Prime Minister Scott Morrison attends an a service at Horizon Church, Sutherland, NSW, Easter Sunday 2019. Photo: Gary Ramage
Comrades,
Until now I have refrained from passing judgement on Israel Folau and the whole silly freedom of religion/freedom of speech "debate", especially given most people couldn't give jack shit about it - only 16% of Coalition voters strongly support a Religious Freedom Act, as proposed by the right wing fundamentalist extremists. The vast majority support the simple concept of plain speakin' and calling a spade a spade. But our Great and Glorious Leader opening the annual Hillsong Conference, which he has done for years, has given me a hook to hang the story on on. Bless him.
ScoMo told the 21,000 God Botherer's that all Straya needs to get out of it's current difficulties is "more faith, more prayer and more love", noting "and to have grace. Grace really is amazing." Right on! Just how good is Grace! The Pentacostalist PM then really opened up, saying "that’s what we’re here to do as Christians. Not here to judge. Not here to lecture. Just here to show the amazing love of God." No judging? No lecturing? No proselyting the love of God? How about the Crusades [1st-9th 1095-1303 AD] then? The catchcry there was "your god is dead, you better try mine". Never mind The London Missionary Society [who were all about judging and lecturing], Mormons knocking at yr door, or even the latter-day "Troubles" that saw two tribes of Christians going at each other tooth and nail, shooting and bombing the shit out of each other. Better dust off yr little history books ScoMo for a slightly more nuanced view on that particular one.
Let's forget about the ever lasting for a minute, here. Surely there are other more pressing matters to exercise the collective mind of a "say nothing, do nothing" Government? As an example, what about It's The Economy Stupid? When that all goes to hell in a hand basket - as canny economists are predicting - after the Govt. indicates everything is going along swimmingly, if not gangbusters, what then? When the boat sails without us? What would Jesus do? Walking on water aint going to help that much.
If you have seen the Instagram post that got Israel into hot water with the rah-rah boys in the first place, you'll note that DRUNKS are at the very top of the list of sinners who will burn in hell. I haven't heard any alcoholics complaining about being pilloried and going up in flames at the behest of the Believers. That's probably because their god is like a genie in a bottle. [Still, as a repentant ex-boozer, the least I can now expect is to end up reclined on Cloud 9. And if that doesn't happen, there will be hell to pay, believe you me]. No one is talking about shameful discrimination against wino's, are they? Grog addicts aren't getting all antsy about their human rights, are they? And I suppose that the Adulterers, Liars, Fornicators, Thieves, Atheists, and Idolators all know they are going to flame-out for all eternity anyway, so they can go suit themselves, and make hay while the sun shines. With QC's lining up to be Israel's clout in a Federal Court restraint of trade action, and Google being done for contempt of court in a defamation lawyers picnic, who needs frank and robust debate anyway? It only makes people upset, mainly, if not exclusively, those who fear change.
Of much more concern is the AFP demanding Qantas surrender the travel records of investigative journo's to determine just where they have been going and trying to figure out who they have been talking to. The Federal Cops have also got warrants to go comb through journalists meta-data - that means emails, mobile phone records etc etc et al - no less than 60 times in the last year to see what sneakies they've been up to. A police state is a sure fire way to put the kibosh on freedom of speech, but no one seems to be up in arms about that either, except for the A.J.A.
Joisus.
PM Scott Morrison with daughters Lily (l) and Abbey (r) and Deputy PM Michael McCormack ride the Rock Star ride at the 2019 Royal Easter Show, Sydney Olympic Park. Photo: AAP
