OK, I was wrong. I have complained about the war against Christianity and how the secular state is squeezing it out of every part of the public arena. I have noted how the iron wall between church and state has resulted in Christians becoming second class citizens in their own Western nations.
But one counter-example has just appeared, so I guess I was wrong. It seems there is hope yet. It appears that there is a Melbourne Council which is actually using tax monies to fund Christian outreach and evangelism. So I guess the secular crusade against Christianity is not so bad after all. Indeed, read for yourself what the Darebin Council is advertising:
“Darebin Christians Reaching Out – Project Officer…
An opportunity exists within the Community Planning Partnerships and Performance Department for a motivated Project Officer. This is a temporary, full-time (38 hrs per week) position….
You will be responsible for implementing the Jesus Peace – Darebin’s Christian Reaching Out project, funded by the Federal Attorney General’s department.
You will be responsible for:
• Working in partnership with the Christian Society of Victoria to strengthen its role and effectiveness in organising events, dealing with the media, resolving conflicts, and managing stakeholders
• Developing and implementing activities that assist the Christian Society of Victoria to dispel myths and misconceptions about Christianity and Christians
• Organising a series of seminars and events around interfaith and intercultural dialogue targeting community members to learn about Christianity and its practices.”
Well, I guess there is hope after all for our secular society that the state and Christianity can peacefully co-exist and work together. I guess the wall of separation between church and state is not as bad as I had previously thought. Wow, that is such a relief…
Oops…
Oh, sorry, I just went back and reread that ad, and I actually made a minor mistake. All of the above information is completely true, but I misread ‘Islam’ for ‘Christianity’, and ‘Muslim’ for ‘Christian’. Hey, my mistake. So simply replace every Christian term in that ad with a Muslim term, and you will in fact have the real story.
So the Darebin Council is actually funding an evangelistic outreach with our tax dollars, but it is not Christian outreach, but Muslim dawah (mission). The Islamic Council of Victoria will get our big bucks, and you and I will be happily subsidising Islamic outreach in Melbourne and beyond. Aren’t you glad to know your tax dollars are going to such a vital cause?
Gee, for a moment there a few of you thought a ghastly thing was occurring: public monies being spent on Christian evangelism. Well, I am so glad I discovered my mistake. We can all now rest assured that Christianity will receive not one penny of taxpayers’ money. The strict separation of church and state will be fiercely maintained and enforced.
At least when it comes to Christianity. Evidently when it comes to Islam, our secular lefty Councils (and Federal Government) have absolutely no problem with cosy cooperation. I guess in our multiculti society, Christians dare not raise their heads in public, but we can all subsidise Islamic outreach, bringing mosque and state into real close alignment.
It is such a relief knowing that our vigilant secularists have not slipped up here. They are still fully committed to maintaining their policy of ugly anti-Christian bigotry. Maybe if Christians just changed their names to Muslims, they too could be the recipient of all this government help and promotion, and all those cool tax dollars.
11 Replies to “Church, State, and Religious Freedom”
Thanks Bill – I wonder if non-Muslims can apply for this position? I’ve sat through enough dawah lectures to know the ropes!
Vickie Janson
Yes quite right Vickie.
All those equal opportunity laws and anti-discrimination laws surely must come into play here. Obviously a Christian (or atheist, or Hindu) should not be discriminated against in applying for such a position. We are, after all, such a tolerant and multicultural society.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
Thanks Bill
We all know religious freedoms, especially for Christians are in danger everywhere. I got this from a Jewish friend off his facebook page.
I have some good news to report regarding government supporting Christian ministry in the local government area where I live.
The Moreton Bay Regional Council is the third largest council in Australia with a an area of 2000 sqkms and almost 400,000 population and still growing at a rapid rate. The Council involves itself in the Chapaincy Support Breakfast Program accross the entire council region. As far as I know the council does not give ratepayer’s money to the Chaplaincy Program but is very involved in the events to raise funds for the program as they obviously see this as beneficial to the children in schools that have Chaplains. The council’s website has details of these support breakfasts with positive comments about the Chaplaincy Program. It is most encouraging to Christians who live in the area. http://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/discover.aspx?id=70809
John Bell, North Lakes Qld
Bill,
Have any Christians with the Darebin Council area complained to the council that there is not a similar position for Christians? Taken them to the Anti-Discrimination Council – play ’em at their own game and at least expose them for their hypocrisy?
Graeme Cumming
A very good question indeed Graeme.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
Graeme, how can Christians complain to the council if they are asleep?
Roger Marks
Are all Christians asleep?
Is Roger asleep? Is Bill asleep? Hope, I’m not!
Maybe I am. Who was the prophet who complained to God that he was the only one left worshipping him and God replied there were several thousand(?) left who “had not bowed the knee to Baal.”
I’m just hoping there is one (1) left in the particular council area who is not asleep and has not bowed the knee to leftist secularism or Islam.
Graeme Cumming
Oops Bill, there actually is a University in US which has placed four Christian students on ‘provisional status’ after they were found to be non-compliant with the schools’ non discrimination policy. Vanderbilt University says the student organisations cannot require that leaders share the Christian groups’ beliefs, goals and values. It means an atheist could lead a Christian group, a Jew a Muslim (yeah right) group or vice versa. Among the groups threatened with shutdown is the Christian Legal Society because: Each officer is expected to lead Bible studies, prayer and worship at Chapter meetings.
Joan Davidson
The council is being very shifty about this. They declare in their council agenda notes that they have been “succcessful” in obtaining the grant – sounds as if they applied – yet when a ratepayer complained about the position at the council meeting, he was told the money was a federal initiative, as if the council was obliged to take it.
What is the truth?
Also, it seems ALL complaints about Muslim/non-Muslim relations received by the council have been from non-Muslim residents. Shouldn’t the council employ someone to teach the Muslims about Australian culture, and fitting in?
Hint: the mayor is evidently a Muslim.
Penny Gamlin
Thanks Bill – I wonder if non-Muslims can apply for this position? I’ve sat through enough dawah lectures to know the ropes!
Vickie Janson
Yes quite right Vickie.
All those equal opportunity laws and anti-discrimination laws surely must come into play here. Obviously a Christian (or atheist, or Hindu) should not be discriminated against in applying for such a position. We are, after all, such a tolerant and multicultural society.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
Thanks Bill
We all know religious freedoms, especially for Christians are in danger everywhere. I got this from a Jewish friend off his facebook page.
“Christians Fleeing Egypt, NGO Reports”
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/148329#.ToJ7JeykeSp
Carl Strehlow
I have some good news to report regarding government supporting Christian ministry in the local government area where I live.
The Moreton Bay Regional Council is the third largest council in Australia with a an area of 2000 sqkms and almost 400,000 population and still growing at a rapid rate. The Council involves itself in the Chapaincy Support Breakfast Program accross the entire council region. As far as I know the council does not give ratepayer’s money to the Chaplaincy Program but is very involved in the events to raise funds for the program as they obviously see this as beneficial to the children in schools that have Chaplains. The council’s website has details of these support breakfasts with positive comments about the Chaplaincy Program. It is most encouraging to Christians who live in the area.
http://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/discover.aspx?id=70809
John Bell, North Lakes Qld
Bill,
Have any Christians with the Darebin Council area complained to the council that there is not a similar position for Christians? Taken them to the Anti-Discrimination Council – play ’em at their own game and at least expose them for their hypocrisy?
Graeme Cumming
A very good question indeed Graeme.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
Graeme, how can Christians complain to the council if they are asleep?
Roger Marks
Are all Christians asleep?
Is Roger asleep? Is Bill asleep? Hope, I’m not!
Maybe I am. Who was the prophet who complained to God that he was the only one left worshipping him and God replied there were several thousand(?) left who “had not bowed the knee to Baal.”
I’m just hoping there is one (1) left in the particular council area who is not asleep and has not bowed the knee to leftist secularism or Islam.
Graeme Cumming
Oops Bill, there actually is a University in US which has placed four Christian students on ‘provisional status’ after they were found to be non-compliant with the schools’ non discrimination policy. Vanderbilt University says the student organisations cannot require that leaders share the Christian groups’ beliefs, goals and values. It means an atheist could lead a Christian group, a Jew a Muslim (yeah right) group or vice versa. Among the groups threatened with shutdown is the Christian Legal Society because: Each officer is expected to lead Bible studies, prayer and worship at Chapter meetings.
Joan Davidson
The council is being very shifty about this. They declare in their council agenda notes that they have been “succcessful” in obtaining the grant – sounds as if they applied – yet when a ratepayer complained about the position at the council meeting, he was told the money was a federal initiative, as if the council was obliged to take it.
What is the truth?
Also, it seems ALL complaints about Muslim/non-Muslim relations received by the council have been from non-Muslim residents. Shouldn’t the council employ someone to teach the Muslims about Australian culture, and fitting in?
Hint: the mayor is evidently a Muslim.
Penny Gamlin
This story has been covered by Ch. 7:
http://au.news.yahoo.com/today-tonight/lifestyle/article/-/10406568/spreading-the-word
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch