<< Back to article
very scary shit
Posted by on 15/03/06 at 07:15 AMThe best form of defense is reportedly to attack. So I’m told.
In the case of the Exclusive Brethren, why not accuse their opponents of being extreme, thus deflecting any attention to their own extreme policies and preachings?
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, this is supposed to be a democracy, after all. This explains why they felt they would be exposed to ‘vitriol’ if they revealed who they were.
Well, it is this sort of thing that creates division, mistrust and many of the problems that are in our world today.
A bit more honesty and openness would be welcomed. I obviously disagree with the Exclusive Brethren.
But the difference between them and me is simple:
I will fight for their right to have their say.
But they are fighting to silence me.Think about that, if you will.
Yours,
Toby Rowallan
GREENS candidate for Denison
4/411 Nelson Road
Mt Nelson 7007Posted by on 15/03/06 at 07:37 AMJust a thought here guys…
From my information this group doesn’t even vote as it’s against their religion.
I don’t have a problem with that but I wonder what would happen if someone came out and made similar unfounded and derogatory comments about them or their church?
I find it the height of hypocrisy that they have the gall to try and influence the election’s outcome while not actually participating in it.
These people whose religion supposedly preaches tolerance should think twice before throwing stones at Greenhouses.
Last time I checked I think there may actually be a reference to ‘he who throws the first stone,’ in an old book I have lying around somewhere.
Wes Young, concerned voter, chardonnay conservationist and student, still at 22 Wallace Av Lenah Valley
Posted by on 15/03/06 at 10:00 AMSo a group donates money to political parties… this is news because?
Posted by on 16/03/06 at 05:04 AMThese loony groups always seem to have a fundamental, conservative religous bent to them don’t they?
And the hypocriticalness of them knows no limits. Under the activities they are forbidden to engage in because they are too worldly is using computers and the internet, but look at http://www.theexclusivebrethren.com/ - they have their own offical site, WTF.
Posted by on 16/03/06 at 05:57 AMThe problem with all these sort of groups is they do not practice being good Christians.
Posted by on 16/03/06 at 06:22 AMI obviously disagree with the Exclusive Brethren, who do not represent a Christ-like view. They may represent a right-wing fundamentalist [Christian] view and like all extremist – are narrow minded and not representative of the good in humanity; in fact just the opposite.
But take heart, the Green must be a threat to their warped philosophy otherwise these faceless cowards wouldn’t be in spending the big bucks they are.
Posted by on 16/03/06 at 06:49 AMIt is indeed most disturbing when the right wing religious regime finacially supports such slanderous and defaming acts against the Green Party. This is not at all a new tactic and we should actually expect it from some of the more tormented religious groups.
Making a positive from a negative, at least the evolution theory is gaining momentum due to the (disgraceful, mind you) Australian Slaughter (Meat) Industry’s new ads. At last the truth of evolution is being told and, in doing so, is squashing the myth that everyone’s Mum and Dad were Adam and Eve.
14 waverley street, annerley, 4103, qld
Posted by on 16/03/06 at 07:22 AMThe Exclusive Brethren, what next?
There are many groups like this so typically disaffected they have more in common with the KLU KLux Klan than they do with family values.
It is not surprising that along with Hillsong (AOG) Family First and the Australian Christian Lobby and their “Exclusive Campaigns” against abortion, euthenasia, gays and stem cells, they hide hidden agendas.
It may surprise people that these collective religions evangelical in particular are one of the greatest minorities in the Nation. Their combined congregations are so few, that they run a poor second to; for example full blooded aboriginees who quadruple in membership stakes compared to these religious fundamentalists.
Remember as has recently been discovered,with Hillsong, they are after cash injections either via buckets in evangelical rock cocnert type assemblies and conferences or via government grants… through fear they may become extinct!!
Posted by on 16/03/06 at 09:28 AMI do a fair bit of trolling the Greens on this site and elsewhere and not without good reason, but these Exclusive Brethren charlies are a joke.
For anyone who cares even remotely about basic liberty and humane government they simply make the Greens sound good, and in my view highlight some of the party’s strengths without highlighting any major weaknesses.
The Liberal Party’s pamphlet to similar effect is not much better.
Posted by on 16/03/06 at 04:54 PMFor anyone who read my story in Sunday Tasmanian, it was all true. The only thing I could be accused of not telling the whole story because it would be too long and too unbelievable for people living in a generally accepting and inclusive community.
I was contacted by someone from the mainland today to inform me that my father has sent a letter to all Senators in Australia condemning me for ‘deserting’ my wife and children. He also makes claims regarding my Child Support payments. For the record, I have always paid what has been required by the Agency, despite my rights as a father being ignored.
I have been given a life sentence by these people. Maybe I have made my life harder by telling my story, but I thought maybe you all should know how hard it is for some of us to just get up every day and smile at the world.
Posted by on 16/08/06 at 11:52 PMDear Mark (#11),
Thank you for coming forward and giving us all an “insiders” look at the Exclusive Bretheren. I understand how difficult this was to do, and that you now open yourself to “attack” from within the ranks of EB.
Sadly, I hear today that Bob Brown’s request to the senate to investigate the group has been quashed. Not surprisingly the biggest dissenter being Eric Abetz, who has managed to twist the whole reason for the investigation into an arguement on “vilification of religious minorities”. Nothing can be further from the truth.
Maybe the truth is a little more frightening.
Maybe the current government actively supports a post-millenial view of the world. In light of current and past actions by the Howard government (e.g. the “fourth crusade” in Afganistan, Iraq, Lebanon, etc...), these actions appear to support this theory.
The Gods help us if Howard is returned to government! Armageddon anyone?
Posted by on 17/08/06 at 02:07 AMLETS not forget the tasmanian libs got into bed with this lot at the state election along with that other shadowy group tasmanians for a better future.next will be the flat earth society.crud.
Posted by on 17/08/06 at 07:56 AMI don’t doubt anything that’s been said about the Exclusive Brethren or their political campaigning but I don’t see the need for an inquiry and, to be frank, it worries me that Senator Brown would call for one.
Whatever we might say about the Exclusive Brethren they are Australian citizens and they have the right to participate in our Parliamentary democracy by publicly expressing their points of view.
What would the inquiry uncover? That Exclusive Brethren members or the church/sect/association as a whole campaigns against the Greens and, also directly or indirectly, in support of the conservatives? We know that.
This seems to be a pointless and maybe even vindictive political attack on the political rights of Australians by a senator who prides himself on protecting our rights.
Can someone please explain to me the justification of an inquiry?
I’m Curious
Posted by on 17/08/06 at 08:12 AMThe situation is not quite as you suggest, TS, but just as bad. The Howard government doesn’t really have a post-millennial ideology, but its main members and advisors know that by pretending to have one they can ensure that they stay in power longer and can get away with more.
Posted by Justa Bloke on 17/08/06 at 08:34 AM“The Howard government doesn’t really have a post-millennial ideology, but its main members and advisors know that by pretending to have one they can ensure that they stay in power longer and can get away with more.” - Justa Bloke.
Good point! Trouble is, we then have a government hell bent on appeasing this group to the detriment of those among us with a more saner, more constructive view of the world.
“This seems to be a pointless and maybe even vindictive political attack on the political rights of Australians by a senator who prides himself on protecting our rights.” - Curious.
But can it also be said that it is because the political rights of Australians HAVE been violated that this enquiry should be given a fair hearing?
As Crud (#13) has alluded to, the Libs (federal & state) have a lot more to lose from such an inquiry and this is the real reason for Eric Abetz jumping up and down with his lederhosen on fire!! Who’s the real hypocrite here?
Posted by on 17/08/06 at 10:44 AMIn reply to Tassie Smurf, I ask where is the evidence of anyone’s political rights having been violated by the Exclusive Brethren?
I’ve been reading the Mercury and I fail to see how any of the Greens’ accusations would justify an inquiry.
If the Exclusive Brethren and/or its members were to be accused of any legal wrongdoings then these should be reported to the proper authorities.
This is just a cheap political attack by the Greens and that is reflected by the final vote against Senator Brown’s motion.
Curious
Posted by on 18/08/06 at 12:12 AMDear ‘Curious’
If you are really curious, you should go on a search to discover the real story before giving a poorly researched opinion.
The site http://www.Peebs.net should give you enough nightmares to last a lifetime.
Some of us wake up every day and wish that we had never lived the nightmare.
I am NOT a Green supporter, but I support their call for truth. Let me ask you a simple question: who attacked first, therefore who is the aggressor here?
This is not about violating political rights, it is about living in a system in our country that eliminates choice by the fear of penalty.
Mark Humber
Posted by on 21/08/06 at 01:02 PM‘And the Truth will set you free’.
These kind of people are what the Bible warns about. ‘Wolves in sheeps clothing’ & ‘false prophets’.
I am a Christian. A follower of Jesus Christ.
Not of any church & not of any organization.I don’t need a leader or anyone else for that matter to have a conversation with God.
He hears every individual prayer from the heart.
These people give the kind, gracious, loving & forgiving God of the Bible a bad name.
Shame on them all & shame on those who support them.
Before God in judgement they will stand & then the Truth will be out.
Amen. Tonia, Adelaide SA.
Posted by on 05/12/08 at 01:59 PM
