THE CANBERRA DECLARATION - A CALL TO CHRISTIAN CONSCIENCE

Source: National Alliance of Christian Leaders

The Preamble to the Australian Constitution contains the words, "Humbly relying on the blessing of Almighty God”. As Australian citizens we continue to declare that we too put our trust in Almighty God.

For centuries, to speak of Western civilisation was to speak of Christian civilisation. The two were in many ways synonymous. The values that we have cherished and sought to strengthen are in large measure founded on the Judeo-Christian belief system. The many freedoms, advantages, opportunities, values and liberties which characterise the West owe much to the growth of Christianity with its inherent belief in the dignity of the human person as created in the image of God and the code of behaviour that flows from this belief.

The Canberra Declaration follows on from the 2009 Manhattan Declaration and the 2010 Westminster Declaration. It declares that when Christian values are respected and allowed freedom of expression, not just confined to so-called sacred spaces but in the public arena as well, society is richer and healthier.

We wish to emphasise three areas that demand particular attention in our contemporary Australian society, namely religious freedom, marriage and the family, and the sanctity of human life. Were we to undermine any one of these values, the social fabric of our nation would be seriously weakened, to our personal and collective detriment.

Religious Freedom

Religious freedom includes freedom of conscience and freedom of speech. The importance of these freedoms is shown in countries where they are threatened or absent. Police states and totalitarian nations inevitably begin with the curtailment of basic liberties, including religious freedom and the right to speak one’s mind and conscience. This includes the right to change one’s religious beliefs.

We affirm the basic necessity of freedom of conscience, having the liberty to speak publicly about one’s faith and beliefs, and having the right to practise the religion of one’s choice. If these freedoms are removed – even in the name of supposed benefits – the prized values of democracy and liberty are seriously undermined.

In Australia today these freedoms are being restricted by laws which, although appearing positive on first reading, have the potential to lead to unintended and unacceptable consequences. These laws include anti-discrimination legislation, hate crime laws and legislation on religious and sexual vilification – each of which may be interpreted in a way that effectively works as a barrier to religious freedom and freedom of speech.

Thus the signers of this declaration affirm the fundamental right of Australians to religious freedom and freedom of speech, and we oppose legislation which denies such freedoms. We likewise oppose laws subjugating our nation to foreign powers and instrumentalities which restrict these freedoms.

Marriage and Family

Another vital package of values and social benefits is the long-standing institution of the natural family resulting from marriage between a man and a woman – as affirmed by the definition of marriage in the Marriage Act: “…the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life”.

No other social institution has done so much good for people and for nations, yet marriage is being undermined, to the detriment of children, individuals, and society itself.

Lifelong marriage between a man and a woman guarantees children their biological birthright to a mother and a father and has a proven track record of providing them with protection, education, welfare, support and nurture. No other arrangement has improved upon the benefits of marriage.

In the face of competing alternatives and moves to redefine marriage, we affirm the importance and social utility of marriage between a man and a woman and the families formed thereby.

Human Life

The third important set of values revolves around the sanctity of human life which is being undermined in much of the Western world, through abortion, euthanasia, and some of the new reproductive technologies.

We believe that all human life, being made in the image of God, has intrinsic and equal value from conception to life’s natural end.

The very heart of a humane and civilised society is based on the way it treats its most vulnerable and innocent members including the unborn and the disabled. We therefore insist on the right of all persons, including those who are vulnerable or dependent, to protection from conception to natural death. We will support, protect, and be advocates for such people, since to do anything less is to weaken our humanity and despise our personhood.

We will not comply with any directive that compels us to participate in or facilitate abortion, embryo-destructive research, assisted suicide, euthanasia, or any other act that involves the intentional taking of innocent human life.

Conclusion

Religious freedom, marriage and family, and the sacredness of human life have provided the foundations enabling Western democratic societies to flourish. We erode these foundations at our peril.

The faith which is at the heart of many of the values and strengths underpinning the Australian nation now compels us to speak up in their defence.

For the future of this nation, and for our children’s future, we call upon all like-minded citizens to support and sign this declaration.

Now that you've read the Canberra Declaration, would you like to sign it? I you would you may do so by going to the link to the Canberra Declaration at :  http://www.canberradeclaration.org.au

ABORTION - WHEN PUBLIC OPINION AND REALITY CLASH

Source: Compiled by APN from information supplied by media and ACL

Research involving more than 1000 Australians, claims that 87 per cent support allowing abortion in the first 12 to 13 weeks, comprising 61 per cent who said it should be legal at this stage and a further 26 per cent who would allow it in certain situations. Qualified support persisted even for later stages of pregnancy, with 12 per cent of those polled saying abortion should be permitted in the second trimester and a further 57 per cent under certain conditions. However 48 per cent, of respondents thought abortion in the third trimester should be illegal.

The lead author of the article in the Medical Journal of Australia which releases the survey results is Lachlan de Crespigny, associate professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of Melbourne. It was Dr de Crespigny's ending of the life of a 32-week unborn baby girl with suspected dwarfism in 2000 which was used as a lever for the decriminalisation of abortion in Victorian in 2008. It is difficult therefore to give credence to this research on abortion when the lead author of the findings is a doctor implicated in questionable abortion practice himself.

Media reports indicate a huge increase in late-term abortions at Melbourne's Royal Women's Hospital - from one per fortnight to an alarming three per week since the new legislation was passed. In 2007 - even prior to decriminalisation - 345 late-term babies were aborted in Victoria, with 52 of them found to be still alive after the procedure and left to die." Abortion claims up to 100,000 unborn children each year. Public opinion can never make abortion right, just as slavery was always wrong even when it enjoyed public support before laws were changed in Britain and America.

The tragedy of late-term babies being born alive and left to die happens regularly in Australia. These cruel practices would likely increase if the pro-abortion lobby had its way in convincing other States to follow Victoria's example. Critics of the new law claim the public would not express such favour towards abortion if they were properly informed of the unspeakable cruelty which results from open-slather abortion laws. People would also be less favourable if they knew that Victorian-style decriminalisation of abortion leads to the termination of unborn babies all the way to full term.

Whilst Victoria decriminalised abortion in 2008, the procedure remains a crime in at least some circumstances in every other Australian jurisdiction except the ACT. For example, Cairns woman Tegan Leach is expected to reappear before the state's courts this month charged with attempting to procure an abortion. If convicted, she could face up to seven years' jail. Ms Leach is understood to be the first woman to be charged with the offence under a 111-year-old clause in the Queensland criminal code. Her partner, Sergei Brennan, is charged with supplying drugs to procure an abortion.

REV FRED NILE CHALLENGES NSW PREMIER ON SUPPORT FOR HOMOSEXUAL ADOPTION

Source: Compiled by APN from information supplied by CDP

Rev Fred Nile, leader of the Christian Democratic Party in the NSW Legislative Council, has expressed his bitter disappointment that the NSW Premier has offered support to legalise homosexual adoption. The "Adoption Amendment Bill 2010" has been introduced into Parliament and will be discussed and voted on when Parliament resumes in coming weeks. The legislation has been put forward by homosexual activist and member for Sydney, Clover Moore and supported in a press statement by the NSW Premier Kristina Keneally.

Rev Nile says that the bill seeks to overlook existing provisions found within NSW Adoption law that are intended to protect children, and instead focus on the alleged rights of the homosexual community. "I am bitterly disappointed and angry that the NSW Premier has chosen to support the Bill. Adoption law is about children not the rights of any adult demographic! The NSW Adoption Act 2000, No 75. Part 8. 1 (c) states very very clearly 'no adult has a right to adopt'. Yet all we keep hearing is talk about the rights of the homosexual community', said Rev Fred Nile.

"The Act states quite clearly that adoption is to be regarded 'a service for the child' and 'the best interests of the child, both in childhood and in later life, must be the paramount consideration'. So when the Bureau of Statistics and other health reports tell us that there are substantially higher rates of mental illness, violence, disease, drug and sexual abuse within the homosexual community, how can any rational individual excuse exposing children to such inherent risks. The whole purpose of adoption law is to find a home for these children whilst mitigating against such risks.

If the NSW Government allows its members to turn the issue into an ideological debate on unrelated issues, it will be failing in its duty of care. Children shouldn't be made the battle ground for homosexual rights, particularly when these children have suffered enough. I urge the Government to look at the situation objectively and reconsider its position", Rev Nile said.

TRAINING OF PASTORS IN EGYPT

Source: CityHarvest International

Regular readers of our newsletters will be aware that the Australian Prayer Network in conjunction with CityHarvest International is involved with the training of Pastors and Leaders in Egypt. The overall project is a three year commitment - this being the first year. We are delighted with the level of support from the members of our Network and express our sincere thanks to those who have already given to enable this project to go ahead.

When the project was first mooted we expected 150 pastors and leaders to attend the training course offered, however final numbers are anticipated to be nearer 250. This of course means an increase in the budget to fund the project. We are currently $1780 short of the $12,000 target to be able to handle all who wish to attend. Each leader costs approximately $50 per head to train. This covers transporting leaders from all over Egypt, plus housing and feeding them for the weeks duration of the training course.

To help facilitate this strategic training program we again need you help to reach our goal. You an help us by donating sufficient funds to cover the attendance of one or more Egyptian pastors/leaders to attend this important equipping program. Should you wish to do so please visit http://www.vocations4life.com.au/shop/products/Pastors-Training-Egypt.html where you can lodge a secure donation by way of Pay Pal. Do also pray for the five self funded Australian Pastors who will be going to Egypt to undertake the training of the pastors and leaders.

We also want to take the opportunity to thank those who supported our appeal to allow us to purchase Megga-voice recorder transmitters which are given to Christians in remote areas of the Middle-East to assist with their personal growth. These recorder transmitters have gone out across the countryside of Egypt as well as into several North African and several sub Sahara nations and also a few gulf states. Good reports are filtering back to our hosts on the ground there about the impact and success of this project.