7/4/09

Australians not so sceptical about Jesus, survey finds

Article from:  The Age by Barney Zwartz

MORE than four in 10 Australians who don't consider themselves "born again" nevertheless believe Jesus rose from the dead, while one in 10 doesn't believe he even existed.

These are two of the surprising results from an independent survey of 2500 Australians...

--- which showed 42 percent of Australians believe Jesus had divine powers and 54 per cent believe he rose from the dead... 45 per cent believe in the resurrection... 90 per cent of non-born-agains identified Jesus with Christianity rather than other religions, and 60 per cent knew his life was recorded in the New Testament.

Other odd findings included:

? 31 per cent believe Jesus lived BC ("before Christ");

? 57 per cent knew Easter was connected with the death of Jesus but 87 per cent knew it concerned the resurrection.

? 4 per cent confused Easter with Christmas (and Jesus's birth).

Full Article: http://www.theage.com.au/national/australians-not-so-sceptical-about-jesus-survey-finds-20090406-9uuu.html

 

4/4/09

Christians in Parliament  Church and state reunited.

Article from:  The Australian

Six months after being elected, a god-squad of devout Liberals preaching morality and Christian values in a parliament better known for misconduct and lewd behaviour is shaping as a new force in West Australian politics.

Complete article link:  http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25284836-5013871,00.html

4/4/09

“Hell Hole” film exposes appalling state of Zimbabwe’s jails

Zimbabwe’s prisons are known for inflicting a punishment known as kafiramberi on their inmates. The word, loosely translated, means “Die Forward”. This is a reference to the fact that well-known prisoners and those considered “dangerous” are only ever released when they are almost dead and all invariably die within weeks or a couple of months of being released.

Links to videos: http://worldfocus.org/blog/2009/04/02/hell-hole-film-exposes-appalling-state-of-zimbabwes-jails/4748/

4/4/09

Christian Outreach Centre's Global Care at Kinglake.

Three and a half minute video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5hOIbvpYsI

4/4/09

All Muslims bow to the Saudi King, since he is the Guardian of the Ka'aba in Mecca and so does Barack Obama

 Link: http://www.smh.com.au/world/obama-and-the-king-a-right-royal-bow-row-20090403-9lwh.html

30/3/09

‘Beyond Winning’ – Four Christian sports men and women tell their story
Four of Australia’s top sports men and women are featured in Bible Society’s Easter
television special which airs nationally on the Seven Network at 12.30pm on Good
Friday. Based on ‘The Prize’ – a sports edition of the New Testament with a companion
DVD, ‘Beyond Winning’ highlights the achievements of Aaron Baddeley, world
champion golfer; Deb Lovely, Commonwealth Games Gold medal weightlifter;
Allison Shreeve, Women’s Windsurfing Champion and Andrew ‘Fishtail’ Fisher, V8
Ute and Supercar Driver in the V8 Racing series.

As well as being at the top of their field, each of these sports men and women have a
personal faith in Jesus Christ, whose death and resurrection is remembered at Easter.
Allison Shreeve recently attempted to break the record for Windsurfing across Bass
Strait, but after nine hours, severe cramping and the potential onset of hypothermia
brought her challenge to an end.

Andrew ‘Fishtail’ Fisher races under the ‘Jesus. All about life’ banner.
The ‘Jesus. All about life’ prime-time media campaign is coming to NSW and
Western Australia in September this year and having ‘Jesus’ on the side of his car
certainly makes Andrew stand out.
Hosted by Karl Faase, ‘Beyond Winning’ focuses on each sports persons
achievements and how their Christian faith impacts their lives both on and off the
field.

For more information:
Daniel Willis, CEO – Bible Society. (02) 9888 6588; 0418 257 872
Martin Johnson – Producer. 0417 028 438 martin.johnson@bigpond.com

30/3/09

WEBSTER'S DICTIONARY REDEFINES MARRIAGE

One of the world's most prominent dictionary companies has resolved the argument over whether the term "marriage" should apply to same-sex duos or be reserved for the institution that has held families together for millennia: by simply writing a new definition.

The dictionary's new definition of marriage, a word which has referred exclusively to a contract between a man and a woman for centuries now references "marriage" as the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife. But the definition also includes "the state of being united to a person of the same sex in a relationship like that of a traditional marriage." Webster denied an agenda. "We often hear from people who believe that we are promoting a particular social or political agenda when we make choices about what words to include in the dictionary and how those words should be defined," associate editor Kory Stamper wrote in response. "We hear such criticism from all parts of the political spectrum. We're genuinely sorry when an entry in – or an omission from – one of our dictionaries is found to be offensive or upsetting, but we can't allow such considerations to deflect us from our primary job as lexicographers."

Stamper justified the redefinition, too. "In recent years, this new sense of 'marriage' has appeared frequently and consistently throughout a broad spectrum of carefully edited publications, and is often used in phrases such as 'same-sex marriage' and 'gay marriage' by proponents and opponents alike. Its inclusion was a simple matter of providing our readers with accurate information about all of the world's currents uses," Stamper said. 

Source: WorldNetDaily

25/3/09

ABC INVITES PEOPLE TO SHARE THEIR JOURNEY OF FAITH FOR HISTORY PROJECT

Editors note: This is not a story we would normally carry however very rarely do the TV stations give opportunity for people to share the story of their family history based on the part faith and religion played in it.  I am sure there are many Australian Christian families with a rich heritage of faith who could tell exciting stories of how God has led and guided them in their life in this country. Maybe you are one and would relish the opportunity and the challenge this offer extends.

People from all around Australia are being invited to tell their personal stories online in a vibrant history project that will also become a documentary series on ABC TV. As both a broadband project and TV series, The Making of Modern Australia will be an unofficial people's history, with individuals and families sharing their stories of life in Australia since 1945. "The Making of Modern Australia allows everyone to be a part of history," according to series producer Ian Collie.

By logging onto http://www.makingaustralia.com.au/ people can upload their stories through photos, home movies, live webcams, sound recordings and text. "They might be sad or funny stories, memories of big events, or just the quiet details of everyday life. "The Making of Modern Australia provides a wonderful opportunity for families to get together and talk about their past and their family history. We're hoping younger family members will record parents, grandparents and even great-grandparents, and then upload the material gathered," he said.

Stories will be showcased on the website as a lasting record for others to read and comment on. All material posted to the website will be considered for inclusion in the four-part landmark documentary series on ABC TV. Personal stories are being sought primarily in four broad categories:

. faith and religion
. parenting and childhood
. romance and relationships
. the Australian home/a sense of place

To help people tell their stories, The Making of Modern Australia site is user-friendly with plenty of tips on storytelling and uploading material, as well as inspiring examples.

Source: Australian Broadcasting Commission

 

25/3/09

Influencing the National History Syllabus  

Graham McDonald writes:   Many of you are aware that the National Curriculum Board has been inviting writers to participate in writing curriculum for the National History Syllabus.  The closing date was 13th March 2009.    However if for what ever reason you were not able to be involved in writing you can get involved by offering your advice online. The website below is where you need to start.   I believe we as Christians need to take advantage of this once in a life time opportunity.   Please encourage as many people who are interested in the education and the future of our children to be involved   http://www.ncb.org.au/get_involved/subscribe/ways_of_participating.html  

PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO THOSE WHO COULD BE INVOLVED AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE  

CONTACT: Graham Mc Donald
National Team Leader, Children of the World
61 403 190 103 (m)

OLD NEWS ARCHIVES:

29/10/08
Commercials in denial about Community Radio audience

Over 9.5 million Australians listen to community radio every month.  Over 4.5 million are regular weekly listeners. But commercial broadcasters seem to want to pretend this significant audience doesn’t exist...MORE/

25/10/08                                       

More People Listening To Community Radio Than Ever Before

More people are tuning into community radio stations like 104.9 RhemaFMlive for the local content and specialised music programs they offer.

The 2008 Community Radio National Listener Survey was released last month and has revealed a loyal following of Australians who tune into their local community radio station each month.

The survey found 57 per cent of Australians aged 15 years and above listen to community radio each month, an increase of 10 per cent in the last two years.

In the South East around 7920 people are listening to our community radio stations on a weekly basis. MORE/