Care Factor

The NSW govt has to cut spending from its budget.  This is largely because it inherited a basket-case courtesy of the previous Labor govt.

So when people from charitable organisations get word that their revenue from the govt is being cut  they immediately go for the heart strings, accusing the govt of not caring.

This was in evidence on the channel 10 news (27/10/12).  A Cystic Fibrosis supporter accused the govt, "they just don't care".

This was music to opposition leader John Robertson's ears.  He in turn amplified the language by calling the govt "maliciously callous".

Some perspective people, please.  They are broke!  Broke because John Robertson's colleagues had spent money recklessly over many years.

John Robertson ought to acknowledge the mess his political party created.  Then it would be nice if he would explain to the people of NSW what he would cut instead.

Of course he doesn't have to do this as he is in opposition.  This is convenient for him.  While he knows cuts must be made he won't admit to anything.

Voting Green

The latest 'Eternity' magazine (October 2012, Number 30) had a special feature titled, "Can Christians Vote Greens?"

This style of question can lead to interesting discussion.  Just replace 'vote Greens' with whatever you like and enjoy the conversation that will ensue. I have found that the common answer is, 'yes……but…..'

For the question 'can Christians vote Greens?' Eternity had a contributor stating 'yes', 'never' and 'his pen hovers'.

All highlighted the good points of the Greens.  They do have good points and if they would stick to these points then they would be more votable.

Arguing 'yes' was Darren Cronshaw, a Baptist pastor of Auburn Life Church in Melbourne.  He liked to point to the Greens' views on social justice issues such as asylum seekers and climate change as their redeemable feature. 

He has jumped right on the emotional bandwagon like many social justice supporters.  A vote for the Greens on social justice issues is to deal with them on a superficial level and not think through each issue or its ramifications.  Then, when ramifications occur they seek band-aid solutions.  All this while continuously tugging at the heart strings.

For the asylum seeker issue the Greens would advocate no detention at all.  They would neglect the issue of where to accommodate them and how they would be integrated into Australian society.  They would suggest that we have plenty of room, infrastructure and resources in Australia.  When in actual fact they are sorely lacking.  It's ironic that resources are something about which I thought the Greens cared so much.

As well as this, there is the problem of not knowing who they are.  Some refugee advocates would state we have a bigger problem with holiday makers overstaying their visa.  If this is the case then they need to be dealt with too.  But this is no justification for allowing a flow of 'asylum seekers' without appropriate checks and limitations.

Now, if there's ever an emotive issue it's climate change.  'Think about future generations' is the repeated bleat of some.  Yes, we ought to look after God's creation.  We are called to do it through the words of Genesis 1:26.  But the Greens don't have God and the creation story in mind when they advocate for the environment.  They are 'earth worshipers', apologising to the planet for raping it of its beauty and integrity merely by existing.  This pushes God out of the picture whilst they consume their time appeasing 'mother earth', the god of the green planet.  The Greens' view of creation and our place in it is very different to the Christian worldview.

Cronshaw does acknowledge that some Christians have "moral reasons" for not voting Greens.   This acknowledgement seems to trivialise these moral concerns, which are pivotal to Christian living.

These moral concerns are major, not trivial, according to Roslyn Phillips, researcher for Family Voice.  She wrote the 'never' answer to the headline question.  In her role she went to the Greens with some fundamental questions, such as

• Would you retain Christian prayers being recited in parliament?
• Would you preserve the Current definition of marriage?
• Do you oppose creation of children as a commodity for same sex couples?
• Do you oppose euthanasia?

All answers came back to Mrs Phillips as an emphatic NO!  What's more, the Greens have also shown their disapproval of Scripture in schools, Chaplains in schools and Christian schools being able to hire teachers based on their faith, as well as their ability.  They appear to be no friend to the average Christian.

David Hastie, an education commentator, answered the headline question with 'his pen hovers'.  There was some balance to the points he made.  He stated that, "for everything I agree with….there is an equal and opposite reaction".  As in, for every policy position of the Greens he liked there is another that ruins their chances of gaining his vote.  Hastie believes that the Greens are a "far cry from the core business of environmentalism".  If they were just about the environment then maybe they would make some sense.

Roslyn Phillips told about how her elderly aunt voted Greens once, after becoming dissatisfied with the two main parties.  She was most distraught when informed of the principles for which they stand.  She's not alone on this.

But the wool is being pulled from peoples' eyes.  The Greens true nature is increasingly on display.

So, can Christians vote Greens?  Of course.  But we can be deceived as easily as anyone else.  To vote Greens as a Christian there is much to consider.

On top of everything Roslyn Phillips and David Hastie mentioned, the Greens are basically atheist, but more than that they are Anti-Christian.  They support so many policies that oppose fundamental Christian doctrine e.g. pro abortion and pro euthanasia (i.e. pro murder).  They aim to eradicate the church at every chance they get.

No friend of the Christian indeed.  Be aware of the wolf in sheep's clothing (Matthew 7:15)