Friday, October 23, 2009

I’m Confused

The years 2008-2009, without a doubt, will go down in my life's history as the most confusing years of my existence (that is, unless I get Alzheimer's' – and I'm not making fun of this debilitating disease). But then again most people who know me accuse me of staying confused anyway.

First, there was the presidential election of 2008. Gosh, where did the REAL candidates go? But who would have thought that the new President of these GREAT United States would dislike the United States and their concept of self-government so much. In six months we have seen a country which was admittedly in a mess—almost disintegrate before our very eyes. Now we are faced with the real prospect of the Government (Big-brother) taking over everything from Health-care to auto-makers to financial institutions and our President is not through. His thoughts are, "This Government isn't big enough." Year ago (long before he was a presidential candidate) I heard Mike Huckabee say something to this effect, "Why is it that the government, who can only 'take' money, think they can handle it better than the citizen, who "make" the money?" While Gov. Huckabee and I will disagree on several things, we certainly agree on this issue. Yet, our President continues to spend and spend and spend and spend and take over and spend until, well…just until. Admittedly, I love his concept; "spend your way out of debt." If this could happen…my wife and I would be DEBT FREE!! So if I can't do it—how can my country do it? I'm confused.

Next, our new President came to office with the pronouncement, "I'm going to close Guantanamo, bring all our soldiers home, and be done with the war." While most normal thinking Americans knew this was not as easy as he made it sound, he continued voicing his unlikely and improbable position. While there is NOT AN AMERICAN who wants to have an unending presence in Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, or have to keep a prison camp (for terrorists) open, it would seem that the more prudent way of governing would be to put experts in place and listen to their wise expertise and counsel about how to accomplish this. Yet, it would seem that our President, once again, has tunnel vision about making America what HE wants it to be. Somehow I have been taught (in legitimate US History & Government classes) that our founding Fathers were deep thinkers, outstanding writers, and (by the way) most had a deep faith in the God of the Bible, to wit they established this experiment in government which has stood the test of time. Now, our elected President appears to be making an attempt to change all of this. My question is "Why?" Before we became so 'enlightened' that our courts and congress began to "challenge" the 'Constitutionality of the Constitution' (what a sad truth) and seek to revise what wise scholars had known and taught to be the original intent, this country stood as an impregnable fortress founded on the truths found in God's word and even the blessings of God Himself. Today, we have almost extricated Jehovah God from our Government, Schools, and culture, which adds up to kicking Him out of our lives. Now, I'm really confused.

It is amusing to listen to the pundits recant the historicity of "America being founded on the Bible and the God of the Bible." The reason it is so amusing it that for me (not the sharpest knife in the drawer) it seems that our Founding Fathers were visionary enough to foresee this day coming and they knew the almost "ignorant" approach some would take to this concept. So what did they do? In almost EVERY NATIONAL MONUMENT they built, they inscribed in STONE portions of God's word. It is my belief that they inscribed all of this in stone so future generations could not erase what knew to be the "essential part" of a fair and free government.

Because this Blog is so long, just be reminded of one such inscription. Above the heads of the Supreme Court Justices, THE TEN COMMANDMENTS are inscribed!! This would be amusing if it weren't so sad. These are the same 10 Commandments that they told Alabama Supreme Court Judge Roy Moore were UNCONSITTUTIONAL. Is it any wonder I'm confused?

Finally earlier this year, an elected President of these United State stood on foreign soil to proclaim "America is no longer a Christian Nation!" To read the unrevised history of America, study the words and faith of our founding men, examine the words of John Jay (our first Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court), to read early documents, to understand the process of development in this nation and then declare it "no longer Christian?" Yep, that settles it--- IT'S OFFICIAL "I'm Confused."

Friday, September 18, 2009

God is Still Working

Last Thursday (September 17 – Constitution Day) will live on as a day of surprises. The first surprise (covered in my previous blog) was that a High School Principal (Frank Lay) and Athletic Director (Robert Freeman) was in front of a judge on "Criminal Charges" of Contempt of Court for saying a "Blessing over food." Who would have thought that our system of juris prudence would actually hear such a ridiculous case as this in a country that boast of "religious freedom" and "tolerance." (to use a "well-used" word)..

The next surprise is nothing shy of a divine act of God. After a one day trial, these two men were found NOT GUILTY!!! What a story!! Although Religious Freedom for Christians under persecution in America, this was a time when God, in His grace, reached down and took control of circumstances which seemed out of control.

God's people rose up to the Challenge and He responded in support. To Him be the Glory!!

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Should we be worried?

Thursday, September 17, 2009, is a day that will live in infamy. On this day, the landscape for religious freedom in this nation will be changed. Frank Lay (High School Principal) and Robert Freeman (High School Employee) will stand before a judge, facing criminal charges for "saying a blessing over the food at the dedication of the school's new field house." This scenario would be funny, if it were not so sad. With the real problems facing this culture and country, the ACLU has, once again, chosen to flex its legal muscle and eradicate Christianity from all public life. From unofficial reports the ACLU is setting up for a long, expensive battle which many observers believe will ultimately be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court.

As we all know, the charter of the ACLU speaks of protecting the "Bill of Rights" and yet, those 'rights' include the government NOT MAKING ANY LAW WHICH PROHIBITS THE FREE EXERCISE OF RELGION." They seem to selectively choose to fight Christianity and in so doing they give their best efforts to bringing down good and Godly people.

Interestly, it seems that the judges (to this point) have been reading from the ACLU playbook. In the wording of the judge's previous order it could be interpreted that any school employee at any time cannot participate in any personal prayer at any place on campus. The question is, "What has happened to the rights of Frank Lay and Robert Freeman?" This is indeed a sad time in this country which I love but feel like we have lost.

At a time when men are women are shedding their life's blood on the field of battle to defend our freedom (many paying the ultimate price), those very same freedoms are being summarily taken by the legal establishment ignoring the tenants of the national and state constitutions. My personal note is that the time may be upon us when we need to insist on "Judicial Review" and replace some of these judges who attempt to "legislate from the bench."

Am I worried? Well, not in an eternal sense, because one day the ACLU, the judges, and courts will bow down to THE King. Am I worried about our nation? Yes, if something does not change in this process, we may well hear a modern day judge declare our constitution unconstitutional!! What a day that will be!!

Let's pray and act to support the cause of religious freedom and these men who have given their lives to helping our kids.


 

 

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Arteriosclerosis – Hardening of the Heart!

There are many things which are eating away at our culture, country, and churches. Recently, I have re-read the book "Why Churches Die?" by Dr. Mac Brunson and Dr. Ergun Caner and have been touched, once again, by their diagnoses of local congregations. On Wednesday evenings, I have offered to the congregation where I serve a series of devotional type of messages (from the Bible and this book) to point out some of these diseases. Some of the conditions related were "Myopia" (short or near-sightedness), "Atrophy" (lack of use), and Glossitis (use of the tongue) ; but to compare the modern day "cultural Christianity" to arteriosclerosis was also a stroke of genius. The words which follow only scratch the surface of what needs to be considered.

  • His name was Bobby Dean. On the Saturday afternoon that He died, quite likely, he carried all the stubbornness into eternity that he lived with on earth. A couple of people have suggested that when he was greeted in heaven, he lodged some complaints about his surroundings. In his last weeks on earth he gave the nurses grief and dismissed visitors with a wave of the hands. By those who knew him, he was a grumpy & cranky old man.
  • Bobby was a hard worker all of his life. As a farmer, he was on the tractor before daybreak and did stop his labor until after sunset. Every Sunday "morning" he was in HIS pew at church. He would enter "right at" time for the service, look over and critique the bulletin, and then sit with arms crossed while evaluating the message of the preacher. He liked his last preacher more than most, but still gave his pastor grief about the invitation.
  • One time the Pastor mustered of the courage and asked Bobby why he was so opposed to the call for commitment. The answer was, "Waste of time." He went on to say, "I came forward 60 years ago, go saved and baptized, and haven't felt any reason to come forward since then." The pastor was amazed and said, "You've never have a time of recommitment, repentance, for prayer or rededication?" The harsh answer was, "Those are just preacher term, ain't no need." Bobbie finished, "Now Preacher, that maturity." Candidly, this is not maturity rather it is a hardness of the heart. Every one of us, believer or non-believer, allows sin into our lives and when we sin, God will issue a call for our penitence. If we respond, our heart is softened, conversely if we refuse to respond, our heart become hardened. In medical terms this compares to the disease arteriosclerosis. Arteriosclerosis will be our aid tonight as we consider the Local church and why it is dead, dying, or dynamic. For our Biblical Basis let's read our text.
  • There is much about this story which never ceases to amaze me. First, how did Nabal hook a woman who was of such spiritual and ethical character that she would become royalty? Some will suggest, "Because he was rich." This brings up my next amazement, "How did someone named "Nabal" get rich? His name literally means "fool" or "senseless" and in verse 25 Abby says, that he "lives up to his name, stupidity is all he knows." My questions can go on and on, but the truth is, "Nabal was hard, arrogant & difficult." In other words, he was eaten up with a hard heart or arteriosclerosis.
  1. The Description – In medical or biological terms, this disease is a condition developed from the hardening of the arteries. Plaque and other impurities develop in the blood vessels and attach themselves to the side of the arteries and over the course of time occlude the flow of blood. If not treated, the vessels will eventually be completely blocked which will bring on a heart attack, a stroke, or even death. Bad diet & lack of exercise contribute to this. One word of opinion; unlike the actual disease which is seemingly difficult to reverse, God can reverse the spiritual strain if we'll allow him to.
  2. The Development – Just like our blood stream has all of these fats, plaque, and other impurities available to attach themselves to our vessels and cause damage, our hearts and souls have the same thing. Every time you and I sin, more impurities are released in our spiritual circulatory system and God moves in with His convicting Holy Spirit to calls us to repentance. At this point, we have a choice, we can repent or resist. When we resist, those impurities attached themselves to our heart and it becomes a little more hardened, our soul become a little less sensitive, & our ears become a little less in tune to the voice of God. Every time God speaks to us about anything and we reject His leading, another layer of callousness forms over our heart. Here is the thing about a callous; it has no sensitivity because there is no life in it, no fresh blood flows through it, and no living nerve ending exist. As we look at and inject Nabal into this thought process, we find that he was indeed affected with this disease.
  3. The Diagnosis – Instead of going through this entire story just notice a couple of things with me. When David sent his 10 men to ask for help, he felt confident that Nabal would respond affirmatively. Yet, Nabal show extreme arrogance, insolence, and even back that up with sarcasm. Arrogance or pride may be the leading cause of a hard heart within the church today. The average congregation thinks it to be extreme to respond to God in contrition. Nabal shows his colors in his questioning. He was too proud, wealthy, and self-important to respond to anyone. Make no mistake David was angry and said, "Saddle up your horses & prepare for battle." While this was happening, Nabal was oblivious to the trouble he was in. When we have the spiritual version of this, we too are just as oblivious to our trouble. In fact, when Jesus taught about the second coming, He said, "Some will be saying 'peace & safety' and the end is at hand." The Watts translation of this says, "While they THINK all is well with their soul, the sound of judgment comes." This is a call to wake up. For arteriosclerosis the Mayo Clinic suggests several possible treatments: Anti-platelet med, Anti-coagulant, Hyper-tension, as well as some others. But what prescription drug can turn the clock on our spiritual version.
  4. The Drug – We can learn from Abigail. She came to David like we have to come to God. We should come in humility, honesty, and in brokenness. God resist the proud but gives "GRACE" to the humble. In our weakness, He is made strong. Don't end up like Nabal. He became so hardened and then so enraged that had seizures & was paralyzed. In Hebrew, those 2 words mean "his heart died within him" and "his heart became like stone." The word gives us a medicine for this malady and it's called confession and repentance. While these are not popular words in the 21st century American church, the divine requirement does not change.


 

Monday, July 20, 2009

IS THE SBC BEGINNING TO CRUMBLE?


Many years ago I heard my good friend, Dr. Dean Register, make a statement which clearly expresses my feelings. He said, "I'm Baptist-Born, Baptist Bred, and one day when I die, I'll be Baptist Dead! In fact, were you to cut me, I'd bleed the Cooperative Program." I love Baptists, being a Baptist, and I especially love the Southern Baptist Convention. Yes, we have our faults and failures, from time to time we have fought among ourselves like siblings, and yet, evangelism and missions have remained at the forefront of our "denomination."
For all of my years as a Southern Baptist, "Jesus" has been our focus. Yes, this sounds simplistic and does not resound with intellectual elitism of which we are becoming accustomed, but for Baptists, "Jesus" has always been the 'name above all names.' As I have prayed, studied, and diligently read God's word it seems to me that anytime we give blanket adherence to any other beside our Lord Jesus we can expect to happen what we see happening.
Some call this division among Southern Baptist "A New Day", "Another Reformation", and even "The Changing of the Guard." Yet, while any spiritually sensitive believer recognizes the need for a "renewal" within the ranks of the SBC, the question which comes to my mind is "What exactly is it that we are attempting to renew?" Additionally, how do we renew that which has seemingly been forgotten?
Admittedly, I am a simple person with a very simple mind, but the struggle within our ranks seems to wear a name. Today, from many in the upper echelons of our convention's leadership and those who have seemingly become convention spokesmen we hear the name John Calvin more that we hear Jesus Christ. For me, Calvin is simply one more teacher of days past who deserves our study but does not rise to the level of 'deity' which some have given him. Although I am aware that daring to write the words which follow will give me a label for the rest of my ministry, I am compelled to state that John Calvin holds no more prominence for me than does, Charles Spurgeon, Martin Luther, John Wesley, or even St. Augustine. Now that I have "dared" to write this, let me dig my own 'theological grave' (among the SBC) a little deeper.
Let's consider Calvin's Testimony of conversion as he relays it in his Preface to the Psalms (and which is recorded multiple places); "God by a sudden conversion subdued and brought my mind to a teachable frame." Honestly, if someone were to come down the aisle next Sunday with this type of testimony, we would move them to a counseling room to see if they understood what "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ" actually meant. While we know that salvation is of, from, and by Jehovah God, we also recognize that God sent Jesus as the doorway to salvation and the Throne of Grace. Without Jesus in the equation, there can be no salvation.
When I look at Calvin's Tulip, it seems flawed from a Biblical interpretation. For years we have all heard about Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and the Perseverance of the Saints and yet, it would seem to me that "IF" this is truly a Biblical Basis for mankind, that evangelism and missions are a moot point. Admittedly, from my personal study the first and the last of these five points are completely within the bounds of Biblical theology. So, I submit an alternate TULIP.
  • Total Depravity – it is true that sin has affected all of man, every part. The heart is above all thing deceitful. Scripture clearly teaches "fallen man."
  • Unconditional Love – This is the most basic and is found in too many scriptures to quote.
  • Limitless Atonement – The blood is Jesus is given for "ALL", for "THE WORLD", for "SINNERS". These words appear repetitively in Holy Scripture.
  • Invitational Grace – This picture is given in the "WHOSOEVERS" of scripture and speaks to the responsibility of man. Jesus said, "Whosever will, let him come."
  • Perseverance of the Saints. – In Christ, we are saved, sealed, and secured for all eternity. John, Romans, and Ephesians are only three of the places where we find assurance of this truth.
Having laid forth these truths (admittedly, as I view them), hearing the debate which is raging across our ranks, and now recognizing how just how divisive this issue has become, I am afraid the convention that I love is crumbling at the foundation. True, if the GCR committee stays on point and leads us to more effective evangelism and discipleship then perhaps we can right the ship that seems to be faltering in this "philosophical" storm. (I label this philosophical because man-made thoughts are indeed philosophical in nature, this can be illustrated by saying from Calvin's Tulip to Warren's Purpose Driven Life) While both may have at least some "Bible Truth" in them, none of the Biblical writers used the Tulip or PDL in Holy Scripture.
My prayer is this; that we can return to the Bible as our source, Jesus as our Savior, and Jehovah God as our Strength, and lay aside the names and labels which we give to each other. God knows that while we are debating over 'debatable issues' we are losing our country to the darkness. Let us take our deadly weapons, rearm them with the manifest power of the Holy Spirit, 're-aim' them at our real enemy, and not make one man (except the Lord Christ) our dividing point.
An old preacher once told me, "You can't rock a boat and row a boat at the same time." Let us hear these words and right our ship. To not do so, could have a devastating impact on the future of the SBC and more importantly, the gospel.

 


 

Thursday, July 09, 2009

Who Knows?

The debacle of the SBC Executive Committee seems to still light up the Press, Twitter, and even Facebook. Today I read response after response calling for Dr. Morris Chapman's resignation. Even in this heightened emotional time, most (if not all) acknowledges Dr. Chapman's longevity and leadership during these past 30 years and thus, simply states that he has lost touch with the rank and file Baptist, has developed a skewed perception of what the SBC is all about, or is one whose time has passed. Candidly, it is not my place (at this point) to join this call as I believe him to be a good man who has indeed led us for years and deserves better than this. But it is my belief, that every person employed by an SBC church or entity deserves better than this.

That being said, there still exist several telling issues which require the Executive committee's attention (now, I'm talking about the ENTIRE Executive Committee as opposed to only the officers and administration of the Executive Committee). Some of these are;

  • Why does it seem to be that Dr. Hunt and Dr. Chapman are communicating through the press and not in a personal setting? Would it not be better for our two elected leaders to come to some kind of understanding of what is going on in the upper echelon of SBC life?
  • Why is it that Dr. Chapman gives the perception that he is above being accountable to the churches he serves? This is not meant to be trite or mean spirited but every level of the SBC has checks and balances. Even the Executive Committee is accountable.
  • If Dr. Chapman does resign, will he be given the same type of treatment that Bro. Clark was given? Here today and gone tomorrow.
  • Why is it that the entire Executive Committee has not been "in the loop" of this publicity scandal? Isn't that what we elect them to do and be? Yet, it would seem that they have been kept out of the loop.
  • What happens if the at-large members of the Executive Committee demand to be "filled-in" on the circumstances of this issue? Will they be told "no comment", "we do not comment on personnel matters", or in the converse, will they be replaced with a "no comment?"

I know these are tough, mean sounding questions, but God knows my heart, they are not meant that way. There is nothing mean about accountability, but it is tough. It's easy to ask for a resignation and it's tough to handle the questions which ensue. It's easy to look the other way; it's tough to look a problem in the eye. It's easy to say "no comment"; it's tough to speak the truth in love.

May we never forget that we are God's people, doing God's business, hopefully in God's way! Backroom dismissals, hiding behind bureaucracy, and refusing to inform those elected to be informed is not God's way. However, if this actions stands without any accountability being demanded, then maybe our churches and institution will follow suit, who knows?

Tuesday, July 07, 2009

Here We Go Again

In the aftermath of the SBC it has been interesting to talk with people who were "in attendance" in Louisville and those who "attended" via the internet. The consensus has been that this was a good Convention but like so many times before, the after story becomes the story. Enter a fine young man named "Clark Logan" accompanied by the bureaucratic "two-step" which has become so prominent.

Candidly, I've met Bro. Morris Chapman one time about 15 years ago and I've never met Bro. Clark, so it is not that I have a "dog in the fight" of the employee-employer relationship publicity scandal which has surfaced. However as a Southern Baptist, any time a situation develops which causes a black mark on the Southern Baptist name and thus, negatively impacts our testimony of grace and gospel concerns me greatly. While those "inside the beltway" of the Executive Committee might see this as a "Personnel Policy" being implemented, the public perception (including me at this point) is that we have one more time "bloodied our own nose." Statements like "no comment" and "We do not comment on personnel matters" only serve to promote speculation about a bureaucracy gone wild. Honestly, in my heart I believe that the SBC is better than this, deserves better than this, and has a right to demand better than this.

While it is obvious that Bro. Clark was given the privilege of resigning (effective immediately) it is equally obvious that something is amiss in this situation. Whereas it is true that the general public doesn't have to know all the "ins and outs" of a personnel review, the personnel policy might need to be reviewed if it is the practice of the Executive Committee to call for a resignation in the AM and an evacuation in the PM. If an employee is not measuring up, the process should allow for more notice and direction than this.

However, the disturbing thing here is this; in a time when the Executive Committee and all of our national ministries just made a call for more support, their integrity comes into question with a unilateral decision to take the livelihood from a young man who is well thought of among his peers. Additionally, others are so afraid that they have little or no comment.

I am not angry, but saddened about this entire situation. I am saddened for Bro. Clark and his loss of a job in such a public manner. I am saddened for Bro. Morris and his loss of respect (at least from me) for the way this has been handled. I am saddened for the Executive Committee who seems to have been given a black-eye for their remaining silent (instead of giving some statement which assures us that this has gone through proper channels and processes). I am saddened for Southern Baptist who, once again, made the news by giving the perception that we have been unfair to one of our own. I am saddened for the gospel who always suffers when we make a mess of things. Let us not "Go this way again."

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

I Don't Understand

No one has ever accused me of being the "sharpest tool in the toolbox", but the word 'confusion' does not even touch my thoughts today. In fact, these thoughts have not just begun with this week of the 2009 SBC in Louisville but rather, have been growing over the past 10-15 years as I have listened to the debate inside the convention which I love so much.
As confused as I am about this one subject, I am not confused about the potential repercussions of writing this blog. To lay forth these few thoughts generally will exact an attack of major proportions, yet what follows is what I feel about the debate over John Calvin and his philosophy (no, I don't believe it is a theology) called Calvinism. By design, this blog will not be extended.
As I have read the "Twitters", the "Twubs", and watched over the internet, I am amazed that Calvin is receiving almost as much attention as our Lord Jesus, and for me, something is wrong with this. As we know, Paul countered this type of focus in 1 Corinthians by bringing to light the "Apollos-Paul" principle. I submit that today we have almost come to a "Calvin-Jesus" parallel. Personally, in these meetings I would love to hear less about Calvin and more about our Lord. Calvin may have been a good Bible teacher and a deeply intellectual theologian, but he was not and is not infallible. From my reading of God's word, his "TULIP" has some debatable issues included (and none of which threaten the sovereignty of Jehovah God). As far as I can discern, Calvin's name is found no where in Holy Scripture and his "Institutes" contain some theology which most every Southern Baptist will find suspect.
For my two cents worth, I do not hate John Calvin and his desire to systematize Biblical theology, but I must say that I do "dislike" what the application of Calvinism seems to be doing to Southern Baptist.
Proponents will say, "He is returning us to a Reformed Theology which is what we need", while Opponents will respond, "He is taking us to a place we don't need to go."
Personally, my prayer is that we will simply return to scriptural principles of living, evangelism, discipleship, fellowship, mission, ministry, worship, and prayer; making the Great Comission our one driving force while abandoning the temptation to allow a human leader to divide us. After all, Jesus is the one who still saves. And we will not be admitted to heaven based on our beliefs about John Calvin, Martin Luther, John Wesley, or any other historical leaders.
Is it any wonder that we, as Southern Baptist, have lost some of the influence and effectiveness we have enjoyed in years past?
"Lord, help us to forsake our sin of looking at your leaders and return to looking to YOU. Amen."

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

America, Love it or Leave it

It has been over 6 months since I've "blogged" anything. Candidly, who knows where to begin? Seemingly our electorate has made some decisions which make it difficult to understand. The result is that today, this great nation teeters on the bring of fiscal, moral, and ethical collapse. (I know that others have differing opinions--that's their right--but this is my personal opinion). Amid the melee of all our difficulties we are barraged with the Political Correctness (PC) group which tells us that we have to be tolerant of all cultures, practices, religions, and faiths. This group pushes the point to say this nation should change to accommodate all of the immigrants so that they will "feel comfortable" in the USA. Make no mistake about the USA, we should be a friend to all who desire a better life in America but at the same time, the very reason they desired to come here was because of the culture which thousands have given their lives to establish and protect. Just as we need to be welcoming, those who come should accept this culture for what we have been instead of attempting to change us into something else.

Thus far our national leaders have seemingly shown little interest in preserving the culture of America and thus, by default, have allowed our culture to change. My prayer is for God to give us some leaders who will protect our nation, our freedom, and our culture.

This week, I read and was impressed with the words of the Prime Minister of Australia, John Howard. He is seemingly fed up with the outsiders coming into their country and their culture to change THEM. Here are His words...

"IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali , we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians."

"However, the dust from the attacks had barely settled when the 'politically correct' crowd began complaining about the possibility that our patriotism was offending others. I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by coming to Australia " "However, there are a few things that those who have recently come to our country, and apparently some born here, need to understand." "This idea of Australia being a multi-cultural community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity And as Australians, we have our own culture, our own society, our own language and our own lifestyle."

"This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom"

"We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society Learn the language!"

"Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture."

"We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us."

"If the Southern Cross offends you, or you don't like "A Fair Go", then you should seriously consider a move to another part of this planet. We are happy with our culture and have no desire to change, and we really don't care how you did things where you came from. By all means, keep your culture, but do not force it on others.

"This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom,

'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'."

"If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted."


The old bumper sticker says it, "America, Love it or Leave it."

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