ACL 5th December 2013

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5 December 2013

Here’s a short video from the ACL’s Managing Director Lyle Shelton about the year that was. Click on the image to watch.

Lyle also has a column about Christian engagement in politics on issues such as same-sex marriage entitled “The Debate we have to have”.

ACL’s research officer Daniel Simon reports on the High Court Challenge into same-sex marriage.

We also released a media release this week about the Victorian Liberal State Council passing a motion supporting doctors’ conscience.

ACL’s Katherine Spackman has done three radio interview this week including one on the doctors’ conscience issue with ACL’s Dan Flynn. She’s also done an interview with Dr Megan Best about a new book she’s written about unplanned pregnancies called A Life Already Started.

Don’t forget about ACL’s gap week coming up soon in January. Do you know any university students who’d be interested in attending? The next LMI intake is also fast approaching as well.

God Bless,

ACL Team

The debate we have to have

By Lyle Shelton, Managing Director

“Has the Left abandoned its prophetic role?” is the title of an article in this month’s Eternity newspaper by well-known New South Wales Baptist pastor Karl Faase. While I do not like binary terms such as ‘left’ and ‘right’ to pigeon hole people on the political spectrum, I have, like Karl, been concerned that it is ok to speak out about some political issues but not others.

High Court hears ACT same-sex marriage law case

The High Court heard the ACT same-sex marriage case on Tuesday, December 3rd, reserving its decision until December 12. ACL’s Research Officer Daniel Simon attended the hearing and reports on the arguments presented.

The Commonwealth argued that the ACT’s same-sex marriage law, passed in October and taking effect on December 7, is invalid because it is inconsistent with the Commonwealth Marriage Act 1961

ACL welcomes Vic Liberal State Council decision supporting doctors’ conscience

The Australian Christian Lobby has welcomed the motion passed by the Victorian Liberal State Council supporting an amendment to abortion laws to allow doctors’ conscience. This week’s motion to support the amendment of Section 8 of the Abortion Law Reform Act to allow a health practitioner not to have to refer for abortions follows recent petitions seeking this amendment.

Registrations still open for ACL inaugural Gap Week

It’s not too late to register for ACL’s inaugural Gap Week, being held on the outskirts of Canberra from the 19th-24th January 2014. University-aged Christians seeking to understand and engage in public leadership from a biblical perspective are invited to apply to attend the six-day, live-in course. Only 18 places are available so be quick!

Click here for more information and to register

Calls for Victoria’s abortion laws to recognise doctors’ conscientious objection

Dan Flynn is the Victorian Director of the ACL. In this interview with the ACL’s Katherine Spackman he talks about petitions that have been tabled in the Victorian Parliament calling for an amendment to the Abortion Law Reform Act to allow doctors’ conscientious objections.