The Marxism that flourishes throughout the West today does not look the same as it did in its first workings in 1917 at the start of the Communist Revolution in Imperial Russia. Underneath the different facades of then and now lurks the same spirit – that of the crushing of all opposition to the zeitgeist and approved political and social agenda for its citizens. As I have mentioned before on this site, I will mention again – the outside trappings are different but the inner core is the same: force everyone to believe what most people cannot believe or else face opposition in various forms. In 1917, Russians were taught to despise those who employed them and to demand their rights. They were told to unite against a common enemy. As opposition to the Communists came from the Church among others, clergy and other dissidents were decimated. BTW, the situation is now reversed. Marxism motivates policy and thought in the West. The Russia of today stands for values of decency and the Church.
Fortunately, we’re not quite yet at the stage of being decimated for our dissident beliefs on social agendas – homosexual and transgender activism, teaching young children about liberation through sexual experimentation, promoting and then catering for changing sexual identities through hormone treatment and surgery, lies about racism, and more – but there are other punishments for those who dare to disobey right-think. Andrew Thorburn’s appointment as the new CEO of Essendon Football Club earlier this week was, in effect, revoked 24 hours later. His choice? Resign from the board of his church, City On A Hill, or from Essendon as CEO. Why? He is on the board of a church holding to traditional Christian teaching on homosexuality and abortion and the trolls went hunting until they found a 2013 sermon on these topics.
Here’s what Andrew Thorburn said:
“Yesterday was one of the proudest days of my life. To be offered the role of CEO of the Essendon Football Club – who I have followed since I was a boy – was a profound honour. At last night’s Crichton medal, I could hardly contain my passion and wonder at the opportunity. I love the club, love the people, and was incredibly excited about the work ahead. I had seen a picture of a club that was not as broken as feared, and that with leadership and focus, could rebound strongly.
However, today it became clear to me that my personal Christian faith is not tolerated or permitted in the public square, at least by some and perhaps by many. I was being required to compromise beyond a level that my conscience allowed. People should be able to hold different views on complex personal and moral matters, and be able to live and work together, even with those differences, and always with respect. Behaviour is the key. This is all an important part of a tolerant and diverse society.
Let me be clear – I love all people, and have always promoted and lived an inclusive, diverse, respectful and supportive workplace – where people are welcomed regardless of their culture, religious beliefs, and sexual orientation. I believe my record over a long period of time testifies to this.
Despite my own leadership record, within hours of my appointment being announced, the media and leaders of our community had spoken. They made it clear that my Christian faith and my association with a Church are unacceptable in our culture if you wish to hold a leadership position in society.
This grieves me greatly – though not just for myself, but for our society overall. I believe we are poorer for the loss of our great freedoms of thought, conscience and belief that made for a truly diverse, just and respectful community.
My faith is central to who I am. Since coming to faith in Jesus 20 years ago, I have seen profound change in my life, and I believe God has made me a better husband, father, and friend. It has also helped me become a better leader. That is because at the centre of my faith is the belief that you should create a community and care for people, because they are created by and loved by God and have a deep intrinsic value.
As it happens, I do sometimes disagree with things I hear in church – but I believe strongly in the right of people to say them, especially when taken in context. Reducing complex matters to a sentence is dangerous. Australia has a long tradition of diversity and religious freedom, and that must include preserving space for religious people to be able to express their religious beliefs.”
Online Fox Sports article, “‘Horrible comments’: Dons defend search process as ex-CEO declares he ‘wouldn’t compromise’”, 4/10/22.
Thorburn’s beliefs are very mild and would be acceptable to most human beings. But like Marxists before, TOTAL compliance alone will be tolerated. Those who parade as tolerant are intolerant of anything but total obeisance. You can’t place one word out of place. You can’t hold a contrary opinion. You have to be 100% ideologically compliant. It’s not about being reasonable because reason doesn’t count with Marxists. In fact, reason gets in their way because this is the way it is so that we can do what we want.
Here is what the Essendon board said:
“We are deeply committed to our values and support wholeheartedly the work of the AFL in continuing to stamp out any discrimination based on race, sex, religion, gender, sexual identity or orientation, or physical or mental disability.
Online Fox Sports article, “Bombers CEO quits 24 hours after taking the job over links to controversial church”, 4/10/22.
I find their statement “discrimination based on…religion” quite astonishing given what they have done to someone over their religion. Essendon’s president came out with a statement aiming to differentiate between “discrimination based on…religion” and their motivation in sacking Andrew Thorburn, which was over “conflict of interest”. Well, if this is what religious belief leads to, take religion as not being discriminated against off your statement of values. No, you are not being inclusive. Every group will be tolerated but Christians of conscience and integrity.
Premier Daniel Andrews, commenting on the matter, said:
“There are many reasons to be a somewhat disappointed Essendon supporter,” he said.
I don’t want to make light of this but I don’t appoint the CEO of the Essendon footy club or the CEO of any footy club. That’s a matter for the board.”
He added: “Those views are absolutely appalling. I don’t support those views, that kind of intolerance, that kind of hatred, bigotry. It is just wrong.
To dress that up as anything other than bigotry is just obviously false.”
Online Fox Sports article, “Bombers CEO quits 24 hours after taking the job over links to controversial church”, 4/10/22.
Here is what the Vicorian Opposition Leader, Matthew Guy, said:
“What are we now banning people from going to church, banning people from going to a synagogue, banning people from going to a mosque? This is ridiculous,” he said.
“Football clubs can hire who they choose. I don’t see, if I was the premier, why I would be telling people who they can hire and fire; why would you?”
Online Fox Sports article, “’This is ridiculous’: Opposition leader says AFL clubs ‘can hire who they choose’, slams Bombers backflip”, 5/10/22.
I would have chosen a word other than “ridiculous” but at least he is on the right side of the fence on this issue. As for Daniel Andrews, we have an opportunity to appoint a new premier in late November. With a change in government, perhaps we will be fortunate enough to have no more police state: see here and here. Those who find this Labour politician’s remarks dishonouring of our war veterans and who live in his electorate can vote him out. Those who find appalling Daniel Andrews taking advantage of a “health crisis” to fine citizens when other states didn’t can vote him out. Those who find facilitating gender transition for school children without parental permission odious can vote Andrews out. Pushing diversity and inclusion ahead of saving lives by Ambulance Victoria under Daniel Andrews is disgraceful. Imagine no more ruining of our lives by removing power from Daniel Andrews. Here’s your chance. Imagine.
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