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| ANDREW THORBURN |
Even though I knew it would happen, I have quickly become tired of hearing about Australian businessman, Andrew Thorburn. , who lost his job IN ONE DAY in his new role as the head of the AFL (Australian Football League) team in Essendon (a suburb of Melbourne). This is due to the fact he is a member of the City on a Hill church. Now he has become the poster boy for Religious Freedom and the persecution of Christians in western society. Firstly in Australia, but now the American conservative Church people have leaped on this in a HUGE way. Including many of the people, I associate with.
Let's use some discernment and basic common sense in the matter by examining Thorburn's own words.
Statement from Andrew Thorburn in which I have highlighted certain phrases.
"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 welcome 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 is 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 changes 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.
I am saddened by these events. I wish the Club success and thank Dave Barham in
particular for the opportunity he gave me. I hope the external review leads to great change. I
am truly sorry that I will not be able to work with the whole Essendon team, and Brad Scott
and Josh Mahoney in particular.
4 October 2022"
Whew. 😓
Now, as a behaviourist, I could spend HOURS unpacking this line by line but I will spare you my yakity-yak, (for the time being).
The highlights are these:
"not tolerated or permitted in the public square, at least by some and perhaps by many".
Not tolerated by some. Who are these "some" people in the public square? Well, Thorburn mentions them later in his statement.
"media and leaders of our community"
But not his new bosses?
"I was being required to compromise."
HOW were you being REQUIRED to compromise? You were only on the job one day?
Plus, Thorburn said he has been following this team since he was a boy AND he has been a prominent businessman for many years. Didn't he bother to find out what this new job would require of him BEFORE he took it?
Also, keep in mind he "resigned" and "stepped down" himself. He wasn't dismissed or fired.
Now there is this massive controversy surrounding him where the Christian Right is pitted against the Atheist Left (woke) people and a week ago most people had NO IDEA who Andrew Thorburn was (including myself)! 🤨
Can anybody say,
"I want attention"?
Can anybody say,
" Here's a great P.R. opportunity."
Can anybody say,
"I will make my name known everywhere even though I'm just living in a suburb in Australia."
Can anybody say,
"I have big political aspirations."
What do I say?
Something is super hinky here. My warning bells are sounding in a BIG way!
I simply want to warn you to DIG DEEPER and don't jump on a "bandwagon" (even if it is heading in the direction you want to go.)
Keep your eyes on Andrew Thorburn but keep your mouth shut for now.
Use discernment, get some more information on the topic and (as always) keep your nose in the Bible and your focus on CHRIST ALONE. It is only His motives and character that are forever TRUE.
As I also seek to follow and obey Him by speaking...
The Truth, with Love,
Always, Laura-Lee 😔. 🙋🏻♀️✝🇨🇦❤
My suggestion is that you take another look at Israel Folau if you need a "poster boy" who was actually dismissed because he posted a Bible verse on Twitter. He didn't QUIT or purposely seek lots of media attention.
Plus, he is much sweeter, more genuine and nicer to look at. 😉
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