incredible bunch of people, who are committed to the great comission. More so than many mainstream churches.
Labels: blackmail, gay church, Vitriol