Standing Up For What’s Right
29 May 2008 Hits:5121
The radio talk-back waves have been crackling with strong debate this week over a Sydney art gallery’s display of photographs by controversial Melbourne artist Bill Henson. The 20 photographs are of a naked girl and boy believed to be around the ages of 12 or 13. These photos have been seized by Sydney police and charges are expected to be laid.
The comments on the radio have been many and varied and this issue has obviously polarized the community. There are a number of things that I find fascinating from this debate but I will focus this blog on two of them:
First is the call by Cate Blanchett, and dozens of other 2020 Summit delegates, for the Prime Minister to retract his criticisms of Bill Henson as they “damage Australia’s cultural reputation.” And showing naked pictures of adolescents doesn’t do damage? There is something even more sinister here when the so-called cultural elite want to gag free speech from those who disagree with them. I applaud Kevin Rudd for his courage in taking a stand on this issue. Political, church and other community leaders have a right and a responsibility to exercise a prophetic voice that speaks out for truth and righteousness.
The other issue is the justification of these photos by some people. If a pedophile is found to have such images in their possession they are arrested and jailed – and rightly so! In one interview these photos were described as “High Art” and that was used as justification for their legitimacy. So the man or woman found in possession of photos of naked minors in various poses in alright as long as it’s in the name of high art? The problem here is that we have a society where black and white are viewed by many as merely shades of grey! That’s why I love the Bible and my Christian faith. Some things are right – other things are wrong! Thank you Mr Rudd for speaking out on this – please don’t let people silence you even if they do happen to be famous!
Rob Buckingham
Senior Minister
5 replies on “Standing Up For What’s Right”
So glad to see your comments on Bill Henson. I have felt somewhat justified this week as a number of years ago my daughter was doing art at school. She came back from an exhibition that the school had taken them too and seemed quite disturbed. I saw some of the work and immediately wrote a letter to the teacher telling her I was unhappy about what my daughter had been exposed too. The art teacher felt I was way over the top and far to strong in my views. The artist was Bill Henson! Andrew Bolt has written what I think is a very good article in the Herald Sun this week well worth a read. Katie
I loved your blog and support your view, when it comes to the exploitation of children we need to take a zero tolerance stand.
Steve Biddulph a secular psychologist wrote a great article on Bill Henson’s photos that I think is worth the read too. Follow the link below to read it.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/opinion/art-or-not-its-still-exploitation/2008/05/27/1211654026964.html
Dear pastors rob and christie, i being a mum whole heartily agree with you rob
i do not agree children of any age should be naked in photos or on large canveses
in the name of art it is degrading and it cheapens and degrades the children portrayed. Instead of children being innocent and protected from petophiles
and other people thinking evil and proverse sexual thoughts they should not be
shown in this manner God made us to love oneanother and to look after our
children and care for them it sounds almost like soden and gomorra i am greatful
for my children and i am sure other parents are to for their gift from God
to look after them until they are able to understand and look after themselves.
Yours faithfully in Jesus love pearl wesley. be encouraged paster rob for we are
standing up for our children and God. bless you.
Hi Pastors Rob and Christie,
One aspect of this I find puzzling is the fact that parents are forbidden to take photographs of their own children in swimming costumes at the pool. How does this all tie in? Someone’s missed something, somewhere.
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