Finally, Some Leaders With Guts and Common Sense

In the past two days two prominent Labor personalities have come out crystal clear on the idiocy of Labor’s move to the loony left, and its subservience to the Greens on issues like same-sex marriage. Both have guts, common sense, and a strong moral compass. I just wish many more of our leaders – including church leaders – would be like this.

Yesterday in the Australian former heavyweight Labor leader Barry Cohen blasted his own party for their reckless direction and their dereliction of duty. The former Hawke Government minister pulled no punches when he stated that a “tsunami-sized backlash on same-sex marriage looms”.

He said in part: “Anyone wondering why the Labor Party is having a lean time need only to have watched the federal conference to understand why. With the world on the brink of another global financial crisis, the representatives of the workers decided that the issue of the day was whether Bruce and Bob or Barbara and Betty could marry. I tried to imagine the reactions of John Curtin, Ben Chifley or Arthur Calwell. I doubt they would have been impressed.”

He continued, “I believe that marriage is between a man and a woman – full-stop. Neither my first lady nor I will budge on this and we will vote accordingly. Why? Because we believe that marriage as now defined is the basis for family life and has been for thousands of years. We want it to remain so.

“We are told everyone has the ‘right’ to marry whomsoever they wish. In fact, the ‘progressives’, as they like to describe themselves, seem to believe that they have a ‘right’ to do whatever they wish. Rights apply only to them. Does anyone have a right to have sexual relations with a 13 year old? Not when I last looked. How about polygamy and four wives or husbands. Not now, but give the “progressives” time and I have no doubt it will be proclaimed as another ‘right’. We don’t want to discriminate, do we? I could continue to list many other examples, but I’m sure you discern my drift.

“Moving forwards, as the ‘progressives’ like to say, let us ponder for a moment how human rights will affect our education system. How long will it be before the ‘progressives’ insist sex education be expanded to incorporate the glories of homosexuality and how to imbibe safely. Some will say, ‘Oh, that’s going too far.’ Some will, but others will demand it.

“Imagine dad’s reaction when little Johnny describes in graphic detail what happened in his sex education class. Choke is the word that comes to mind. Once heterosexuality and homosexuality are considered ‘natural’, how can it be otherwise?”

Quite right Barry. He concludes in this fashion: “They are in for the shock of their lives. Wait until mainstream Australians grasp the full implications of the changes they propose, particularly when you have the likes of the loveable senator Doug Cameron leading the charge. He’ll turn off half the population on his own.

“Sadly, instead of concentrating on the issues that concern the average Australian, delegates devoted the conference to gay marriage and uranium sales to India. You can imagine how impressed the workers of the outer suburbs of our major cities were. Expect a backlash of tsunami proportions. Let the battle begin.”

He is not alone. The sister of Kevin Rudd, Loree, has put her money where her mouth is and has actually quit the Labor Party. As reported in today’s Age: “Kevin Rudd’s sister has quit the Australian Labor Party, saying she cannot back a party that supports ‘homosexuals marrying’. Loree Rudd, 61, said she sent the letter to her Nambour branch last week after a policy shift at the ALP National Conference on December 3.

“Delegates voted to change the party policy from opposing to supporting gay marriage, with Labor MPs and senators granted a conscience vote when a bill is considered in parliament. ‘I knew I didn’t want to stay in a party if that was their stand,’ she said. ‘It’s not something I believe in and it’s also the way it happened that I dislike. I no longer liked the direction the Labor Party was going at state or federal level and I couldn’t work for a party that had endorsed homosexuals marrying’.”

She had earlier released a press statement when the homosexual Civil Union Bill passed the Queensland Parliament. It said in part: “I care deeply about the future of the ALP, the church and society. Earlier this year I highlighted the force of intimidation aimed at those who spoke out against homosexual marriage.  We are speaking out … because God’s laws of love demand it – for Labor and all political parties, for our nation and her people.

“Any political party that dismantles the laws of God will receive correction.  Any church that fails to proclaim the laws of God will likewise receive correction.  It is much easier for church and state to work together for the benefit of all.

“Jesus commanded us to love God and love one another. When we are breaking God’s laws we aren’t loving ourselves, let alone anyone else. Jesus came to set us free from sin and give us the Holy Spirit to enable us to live holy, happy lives.”

It is a real pity her brother does not have the same solid Christian conviction and backbone. He seems to be in an altogether different league from his sister. It’s a real pity really. Barry and Loree should be running our country, not Julia and Kevin (and Bob).

And there is good news today out of the Opposition camp. Tony Abbott has declared that there will not be a conscience vote on this issue. As reported in the media: “The shadow cabinet resolved yesterday to back Mr Abbott by not changing Coalition policy and to not allow a conscience vote when the matter comes before Parliament next year. It is understood there was robust discussion in yesterday’s meeting with up to seven shadow ministers speaking in support of a conscience vote.

“On Sunday, Mr Abbott killed off any prospect of a conscience vote and stressed he would not approve of people crossing the floor, even though it was their right. He said the Coalition promised before the last election to continue to oppose gay marriage and all his MPs should remember that, regardless of their personal views.”

Of course this is not to suggest that things are all sweetness and light in the Coalition. There are turncoats like Turnbull, and a handful of other small-l liberals who might as well join the Labor Party. But fortunately Tony has the courage of his convictions and will not be ratting out on the Australian people as Julia has done.

All three individuals are of course coming under a huge and ugly attack by the militant gaystapo. One simply has to read the poisonous and hate-drenched comments under the Age article for example to see the real demonic rage which emanates from this camp.

So I encourage all of you to support these three courageous and principled individuals. They certainly need our support at this time. They deserve heaps of praise, especially considering that most of our church leaders and celebrity pastors are not saying a word on this. They ought to be ashamed of themselves.

Most of these leaders who claim to be Christians are far too concerned about raking in the praises of men (and raking in their members’ hard-earned bucks). They should be shouting from the roof tops and their pulpits what God’s design for human sexuality and marriage is all about.

Instead, most remain silent – deathly silent. They are gutless wonder who will face the music one day. As Alan Sears has written recently, “It doesn’t take courage to ride the wave of support for same-sex ‘marriage.’ It takes courage to stand against the surging tide.”

And as A.A. Hodge once said, “It is easier to find a score of men wise enough to discover the truth than to find one intrepid enough, in the face of opposition, to stand up for it”. Or as Leonard Ravenhill put it, “God-centered men are the need of this hour, not men who want power to strut, nor power to call the world’s attention to their ‘great’ ministries. We need God-endued men whom hell fears.”

Barry Cohen, Loree Rudd and Tony Abbott have taken a stand for what is right and what is true. Will you?

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/opinion/tsunami-sized-backlash-on-same-sex-marriage-looms/story-e6frgd0x-1226219405689
http://www.theage.com.au/queensland/kevin-rudds-sister-quits-labor-over-gay-marriage-policy-20111213-1os44.html
http://www.smh.com.au/national/abbott-wins-the-day-on-gay-marriage-vote-20111212-1ori3.html
http://townhall.com/columnists/alansears/2011/08/18/outing_the_wildflower_inn

[1415 words]

60 Replies to “Finally, Some Leaders With Guts and Common Sense”

  1. I suspected you would write an article about this today. Well said.

    Annette Nestor

  2. Thanks Annette

    When good people have the backbone to stand up and be counted, despite all the hatred and abuse they will inevitably receive, they deserve all the recognition, praise and support we can give them.

    Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch

  3. A lot of sense, Barry Cohen was a principled minister in his day.

    Graeme Rule

  4. I don’t have Loree’s email address. Hmmm, I wonder if Mr. Rudd would forward an email to his sister for me?

    Annette Nestor

  5. It is good to hear of at least a few people with sound conviction.
    In another article in today’s ‘AGE’, it was reported that a number of other liberal mps (aside from Turnbull), including Chris Pyne, George Brandis, Bruce Billson, Joe Hockey and Greg Hunt argued a case for a free vote on gay marriage.
    Maybe they need to be reminded what political integrity is and not take their cues from the Labor party and the PC media?

    Every politician who plans to support gay marriage needs to be ‘outted’ so that Australians know exactly who and what they are voting for when they support them.
    Do not be mislead into thinking that the liberal party is far different from labor – the Greens are also boasting today that they are pretty confident they will have the numbers to pass gay marriage legislation even without a conscience vote as many liberal mp’s have said they will cross the floor on this.

    http://www.theage.com.au/national/turnbull-follows-party-line-against-gay-marriage-laws-20111212-1orie.html

    Even though Mr Abbott has shown strength on this, there may be many turncoats (as those listed above) within the liberal party on this – no time for complacency.

    Annette Williams

  6. Thanks Annette

    Yes quite right. There are plenty of worries about the Coalition as well. We are guaranteed nothing here. So we must all write to our MPs and keep them on the straight and narrow. There certainly is no room for complacency here.

    Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch

  7. Nice piece about the “Gaystapo”! They are indeed a militant bunch, ultimately wanting us all to accept that their abnormal behavior is normal. Well, it isn’t, so keep the message coming.
    Ariel Roberts

  8. Brilliant article 😀 Who knew I would ever cheer for Labor pollies! By jove there IS a GOD 😉 I’m so encouraged to see there are some men & women of integrity standing up!!

    Does anyone have contact details for Loree Rudd? I can’f find them and I want to write to her.

    God Bless,

    Julie Downs

  9. A reminder of what ?Kim Beazley Sr. said at a WA Labor state conference in 1970, “When I joined the Labor Party, it contained the cream of the working class. But as I look about me now all I see are the dregs of the middle class. And what I want to know is when you middle class perverts are going to stop using the Labor Party as a spiritual spitoon.”

    Col Maynard, Sydney NSW

  10. Thanks for the link Mark.

    Yes people like Andrew Bolt with homosexual relations can often go quiet or wimp out on these issues. Andrew has been good to a point on this issue, at least on SSM. Others really wimp out. But some hold the line. Of course we love any family member whatever they get into, but one can stand against destructive behaviours and dead-end lifestyles nonetheless.

    Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch

  11. Dear Bill, It seems the A.L.P.has become an immoral Party.
    Regards, Franklin Wood

  12. What would happen if soccer fans decided they wanted to rename Australia rules Football “Soccer” on the basis of equality and human rights? The avid Australian Rules followers in Victoria and the rest of Australia would just laugh at such a ridiculous proposal and tell them to go and take a hike and have a cold shower.

    Marriage is what it is and cannot be changed. Marriage is between a man and a woman excluding all others for life. They are the rules of the game. They have been the rules for thousands of years. If you don’t like the rules go and play another game but don’t call it Marriage. Loree Rudd is a courageous woman of character and conviction who should be applauded by every fair minded Australian for pointing out the obvious. Unfortunately the Labor Party once the defender of working families is now betraying them for the sake of the inner city elites. Is it any wonder that there membership is shrinking so rapidly.

    Warwick Marsh

  13. Yes quite right Warwick.

    I find myself quite often returning to this fantastic quote uttered by Kim Beazley Sr at the WA Labor state conference in 1970, in which he blasted his comrades for this movement toward insanity and chaos:

    “When I joined the Labor Party, it contained the cream of the working class. But as I look about me now all I see are the dregs of the middle class. And what I want to know is when you middle class perverts are going to stop using the Labor Party as a spiritual spitoon.”

    Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch

  14. Another Liberal hero:

    “Liberal senator Cory Bernardi has said he would no more want to change the definition of marriage as between a man and a woman than ‘redefine a cat as a dog’. Senator Bernardi said those pushing gay marriage were either ‘self-interested individuals who want it for themselves or for someone close to them, or they are radical counterculture movements like the Greens’.”

    http://www.theage.com.au/national/gay-marriage-blast-20111209-1oo4r.html

    Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch

  15. Seen this Bill?

    “There is a moral and ethical question in all of this,” retired teacher Ben Seebaran said on Simpson’s radio show. “Society has evolved in such a way that those who do not subscribe to the view that gay marriages or differences in sexual orientations are quite acceptable, are made to feel less of a human being.”

    This is a moral question, I agree. Just as the black civil rights movement changed the rules of what is and isn’t acceptable for racism, the gay rights movement is shifting norms in Canada. And with that comes a message to those who won’t evolve: your outdated morals are no longer acceptable, and we will teach your kids the new norms.

    http://www.xtra.ca/public/Vancouver/Left_behind-10922.aspx

    Another voice suggesting what’s in line for our children, as well as an insightful remark about evolving morality.

    Gerard Calilhanna

  16. I am utterly amazed in the best way by what Loree Rudd said in the press release. Not only does she stand up for heterosexual marriage only, but she preaches the gospel! Wow!
    Kathy Scott

  17. Having read Gerard’s comments, Bill do you know what organisation passes what is allowable in our schools sex education classes? These classes are where our young people get “taught” what is right and wrong sexually. A bunch of emails their way would be good.

    Mark Lambert

  18. Mark,

    We also need to have an organized campaign like the gays do — committed people, for the long haul. Throwing a few jabs and lobbing emails here and there is going to make little or no difference in the long run.

    Ariel Roberts

  19. Yes quite right Ariel.

    This is a long term war, so we need a long-term commitment to win. We must be careful that we do not get lulled into inaction because we have once signed a petition, or some such thing. That is a good start, but it will take far more than that to have some victories here.

    Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch

  20. Those words of Kim Beazley Snr I sent to Anthony Albanese and said they summed up the government he is a member of very succinctly and correctly.
    No response, but what would you expect from a bloke who can only fight dirty in the parliament.
    Wayne Pelling

  21. Thanks for taking a stand Wayne. No, it is not surprising that he refused to reply to you. They are spineless wonders who have destroyed their own Party.

    Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch

  22. The labor party could learn a thing or two about democracy from Tony Abbot. At least we know he won’t sell out the electorate.

    Peter Sanderson, Adelaide

  23. Thanks Harvey for the link. It is a good one to send around about the gay agenda infiltrating Massachusetts.
    I would encourage others to pass on as far and wide as possible too.
    Annette Williams

  24. Yes absolutely right Annette

    This should be sent to everyone we know. It is a powerful wake-up call and warning as to what is ahead for all of us if we don’t wake from our slumber.

    Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch

  25. For those wanting to understand **how** to refute the gay agenda’s emotional appeal, and in specific reference to the recent Iowa YouTube video that apparently went viral, I would recommend that you spend 20 minutes watching the videos on this page:

    http://thinkchristianly.blogspot.com/2011/12/answering-zach-wahls-case-for-same-sex.html

    The really are good reasons why gay “marriage” is bad for culture as http://www.str.org apologist Alan Shlemon shows in his videos.

    Ariel Roberts.

  26. Hi Bill,

    I have been thinking about writing a letter to my Federal MP for a while. The reasons I haven’t have been a few things. I am 90% sure she is a supporter of Gay Marriage so I don’t think she will listen anyway. I also don’t know how to write it and I want to keep it religiously neutral except for one sentence saying I am a Christian. Also I am afraid I could be too personally attacking, which would defeat the purpose. Through the help of one retired pastor and my current one I will try and compose an appropriate letter come February 2012. I don’t know what else I can do.

    Carl Strehlow

  27. Mark Lambert
    I had the same question a few weeks ago, because my daughter will start sex ed next year. Well it turns out, the school sent a letter home asking for our permission, and we said no, end of story. In the mean time, we’ve been educating ourselves about the sex ed in schools through this web site,
    http://drjudithreisman.org/
    Daniel Kempton

  28. Carl, watch the video link I provided. Alan shows how to argue the case **without** using the Bible.

    Note also that marriage is not a Christian-only celebration. It is across all cultures. Why? Christians can answer this by saying that all cultures at their heart are created by God and designed to be relational (as the Godhead is…) and to follow the blueprint laid down by their creator.

    Ariel Roberts

  29. When my daughter was 13 she attended a Christian high school. A doctor and nurse came to the school to teach the children sex ed. Months later she told me that the doctor told the kids that although SA law states you cannot have sex until 17 yrs of age they can have sex “just make sure they are no more than 3-4 yrs older or younger than you” He then went on to include homosexual sex act info. into the class. and to let them know where to get free contraception.

    Gross corruption of our children disguised as education already goes on. Just image what they will be telling our children if they pass gay marriage laws.

    The teachers supported this!! Needless to say my child does not attend this ‘Christian’ school any longer.

    Julie Downs

  30. If we pray as though everything depends on God, and work as though everything depends on us, and do not succumb to complacency, might I venture to suggest that the ALP/Greens/Secular Humanists are on a loser here. We know that, at the recent ALP conference, the vote in favour of ‘a conscience vote on SSM in the parliament’ was 208 to 184 (or 53%). The latest electoral survey shows that the ALP is polling at 43% on a two-party preferred basis. Putting these together, and remembering that intense pressure will be exerted on candidates in marginal seats to vote against SSM, it all hinges on whether Abbott can get the Coalition to hold the line. If he can, as press reports seem to suggest, then a resounding victory 77%-23% will be achieved by our side.
    Reminds one a bit of Joshua and Jericho doesn’t it!
    Dunstan Hartley

  31. Good one from my favorite politician Cory Bernardi:
    Abraham Lincoln once ask a heckler this question.
    How many legs does a cow have?
    Answer Four.
    Lincoln: So if you call her tail a leg how many does she have?
    Answer Five.
    Lincoln: Wrong, you can call a tail a leg all you like but it still remains a tail whatever you think.
    You can call a homosexual union a marriage all you like but it will still be a lying abomination.

    Rob Withall

  32. Bill,
    Thanks again for another timely article. You may benefit from reading the speeches of the Queensland Leader of the ‘principled’ Katter’s Australian Party. At the time of the Civil Union Bill he gave the shortest speech in Parliament’s history, “Mr Speaker, marriage is between a man and a woman.” Speaking the same truth in his 40 second speech on surrogacy.
    It is worth reading the 21 principles all candidates sign on to in this new political party that aims to re-instate truth and democracy.
    Luke McLindon

  33. May I suggest that in our daily prayers we ask for the protection of the precious blood of Jesus over our politicians, and that we surround them with the light of the cross. We can ask also for the powerful intervention of the Holy Spirit to guide their decisions. We are engaged in spiritual warfare and trusting prayer, invoking God’s infinite power, is our mightiest weapon.I know I’m talking to the converted but reminders don’t hurt.
    Anna Cook

  34. Hi Bill,
    thank you for keeping us informed and having the guts to speak out as you do, I work in community care and can tell you I have not come across anyone who supports same sex marriage, as with 8 out of 10 of my friends do not support it and this is non christian people, how do you get this across to the labour party that they are supporting something we dont want.
    Regards, Debbie McKenzie

  35. Dunstan: Actually it’s not much like Joshua vs Jericho, because that was totally impossible, but in our case it is closer to 50:50. Perhaps the situation is closer to Joshua vs Ai, where we are going off to war oblivious to the things that are so out-of-kilter.
    The last few decades have seen Christianity absolutely decimated, the complete opposite to the string of victories the Israelites achieved under Joshua .
    And it’s no wonder we are getting slammed. Modern Christianity is populated with hundreds of Achins. From the Achin of covetousness we got materialism and debt. From the Achin of sexual permissiveness a generation ago we now have perversions rammed in everyone’s face, unholy living has allowed room for weird fascinations with zombies, boring (i.e.lazy) Christianity has let the door open for people seeking action in the form of new age – which has now thoroughly morphed into witchcraft … etc etc
    As Christians we dropped the ball long ago, and now we’re hoping to stand up against the army of Ai? We can’t even seem to contain our own divorce rate, or even manage to discern that Harry Potter is not good for our (own) children. This is nothing like the army of Israel under Joshua. Just think, with thousands of soldiers, only 1 Isaelite stole anything!
    However, I am not throwing up my hands in surrender. I would turn to the Biblical parallels where a remnant stood up and changed history – Like the small group of believers who “filled Jerusalem with their teaching” and “turned world upside down” in what they did and taught. (Acts 5:27,17:6)
    “Didding” especially…
    And to do this we have to be hated, and blamed for stuff we didn’t do, and misquoted, and attacked, … Hmmm come to think of it, the Church in Iraq might fit the Joshua vs Jericho quite nicely…
    But not us. Not yet anyway…
    Tim Lovett

  36. Thanks Bill – I purchased the book you recommended by Dr Grossman and it is excellent. Very scary but essential reading. It appears that just about every week we are seeing at least one news story about how many children are suffering because of early sexual activity and the proposed answer is always to start sex education earlier.
    Too many people will consider this to be an acceptable answer – after reading Dr Grossmans book- it is clearly not the answer, it is the problem.

    This article is from last Sunday.
    http://www.heraldsun.com.au/opinion/editorials/our-children-must-be-protected-from-sex-and-pregnancy/story-e6frfhqo-1226218993389

    Annette Williams

  37. Bill, thank you for your articles, but let’s get this straight the Labour Party is an anti God party…Full of so called political correctness, yes they shun the real issues of the day and major on the minors…Righteousness exalts a nation as the bible says sin is shame, shame..to all nations…They will reap what they sow…God’s Blessing be with you at this CHRISTMAS time…
    John Martin

  38. Praise and thanks be to God for Barry Cohen, Loree Rudd and Tony Abbott. Christians need to pray for their protection and for the Lord to raise up more leaders like them.
    Marilyn Cespedes

  39. Thanks Marilyn

    Yes absolutely, let’s keep these heroes in our prayers. And let’s also pray for the current political leadership. I believe a quite acceptable and biblical prayer for them would be that God would either improve them or remove them.

    Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch

  40. Dear Bill, I happened to hear Loree Rudd over talkback on ABC radio when she rang to let the public know of her resignation from the Labour Party & why. She was speaking to John Faine who had difficulty in believing she could possibly do such a weird thing & her reasons given (concerning Christian beliefs) were totally beyond him. At one stage he made the comment that you are not in favour of progress then; and her reply was that SSM had nothing whatsoever to do with progress as it was an historical fact that, in the days of the Roman Empire, it was known to be officially operating in society. I remember (long ago!) at school being taught that the shocking moral depravity of the Roman Empire was one of the major causes of their total downfall. & I prayed at the time that many other listeners would remember that also. Loree certainly expressed herself very well indeed.
    June Westbury

  41. Many thanks for that June. Yes she is a superstar who deserves all our support and all our prayers. She is being attacked mercilessly for speaking truth, and we must stand along with her.

    Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch

  42. Thank you Tim, I was going to make a similar comment like “people in the persecuted church lay down their physical life every day for the great honour and privilege of being known by Christ’s name and here we feel we have to muster up courage to defend traditional marriage?” Hello!! even non-Christians do that, louder than us at times. We must get the persecution we deserve or maybe need in order to work out our priorities. Jesus said don’t be afraid, He is with us and will be especially in persecution, for we are assured in Psalm 23 that when we go through the valley of the shadow of death, He is with us. That is all we need to know
    I haven’t heard John Murphy’s name mentioned yet, he also stood up against the ssm lobby and his comments were even reported on the ABC.
    Many blessings
    Ursula Bennett

  43. Bill, mind if I have that phone number of Loree Rudd’s as well? I would love to congratulate her.
    Steve Davis

  44. I’m so pleased to see people having the courage to speak about this. it seems everyone who expresses a view against homosexuality is trampled and ridiculed by the media and gaystapo lobbies. Instead religious groups are viewed with contempt and news shows while crying out for “gay rights” engage in attacks on the Christianity and the church, Islam bashing and God denying – I wish religion was as defended as gays are. Legalisation of homosexuality has already set a precedent for all other sexual deviants: soon enough incestuous couples will establish a lobby and use the gay marriage precedent to argue they also ‘are consenting couples who are in love, serve in the army, pay taxes etc’ and are therefore entitled to be recognised by law just like homosexuals are. The claim that “80%” of Australians support gay marriage is a blatant lie. If this were in any way true political parties would have legalised it long ago to appease people.
    Miriam Alaeddine

  45. Also I would very much like to write to Loree Rudd to thank her and let her know that the majority of Australians do not in fact support homosexuals marrying. And despite the slings and arrows of the ignorant media and gaystapo, she is so courageous and so supported!!

    Miriam Alaeddine

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

%d bloggers like this: