I can understand your speaking out against what happened. It is clear that what Paul said in 2 Tim. 3:1-5, “that people would be lovers of themselves, lovers of money,… without love of goodness, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, having a form of godly devotion but proving false to its power..”, is right on target with what we see today in peoples behavior. Clearly people may profess to worship God yet their actions betray them, their devotion to Him has no power to help them discern right from wrong according to what God says is right and wrong. They would rather do things that please themselves.
Hope you have great day.

Hi SGS .. In Sydney there seems to be a culture of worship of youth and the body and wealth. All these are fleeting and have no true value. Newspapers seem to revel in stirring up trouble and that is obviously a world wide thing. We Aussies have a reputation for being easy going but will take a stand when needed. I was asked to go to a 21st recently in fancy dress as “devils in angels clothing”…well you would think after almost 20 years the parents would know me by now. I declined the invitation. Thanks for commenting.

You have every right to be outraged. The church council of Paddington Uniting Church certainly is.

We are currently investigating how this event happened. I understand that the company gave no notice of its planned theme, and so staff were expecting a rather different event to occur.

We are also unclear how a vodka launch was allowed in the church in the first place. We tend to take a more relaxed view than some about appropriate uses of the church, and this was a local Paddington company, but I don’t believe an alcohol product launch is appropriate.

We are currently investigating legal proceedings against the company, I gather but these things are almost impossible to pursue.

Regards,
Justin Whelan
Chairperson
Paddington Uniting Church

Hi Justin…thank you for clearing that up for us. I know that many advertising companies these days are going for alternate venues, however I do feel it was a definite attack on Christianity and am so sorry that your church that does such good things in the community was used in such a fashion.

There are a fair amount of churche these days that hold liquer licences and they do bring the community together not just your community.

You may be also outraged at this article:
http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/hunky-jesus-competition/2008/03/24/1206206986293.html

but hey, thats the kind of person you are

Sam…thanks so much for your insightful comment. I take your point about other communities and in my letters to various Uniting Church leaders I praised the church for its stance on welcoming people of different races and genders and sexual preferences. So you may have jumped the gun a tad on judging me.

My point was solely that we use the sanctified churches for worship of God not Vodka O. If this party had been held in the church hall there would not be such outrage. Whatever your opinion of me..this was done over the Easter period and in my opinion was an attack on Christianity at the worst and sheer stupidity and ignorance at the least.

Hi Angie…yes it left me reeling but am rarely at a loss for words so said a fair few..to the newspaper concerned and the church and the head of the church for
our state NSW.

Aaron Wakling

Hi Aaron …welcome to my blog and thank you for the compliment I will tell my son who set it all up for me.