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Australia seems to be in a rush to catch Europe and the UK in punishing people for speaking what they believe to be true. For example: ‘Television host Sonia Kruger has become a poster girl for Far-Right groups in Australia after a vilification complaint was made against her when she called for an end to Muslim migration.
The groups claim the case against Kruger is an attack on free speech, and believe she is being persecuted for speaking her mind when she said during a segment on Channel Nine’s Today program in 2016 that there was a correlation between the number of terror attacks in a country, and the number of Muslim people who lived there.
“Personally I would like to see [Muslim migration] stopped now for Australia. Because I want to feel safe, as all of our citizens do, when they go out to celebrate Australia Day,” she said during the segment.
Muslim man Sam Ekermawi filed a racial vilification complaint against Kruger, which the New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal recently ruled will be given a full hearing.
What is unlawful vilification
Unlawful vilification is inciting hatred towards, serious contempt for, or severe ridicule of a person, or group of people, because of an attribute like their race, religion, ethnic origin, sexuality or gender identity.’ http://discriminationclaims.com.au/i-stand-with-sonia-tv-host-poster-girl-for-far-right/
This is the television spot that got Sonia into all this trouble.
Well, exactly what is vilification?
‘Definition of vilification
Vilification is inciting hatred towards, serious contempt for, or severe ridicule of a person, or group of persons, because of their race, religion, sexuality, or gender identity, by a public act.
Other definitions
Race can include a person’s colour, ethnicity or nationality, descent or ancestry.
Religion includes a belief system or the absence of a belief system.
Sexuality means heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality.
Gender identity means that a person identifies as a member of the opposite sex by living or seeking to live as a member of that sex, or is of indeterminate sex and seeks to live a member of a particular sex.
A public act is any form of communication to the public, such as speaking, writing, printing, displaying notices and messages on the internet and social media.
It also includes conduct observable by the public, including actions, gestures, wearing or display of clothing, signs, flags, emblems or insignia.
Incite means to urge on, stimulate or prompt action.
Hatred is an extreme or intense dislike or detestation.
Contempt is the attitude that someone is worthless or of little account, that involves looking down upon or treating that person as inferior.
Ridicule is to make fun of, deride or laugh at.’ http://discriminationclaims.com.au/vilification/
Now, consider the following which occurred under a Federal Labor Government in 2012.
‘ONE of the Muslim world’s best-known and most successful motivational speakers, Tareq Al Suwaidan, is about to start another tour of Australia, following a sell-out visit two years ago… His opening address, this Saturday, will be at the Robert Blackwood hall at Monash University in Melbourne, before further lectures in Melbourne and Sydney, finishing on June 18… Dr Suwaidan – who lectures in English in Australia – is a leader of the Muslim Brotherhood in Kuwait, and general manager of Al-Resalah (The Message), an Arabic language satellite TV station funded by Prince al-Waleed bin Talal of Saudi Arabia…. In an interview for Al-Quds, a TV station affiliated with Hamas, he said 10 weeks ago: “I can change the positions of some Westerners, but at the end of the day, power lies with the politicians, who are influenced by two things only: money and the media, both of which are controlled by the Jews. “So we must not rely on Western aid or on Western popular sympathy. These are minor things. We rely upon Allah and then upon our armed resistance in obtaining our rights.” He said his foremost cause is that of Palestine and Jerusalem. “The most dangerous thing facing the Muslims is not the (Arab) dictatorships. The absolutely most dangerous thing is the Jews. They are the greatest enemy.”‘ https://www.heraldsun.com.au/blogs/andrew-bolt/go-to-monash-uni-for-another-lecture-on-the-enemies-of-allah/news-story/6342761cdc7724ed9ca0a3c32e78c897
Sadly, in Australia the freedom of speech is only for a few; so it seems.
Acts 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
Recently I read a blurb from a Chapter of a new book titled I DON’T WANT TO BE CALLED A CHRISTIAN. In that Chapter, the author said “I think it’s too late to try to redefine the word Christian for our world. That ship has already sailed. It isn’t my passion or interest to turn the strong tide of our culture away from what they think of Christianity. Rather than change people’s language, I want them to see Jesus in me. I want to live in such a way that my neighbors will remark, “There is something different about you.” I want to respond to conflict the way Jesus would respond. I want to treat my wife and kids the way Jesus would treat them. I want to run my business affairs with the highest integrity—no cut corners, no white lies, no manipulation tactics.”
Shouldn’t all born-again believers desire for others to see the Lord Jesus in them? However, what the author is doing is throwing the baby out with the bathwater. In other words, one should not throw a good NAME like “Christian” out simply because you or others you know have not lived up to what you believe is the standard underlying the name Christian.
The fact is, the name Christian is a Biblical name given first to those believers in the local church at Antioch and it remained as a name for all who later trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour.
Allow a few quotations from three commentaries on this matter.
Barnes says that as the name Christian ‘…became the distinguishing name of the followers of Christ, it was worthy of record. The name was evidently given because they were the followers of Christ. But by whom, or with what views it was given, is not certainly known.’
‘It is, however, of little consequence whence the name originated. It soon became a name of reproach; and has usually been in all ages since, by the wicked, the gay, the licentious, and the ungodly. It is, however, an honoured name; the most honourable appellation that can be conferred on a mortal. It suggests at once to a Christian the name of his great Redeemer; the idea of our intimate relation to him; and the thought that we receive him as our chosen Leader, the source of our blessings, the author of our salvation, the fountain of our joys. It is the distinguishing name of all the redeemed.’
Barnes continues by saying ‘The name shall be had in remembrance when the names of royalty shall be remembered no more, and when the appellations of nobility shall cease to amuse or to dazzle the world.’
Adam Clarke’s Commentary states ‘It is evident they had the name Christians from CHRIST their master; as the Platonists and Pythagoreans had their name from their masters, Plato and Pythagoras. Now, as these had their name from those great masters because they attended their teaching, and credited their doctrines, so the disciples were called Christians because they took Christ for their teacher, crediting his doctrines, and following the rule of life laid down by him.’
Matthew Henry aptly says ‘…it is probable they called themselves so, incorporated themselves by that title, whether by some solemn act of the church or ministers, or whether this name insensibly obtained there by its being frequently used in their praying and preaching, we are not told; but it should seem that two such great men as Paul and Barnabas continuing there so long, being exceedingly followed, and meeting with no opposition, Christian assemblies made a greater figure there than anywhere, and became more considerable, which was the reason of their being called Christians first there, which, if there were to be a mother church to rule over all other churches, would give Antioch a better title to the honour than Rome can pretend to. Hitherto those who gave up their names to Christ were called disciples, learners, scholars, trained up under him, in order to their being employed by him; but henceforward they were called Christians.’
Matthew Henry continues ‘…they laid upon themselves, and all that should ever profess that name, a strong and lasting obligation to submit to the laws of Christ, to follow the example of Christ, and to devote themselves entirely to the honour of Christ–to be to him for a name and a praise. Are we Christians? Then we ought to think, and speak, and act, in everything as becomes Christians, and to do nothing to the reproach of that worthy name by which we are called; that that may not be said to us which Alexander said to a soldier of his own name that was noted for a coward, “Either change thy name or mend thy manners.” And as we must look upon ourselves as Christians, and carry ourselves accordingly, so we must look upon others as Christians, and carry ourselves towards them accordingly. A Christian, though not in everything of our mind, should be loved and respected for his sake whose name he bears, because he belongs to Christ.’
NOTE the above words in the second paragraph, “obligation” “submit” “follow” and “devote” are all directed to the Lord Jesus Christ after Whom the disciples were named Christians. Do these words fit into the lives of most professing Christians today? Matthew Henry sums it all up in the centre of that second paragraph by stating that our thinking, speaking, and actions should be befitting to that precious name Christian! Therefore, to be called a Christian is more than a simple profession but it is a life lived solely for Him!
Consequently, it must be said that IT IS NOT THE NAME “CHRISTIAN” THAT IS AT FAULT BUT THOSE WHO CLAIM THE NAME. Sadly, many born-again believers are not living as a born-again child of God should live and then there are some who claim the name but have never been born again!
The conclusion of the matter is that born-again believers should continue to use the name Christian but make sure ‘that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called”.
The following article is typical of Political Correctness and the anti-God mentality of many people.
‘The launch of Explorer 1, America’s first satellite, was a pivotal event in American history. After the Russian scare with Sputnik 1 and 2, and the fiery loss of the US Navy’s attempt to launch their Vanguard satellite, the Army succeeded with a JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) satellite blasted into orbit atop Wernher von Braun’s Jupiter-C rocket. Most of the space pioneers from that day, January 31, 1958, have passed on, but one important player remains: Dr Henry Richter. At age 91, he is still sharp and a NASA V.I.P. Earlier this year he spoke at JPL on the 60th anniversary of Explorer 1.
I am honored to consider Dr Richter a very special friend. I took this picture of him on
January 30, 2008, the eve of JPL’s 50th Anniversary celebration for Explorer 1. He was speaking in the JPL Library for its ‘JPL Stories’ series, giving his eyewitness account of that fateful month that had catapulted JPL into national fame and led to the birth of NASA. Back in 2003, I had heard Dr William Pickering speak here. Pickering was JPL Director in those days. He died the following year.
Behind him, Dr Richter had supplied numerous photos, documents and charts from his collection. His memory and his research gives his published memoir an exceptional look into the space race. Titled America’s Leap Into Space: My Time at JPL and the First Explorer Satellites,2 Dr Richter’s book is a valuable resource for space historians. And now, on January 31, 2018, he was guest of honor at JPL once again, to speak and sign copies of his book.
How did a man of his eminence get to know little old me? I got a surprise phone call one day about 2006 or 2007. He said he had read some of my articles from the Institute for Creation Research (ICR) about astronomy, and wanted to meet me. We set up a time to chat during the lunch hour. When I found out who he was, I nearly fell off my chair! About 78 at the time, Dr Henry Richter was humble and gracious, and told me how he had come to know the Lord after he left the lab, and was now a firm believer in creation. By that 50th Anniversary celebration day in January 2008, we were good friends, and I was glad to see him honored by the lab for his achievements. A few months later, he would be in Washington DC to be honored with all the surviving JPL Directors.
History of a recent kind
Now that you know a little about Dr Henry Richter, let me tell how he came into my story. I used to be Team Leader working on computer systems for NASA’s Cassini project to Saturn. He learned about the trouble I had gotten into in March 2009 for sharing intelligent design DVDs with co-workers. I had told him how my boss yelled at me that I was “pushing religion” and had shouted, “Intelligent design is religion!” He learned how my boss immediately called Human Resources (HR), who began an investigation of me, based on one complaint by a co-worker who had told my boss—but not me—that she “felt harassed” by the DVD. Richter learned that I had been disciplined and demoted a month later, and was given a Written Warning declaring that I had violated JPL’s policies on Unlawful Harassment and its Ethics policy by sharing my “personal views” expressed in the DVDs. He also knew I was pursuing internal remedies but was getting nowhere. On his own initiative, he decided to intervene.
You may have heard how this matter escalated into a court trial in 2012 against JPL, supported by the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF). Unfortunately, I lost the case when the sitting judge ruled against me with no explanation. The details are explained in Dr Jerry Bergman’s new book, Censoring the Darwin Skeptics (Leafcutter Press, 2018).3
In my court documents (Exhibit 125), there is a private letter Dr Henry Richter had written to the Deputy Director at the time, Gen. Eugene Tattini. Richter was obviously well known by the JPL administrators, and had an especially good relationship with Tattini. Here is what he wrote on June 9:
General T:
The David Coppedge matter
Maybe five months ago Mr Coppedge was informed of a complaint against him accusing him of pushing religion at people. David is one of us that believes the Universe is no accident, call it Intelligent Design or Creation.
It has been my experience that David does not push ideas or dogma. What he does is to have a supply of DVDs such as The Privileged Planet, Ben Stein’s Expelled, No Intelligence Allowed, and others when asked for them. His offer of materials is done off line, not during business activities. Someone was evidently offended by his practice and a complaint was filed. David has tried to go through the JPL HR policies as to what is acceptable, and to find his recourse at this point. Listening to him, the HR people do not seem to understand even their own policies. For example, there is an appeal process, but no one in HR knows how to file it.
He has essentially been demoted. He says there are no complaints about his technical work on the Cassini Mission. The accusation is one of violating political correctness. His Section Chief has had a couple meetings with him, but it seems like the meeting was “because he was supposed to,” not anything with substance. I feel a real injustice is going on. An incident such as this would not have happened when I was employed at the Lab, but this is a new political scene. It seems freedom of speech and action do not apply universally.
[signed] Henry
A plea for a fair hearing
“Well,” you may be thinking. “This had to make an impression on JPL’s top brass! HR investigator Huntley and her bosses probably stood up and took notice of this!” It would be like receiving a statement from John Glenn or Wernher von Braun. To think so, however, would be to underestimate the intolerance of JPL for political incorrectness. Notice that Dr Richter was not asking for favors for a friend, but for justice. So what notice did this hot letter receive?
Undoubtedly Tattini was alarmed when he read it. Richter told me he knew about the documentary Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed which documents persecution of Darwin doubters and ID supporters, and liked its narrator, Ben Stein. But he did what administrators typically do: keep out of departmental business and let them do their jobs. At document discovery over a year later, we found out what happened to the letter. The HR manager scribbled on it, saying, simply, “Tattini received this letter. No action necessary. Just add it to Coppedge file.” On they went, continuing to violate my rights and their own policies. The outcome—the investigation, lawsuit, firing, trial and loss—I have documented in previous posts on my blog.4 Not even a NASA V.I.P could help me.’ https://creation.com/nasa-vip?utm_campaign=infobytes_au&utm_content=Fired+for+discussing+Intelligent+Design+at+work%21&utm_medium=email&utm_source=mailing.creation.com&utm_term=AU+Fortnightly+Digest+-+2018.07.06
