OK, another cryptic title. Some with a bit of knowledge of ecclesiastical history might be thinking of the 39 Articles (the 1562 Anglican statement of faith). No, that is not quite what I have in mind here. Actually, the title is not so mysterious – it simply refers to the fact that this is the one thousandth article on this website.
Now anyone strange enough to pen 1000 articles (totalling well over one million words) probably needs to make some sort of defence, or offer some kind of rationale or justification for such verbosity. Thus this article: I simply wish to remind my readers why this website exists.
The short answer is pretty basic: I am greatly concerned about the condition of Western society. I fear greatly for the moral freefall taking place; for the assault on truth and reason; for the attack on faith; and the war on life and family. I fear greatly for the sort of world my children are growing up in, and my grandchildren might experience.
And the mainstream media is no help here. It not only will seldom cover these sorts of issues, but often it actually aids and abets those responsible for such stuff. The MSM is often promoting these anti-faith, anti-life and anti-family agendas. Thus the need for alternative sources of information. Thus the need for websites like CultureWatch.
The truth is, there is a war going on. And much of this war is a war of worldviews, a war of ideas. And as I have often said, ideas have consequences. Moreover, bad ideas have bad consequences. On a daily basis we are witnessing bad ideas and their bad consequences.
That is why I write so much. If every day there is a new outrage being perpetrated, then every day someone must chronicle such events, and raise the warning flag. As the prophets of old stood along the wall and acted as watchmen, so too today we need those who will keep a sharp eye upon what is taking place, and sound the alarm when danger and threats approach.
Of course I make no bones about the fact that I am writing from the Judeo-Christian perspective. Everyone has a worldview that they are working from, and I am happy to acknowledge mine. And I happen to think it is the correct account of things. Others may disagree.
Indeed, that is what makes the free West so worth preserving: contrarian voices can still be heard – at least for the time being. And this website is an interactive blog site, with plenty of debate, discussion and disagreement. There are well over 8000 comments here, with many coming from my critics, my opponents, and my detractors.
So this website proudly seeks to defend the truth claims of the Judeo-Christian worldview. And this becomes more important with each passing day. Not only are there many individuals and groups working overtime to decimate or eradicate the Christian church and its voice, but there is a general historical amnesia at work as well.
More and more people today simply have no clue as to the Judeo-Christian heritage of the West, and of how the story of Western civilisation is in many ways the story of Christian civilisation. Many people in the West today are ignorant of even the most basic of Christian history and teachings.
As but one example, consider a recent comment made by a journalist/columnist with the Herald Sun. He tells the story of a shop assistant who was asked for some jewellery with a cross. She replied to the customer, here is a cross “with some bloke hanging on it”. When we have to explain to people what a crucifix is, then our religious literacy is pretty much at rock bottom.
Indeed, the same article speaks of two related cases of religious ignorance. Another jewellery shop assistant thought a Madonna medal was a recent marketing ploy of an American pop star. The other incident concerns a shopper who noticed that a Christmas nativity scene was hidden away in a shopping mall. Upon complaining to the centre management, the response was: “What’s a nativity scene?”
So simply seeking to keep knowledge of basic Christianity afloat is another part of the reason why this website exists. Again, an aggressively secular and biased MSM is doing its best to suppress any knowledge or understanding of religion in general and Christianity in particular.
So this site exists to make up for that lack, and to counter that challenge. With 52 different subject categories on this website, there are obviously lots of different topics worth writing about. I make no claim to being an expert on them all. Indeed, I might be regarded as a jack of all trades and master of none.
But I have as much right to speak out as the next guy. Those who disagree with me are free to set up their own websites. Or they can send their comments here, and I will do my best to reply, provided these are honest questions and not just an excuse to argue and push agendas.
Of course there is a genuine question as to how long a website like this will be allowed to remain. All around the Western world the heavy hand of Political Correctness and censorship is being brought to bear upon alternative opinion makers. More and more the right to free speech is being whittled away, and those who dare to take an alternative perspective are being accused of “hate speech”.
So I cannot guarantee how long this website will last. There are numerous examples from around the world of censorship, persecution and opposition to those who seek to speak out, especially from the Judeo-Christian point of view. I might be next to be shut down or accused of some crime against the state.
But for the sake of my children, and any future grandchildren, I will continue to speak out as long as I can. I will continue to present truth in the public arena. When that finally becomes a crime, then I may be forcibly silenced. Time will tell. But life is short, and things are too important to give up because of a bit of opposition, or to opt out and lead an easy, undisturbed life.
My Lord did not take this path, and neither can I. Jesus Christ gave everything for me, and I can do no less in return. That is why this site exists. Indeed, earlier in my life I was heavily involved in so much of the decadence, revolt and mess that I now write about. But a life-changing encounter with the risen Christ has set me free, and I wish now to share that good news with others.
I greatly covet your prayers. I desperately need wisdom, discernment, love, boldness and humility as I seek to do this work. I know I make many mistakes. I don’t always get things right. I can get off base at times. So pray that I can more effectively and accurately represent the truth of the Gospel and the Christian worldview in an increasingly anti-Christian world.
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