154th Refuses to Publish New AWARE's Letters in Print!

[makapaaa]

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR>Old guard's statements reveal misconceptions
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I AM not a member of the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware), but I am surprised by some of the statements made by old guard members.
For instance, when Ms Nancy Griffiths asked if the new executive committee accepted homosexuality, and newly elected honorary secretary Jenica Chua stood up and said 'no', Ms Griffiths said she was 'flabbergasted'. What is there to be flabbergasted about? Whether one accepts a certain condition or not is a personal choice - even if Ms Griffiths accepts homosexuality, she should not be offended that Ms Chua does not.
Acceptance of homosexuality is not an Aware membership criterion, nor is it in its mission statement. Surely, Aware can accept diversity of views among its members.
Next, the old guard's statement referring to DBS Bank's credit card campaign last year supporting Focus on the Family is tainted with misconceptions. Focus on the Family is not an evangelical Christian organisation; it is a social charity and evangelism is not on its charter. Merely because Focus on the Family was founded by an evangelical Christian does not make it evangelical Christian.
The issue of sub-committees being overhauled is one faced by all elected societies. These sub-committees should never be under the illusion that their terms are entrenched. Once there is a change of management, they face potential change.
Similar misconceptions were revealed by Ms Margaret Thomas on vice-presidents often going on to become presidents. While that may have been a practice, it should never be taken as a given.
Perhaps it is time for the old guard to examine its own motives and be aware of organisational behaviour. Tan Suan Tiu

 

[londontrader]

I would point out that Focus on the Family is (and certainly behaves as) an evangelical parachurch organization ever since they rose to prominence in the 1980s. They openly associate themselves with the American Christian Right and are actively pushing socially conservative public policies all over the world. If you have difficulty in picturing what a world dominated by FOTF would be like, just imagine that Sarah Palin was elected US President.

 

[OverTheCounter]

I would point out that Focus on the Family is (and certainly behaves as) an evangelical parachurch organization ever since they rose to prominence in the 1980s. They openly associate themselves with the American Christian Right and are actively pushing socially conservative public policies all over the world. If you have difficulty in picturing what a world dominated by FOTF would be like, just imagine that Sarah Palin was elected US President.

I dun mind sarah palin as US prez ... she is damn bloody hot ... *slurp*

 

[SneeringTree]

Focus on the Family not evangelical? This is like saying the PAP is not power hungry.

Has the letter writer heard of internet and home pages? http://www.focusonthefamily.com/about_us.aspx

Focus on the Family's Mission Statement:

To cooperate with the Holy Spirit in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with as many people as possible by nurturing and defending the God-ordained institution of the family and promoting biblical truths worldwide. (Focus on the Family's current ministry projects)
Vision:

Redeemed families, communities, and societies worldwide through Christ.
Guiding Principles:

Since Focus on the Family's primary reason for existence is to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ through a practical outreach to homes, we have firm beliefs about both the Christian faith and the importance of the family. This ministry is therefore based upon six guiding philosophies that are apparent at every level throughout the organization. These "pillars" are drawn from the wisdom of the Bible and the Judeo-Christian ethic, rather than from the humanistic notions of today's theorists. In short, Focus on the Family is a reflection of what we believe to be the recommendations of the Creator Himself, who ordained the family and gave it His blessing.

The Preeminence of Evangelism

We believe that the ultimate purpose of life is to know and glorify God and to attain eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord, beginning within our own families and then reaching out to a suffering humanity that needs to embrace His love and sacrifice.

"He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.'" Mark 16:15
The Permanence of Marriage

We believe that the institution of marriage is a sacred covenant designed by God to model the love of Christ for His people and to serve both the public and private good as the basic building block of human civilization. Marriage is intended by God to be a thriving, lifelong relationship between a man and a woman enduring through trials, sickness, financial crises and emotional stresses. Therefore, Christians are called to defend and protect God's marriage design and to minister in Christ's name to those who suffer the consequences of its brokenness.

"'Haven't you read,' He replied, 'that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.'" Matthew 19:4-6
The Value of Children

We believe that children are a heritage from God and a blessing from His hand. Parents are therefore accountable to Him for raising, shaping and preparing them for a life of service to His Kingdom and to humanity.

"Has not the Lord made them [a husband and wife] one? In flesh and spirit they are His. And why one? Because He was seeking godly offspring." Malachi 2:15
The Sanctity of Human life

We believe that human life is created by God in His image. It is of inestimable worth and significance in all its dimensions, including the preborn, the aged, the mentally disabled, those deemed unattractive, the physically challenged, and every other condition in which humanness is expressed from the single cell stage of development to natural death. Christians are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life.

"For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Psalm 139:13-14a
The Importance of Social Responsibility

We believe that God has ordained the social institutions of family, church, and government for the benefit of mankind and as a reflection of His divine nature. Therefore, Christians are called to support these institutions, according to God's design and purpose, and to protect them against destructive social influences. Such involvement is in obedience to Christ's lordship over all creation and is required by His command to care for the well-being of all people.

"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." Genesis 2:24

"And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church, which is His body." Ephesians 1:22-23a

"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God." Romans 13:1
The Value of Male and Female

We believe that God created humans in His image, intentionally male and female, each bringing unique and complementary qualities to sexuality and relationships. Sexuality is a glorious gift from God to be offered back to Him either in marriage for procreation, union and mutual delight or in celibacy for undivided devotion to Christ. Christians are called to proclaim the truth and beauty of God's design and the redemption of sexual brokenness in our lives and culture through Jesus Christ.

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:1-2