I can always tell it is a new day – I just have to open my inbox and there it is: the latest batch of hate mail. No sooner have I deleted yesterday’s batch when a new supply comes in with the morning emails. In the old days it came in the mail box, but now it appears in my inbox.
Same hate, same abuse, and same ugliness. It’s just that it comes in a lot easier and quicker nowadays. That is one of the downsides of the Internet Age: the haters can much more easily send out their poison. But I guess we have to take the good with the bad here.
I have written often before about just how intolerant those who shout the loudest about tolerance are. And in my three decades of involvement in the culture wars, I can tell you right now who carries on the most about tolerance, love, and acceptance: the militant atheist fundamentalists, and the militant homosexual crusaders.
Both carry on incessantly about the need to be tolerant and open to others, yet both can be the most intolerant, hate-filled and nasty folks around. I could easily write a book filled with examples of this “tolerance”. There is heaps of it around, and each new day brings forth a fresh batch of this ugly stuff.
Consider just one example from this morning’s supply. I of course have to tone it down so that it is suitable for public consumption: “You are a s**t head. I can assure you that same sex adoption will be fully accepted in the future because my generation is fuelled by love and acceptance. This does not make sense at all, I am shocked that there are people like you who are so narrow minded and opposed to love.”
Hey, can’t you just feel the love and acceptance? It is oozing out of her comment. I am relieved to know the world is in such good hands: such love, acceptance and tolerance. And notice also how these guys (in this case a female) argue: not a scrap of evidence, fact or argumentation; just plenty of abuse.
It is similar to another comment which I did allow to go through: “You are a chauvanistic discriminatory b**tard! you have absolutly NO facts to back up your so called “studies”! Its dumba**es like you that are so uncomfortable with your own sexuality that you cant be comfortable with some one thats outside your “norm”! Get out of your 1950?s stereotypes and realize that homosexuals are just as juman and American as you or anyone else! So you can take your typical conservative believes and shove ‘em!”
Here as well we can certainly feel the love. It is just dripping off this comment. Notice again in both cases we do not have one iota of argument or debate, but simply one long ad hominem attack. As I have pointed out so often, it is always far easier to simply throw mud and attack a person than it is to actually engage intelligently with the evidence.
Both these comments were sent to this much older post about same-sex adoption:
https://billmuehlenberg.com/2004/11/03/the-facts-on-same-sex-adoption-rights/
There I simply list in bullet point fashion some facts on this issue. I have all of these facts fully documented elsewhere, especially in my new book, Strained Relations: The Challenge of Homosexuality. Everything said there is completely verifiable.
So how does the other side respond? Does it try to refute these facts? Does it try to deal with the evidence? Does it proffer counterarguments? Nope, not on your life. They instead prefer to spew forth reams of hatred and abuse. All in the name of “love and acceptance” of course, as Tracey in the first comment put it.
Yes we can all see just how committed their side is to love and tolerance. We can really see the love and feel the tolerance. We get it in their comments on a regular basis. If I simply got a dollar for every one of these vicious comments, I would be a rather wealthy man right now.
I can see why so many good people refuse to get involved in these fights. I can see why so many people who should be speaking out remain silent. I understand how all this relentless hatred and abuse can silence the bravest of souls. But we must speak out nonetheless.
These battles are far too important to allow some noxious abuse to turn us into cowards. How can we keep silent in the face of such radical social engineering which will impact us all, especially our children? We dare not let the other side intimidate us and bully us into silence and submission.
Indeed, just recently I had one person tell me on another site that he was not keen about speaking out, because a few people might ‘defriend’ him. I wrote back asking him what is more important: standing up for what is right, or losing a few so-called friends?
Indeed, if these folks will turn on you for standing up for the truth, then I would not consider them to be friends in the first place. You do not need such people in your life. Get rid of them, and replace them with genuine friends, those who agree with you about the important issues of life.
I for one will keep taking a stand. I know that means each morning I will have to flush out all the hate mail, death threats, and abusive emails. That just goes with the territory. I hope all of you reading this will not succumb to cowardice at such a time as this.
As A.A. Hodge once stated, “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.” Who will stand with me?
41 Replies to “Another New Day, Another Batch of Hate Mail”
Another bonus is that digital hatemail is easier to dispose of than the paper sort.
“You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.”
-Winston Churchill
Dominic Snowdon
Thanks Dominic
Yes I love that quote of Churchill’s.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
God bless you and your courage Bill. Keep saying what’s true no matter what.
Remember, this is a position based on emotion so of course you are going to get abuse.
Damien Spillane
Well done Bill. Keep fighting the good fight of faith!
Dan Secomb
Just recently had a ‘debate’ with some people on Facebook (defending myself against the accusation that I was “persecuting gays”). I simply refuted the claim and when I suggested that her sister wasn’t born homosexual, about three of her family members poured out the most filthy abuse about me and my christian beliefs I’ve ever seen! Despite repeated attempts to ask exactly how ‘insulting’ I was being by simply disagreeing with homosexuality and pointing out their blatant hypocrisy in abusing me because of my beliefs, whilst demanding tolerance and understanding for their homosexual family member, they just continued to pour it out so I had to withdraw. These are folks who bang on about ‘diversity’, yet abuse anyone who disagrees with them. Since reading your work, Bill, I’m now aware of how they work so it doesn’t really bother me (I get upset, but I’m not catatonic with fright or grief). So now I don’t care what they dish up – it’s all lies anyway.
Julie Lawson
Yes quite right Julie
Yes you need a thick skin if you want to take a stand. And you need to respond in the opposite spirit: when they throw hate and abuse at you, we have to respond with love. And of course part of that means speaking the truth to them – telling them what they need to hear, not what they want to hear.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
Bill, you advise people: “Indeed, if these folks will turn on you for standing up for the truth, then I would not consider them to be friends in the first place. You do not need such people in your life. Get rid of them, and replace them with genuine friends, those who agree with you about the important issues of life.”
But what about when they are not your friends, but rather your family? I know people for whom this is relevant. It seems sometimes keeping quiet is the best choice. You certainly do a very good job!
Felix Alexander, Melbourne
Thanks Felix
Yes there is of course always the need for discretion, tact and wisdom here, especially in situations such as in the home. We always need to pray for discernment and understanding as to if and when we speak out. So I am not saying we must always be speaking out on every occasion regardless of the situation.
But I suspect that for most Christians today the problem is not one of speaking out too much, but of not speaking out enough.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
Yeah God bless Bill, it is all the jellybacks out there that embolden the bullies. Instead of shepherding they let the wolves do their worst. For healthy development young people need confident authoritative teaching about the nature of the good and the order of Western civilisation we’ve inherited.
These hate mailers have been fed on a constant diet of Hollywood propaganda, they have no idea that what they believe is some kind of neutral or publicly rational set of beliefs is really just the fanatical anti-Christian thoughts of perhaps a dozen media moguls. Who know exactly what they are doing and take a preacher’s pride in their transformation of society.
They have been so systematically denied this kind of knowledge, the images presented to their imaginations on TV screens accepted so uncritically, that to actually engage with your arguments is psychologically impossible, it would mean the undermining of a whole world view believed to have been honestly vouchsafed to them by trustworthy authorities. But it was Power doing the indoctrinating. http://www.frontporchrepublic.com/2011/07/community-and-liberty-or-individualism-and-statism/
They don’t know you’re one of their best hopes.
Martin Snigg
Quite right Martin.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
I would like to add (referring to the second comment you cite in your article) that I actually agree that Australian homosexuals are just as American as you or I.
Dominic Snowdon
As long as you DO NOT SUGAR-COAT the TRUTH & DO NOT GLOSS OVER SIN you will always get hate-mail!
“Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities.” Albert Einstein
“If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.” I Peter 4:14 KJV
Jyoti Mastapha
Quite right indeed Jyoti.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
It is astonishing how small-minded these hate-mailers can be. Still, if you haven’t got reason or common sense on your side, and you despise those who have, what can you do (apart from keep quiet)?
David Morrison
Thank God for your witness Bill. I must say that I’ve encountered the same type of response when talking to atheists and homosexual activists on YouTube. The first group stagger me because they are heralds of rationally and accuse Christians of irrationality but most of them give me abuse for expressing my view. The second group tends to be the most intolerant and abusive though. (The ones I’ve found to be the most cordial overall are Moslems!)
Ian Ridgway
Unfortunately elsewhere, there seems to be bad news: Tony Abbott may not be able to hold off an internal revolt:
What can be done? And while we’re at it, is there anything an Australian non-citizen/ permanent resident can do in Australia?
Mark Wong
One of the reasons I have left a emergent church and returned to a Traditional one is due to the former’s lack of action over the Abortion law reform act here in Victoria. It is interesting that a orthodox metropolitan believes that the differences in Christianity are not Orthodox versus catholic versus protestant but rather between those of any denomination who stand for Scripture and being Faithful to Christ and those who would water it down and would seek to be culturally relevant. What does the Bible say about friendship with the world is hatred of God!!
Wayne Pelling
Thanks Mark
Yes I saw that – if indeed accurate it is a worry, and a sign that Abbott may be letting down the cause here. We need to keep writing to all Lib MPs and Senators, and let them know what we think about this.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
Stop it Bill. You’re making me jealous! All this hate mail means that you’re making a difference. You must be a real threat to the Devil for him to be putting in such an effort against you. Christians who are no threat to the kingdom of darkness never cop any opposition. Keep up the good work.
Ewan McDonald, Victoria.
I’m not sure if it’s Tony Abbott’s fault if he is unable to stop an internal revolt (having said that, I have no idea about the internal workings and processes of any political party). And I’m still unsure if an Australian non-citizen/permanent resident is allowed to do anything to the political situation in Australia.
Mark Wong
Thanks Mark
Hey I am in the identical situation to you, but I am doing something about ‘the political situation in Australia’. I even wrote an entire book about the SSM debate. So if there is plenty I can do, there is plenty you can do as well. As I said above, for starters, you can write letters to the Libs and urge them not to cave in here. You can pray. You can get on talk-back radio. You can visit your MPs. You can write letters to newspapers. You can tell others about this. There are zillions of things you can do.
And if all that does not keep you busy enough, check out these three articles for some more ideas!
The hate ‘bombing’ is certainly very effective in silencing any challenges to the demands for special legal protection by the homosexual lobbyists. As you point out it immediately puts the whole debate on a false personal footing. It is a stock in trade of totalitarian regimes and a well used technique before they graduate to physical force or incarceration.
Would it be better to criticise the spirit of narcissism which underpins the demands for special treatment by the secular/atheist/homosexual activists who want to destroy what is left of Christian western civilisation?
Alan Williams, UK
“Our struggle is … against the spiritual forces of evil. Eph 6:10-12. Let us enlist the spiritual forces of good to join our struggle.
B T Walters
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven…” Matthew 5 v 11-12. Hang in there Bill and keep your eyes on Jesus!
Alison Stanley
Bill,
Every comment I have posted here has contained an argument based either on logic, factual evidence or both, except on the odd occasion when I get frustrated by your selection criteria and make a sarcastic comment. None of my comments have ever been posted….
Adam Dean, Victoria
That’s right and they never will Adam, unless some really major changes occur. My rules should be clear enough, but let me spell it out for you one more time: NO TROLLS ALLOWED.
Every single one of your comments perfectly illustrates the cyber-nuisance known as the troll. You come here just to argue, just to prove yourself right, just to play your little debate games. You come to oppose whatever has been said, and simply be a contrarian, presumably because you get your jollies out of it. As I have stated before, I am not the slightest bit interested in dealing with such people. I will spend all day with the honest inquirer, and those who have genuine questions. But I will not waste one second with those who seem only interested in tickling their intellectual palettes and playing their little head games.
Life is too short and these issues are far too important – indeed, they are life and death issues – so I will never waste my time with ego-stroking trolls who simply seem to have a lot of time on their hands to try to convince us how clever and cute they are. So please go elsewhere to push your ego trip. I am just so not into it.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
A Labor MP here in South Australia was critisised on TV for some small blunder, then the TV station added the much worse charge that he was heard to comment the Penny Wong’s new child was not really hers.
So even someone of the ALP’s side of politics is publicly condemned for telling the truth.
Stephen White
Good on you Bill, I can’t get over Abbott allowing this conscience vote for back benchers, what is the difference? Either the party is against it or it is not, reminds me of the phrase – United we stand – divided we fall! At the risk of sounding like a broken record – you are one of the most important people writing articles for our time!
Steve Davis
Thanks Steve
Yes quite right. As I just stated elsewhere, I know that Labor is far worse on this and so many other issues, but that does not mean the Libs are spotless here. If Abbott will allow back benchers a free vote on this, he has effectively caved in big time and given the whole game away. In which case neither party on this issue can help us.
At the end of the day I am not a promoter of the Libs, but of what is right. If they keep selling us out, I will certainly not hold back my displeasure. Indeed, I have often criticised the Libs in the past, but will do so even more if they cannot stand strong on this most vital issue.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
Keep up the Good work Bill. Thank you.
Mat Sen
Thanks Mat
With your prayers and God’s grace I most certainly will.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
Bill, you put out the truth, others react as they don’t like the truth.
Stand strong Gods way as you do.
Judith Bond
Good article, Bill! I couldn’t agree more, as Christians, we of all people should be ringing the alarm bells and exposing the tide of secular humanism that is engulfing our culture.
Isn’t it incredibly disturbing (which is against all sanity and compassion) we can now have, for example, a federal Senator, ie Penny Wong, and her lesbian partner, that can bring a child into the world via IVF, and thereby deliberately making this child fatherless. Moreover, we are simply suppose to smile and accept this profound evil and say it is good, or simply fade away and say nothing if we disagree with it. (I have written about this http://abortsa.com/?page_id=32)
Surely, it is more than time for all of us — who call ourselves bible believing Christians, to be speaking out against such atrocities. And if our church leaders and congregations where we attend are not also prepared to do this publicly, we should get out of these churches and find a church and a group of like minded people who are willing to be vocal on these “important issues of life”.
To our shame, we professing Christians in Australia have a bad track record of complacency. We can particularly see this with regards to our standing up (or lack of it) for unborn babies in the womb. Nearly 100,000 abortions go on while we sing “How we love you Jesus” every Sunday. And now we can see we are set to repeat this again and again as new forms of immorality confront us.
As Francis Schaeffer wrote in his last book: The Great Evangelical Disaster, “Here is the great evangelical disaster – the failure of the evangelical world to stand up for truth. There is only one word for this – namely accommodation: the evangelical church has accommodated to the world spirit of the age. First there has been accommodation on Scripture … no longer affirm the truth of all the bible teaches … And second, there has been accommodation on the issues, with no clear stand being taken even on matters of life and death.”
Let is pray to our Sovereign God, whilst His grace is still extended to us, that we will have, as it has been said before, “the courage to stand up for truth and morality with a clear, uncompromising call, charged with the authority that should be the hallmark of the people of God.”
Trevor Grace
Quite right Trevor.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
Hi Bill,
I just wanted to send you a kind word of encouragement so you don’t have so much hate mail in your inbox. I read your articles almost daily. I don’t comment as I am unable to write with the eloquence that you and many of the commentators have. I use many of the arguments presented and take on board points you mention when writing to my State and Federal MPs on matters (such as SSM marriage). I’ve also purchased and read your book “Strained Relations”. Keep up the good work. I’ll keep you in my prayers.
Maura Ryan
Many thanks indeed Maura.
We all have a role to play so thank you for your willingness to get involved and make a difference. And thanks for your prayers and kind, supportive words. They sure do help.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
Thanks guys
Here is a brand new example of how the tolerance brigade operates:
“Same Sex Marriage supporters attacked Wallsend Presbyterian Church last night in response to a message criticising same-sex marriage displayed on the building’s outside notice board. The church on Nelson Street had updated its message board last week to read ‘Even tradies know you need both male and female joints to make a marriage’. The front of the 1867 building, which recently received a $12,000 makeover, was defaced with numerous pro-homosexual scrawls.”
And this is just the tip of the iceberg folks. We can expect more and more of this from the militant homosexual activists in the days ahead.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
My family and I stand with you, so help us God.
Jesus said that families would be divided over His claims, so we need not be surprised, though it hurts when it happens in your family.
Bill, remember, just like is expressed in these comments and as we know from the story in the old Testament about Elisha who asked God to open the eyes of his servant, there are more on our side than are on theirs. John Hus sang “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me” as he was burnt at the stake.
Depressing, yes and no. We must remember that our times, though they claim to be, are not more civilised or sophisticated than those times, though the method of execution may be a “Human needle with poison” rather than the crude method of burning, all sanitised and proper like, but today’s martyrs are more in number for sure.
Another question I have is, why does the Christian Democratic Party have such little support among church members? Is it that time first have to prove by more graphic statistics that the majority of our current representatives have distinguished themselves by their moral weakness rather than grounding in the truth and steadfastness in their convictions. Every Australian citizen can vote for someone who is committed to truth though their economic credentials may not look so great. And those who do not have as yet have the privilege of voting can encourage those in their sphere of influence to research the validity of the claims of the CDP in General and of their own candidates in particular. A landslide towards having more Christians in parliament is achievable as well as desirable and if it doesn’t happen then I am guessing that the myth of the so called “silent majority” either no longer exists or maybe never has. A sleeping giant can only be awakened if he indeed exists, though in a currently sleeping state. Unless this sleep is not a natural one, but chemically induced by entertainment, consumerism. the way our children are being educated this is much to be feared.
Many blessings
Ursula Bennett
Thanks Ursula
It is a good question why more Christians are not getting on board with the Christian parties.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
Thanks guys
It seems I am not the only one getting a regular supply of hate mail:
Another bonus is that digital hatemail is easier to dispose of than the paper sort.
“You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.”
-Winston Churchill
Dominic Snowdon
Thanks Dominic
Yes I love that quote of Churchill’s.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
God bless you and your courage Bill. Keep saying what’s true no matter what.
Remember, this is a position based on emotion so of course you are going to get abuse.
Damien Spillane
Well done Bill. Keep fighting the good fight of faith!
Dan Secomb
Just recently had a ‘debate’ with some people on Facebook (defending myself against the accusation that I was “persecuting gays”). I simply refuted the claim and when I suggested that her sister wasn’t born homosexual, about three of her family members poured out the most filthy abuse about me and my christian beliefs I’ve ever seen! Despite repeated attempts to ask exactly how ‘insulting’ I was being by simply disagreeing with homosexuality and pointing out their blatant hypocrisy in abusing me because of my beliefs, whilst demanding tolerance and understanding for their homosexual family member, they just continued to pour it out so I had to withdraw. These are folks who bang on about ‘diversity’, yet abuse anyone who disagrees with them. Since reading your work, Bill, I’m now aware of how they work so it doesn’t really bother me (I get upset, but I’m not catatonic with fright or grief). So now I don’t care what they dish up – it’s all lies anyway.
Julie Lawson
Yes quite right Julie
Yes you need a thick skin if you want to take a stand. And you need to respond in the opposite spirit: when they throw hate and abuse at you, we have to respond with love. And of course part of that means speaking the truth to them – telling them what they need to hear, not what they want to hear.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
Bill, you advise people: “Indeed, if these folks will turn on you for standing up for the truth, then I would not consider them to be friends in the first place. You do not need such people in your life. Get rid of them, and replace them with genuine friends, those who agree with you about the important issues of life.”
But what about when they are not your friends, but rather your family? I know people for whom this is relevant. It seems sometimes keeping quiet is the best choice. You certainly do a very good job!
Felix Alexander, Melbourne
Thanks Felix
Yes there is of course always the need for discretion, tact and wisdom here, especially in situations such as in the home. We always need to pray for discernment and understanding as to if and when we speak out. So I am not saying we must always be speaking out on every occasion regardless of the situation.
But I suspect that for most Christians today the problem is not one of speaking out too much, but of not speaking out enough.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
Yeah God bless Bill, it is all the jellybacks out there that embolden the bullies. Instead of shepherding they let the wolves do their worst. For healthy development young people need confident authoritative teaching about the nature of the good and the order of Western civilisation we’ve inherited.
These hate mailers have been fed on a constant diet of Hollywood propaganda, they have no idea that what they believe is some kind of neutral or publicly rational set of beliefs is really just the fanatical anti-Christian thoughts of perhaps a dozen media moguls. Who know exactly what they are doing and take a preacher’s pride in their transformation of society.
This is absolutely astonishing bias http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/08/science/08tier.html?_r=1 yet it characterises virtually every stratum of public life – we are ruled by a self selecting elite who now as a monoculture could not even begin to deal with the concepts you present Bill or your colleague Patrick Fagan http://downloads.frc.org/EF/EF09H36.pdf
They have been so systematically denied this kind of knowledge, the images presented to their imaginations on TV screens accepted so uncritically, that to actually engage with your arguments is psychologically impossible, it would mean the undermining of a whole world view believed to have been honestly vouchsafed to them by trustworthy authorities. But it was Power doing the indoctrinating. http://www.frontporchrepublic.com/2011/07/community-and-liberty-or-individualism-and-statism/
They don’t know you’re one of their best hopes.
Martin Snigg
Quite right Martin.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
I would like to add (referring to the second comment you cite in your article) that I actually agree that Australian homosexuals are just as American as you or I.
Dominic Snowdon
As long as you DO NOT SUGAR-COAT the TRUTH & DO NOT GLOSS OVER SIN you will always get hate-mail!
“Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities.” Albert Einstein
“If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.” I Peter 4:14 KJV
Jyoti Mastapha
Quite right indeed Jyoti.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
It is astonishing how small-minded these hate-mailers can be. Still, if you haven’t got reason or common sense on your side, and you despise those who have, what can you do (apart from keep quiet)?
David Morrison
Thank God for your witness Bill. I must say that I’ve encountered the same type of response when talking to atheists and homosexual activists on YouTube. The first group stagger me because they are heralds of rationally and accuse Christians of irrationality but most of them give me abuse for expressing my view. The second group tends to be the most intolerant and abusive though. (The ones I’ve found to be the most cordial overall are Moslems!)
Ian Ridgway
Unfortunately elsewhere, there seems to be bad news: Tony Abbott may not be able to hold off an internal revolt:
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/free-vote-on-same-sex-marriage-for-lib-back-bench/story-fn59niix-1226269136114
What can be done? And while we’re at it, is there anything an Australian non-citizen/ permanent resident can do in Australia?
Mark Wong
One of the reasons I have left a emergent church and returned to a Traditional one is due to the former’s lack of action over the Abortion law reform act here in Victoria. It is interesting that a orthodox metropolitan believes that the differences in Christianity are not Orthodox versus catholic versus protestant but rather between those of any denomination who stand for Scripture and being Faithful to Christ and those who would water it down and would seek to be culturally relevant. What does the Bible say about friendship with the world is hatred of God!!
Wayne Pelling
Thanks Mark
Yes I saw that – if indeed accurate it is a worry, and a sign that Abbott may be letting down the cause here. We need to keep writing to all Lib MPs and Senators, and let them know what we think about this.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
Stop it Bill. You’re making me jealous! All this hate mail means that you’re making a difference. You must be a real threat to the Devil for him to be putting in such an effort against you. Christians who are no threat to the kingdom of darkness never cop any opposition. Keep up the good work.
Ewan McDonald, Victoria.
I’m not sure if it’s Tony Abbott’s fault if he is unable to stop an internal revolt (having said that, I have no idea about the internal workings and processes of any political party). And I’m still unsure if an Australian non-citizen/permanent resident is allowed to do anything to the political situation in Australia.
Mark Wong
Thanks Mark
Hey I am in the identical situation to you, but I am doing something about ‘the political situation in Australia’. I even wrote an entire book about the SSM debate. So if there is plenty I can do, there is plenty you can do as well. As I said above, for starters, you can write letters to the Libs and urge them not to cave in here. You can pray. You can get on talk-back radio. You can visit your MPs. You can write letters to newspapers. You can tell others about this. There are zillions of things you can do.
And if all that does not keep you busy enough, check out these three articles for some more ideas!
https://billmuehlenberg.com/2010/09/19/but-what-can-i-do/
https://billmuehlenberg.com/2010/09/21/practical-tips-on-making-a-difference-part-one/
https://billmuehlenberg.com/2010/09/21/practical-tips-on-making-a-difference-part-two/
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
OK then, thanks.
Mark Wong
Hi Bill,
Another straight ball. Well said.
The hate ‘bombing’ is certainly very effective in silencing any challenges to the demands for special legal protection by the homosexual lobbyists. As you point out it immediately puts the whole debate on a false personal footing. It is a stock in trade of totalitarian regimes and a well used technique before they graduate to physical force or incarceration.
Would it be better to criticise the spirit of narcissism which underpins the demands for special treatment by the secular/atheist/homosexual activists who want to destroy what is left of Christian western civilisation?
Alan Williams, UK
“Our struggle is … against the spiritual forces of evil. Eph 6:10-12. Let us enlist the spiritual forces of good to join our struggle.
B T Walters
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven…” Matthew 5 v 11-12. Hang in there Bill and keep your eyes on Jesus!
Alison Stanley
Bill,
Every comment I have posted here has contained an argument based either on logic, factual evidence or both, except on the odd occasion when I get frustrated by your selection criteria and make a sarcastic comment. None of my comments have ever been posted….
Adam Dean, Victoria
That’s right and they never will Adam, unless some really major changes occur. My rules should be clear enough, but let me spell it out for you one more time: NO TROLLS ALLOWED.
Every single one of your comments perfectly illustrates the cyber-nuisance known as the troll. You come here just to argue, just to prove yourself right, just to play your little debate games. You come to oppose whatever has been said, and simply be a contrarian, presumably because you get your jollies out of it. As I have stated before, I am not the slightest bit interested in dealing with such people. I will spend all day with the honest inquirer, and those who have genuine questions. But I will not waste one second with those who seem only interested in tickling their intellectual palettes and playing their little head games.
Life is too short and these issues are far too important – indeed, they are life and death issues – so I will never waste my time with ego-stroking trolls who simply seem to have a lot of time on their hands to try to convince us how clever and cute they are. So please go elsewhere to push your ego trip. I am just so not into it.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
A Labor MP here in South Australia was critisised on TV for some small blunder, then the TV station added the much worse charge that he was heard to comment the Penny Wong’s new child was not really hers.
So even someone of the ALP’s side of politics is publicly condemned for telling the truth.
Stephen White
Good on you Bill, I can’t get over Abbott allowing this conscience vote for back benchers, what is the difference? Either the party is against it or it is not, reminds me of the phrase – United we stand – divided we fall! At the risk of sounding like a broken record – you are one of the most important people writing articles for our time!
Steve Davis
Thanks Steve
Yes quite right. As I just stated elsewhere, I know that Labor is far worse on this and so many other issues, but that does not mean the Libs are spotless here. If Abbott will allow back benchers a free vote on this, he has effectively caved in big time and given the whole game away. In which case neither party on this issue can help us.
At the end of the day I am not a promoter of the Libs, but of what is right. If they keep selling us out, I will certainly not hold back my displeasure. Indeed, I have often criticised the Libs in the past, but will do so even more if they cannot stand strong on this most vital issue.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
Keep up the Good work Bill. Thank you.
Mat Sen
Thanks Mat
With your prayers and God’s grace I most certainly will.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
Bill, you put out the truth, others react as they don’t like the truth.
Stand strong Gods way as you do.
Judith Bond
Good article, Bill! I couldn’t agree more, as Christians, we of all people should be ringing the alarm bells and exposing the tide of secular humanism that is engulfing our culture.
Isn’t it incredibly disturbing (which is against all sanity and compassion) we can now have, for example, a federal Senator, ie Penny Wong, and her lesbian partner, that can bring a child into the world via IVF, and thereby deliberately making this child fatherless. Moreover, we are simply suppose to smile and accept this profound evil and say it is good, or simply fade away and say nothing if we disagree with it. (I have written about this http://abortsa.com/?page_id=32)
Surely, it is more than time for all of us — who call ourselves bible believing Christians, to be speaking out against such atrocities. And if our church leaders and congregations where we attend are not also prepared to do this publicly, we should get out of these churches and find a church and a group of like minded people who are willing to be vocal on these “important issues of life”.
To our shame, we professing Christians in Australia have a bad track record of complacency. We can particularly see this with regards to our standing up (or lack of it) for unborn babies in the womb. Nearly 100,000 abortions go on while we sing “How we love you Jesus” every Sunday. And now we can see we are set to repeat this again and again as new forms of immorality confront us.
As Francis Schaeffer wrote in his last book: The Great Evangelical Disaster, “Here is the great evangelical disaster – the failure of the evangelical world to stand up for truth. There is only one word for this – namely accommodation: the evangelical church has accommodated to the world spirit of the age. First there has been accommodation on Scripture … no longer affirm the truth of all the bible teaches … And second, there has been accommodation on the issues, with no clear stand being taken even on matters of life and death.”
Let is pray to our Sovereign God, whilst His grace is still extended to us, that we will have, as it has been said before, “the courage to stand up for truth and morality with a clear, uncompromising call, charged with the authority that should be the hallmark of the people of God.”
Trevor Grace
Quite right Trevor.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
Hi Bill,
I just wanted to send you a kind word of encouragement so you don’t have so much hate mail in your inbox. I read your articles almost daily. I don’t comment as I am unable to write with the eloquence that you and many of the commentators have. I use many of the arguments presented and take on board points you mention when writing to my State and Federal MPs on matters (such as SSM marriage). I’ve also purchased and read your book “Strained Relations”. Keep up the good work. I’ll keep you in my prayers.
Maura Ryan
Many thanks indeed Maura.
We all have a role to play so thank you for your willingness to get involved and make a difference. And thanks for your prayers and kind, supportive words. They sure do help.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
Thanks guys
Here is a brand new example of how the tolerance brigade operates:
“Same Sex Marriage supporters attacked Wallsend Presbyterian Church last night in response to a message criticising same-sex marriage displayed on the building’s outside notice board. The church on Nelson Street had updated its message board last week to read ‘Even tradies know you need both male and female joints to make a marriage’. The front of the 1867 building, which recently received a $12,000 makeover, was defaced with numerous pro-homosexual scrawls.”
http://testify.com.au/archives/1673
And this is just the tip of the iceberg folks. We can expect more and more of this from the militant homosexual activists in the days ahead.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
My family and I stand with you, so help us God.
Jesus said that families would be divided over His claims, so we need not be surprised, though it hurts when it happens in your family.
Bill, remember, just like is expressed in these comments and as we know from the story in the old Testament about Elisha who asked God to open the eyes of his servant, there are more on our side than are on theirs. John Hus sang “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me” as he was burnt at the stake.
Depressing, yes and no. We must remember that our times, though they claim to be, are not more civilised or sophisticated than those times, though the method of execution may be a “Human needle with poison” rather than the crude method of burning, all sanitised and proper like, but today’s martyrs are more in number for sure.
Another question I have is, why does the Christian Democratic Party have such little support among church members? Is it that time first have to prove by more graphic statistics that the majority of our current representatives have distinguished themselves by their moral weakness rather than grounding in the truth and steadfastness in their convictions. Every Australian citizen can vote for someone who is committed to truth though their economic credentials may not look so great. And those who do not have as yet have the privilege of voting can encourage those in their sphere of influence to research the validity of the claims of the CDP in General and of their own candidates in particular. A landslide towards having more Christians in parliament is achievable as well as desirable and if it doesn’t happen then I am guessing that the myth of the so called “silent majority” either no longer exists or maybe never has. A sleeping giant can only be awakened if he indeed exists, though in a currently sleeping state. Unless this sleep is not a natural one, but chemically induced by entertainment, consumerism. the way our children are being educated this is much to be feared.
Many blessings
Ursula Bennett
Thanks Ursula
It is a good question why more Christians are not getting on board with the Christian parties.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
Thanks guys
It seems I am not the only one getting a regular supply of hate mail:
http://lineoffireblog.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/hate-mail-gets-even-uglier.html
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch