Save our ABC
The cynicism of the federal government regarding media laws is alarming in that it seems that we could end up in a substantial reduction of media ownership in Australia which may reduce the choices and variety that readers, watchers and listeners can access.
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Even more alarming is the attempt by One Nation to place restrictions on the independence and freedom of the ABC and SBS. The claim that the charter needs changing to ensure balance and fairness is nonsensical given that it is already in the charter.
Anyone who watches or listens to the ABC can see that there is ample even-handedness; Q&A and The Drum are two examples where there is always a broad representation of views. It needs to be said that no commercial outlet would be as brave as the Four Corners program which has, for many years shone light on some of the dark corners of Australian life, something that is rather unlikely in commercial entities.
On another matter, do our politicians realise that mail can take up to five days to reach regional centres? If the mail is not returned for the upcoming survey by the closing date will that mean that many votes may never be counted making this exercise even more farcical.
Mary Kidson, Wagga
A pastor’s perspective
There is a lot of discussion taking place about marriage. I have been a pastor for 45 years and have counselled many troubled individuals trying to deal with the difficulties in their sexual identity.
We are faced with a moral decision: Do we redefine the Marriage Act? If we consider where the Marriage Act has its beginnings it may help some in their understanding.
Genesis 2:24 states: “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and shall cleave unto his wife; and they shall become one flesh”. From this came the description “marry”; thus was Godly institution. The dictionary says that “to marry” is to unite man and woman; all this goes right back to Genesis.
Man may want to change God’s law as given in His word, but the Bible speaks out against injustice for our protection and benefit, as does our Australian legal system.
I don’t agree with same-sex marriage. It’s against God’s law; He has issued these laws for our protection.
It is by no means a simple matter. I have spent many hours listening to dear folk who have feelings of same-sex attraction. They are unable to understand why they would have these feelings; saying: “I haven’t asked for this” and many say “I don’t want this what am I to do?”
This realisation can be very traumatising for the individual, causing deep confusion and often unimaginable pain and anguish. We can’t, we mustn’t, let people suffer in such ways. There must be ways to help them in their time of need.
I haven’t ever seen God wave any magic wands to make life’s issues disappear, but I do see that many of these feelings – wanted or unwanted – can be brought into submission to your own conscience and life, clearing the way for a happy and prosperous future.
My last word is to be kind to one another, don’t hurt each other because of our differences.
George Robbins, Wagga
Denigration of our culture
People voting in the same-sex marriage plebiscite need to think very carefully about what they vote for.
SSM advocates want to change the Marriage Act in a way which takes all meaning out of a marriage as we know it… between a man and a woman.
It is not the SSM which is the problem. It is the fact that the UN and New World Order, driven by socialists, are behind the denigration of our culture and tradition. It is part of making us a communist/socialist country under their sovereign rule.