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Investigation Report No. 2969File No. ACMA2013/241

Licensee Radio Geeveston Youth Inc

Station 7RGY

Type of Service Community Radio

Name of Program Teachings from the Bible

Date of Broadcast 18 December 2012

Relevant Code Code 3.3 of the Community Radio Broadcasting Codes of Practice 2008

Issues Stereotype, incite, vilify or perpetuate hatred against, a group, on the grounds of ethnicity

Date Finalised 14 June 2013

Findings Breach of Code 3.3 of the Community Radio Broadcasting Codes of Practice 2008 – stereotype a group on the grounds of ethnicity

No breach of Code 3.3 of the Community Radio Broadcasting Codes of Practice 2008 – vilify, incite, or perpetuate hatred against, a group on the grounds of ethnicity

Investigation Report – 7RGY – Compliance with Community Radio Broadcasting Codes of Practice

The complaintOn 18 February 2013, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (the ACMA) received a written complaint about a program broadcast by Radio Geeveston Youth Inc, the licensee of community radio broadcasting service 7RGY, alleging that its broadcast breached the Community Radio Broadcasting Codes of Practice 2008 (the Codes). On 19 December 2012, the complainant lodged a written complaint with the licensee. Dissatisfied with the response, the complainant referred the complaint to the ACMA, in accordance with the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (the BSA).

The complaint is about comments made by the presenters of the program Teachings from the Bible, broadcast by 7RGY between 1.00 pm and 2.00 pm on 18 December 2012 (the Program).

The presenters made comments about Palestine and Palestinians, particularly with respect to relations with Israel, in the context of readings from, and commentary on, sections of the Bible.

In the complainant’s letter to the ACMA, the complainant alleged:

vilification and stereotyping of Palestinians and Muslims as terrorists. (Close to inciting hatred). [sic]

Further details of the complaint are included in the body of this report.

The service7RGY commenced providing a licensed community radio broadcasting service in the Huon Valley RA1 licence area in Tasmania in November 1983. Its current licence is due to expire on 9 September 2014.

The community interest of the licence, as allocated and last renewed, is the general community of the Huon Valley RA1 licence area. The licence area comprises parts of the Huon Valley and Kingborough Local Government Areas and extends east to Kingston, north to Lucaston west to Geeveston and south to parts of Dover.

The program

Teachings from the Bible

Teachings from the Bible is a one-hour program, broadcast by 7RGY on Tuesdays from 1.00 pm to 2.00 pm. The pre-recorded introduction to the Program states that it is:

an outreach of Epiphany Ministries Tasmania, a Christian, non-denominational, non-profit, faith-based, Bible-teaching and music and worship ministry. We teach the entire Bible as the literal, infallible, inspired and complete Word of God through which God has been pleased to reveal Himself to a sinful and dying world.

During the Program, the presenters (referred to as P1 and P2) make the following comments:

P1: I would like to comment on the current situation we see before us in the Middle East […] [Before the Day of the Lord] occurs, all the world will have turned against the state of Israel. We’re seeing that now.

P2: Absolutely, there’s no two ways about it.

P1: Those who place their hands over their hearts, displaying great sincerity and say ‘Israel, we’ve got your back’ - they are, in fact, ready to plunge in the dagger, I believe.

Only eight nations voted for Israel in the Palestinian State UN debate. Democracy versus terrorism. Why is that? Why could that be? How could that happen?

Investigation Report – 7RGY – Compliance with Community Radio Broadcasting Codes of Practice 2

[...]

P1: And besides, what nation could tolerate 2,500 missiles being fired at their cities, and when they do act against this atrocity, are reprimanded by the world [...] and when they do retaliate, they make little hand over heart statements, saying ‘Well, yes, Israel does have a right to defend itself’. Of course, Israel have a right to defend themselves. If Mexico fired one missile at Washington, what do you think would happen, my friend?

P2: Mexico would cease to be.

P1: Yes, it’d be back in the Stone Age very rapidly, but not Israel. If Israel defends their citizens, the Palestinians want to take them to court for war crimes. Well, there’s no answer, of course, from the anti-Israel UN, when Israel complain about it, and the world largely agrees.

So, I’m going to tell you why and surprise, surprise, my friend, it’s a spiritual reason. It’s the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of Israel, versus the god of this world, Satan. People will stand behind a people who will send in suicide bombers, fire missiles, blow up buses and wouldn’t shed a tear if the bombers were to drive the Jews into the sea in a sea of blood.

Now, they are their words. Most people don’t understand their hatred of an Israel populated by Jews is demonically inspired. ‘Get rid of the Jews’, they say, ‘give it to the terrorists’. [...]

So this is a real mess, isn’t it? So how will it end? My Bible tells me that God will judge nations that try to take away Israel’s sovereignty of Jerusalem and in the end, He will judge surviving nations as to how they treated Israel during the Tribulation and we see that in Matthew 25, 31-46. [. . .]

A transcript of the segment of the Program complained of is at Attachment A.

AssessmentThis assessment is based on:

the complainant’s complaint to the ACMA received on 18 February 2013; and

the licensee’s submissions to the ACMA received on 5 March 2013, including an audio copy of the broadcast of the Program, and on 3 June 2013.

‘Ordinary, reasonable’ listener test

In assessing content against the Codes, the ACMA considers the meaning conveyed by the relevant material. This is assessed according to the understanding of an ‘ordinary, reasonable’ listener or viewer.

Australian Courts have considered an ‘ordinary, reasonable’ reader (or listener or viewer) to be:

A person of fair average intelligence, who is neither perverse, nor morbid or suspicious of mind, nor avid for scandal. That person does not live in an ivory tower, but can and does read between the lines in the light of that person’s general knowledge and experience of worldly affairs1.

The ACMA considers the natural, ordinary meaning of the language, context, tenor, tone, inferences that may be drawn, and in the case of factual material, relevant omissions (if any).

Once this test has been applied to ascertain the meaning of the broadcast material, it is for the ACMA to determine whether there has been a breach of the Codes.

1 Amalgamated Television Services Pty Limited v Marsden (1998) 43 NSWLR 158 at pp 164–167


Complainant’s submission

The complainant submitted to the ACMA:

[. . .]

From about the seventh to the fifteenth minute of this otherwise inoffensive program, there was a stream of invective against Palestinians and Muslims. Taking this segment as a whole in my view constituted a clear breach of [the Codes].

Licensee’s submissionIn its submission to the ACMA, the licensee submitted that:

The complaint came from a volunteer at the station, was treated as a listener complaint and dealt with in accordance with our policy and [the Codes].

[7RGY’s] Program Policy 4.3 states:

[7RGY] shall not broadcast programs that contain material that stereotypes any person or group, vilifies,

incites or perpetuates hatred or demeans them on the basis of ethnicity, nationality, race, gender, sexual

preferences, age, religion, physical or mental ability, occupation, cultural belief or political affiliation.

Presenters whose programs are likely to contain or deal with material of a type more likely to be a potential problem have been provided with hard copies of [the Codes], others have been directed to the [Community Broadcasting Association of Australia] web site or to the station copies. Some presenters have also been taken through [the Codes].

As part of their training volunteers are informed of the guiding principles of community broadcasting, [the Codes] and the relevant provisions of the [BSA].

The matter has been raised at Volunteers meetings.

Since taking over as manager at the end of August I have commenced a review of all the station's policies. At the present time all the station's policies are in the process of being updated. As a result of this complaint we are focusing on all policies, processes and training relating to [the Codes].

[. . .]

The licensee also provided various attachments including copies of its correspondence with the complainant and the presenters of the Program, its report into the complaint and a copy of its Program Policy.

FindingsRadio Geeveston Youth Inc’s broadcast of Teachings from the Bible on 18 December 2012 included material which stereotyped Palestinians as terrorists on the basis of ethnicity. Accordingly, the licensee breached Code 3.3 of the Community Radio Broadcasting Codes of Practice 2008.

Radio Geeveston Youth Inc’s broadcast of Teachings from the Bible on 18 December 2012 did not include material which vilified, or incited or perpetuated hatred against, Palestinians on the basis of ethnicity.


Reasons

Relevant provision of the CodesCode 3.3 of the Codes provides:

3.3 We will not broadcast material that is likely to stereotype, incite, vilify, or perpetuate hatred against, or attempt to demean any person or group, on the basis of ethnicity, nationality, race, language, gender, sexuality, religion, age, physical or mental ability, occupation, cultural belief or political affiliation. The requirement is not intended to prevent the broadcast of material which is factual, or the expression of genuinely held opinion in a news or current affairs program or in the legitimate context of a humorous, satirical or dramatic work.

Interpretation of Code 3.3

As stated above, in its assessment of material against the Codes’ requirements, the ACMA considers what an ‘ordinary reasonable listener’ would have understood the material to convey and the natural, ordinary meaning of the language, context, tenor, tone, and any inferences that may reasonably be drawn.

‘Stereotype’, ‘vilify’, ‘incite’, and ‘hatred’

Code 3.3 of the Codes states that community broadcasting licensees will not, among other things, broadcast material which is likely to stereotype, vilify, incite, or perpetuate hatred against, any person or group on the basis of nationality, ethnicity or religion (or certain other grounds).

The ACMA considers Code 3.3 presents alternatives – material must not be likely to stereotype, or likely to vilify, or likely to incite, or likely to perpetuate hatred against, any person or group on any one or more of the specified grounds. Consequently, it is sufficient for the licensee to breach the Code where it broadcasts material which is, for example, likely to stereotype one person or a group on one of the grounds specified in Code 3.3.

The Codes do not define the words ‘stereotype’, ‘vilify’, ‘incite’, or ‘hatred’. When a statute or code does not contain definitions, the ordinary English language meaning is used. Accordingly, the ACMA gives these words their ordinary English language meaning.

The Macquarie Dictionary (fifth edition) provides the following definitions of Code 3.3’s relevant terms:

stereotype/ˈstɛriətaɪp/ (say 'stereeuhtuyp),/ˈstɪə-/ (say 'stear-)noun[. . .]3. a set form; convention; standardised idea or concept.–verb (t) (stereotyped, stereotyping)4. to make a stereotype of.5. to give a fixed form to.6. to characterise according to a conventional idea or concept.

vilifyvilification /viluhfuh’kayshuhn/,noun. vilifier,noun. /’viluhfuy/ verb(t), vilified, vilifying.1. to speak evil of; defame; traduce

incite/ɪnˈsaɪt/ (say in'suyt)


verb (t) (incited, inciting) to urge on; stimulate or prompt to action.

hatred/ˈheɪtrəd/ (say 'haytruhd)noun the feeling of someone who hates; intense dislike; detestation.

‘Likely’

The word ‘likely’ has been interpreted to mean something that is a real, and not a remote possibility; something which is probable.2

Identification of the person or group of persons, and relevant basis

The complainant alleges ‘vilification and stereotyping of Palestinians and Muslims as terrorists. (Close to inciting hatred).’ [sic]

The ACMA considers the identified group is Palestinians and the relevant basis is ethnicity. The Macquarie Dictionary definition of ‘ethnic’ is:

ethnic/ˈɛθnɪk/ (say 'ethnik)adjective 1. relating to or peculiar to a human population or group, especially one with a common ancestry, language, etc. [. . .]Also, ethnical. [Middle English, from Late Latin ethnicus, from Greek ethnikos national, gentile, heathen, from ethnos nation] –ethnically, adverb–ethnicity /ɛθˈnɪsəti/ (say eth'nisuhtee), noun

Nationality was also considered as a relevant basis. It is acknowledged that Palestine does not have ‘nation’ status and notes that it was accorded non-Member Observer State status in the United Nations in November 20123. Nevertheless, there are geographical areas, including the Palestinian territories, where large numbers of people who identify as Palestinians reside. However, for the purposes of this investigation, ethnicity is considered the relevant basis.

There are several explicit references to Palestinians, and several references which, within the context of the material, can reasonably be implied to refer to Palestinians:

Only eight nations voted for Israel in the Palestinian State UN debate. Democracy versus terrorism.

[. . .]

People will stand behind a people who will send in suicide bombers, fire missiles and blow up buses and wouldn't shed a tear if the bombers were to drive the Jews into the sea in a sea of blood.

[. . .]

Most people don't understand their hatred of an Israel populated by Jews is demonically inspired. ‘Get rid of the Jews,’ they say, ‘give it to the terrorists.’

The presenters do not explicitly refer to Muslims or Islam in the relevant segment of the Program. It is acknowledged that the discussion is in the context of the presenters’ interpretation of the Bible during a religious Christian program and that the majority of Palestinians are Muslims4. However, not all Palestinians

2 See the discussion in Re Vulcan Australia Pty Ltd and Comptroller-General of Customs (1994) 34 ALD 773 at 778.

3 www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2012/ga11317.doc.htm [accessed 30 April 2013]4 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_the_Palestinian_territories#UN_estimates_.5B19.5D [accessed

8 May 2013]


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_the_Palestinian_territories#UN_estimates_.5B19.5D

http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2012/ga11317.doc.htm

are Muslims and not all Muslims are Palestinian5. Given the explicit references are to Palestine and Palestinians and there are no explicit references to Muslims or Islam, it is not considered that the identified group is Muslims or that the relevant basis is religion.

Was the material likely to stereotype Palestinians (as terrorists) on the basis of ethnicity?

The ACMA must consider whether it was likely an ordinary, reasonable listener would have understood the material broadcast by the licensee to stereotype Palestinians (as terrorists) on the basis of ethnicity.

Referring to the United Nations vote which accorded Palestine non-Member Observer State status in the United Nations in November 2012, P1 stated ‘Only eight nations voted for Israel in the Palestinian State UN debate. Democracy versus terrorism.’ The reference to the ‘eight nations’ which ‘voted for Israel’ appears to be a reference to the nations who voted against Palestine’s bid6. In the ACMA’s view, P1’s comment ‘Democracy versus terrorism’ equates Israel with democracy and Palestine with terrorism.

P1’s other comments:

‘People will stand behind a people who will send in suicide bombers, fire missiles and blow up buses and wouldn't shed a tear if the bombers were to drive the Jews into the sea in a sea of blood’; and

‘Most people don't understand their hatred of an Israel populated by Jews is demonically inspired. ‘Get rid of the Jews,’ they say, ‘give it to the terrorists’ [Palestinians]’;

also characterise Palestinians, as a group, as terrorists.

There is a well-documented history of conflict, including violent conflict, between Palestinians and Israelis. However, in the ACMA’s view, the presenters have no valid basis for stereotyping all Palestinians as terrorists, or Palestine as a terrorist state. It is noted that there is a range of views on what the terms ‘terrorist’ and ‘terrorism’ mean7. It is also noted that while several Palestinian organisations have been designated by the United States as Foreign Terrorist Organisations8, the ACMA is not aware of any formal designation of Palestine as a terrorist state (such the United States’ State Sponsor of Terrorism designation9 or similar).

The Program presenters do not qualify their statements regarding Palestine or Palestinians, for example, by:

referring to individual, or groups of, Palestinians who may have committed acts of violence against Israel as distinct from the Palestinian people or Palestine; or

acknowledging that there is likely to be a range of attitudes among Palestinians toward Israelis, rather than just one of violence.

Code 3.3 states that the requirement is not intended to prevent the broadcast of material which is factual, or the expression of genuinely held opinion in a news or current affairs program or in the legitimate context of a humorous, satirical or dramatic work. None of these apply to the Program. It is likely that the presenters are expressing genuinely held opinions. However, the Program is not factual material, a news or current affairs program, or in the legitimate context of a humorous, satirical or dramatic work.

5 Ibid.6 Nine nations voted against the motion – ibid.7 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrorism [accessed 8 May 2013]8 For example, HAMAS, Palestine Liberation Front, Palestinian Islamic Jihad –

www.state.gov/j/ct/rls/other/des/123085.htm [accessed 1 May 2013]9 www.state.gov/j/ct/list/c14151.htm [accessed 1 May 2013]


http://www.state.gov/j/ct/list/c14151.htm

http://www.state.gov/j/ct/rls/other/des/123085.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrorism

Accordingly, it is considered that it was likely that the ordinary, reasonable listener would have understood the material broadcast during the Program to stereotype Palestinians as terrorists on the basis of ethnicity. 7RGY therefore breached Code 3.3 of the Codes.

Was the material likely to vilify Palestinians on the basis of ethnicity?

The ACMA must consider whether it was likely an ordinary, reasonable listener would have understood the material to vilify Palestinians on the basis of ethnicity. The dictionary definition above contemplates a high degree of strength in the language used and emotion provoked: ‘to speak evil of, defame, traduce’ (that is ‘to speak evil or maliciously and falsely of; slander, calumniate, or malign’10).

As noted above, in its assessment of material against the Codes’ requirements, the ACMA considers the natural, ordinary meaning of the language, context, tenor, tone, and any inferences that may reasonably be drawn.

Although undoubtedly offensive to some members of the community, including the complainant and Palestinians, the ACMA is not satisfied that, in the circumstances, the comments were intense or sustained enough to satisfy the relevant test.

It is acknowledged that the comments were made within the context of a religious Christian program and that any program discussing a matter from a particular religious viewpoint is likely to conflict with other viewpoints. It is further noted that the Program has a very specific perspective: its introduction states ‘We teach the entire Bible as the literal, infallible, inspired and complete Word of God’. This does not mean that a licensee may broadcast material in contravention of the Codes, but acknowledges that:

from time-to-time, views which are disagreeable, and sometimes offensive, to some listeners may be broadcast; and

the likelihood is increased in programs which take a very specific view on a particular subject.

The personal nature of the comments does not, by itself, preclude the material from breaching the Codes. However, in this case, it indicates that the overriding tone of the material was not strong enough to support a finding the material was likely to vilify Palestinians on the basis of ethnicity.

Was the material likely to incite, or perpetuate hatred against, Palestinians on the basis of ethnicity?

Incitement can be achieved through comments made about a person or group; there is no requirement that those comments include a specific call to action against that person or group or to establish that there was an intention to incite, or to prove that anyone was in fact incited11. However, the material must be capable of inciting or urging on the reaction in others rather than merely conveying the speaker’s own feelings. ‘There must be something more than an expression of opinion, something that is positively stimulatory of that reaction in others’.12

The ACMA considers the comments were offensive and capable of provoking negative associations about Palestinians in the minds of listeners, and acknowledges the complainant’s concerns in this regard. However, the ACMA is not satisfied, having regard to the tenor, tone, and context of the broadcast, that the material was, in the circumstances, likely to urge on, stimulate or prompt, hatred of Palestinians in the ordinary, reasonable listener. In the ACMA’s view, the comments were not intense or sustained enough to satisfy that test.

10 Macquarie Dictionary (5th edition)11 Kazak v John Fairfax Publications Limited [2000] NSWADT 77 at [23-29]. 12 Trad v Jones & anor. (No. 3) [2009] NSWADT 318 at [161].


As noted above, it is acknowledged that the comments were made within the context of a religious Christian program and that any program discussing a matter from a particular religious viewpoint is likely to conflict with other viewpoints.

It is also noted that there are several comments within the Program which characterise the comments as the opinion of the presenters, for example (emphasis added):

Those who place their hands over their hearts, displaying great sincerity and say "Israel, we've got your back", they are, in fact, ready to plunge in the dagger, I believe.

My Bible tells me that God will judge the nations who try to take away Israel's sovereignty of Jerusalem and, in the end, He'll judge surviving nations as to how they treated Israel during the Tribulation and we see that in Matthew 25, 31 – 46.

This is what my Bible says is going to happen.

The delivery of the comments is also noted: they were delivered in generally calm and measured tones.

As stated above, while the personal nature of the comments, and the tone in which they were delivered, do not, by themselves, preclude the material from breaching the Codes, these factors indicate that the overriding tone of the material was not strong enough to serve to urge or inflame listeners to form a feeling of ‘intense dislike’ or ‘detestation’ of Palestinians.

For the reasons set out above, the ACMA does not consider that the ordinary, reasonable listener would understand the material incited, or perpetuated hatred against, Palestinians on the basis of ethnicity.

Action takenThe ACMA notes that, in its 5 March 2013 submission to the ACMA, the licensee:

demonstrated it had dealt with the complainant’s complaint in accordance with the Codes;

provided a copy of its letter to the presenters of the Program reminding them of their obligation to comply with the Codes (although it provided no statement as to whether 7RGY considered that the Program had breached the Codes or its own Program Policy); and

stated that it would undertake a review of its Program Policy and make changes if necessary.

The ACMA notes that, in its 3 June 2013 submission to the ACMA, the licensee had advised the presenters of the Program:

of the ACMA’s preliminary findings;

not to comment on the recent or present political situation in the Middle East or make comments likely to breach Code 3.3;

that they, and all, presenters are expected to adhere to station policy and the Codes;

they will be required to undergo 7RGY’s training module in relation to Code 3;

that the complaint and the ACMA’s findings will be brought to the attention of all 7RGY volunteers.


The licensee also stated that it would implement the following changes to ensure compliance with Code 3:

consider changes to 7RGY’s General Programming Policy;

ensure each member is provided with a copy of the Codes and 7RGY’s General Programming Policy;

include detailed information about the Codes in the 7RGY’s induction material;

ensure that all volunteers read, and complete an assessment exercise about, Code 3.3; and

review 7RGY’s General Programming Policy from time-to-time.


Attachment ATranscript of Readings from the Bible 18 December 2012

0.00 (Pre-recorded introduction). Hi. Thank you for joining us once again. This is [P1] and [P2] connecting the Old and New Testaments in our program Teachings from the Bible here on 95.3 and 98.5 Huon FM. Teachings from the Bible is an outreach of Epiphany Ministries Tasmania, a Christian non-denominational, non-profit, faith-based, Bible-teaching and music and worship ministry. We teach the entire Bible as the literal, infallible, inspired and complete Word of God through which God has been pleased to reveal Himself to a sinful and dying world.

1.00 [P1, live intro, reading from Zachariah 10, 3-10, song The King of Love My Shepherd Is, discussion of translation of Psalm 23.]

7.50 P1: Also, I would like to comment on the current situation that we see before us in the Middle East. God's Word tells us that just before the Day of the Lord - what's the Day of the Lord? The Day of the Lord, by definition, is that time set aside by God from the Rapture until the winding up of everything passing into eternity.

P2: Yes.

P1: That is the Day of the Lord, it has different bits, it has the Tribulation of seven years, it has the Millennial Kingdom of one thousand years.

P2: And in between that we've got the return of our Lord and Saviour Jesus.

P2: That’s right. It is all the Day of the Lord. But just before that occurs all the world will have turned against the state of Israel. We're seeing that now.

P2: Absolutely, no two ways about it.

P1: Those who place their hands over their hearts, displaying great sincerity and say "Israel, we've got your back", they are, in fact, ready to plunge in the dagger, I believe.

Only eight nations voted for Israel in the Palestinian State [United Nations] debate. Democracy versus terrorism. Why is that? Why could that be? How could that happen?

Well my friend, people have said to us at Epiphany Ministries that Israel is the biggest threat to world peace and when asked to explain that, they mumble about the poor Palestinians of whom Israel have supposedly stolen their land. Well, my friend, that is just not true. Look up your history books as to what happened to that land, if you like, starting down through all the ages of man, but especially the last two hundred years. It's all recorded or would you rather believe otherwise despite the facts?

P2: With propaganda, if you tell a lie often enough, people will believe it and the truth is lost in the translation.

P1: Well, they do, but there's a deeper reason.

P2: Oh, absolutely.

P1: And besides, what nation would tolerate 2,500 missiles being fired at their cities and when they do act against this atrocity, are reprimanded by the world?

P2: Well, it’s not just ‘would tolerate’, they're expected to tolerate.

P1: That's right. And when they do retaliate they make little hand over heart statements saying, ‘Well, yes, Israel does have a right to defend itself.’ Of course, Israel have a right to defend themselves. If Mexico fired one missile at the Washington, what do you think would happen, my friend?

P2: I think Mexico would cease to be.


P1: Yes, it'd be back in the Stone Age very rapidly, but not Israel. If Israel defend their citizens, the Palestinians then want to take them to court for war crimes. Well, there's no answer, of course, from the anti-Israel [United Nations] when Israel complain about it and the world largely agrees.

So, I'm going to tell you why and surprise, surprise, my friend, it's a spiritual reason. It's the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of Israel, versus the God of this world, Satan. People will stand behind a people who send in suicide bombers, fire missiles, blow up buses and wouldn't shed a tear if the bombers were to drive the Jews into the sea in a sea of blood.

Now they are their words. Most people don't understand their hatred of an Israel populated by Jews is demonically inspired. ‘Get rid of the Jews,’ they say, ‘give it to the terrorists.’ Does that make sense? No. The Church of Man jumps on the bandwagon as well. This is to be expected because the Church of Man is not following Jesus. He's locked out of their Churches and isn't welcome there. And the Jesus they do teach is nothing like the Jesus of my Bible. They, without conscience, make up a new gospel and anything but the right gospel is demonic and, along with that, is displaying a superior arrogance towards the people of God who keep the moral standards required of them in God's word. Because the people who preach that Gospel, they say what’s good is evil and what is evil is good.

P2: Yes, everything’s been changed around.

P1: They also preach replacement theology - no pre-Tribulation rapture, etc. This is a real mess, isn't it? So how will it end? My Bible tells me that God will judge the nations who try to take away Israel's sovereignty of Jerusalem and, in the end, He will judge surviving nations as to how they treated Israel during the Tribulation and we see that in Matthew 25, 31 – 46. If guilty of persecuting Jews as a nation or individually, it'll be the Lake of Fire, my friend, and we see plain biblical warnings about nations condoning the division of the land. It is war we are all in, no fence sitters. If you are in any way anti-Semitic, you should take a good look at your attitude. You won't find a rational reason for your anti-Semitic or anti-Israel sentiments. Yes, my friend, it is spiritual. At the end, Jesus, Israel's King, will return to a Jerusalem that is full only of Jews only. Israel's borders will expand from the Nile to the Euphrates and both banks of the Jordan. Jesus is the King of the world and he will rule them from his new temple throne room on a cleansed Mount Zion and we can see that in Ezekiel 40. A temple mount with no Mosques or blasphemous shrines on its summit. Don't like my words? This is what my Bible says is going to happen. Not impressed? The surviving world won't be impressed either, but happen, my friend, it will and Jesus, Messiah, the King, will reign for a thousand years and he will, with his bride, put down any revolt or dissention to his rule. Yes, that’s what it says. But maybe you put more store in Nostradamus or the Mayan calendar or the horoscope in the back of some women’s magazine in a doctor’s surgery? It’s like this picture, my friend. Christians stand on the rock of Christ, surrounded by a stormy sea. This sea is full of people struggling to survive. They’re drowning. The Christian reaches down and says, ‘Grab my hand, my friend, and I’ll pull you up on to the rock of Christ so you will not die.’ The unsaved will say, ‘No, I’d rather grasp this straw floating past and if that doesn’t work, I’ll climb up on the back of my neighbour.’ And they’d rather do that than ever acknowledge the Saviour. But the hand of the evangelist is forever extended to you.

P2: Drawing them to safety if they would only take it.

P1: That’s right. What’s it going to be my friend? Reach up for life or drown?

16.06 [Song The Basin and the Towel]

20.05 [Discussion of the second letter from Peter, then remainder of the Program]


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