I have now moved my blog to a new host at www.andyrobinson.org.uk

A street preacher is at the centre of a row over freedom of speech after police threatened to arrest him for reading the Bible in public.

And so it begins … on Saturday the Telegraph News Paper reported that whilst preaching and reading the bible on the streets of Manchester a man was told by plain clothes and uniformed police officers to stop or face arrest.

Andrea Minichiello Williams, a friend of mine and the the director of the Christian Legal Centre, has written to Peter Fahy, the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester, over the incident …. Go Andrea!

The Telegrapth reported “The centre and Mr Diamond believe that the police abused their powers during the dispute on Saturday, July 25. It is against the law to use offensive, threatening or abusive words or behaviour. It is also an offence to incite hatred on grounds of race, religion or sexual orientation. However, in its letter to the police, the Christian Legal Centre said: ‘Freedom of religious and freedom of religious speech is specifically protected by the European Convention on Human Rights.’ The letter added: ‘This means that any restriction on the ‘right’ to evangelise will have to be justified by the Police by a ‘pressing social need’. ‘In a free society, this is very difficult to do; and a few complaints by irate individuals will not suffice.’

This is, I beleive, the begining of the systematic errosion of the christian foundation of this nation! I think we should take a long close look at what principles and political foundations have made this country great. I would suggest that it is the foundational chrsitian principles our laws are founded on. I am not saying that everyone should be a chrsitian, or anything like that. But lets not throw the baby out with the bath water!

This video says it all …. watch, consider and enjoy!

Financial Crisis or Financial Plan?

Does God Cause Disasters

Today I was speaking in church on Acts 11:19-21 and tackled the question is God surprised by things that happen? I particularly look at the story of the scattering church after the murder and subsequent persecution.

The bible tells us in Amos 3:6 that Disaster (Hebrew word is Evil) comes to a city because God caused it! Job 2:10 says “Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil” and Isaiah 31:2 says “He is wise and brings disaster” This is a very strange concept for us to grapple with. Is God behind this evil (Not moral evil) that comes upon a city or indeed upon individuals?

If you are interested I have done a detailed exegesis of Amos 3:1-6 which you can download here.

You can Download my Powerpoint Slides from my talk here.

 

Spectacular Sins

I reference this book by John Piper which is a very interesting read and will assist you in some of the thoughts and questions this talk will raise.

It is inconceivable that in a modern democracy with a democratically elected government that those placed over a people to rule the people on behalf of the people would then persecute the very people that put them in power. We would consider a country’s elected government mistreating the electorate in this way as outrageous.

The country I refer to is our very own United Kingdom. In the last census (2001) 72% of our nation said they were Christian. Yet the practice of this majority belief is being systematically attacked,  eroded and outlawed.

In recent days and weeks we have seen a nurse suspended, not for trying to convert others to faith, but simply offering to pray (Caroline Petrie). Yesterday, Jennie Cain was suspended from being a receptionist because she sent an email to her friends asking them to pray for her daughter. Neither of these people was being “fundamental” in pressing their views on others but simply offering to pray. Personally I fail to see how praying to a god that presumably these people think is a figment of our imagination, is so offensive. Why are they getting so agitated? If these people were just talking to themselves we would consider them either eccentric or mentally ill. So, why so offended? Surly if there is no God then these people are simply offering to “talk to themselves” about whatever situation. Where is the harm in that? If however God is real and prayer is effective then I can see why prayer to that God would be such a concern!

I do believe that as Christians we must protest about this wherever possible. I believe that unless we stand up as Christians and make a stand as John Sentamu calls us to in today Daily Mail. I do not believe that as Christians we must take tolerance to the point of simply rolling over on every issue, even when we are asked to stop doing what the bible clearly asks us to do … such as pray!

I congratulate Caroline Petrie, Jennie Cain, the foster mum who was struck off, Nadia Eweida, Lydia Playfoot and many others who are taking a firm stand for their faith and refuse to be bullied.

I would call upon you to make a stand, however small, on issues like this. Complete the poll on today’s Daily Mail web site as a start and look for opportunities to speak up. Write to your MP, respond to the Web Documents on the News Papers web sites, whatever it is we must make a stand.

So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.

(Mat 10:32-33 ESV)

I have long admired Sir Cliff for the courageous stand he has taken over his Christianity right from his conversion. Whilst I could not call myself a fan of his music, I have always thought that he held his faith in Jesus in the highest regard, and put aside the pressures placed on him by the media to get married or in deed over his sexuality.

It has come as a great surprise to me therefore to read articles in the Times and the Independent who both say that Sir Cliff has asked the church to accept and bless same sex relationships. 

Read Article

This paragraph seems to sum up the essence of what was said.

Read Article

I can not be completely sure that we are all talking about the same thing. No one is contending that “loving relationships” can occur between people of the same sex. I have a  loving relationship with my father, and my sons. I have loving relationships with male friends. The difference however is that this “love” does not find its expression in sex or anything remotely sexual. So surly the issue here is not the issue of “Loving Relationships”, but one of “Sexual Relationships”. That being the case I would like to address the key elements of the above comment.

Church to Update its View

View must be based on the Bible, not culture or political correctness

Gone are the days when we (church) assumed loving relationships would be solely between men and women

I am not sure that this has ever been true. From its conception the church has been VERY aware of same sex relationships. In fact the old testament shows us that the fore-runner to the church, the people of Israel (the Jewish nation) were very aware of sexual relationships between people of the same sex. The New Testament to speaks on this issue also. It is difficult to understand how the church is being asked to “update” its position because the times have changed. In fact the times of the New Testament Rome Homosexuality was rife, probably more so than now. So the churches position on this is based on similar cultural issues as today with regard to same sex relationships.  

It seems to me

While Sir Cliff is entitled to his opinion we must not loose site that we are created in the image of God and not the other way around. That means that we can not put our opinions on God. We need to understand Gods views, plans and laws based on the bible I believe he has provided us. Nowhere in the bible, which I believe Cliff holds dear, does it say that “commitment is all that matters”. It says that the only context for sex is within a heterosexual marriage between one man and one woman. Yes that relationship is within deep commitment, a covenant in fact, but only within the context of a heterosexual marriage.

I don’t care what their sexuality, I’m not going to Judge

Now on this point I totally agree. It is not our place to Judge someone. As Cliff says “Ill leave that to God”. That said the bible does give us the ability to evaluate right and wrong. Not a postmodern right and wrong, an individual right and wrong, but an absolute right and wrong. The bible is clear from beginning to end that sex is only permissible within a heterosexual marriage between one man and one woman. We can see that the actions of any individual in the sight of God that goes away from this is wrong. As Christians, or anyone else, I don’t believe we have the right to water down what the bible says as true. What we must guard against however is ostracising those that choose to live outside of the things that God says is best for us or that offend him. I believe that we should be friends with them, discuss things with them and pray that they see God for themselves. This is the only way that we can expect them to understand that what they are doing is contrary to what God wishes for them. Lets not get all out of shape over the “gay” issue. We can apply the same position to anything that we do, or don’t do, that offends God. I have done things that offend God, and before I became a christian I was quite happy doing them too. I have friends that are Gay, I have friends that are not Christians that live a life that I know offends God. I don’t judge them, I hope and pray that as I talk with them, they see that I am no better than them but my life has changed. Not because of what I have done in being “good” or anything like that but because of what God has done for me. Although I offend God and am unable to live according to the commands of the bible God himself has made away for that to change. Ihave been forgiven of all those things (and the things that I still do from time to time) and because of the message of Love that Jesus death on the cross demonstrates I have come to an understanding of God and a friendship with him. My hope and prayer is that others too can investigate the claims of Jesus and come to really understand the message of the bible.

Conclusion

All that said it must be plain to see that “the Church” can not possibly endorse something that is fundamentally in opposition to the very bible texts that it is based on. It would be like the vegetarian society being told that “gone are the days when we assumed that all vegetarians would not eat meat”. You would call me crazy if I told you I was a vegetarian who ate meet. So it would, in my opinion, be just as crazy for the church to endourse same sex marriage.

Come on Cliff !

I have long admired Sir Cliff for the courageous stand he has taken over his Christianity right from his conversion. Whilst I could not call myself a fan of his music, I have always thought that he held his faith in Jesus in the highest regard, and put aside the pressures placed on him by the media to get married or in deed over his sexuality.

It has come as a great surprise to me therefore to read articles in the Times and the Independent who both say that Sir Cliff has asked the church to accept and bless same sex relationships. 

Read Article

This paragraph seems to sum up the essence of what was said.

Read Article

I can not be completely sure that we are all talking about the same thing. No one is contending that “loving relationships” can occur between people of the same sex. I have a  loving relationship with my father, and my sons. I have loving relationships with male friends. The difference however is that this “love” does not find its expression in sex or anything remotely sexual. So surly the issue here is not the issue of “Loving Relationships”, but one of “Sexual Relationships”. That being the case I would like to address the key elements of the above comment.

Church to Update its View

View must be based on the Bible, not culture or political correctness

Gone are the days when we (church) assumed loving relationships would be solely between men and women

I am not sure that this has ever been true. From its conception the church has been VERY aware of same sex relationships. In fact the old testament shows us that the fore-runner to the church, the people of Israel (the Jewish nation) were very aware of sexual relationships between people of the same sex. The New Testament to speaks on this issue also. It is difficult to understand how the church is being asked to “update” its position because the times have changed. In fact the times of the New Testament Rome Homosexuality was rife, probably more so than now. So the churches position on this is based on similar cultural issues as today with regard to same sex relationships.  

It seems to me

While Sir Cliff is entitled to his opinion we must not loose site that we are created in the image of God and not the other way around. That means that we can not put our opinions on God. We need to understand Gods views, plans and laws based on the bible I believe he has provided us. Nowhere in the bible, which I believe Cliff holds dear, does it say that “commitment is all that matters”. It says that the only context for sex is within a heterosexual marriage between one man and one woman. Yes that relationship is within deep commitment, a covenant in fact, but only within the context of a heterosexual marriage.

I don’t care what their sexuality, I’m not going to Judge

Now on this point I totally agree. It is not our place to Judge someone. As Cliff says “Ill leave that to God”. That said the bible does give us the ability to evaluate right and wrong. Not a postmodern right and wrong, an individual right and wrong, but an absolute right and wrong. The bible is clear from beginning to end that sex is only permissible within a heterosexual marriage between one man and one woman. We can see that the actions of any individual in the sight of God that goes away from this is wrong. As Christians, or anyone else, I don’t believe we have the right to water down what the bible says as true. What we must guard against however is ostracising those that choose to live outside of the things that God says is best for us or that offend him. I believe that we should be friends with them, discuss things with them and pray that they see God for themselves. This is the only way that we can expect them to understand that what they are doing is contrary to what God wishes for them. Lets not get all out of shape over the “gay” issue. We can apply the same position to anything that we do, or don’t do, that offends God. I have done things that offend God, and before I became a christian I was quite happy doing them too. I have friends that are Gay, I have friends that are not Christians that live a life that I know offends God. I don’t judge them, I hope and pray that as I talk with them, they see that I am no better than them but my life has changed. Not because of what I have done in being “good” or anything like that but because of what God has done for me. Although I offend God and am unable to live according to the commands of the bible God himself has made away for that to change. Ihave been forgiven of all those things (and the things that I still do from time to time) and because of the message of Love that Jesus death on the cross demonstrates I have come to an understanding of God and a friendship with him. My hope and prayer is that others too can investigate the claims of Jesus and come to really understand the message of the bible.

Conclusion

All that said it must be plain to see that “the Church” can not possibly endorse something that is fundamentally in opposition to the very bible texts that it is based on. It would be like the vegetarian society being told that “gone are the days when we assumed that all vegetarians would not eat meat”. You would call me crazy if I told you I was a vegetarian who ate meet. So it would, in my opinion, be just as crazy for the church to endourse same sex marriage.

Come on Cliff !

Normally the MTV awards would have passed me by if it were not for the huge number of phone calls from the press/media this week asking for my thoughts on the comments Russell Brand made about the Jonas brothers.

I have, over the years had many opportunities to speak to the media because of other positions I have held other than a Youth Pastor for Kings Church. Once they have you phone number they always call and I enjoy explaining a biblical Christian perspective to them and presenting the gospel wherever possible – So may these opportunities continue.

So, Russel Brand has really upset many people over his so called “comedy” which simply seems to rest on poking fun at other people and trying to make them look small, insignificant and stupid. It would seem however that the media has not liked this at all and are looking to “fight back”.

During the MTV awards 2008 he had a go at the President of America which did not go down well and also ridiculed the Jonas brothers. It was this that caused the media to contact me because of my former involvement with the Silver Ring Thing and because I am a Christian Minister to young people (as they like to call me).

BBC 5 Live contacted me and the Radio host was not best pleased with Mr Brand as he felt that if young men wanted to present and live a “clean cut” life and Image that they should be encouraged, not ridiculed. I must confess, that radio interview was not very hard to do as the presenter was in agreement with me that we should be assisting young people who choose to live a sexually pure lifestyle, not ridicule them and put pressure on them to live a different way.

What is incredible is the level of prejudice that is tolerated because of ones so called celebrity status. If, as an example, similar prejudice was focused on the colour of someones skin then there would be no tolerance at all, and rightly so. It is inconceivable therefore that when discrimination is shown to an individual, or in this case a group of people, based totally on someones personal, uneducated and extremely biased, point of view that it is remotely tolerated at all!

I am delighted with the amount of column inches and minutes of airtime that have been given to highlight this here in the UK. An independent TV company has approach the Silver Ring Thing in the UK to film another documentary simply because of the outrage that Russel Brand caused at the 2008 MTV Awards. This is not cause for celebration however, we have nothing to thank Mr Brand for as his behaviour set an example to young people that prejudice and ridicule are acceptable with no remorse. There are several hundred Silver Ring Thing wearers in the UK and thousands more who have made promises to stay sexually abstinent until they get married and they should be encouraged if that is what they believe is the right way to live, not give others fuel for opposition.

Lets be honest the UK Statistics for abortions, single mothers & STIs are far from praise worthy. The governments message of “Safe Sex” of the least 30 years clearly does not work as their own statistics and missed targets demonstrate. I am not naive enough to believe that a message of “No Sex for Everyone Before Marriage” will be welcomed by everyone. Individuals must make up their own minds based on ALL the facts and according to their own convictions and consciences. If for some a pledge of abstinence is what they believe will allow them to enjoy life without the risks associated with sex outside of marriage then why are we wrong to support them. I simply can not understand why anyone feels the need to attack them, privately or publicly, in order to justify their own so called convictions. If Mr Brand believes that his “sexual choices” are his to make, and I dont think anyone is arguing with him, then why try to justify himself by ridiculing others with a different point of view. This is just discrimination & prejudice of the highest order!

Comedy – Yea right!

Originally Posted on 7th April 2008

UPDATE !

I wrote to Prof David Buckingham following writing this blog … And he replied !

If you are under 19 then why not complete their consultation survey here. You can complete the survey if you are over 19 (as a parent, group or community leader)

BBC Report

This report outlines how a panel of “experts” have been brought together to advise ministers on their “children’s plan”. Whilst collecting results they also want to speak to “those most directly affected”.

The work is being led by Prof David Buckingham of the Institute of Education, London University, who is founder and director of the Centre for the Study of Children, Youth and Media.

He said there was growing concern about the influence of commercial forces on contemporary childhood.

Unbelievable

Children’s Secretary Ed Balls said in the article: “As parents we all worry about new influences, and feel pressure to buy the latest toys for our children .I want to know if advertising and shopping, and other influences such as media and entertainment, marketing and promotion, commercial websites, and sponsored events are affecting our children’s lives in any way. I want to know what these things are telling young people about how to behave, what to believe, and what kind of person to become.”

My Thoughts:

I am in an interesting position as I am a full time youth worker of a local church in Horsham West Sussex, but until 2 years ago was the Sales and Marketing Director for an international software company that provides software to most major blue chip organisations to improve their marketing and customer databases.

I changed jobs 2 years ago totally out of choice, taking a significant pay cut to work full time with young people. In this capacity I work in schools, run youth activities through the week and camps away etc. Additionally I am also a volunteer advisor for “Young enterprise” the UKs leading business and enterprise education charity which aims to allow young people to learn about commerce through doing!

Dealing with commercial pressures, from both sides of the fence, as a consumer and a business person, is a constant battle. I too believe that childhood has become too commercialised, but I personally believe that the role of parenting has a huge part to play in the amount of advertising our children are exposed to, particularly on TV, as all TVs have an ON/OFF switch! A fact that seems to elude many of the parents I have regular contact with.

On one hand we blame the marketers for targeting the kids, parents complain that their kids are then coerced by advertising into purchasing various goods, products and services, but as a parent I believe that I have the ability to say “No” to the requests of our kids and we should exercise some degree of control in our own home.

I think Mr Ed Balls comments in the article reflect the demise of good parenting skills. If he is unable to say “no” to the pressure his kids put him under to buy toys how will he cope with the pressures of office! 

“I want to know what these things are telling young people about how to behave, what to believe, and what kind of person to become.” [Mr Ed Balls]

As a parent I want to be responsible for what my children become, to influence their understanding of morals, of right and wrong and how to behave … I am not going to leave that to the media or advertisers and certainly not to the government … especially if this is the attitude of the children’s secretary

I agree that this is not always easy but I believe parenting is a huge factor in the debate on child consumerism. I really look forward to the results of this study and I am sure that Mr Ball will not be surprised at the results. I am sure that we will see that advertising, shopping, and other influences such as media and entertainment, marketing and promotion, commercial websites, and sponsored events are affecting our children’s lives in EVERY way!

Conclusion

Mt plea is that as a society we encourage better parenting, teaching and training young parents how to love and discipline their kids, how to wisely give them the things they need, to be able to “treat” them, but to to give them everything they ask for or be held to ransom by them. If you are wanting help or advice on Parenting then there are some great resources here

 Other Relationship Resources:

• Marriage Preparation
• Marriage
• Recovering from Divorce and Separation
• Parenting 

Originally Posted on 25th March 2008 

There has been unprecedented pressure put on the Prime Minister regarding the very controversial Human Fertilisation and Embryo(HFE) Bill by pressure groups such as Passion for Life as well as many leading public figures. Today he announced that he will, after all allow a free vote for Labour MP’s

Hero of the Hour

My hero of the hour is Cardinal O’Brien. I may not agree with with much of his churchmanship, some of his theology and certainly his position on key issues, but this weekend (Easter Weekend) he was THE MAN! In his easter address he spoke BIBLICAL TRUTH. He urged MP’s and other decision makers to stop supporting “Unspeakable Crime”

 O’Brien was reported as saying “I can’t change the teachings of Jesus Christ. I can’t change the 10 Commandments. That’s what I’m ordained to teach and to preach: ‘Thou shalt not kill.”‘ (Source)

 Not Pulling Any Punches

Cardinal O’Brien said yesterday he hoped that Catholic ministers would be prepared to resign rather than accept orders to back the legislation but, ultimately, it was a matter of individual conscience. (Source)

 You Can Make a Difference

You can still sign the 10 Downing Street Petition here and make your voice heard. If you want to go further, and I urge you to do so, write to your MP and ask them as a future voter what their position is on the key issues. If you are unsure what to write then click here for the Concern for our Nation – Information & Action Pack as it is packed with great advice, sample letters and every thing you need. I wrote to Francis Maude (MP) and he wrote back too!

You Can Turn the Tide!

It is possible to push back the tide on this. But we must act, voice our concerns in an appropriate and decisive way. We don’t all have the visibility that Cardinal O’Brien has, but we can email, write and apply pressure to government. Don’t sit back and hope it all turns out right in the end – ACT