In Russia, unlike Essendon, a Christian may run a sports club

Congratulations to News Corp for “revealing” that Mr Thorburn has the same views as the Pope.

The Board made clear that, despite these not being views that Andrew Thorburn has expressed personally and that were also made prior to him taking up his role as Chairman, he couldn’t continue to serve in his dual roles at the Essendon Football Club and as Chairman of City on the Hill… I also want to stress that this is not about vilifying anyone for their personal religious beliefs, but about a clear conflict of interest with an organisation whose views do not align at all with our values…”

– Essendon boss Dave Barham. Image: Fr Claudio Acquaviva, originator of the club’s motto

These truths (not “views”) are entirely orthodox. Indeed, they are the same as those propounded in the Catechism of the Catholic Church whose most recent iteration was overseen by two of the most revered intellectual giants of modern history: Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. As always, when somebody alludes to the Shoah, a reporter ran dobbing to the Anti-Defamation Commission whose chairman, Dr Dvir Abramovich, dutifully provided the usual on-file lecturette. Not content to speak for the world’s Jews (spoiler alert: he doesn’t), Dr Abramovich also presumes to chastise Thorburn the Christian for “your opposition to a women’s autonomy over her body.” Most crimes – even most enormities – should not be compared to the Holocaust but the soulless monsters who decapitate, disembowel and dismember babies and slaughter the imperfect must be compared to their Third Reich predecessors. Not to do so is the truly wicked insult to the memory of Hitler’s six million Jewish victims. No, Dr Abramovich, we will not stop making this comparison because it is irrefutable and axiomatic to any properly formed conscience.

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40 Responses to In Russia, unlike Essendon, a Christian may run a sports club

  1. C.L. says:

    Essendon CEO Andrew Thorburn linked to controversial church, City on a Hill.

    New Essendon chief executive Andrew Thorburn is chairman of a church organisation which likens abortion to the operation of concentration camps and declares that homosexual behaviour is wrong.

    Thorburn, 57, was appointed to the top Bombers role on Monday in a move which president David Barham described as “bold and decisive”.

    It can be revealed that former NAB chief Thorburn is also listed as chairman of an eight-church movement called City on a Hill.

    On the church’s website it says Thorburn became a Christian in 2002 and has attended since 2014.

    And among a host of sermons promoted on the website, one on abortion reads: “We believe that we must be a voice for the voiceless, and stand for the rights of the unborn baby and be pro-life.

    “Human life begins at conception. All women and men have intrinsic value and worth as images of God. Abortion denies the voice of the most vulnerable … 80% of those who have aborted their child have regretted it,” the sermon first published in 2016 reads.

    In another sermon on the site, it is stated: “Whereas today we look back at (sic) sadness and disgust over concentration camps, future generations will look back with sadness at the legal murder of hundreds of thousands human beings every day through medicine and in the name of freedom.”

    That sermon was originally published in 2013, but the text is still prominent on City on a Hill’s site.

    A further sermon on homosexuality reads: “Sex is designed for marriage, and marriage for fulfilling God’s mandate for humans to ‘be fruitful and multiply’. The Torah condemned the practice of homosexuality so that Israel would stand out among the nations.

    “Through Christ, who fulfilled the law, we enter a new law of grace, where struggle is not a sin, but we are told to flee sexual immorality and glorify God with our bodies.

    “The Bible never calls same-sex attraction a sin. Lust is a sin, sex outside of marriage is a sin, practiciing (sic) homesexuality is a sin, but same-sex attraction is not a sin.

    “The Christian walk is one of struggle with sin yet in the gospel we can find forgiveness and grace. We ought to find our true love, satisfaction, and acceptance in Jesus.”

    Thorburn is listed on the site as chair, an accredited sports chaplain and a City on a Hill Warden.

    The club had no comment on the issue on Monday evening, as it prepared for its best-and-fairest count at Crown Palladium.

    But speaking at the Crichton Medal night, president David Barham described Thorburn as a “man of great integrity and exceptional vision”.

    “His experience at being the CEO of the NAB, one of the country’s largest organisations and the AFL’s major sponsors will be invaluable as we further relationships with governments, the AFL, valued members and sponsors,” Barham said.

    “To my knowledge no other AFL club has ever secured the services of an ASX-listed Top 10 company CEO to run its club.”

    Thorburn addressed the crowd at Crown’s Palladium room explaining his rich history as an Essendon fan dating back to when he was a nine-year-old going to his first game at Windy Hill.

    “I think the greatest strength we have is if we are united,” Thorburn said. “It has been said if you want to go fast go alone, if you want to go far go together.

    “So this is a call to action for every single person in this room.

    “One of my key roles will be to clear the way so Brad (Scott), the coaches and the players can get what they need to play that football that our members are desperately wanting to watch.”

    City on a Hill describes itself as one movement of men and women gathered across eight churches in five cities united around the mission “to know Jesus and make Jesus known”.

    Four of those churches are in Victoria, with three in Melbourne and one in Geelong.

    Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chairman of leading civil rights group the Anti-Defamation Commission, described the comparison between abortion and concentration camps was”shameful.”

    “Let’s get something clear: to compare a woman’s right to choose to the systematic extermination of six million Jews is beyond shameful and crosses so many red lines I stopped counting,” he said.

    “For any organisation to cheaply and perversely exploit the gassing of men, women, and children in order to promote a cause takes the abuse of the Holocaust to a new low and poisons an important debate which demands civility and respect.

    “My message to the City on a Hill is this: while you are entitled to express your views, leave the memory of the victims and the survivors who suffered enough out of your religious arguments, and stop manipulating Hitler’s evil crimes in order to advance your opposition to a women’s autonomy over her body.

    “Such outrageous and trivial equations demean the indescribable suffering and murder of millions and are historically inaccurate and extreme.

    “By employing this ugly analogy, City on a Hill betrays an ignorance of what really happened in Nazi Germany and in the death camps, and it’s time for them to apologise for the hurt they have caused and to remove this reference from their website.”

    Thorburn served as chief executive of NAB from 2014 to 2019 and previously the Bank of NZ from 2008 to 2014.

    He was forced to resign from his position at NAB in the wake of the scathing Royal Commission into misconduct in the banking industry in 2019.

    The royal commission’s final report singled out Thorburn and Dr Ken Henry – who also resigned – for harsh criticism, saying they had not learned the lessons of past misconduct, particularly in NAB’s wealth management arm that had charged $100m in fees without providing services in return.

    He has more recently been involved with start-ups, entrepreneurs and not-for-profit organisations.

    “In Andrew, we have secured a highly credentialed leader, with a proven track record in development and building the leadership capabilities of his people,” Barham said of his appointment.

    “Andrew’s focus will be on running Essendon like a club, with a renewed focus on our members and the core reason which we exist – football.

    “Our recent appointments of Brad Scott and today with Andrew, demonstrate our commitment to leadership and providing the right environment to ensure we achieve sustained success as a club.

    “Andrew is a man of great integrity and exceptional vision.”

    Thornburn has links to the AFL through the league’s corporate affairs manager Brian Walsh, who worked with Thorburn at NAB during his first year in the job.

    Barham said the process to find the club’s new chief executive – which was led by Ernst & Young – was “comprehensive”.

    Thorburn had impressed the club’s board with his work on the Bombers’ external review and was part of the coaching subcommittee which appointed Scott as coach.

    Thorburn will begin his new role on November 1.

    ——————–

    Sam Landsberger, Exclusive, The Australian

  2. and says:

    “Inclusion & diversity” up close.

  3. cuckoo says:

    I also want to stress that this is not about vilifying anyone for their personal religious beliefs, but about a clear conflict of interest with an organisation whose views do not align at all with our values

    Oh well, that’s okay then…

  4. Terry says:

    The diversity blob consumes all. Because tolerance.

  5. RogerW says:

    No Muslim CEO for them either, then.

  6. Not Trampis says:

    what has entry into heaven to do with a sporting club?

  7. A reader says:

    I mean by pentecostal standards that isn’t even fire and brimstone

  8. Graham says:

    Mr Thorburn appears to have been an employee, as CEO, of the football club. The position under the Fair Work Act is clear. An employer must not take adverse action against a person who is an employee because of the person’s “religion” or “political opinion” amongst other things. See section 351 of that Act.

    The football club says his position as their employee is inconsistent with the position he holds in a church. He can not hold both positions. That is a clear case of adverse action because of his religion.

    Why is the Fair Work Ombudsman not immediately instituting proceedings against the football club for this egregious breach of the law?

    Why are not the civil libertarians, Law Societies, Bar Associations and the like not plainly speaking out and condemning this unlawful behaviour?

    I think we know the reason for the silence.

  9. NoFixedAddress says:

    And it’s only weeks away from the Sicktorian elections…

    Diktater Dan is blessed with that opposition Guy so someone like the new Essendon FC chairman speaking like this will have the branches whipped into a frenzy.

  10. Terry says:

    Graham says:,

    ‘Why is the Fair Work Ombudsman not immediately instituting proceedings…’

    Because the Fair Work Ombudsman is a political construction for use against ideological opponents. The provisions within the Act are political cudgels of convenience, for selective use only. They must never be applied fairly nor impartially to achieve actual justice.

    Federal ICAC will be a fastidiously crafted approximation.

    When playing such political games it is always best to own the umpire/referee, especially the “independent” ones.

    A pre-stacked Supreme Court might be used in a similar fashion to stitch up an innocent man in the hope that the High Court won’t intervene to overturn the travesty (Epic Fail).

    We cannot have “progress” AND justice – they simply don’t mix.

    Remember, “Social” means Anti-, hence “Social Justice Warriors”, “Social Democratic”, “Social Security”.

    While “Anti-” means Actual, hence “Anti-fascist”, “Anti-racist”, “Anti-discrimination”

  11. NoFixedAddress says:

    Terry says:
    5 October, 2022 at 8:46 am

    A great commentary Terry.

    Thank you.

  12. Lee says:

    what has entry into heaven to do with a sporting club?

    Why is a person’s religion any business of a sporting club, league, or organisation?

    Let’s face it, if he was a Muslim, Hindu, or Buddhist this would not even be an issue, and we would be hearing crickets.

  13. Franx says:

    Regarding abortion – analogies aid in the reflection even though they break down readily especially since the killing of the unborn, and of the partially born, is currently not only disguised and valorised as a facet of the health care industry but is also shrouded in unmentionable death-dealings involving the lucrative and hubristic exploitation of lifeless (or not) body parts. Even so, it’s all above board, and for the common good, making for rare analogies.

  14. Boambee John says:

    Non Mentis

    what has entry into heaven to do with a sporting club?

    Sport is the new religion. Get on board, or be left behind.

  15. Not Trampis says:

    pentecostal churches do not involve fire and brimstone. evangelical churches do.

    They are more about the satanic prosperity gospel.

  16. Chris M says:

    Headline is somewhat ambiguous I reckon.

    To Putin a Christian is specifically a Russian Orthodox Christian.

    The others like Evangelicals are perceived as western trash and are persecuted.

    Putin is in no way shape of form himself a Christian.

  17. Chris M says:

    That said, totally agree with you CL about the Essendon thing. Not that I have any interest in football or whatever the club is.

    Today’s Australia is an intolerant post-Christian country rapidly degenerating on many fronts.

  18. C.L. says:

    The headline doesn’t mention Putin, Chris.

  19. Boambee John says:

    Oooh lookie, the pre-school failure Non Mentis is now an eggspurt on religion.

  20. and says:

    The Hunchback doubles down:

    Responding to Guy’s criticism, Andrews said on Wednesday he had simply answered a question and had been a long-standing supporter of LGBTQ+ and abortion rights.

    “I think that termination services are a private matter between a woman and her doctor. And I will speak out against people who seek to intrude on that. I absolutely will. I also voted to make sure that people don’t intrude on that,” Andrews said.
    “What’s more, when it comes to rampant homophobia, when I lead the Pride March every year, I do that with a sense of genuine concern and support and commitment to make sure that every LGBTQ+ Victorian is safe, protected and valued. If I’m to be criticised for that, well, so be it.”

    Andrews said suicide rates were significantly higher for LGBTQ+ people than the broader community and added “this is not about who runs a footy club, this is about issues much bigger than that”.

    “People can get all upset by the fact someone resigned, I’m much more focused concerned by the fact that people are harming themselves and sometimes taking their own lives because of bigotry and prejudice,” he said.

    When asked whether Thorburn’s resignation showed people with conservative religious beliefs needed to hide their opinions in a public role, Andrews said: “No. They might want to have a think about whether they want to be a bit more kind-hearted. A bit more inclusive. Aren’t we all God’s children?”

    RTWT

    https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/victorian-opposition-leader-laments-essendon-ceo-s-resignation-criticises-premier-s-comments-20220924-p5bkoy.html

  21. Vagabond says:

    Abramovich and the ADL does not speak for me!

  22. and says:

    Jane Carosene, a “moral compass” not unlike Notty, posits in her typical crass way:

    Dear fundamentalists Christians, it is not really a defensible argument to claim that stopping you from discriminating against others is discrimination against you. Maybe just live & let live?

    https://twitter.com/JaneCaro/status/1577453518470123520?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

  23. cuckoo says:

    Let’s face it, if he was a Muslim, Hindu, or Buddhist this would not even be an issue, and we would be hearing crickets.

    Indeed, the media would be applauding the fact that all Essendon players must now wear beards and only kick goals in the direction of Mecca. Also the ritual beheading of the former Essendon AFLW team.

  24. Entropy says:

    No. They might want to have a think about whether they want to be a bit more kind-hearted. A bit more inclusive. Aren’t we all God’s children?”

    well, not babies apparently.

  25. Terry says:

    ‘Aren’t we all God’s children?’

    Technically correct. Even the Spawn of Satan.

  26. C.L. says:

    Have any Liberals rushed to speak up for Thorburn?

  27. Buccaneer says:

    Have any Liberals rushed to speak up for Thorburn?

    If they did would the media cover it?

  28. Buccaneer says:

    Ow that we know the standard Jane Caro applies, I expect she’ll be hounding all the Muslim MPs from the greens and labour

  29. Lee says:

    “I think that termination services are a private matter between a woman and her doctor. And I will speak out against people who seek to intrude on that. I absolutely will. I also voted to make sure that people don’t intrude on that,” Andrews said.

    Says an arch-hypocrite who coerces people into being vaccinated against their wishes – or else …

  30. and says:

    Have any Liberals rushed to speak up for Thorburn?

    In the Age article linked above, Guy… what’s his name? Guy… That Guy guy.

  31. Roger W says:

    At least the Archbishop of Melbourne has spoken out.

  32. Franx says:

    Thorburn’s beliefs and those of his fellow travellers are beliefs which they apply only to themselves while leaving it open for others to accept their ideas or no.
    In contrast:
    Andrews’s beliefs (he says he ‘believes’ in the causes of woman’s rights and those of the LGBTQ people) and those of his fellow travellers are beliefs which they apply to themselves while leaving it not open for others to accept their ideas or no. So, it’s,“‘Peace, peace”, they say when there is no peace.’ Nor tolerance, nor inclusiveness, nor justice.

  33. TP says:

    “People can get all upset by the fact someone resigned, I’m much more focused concerned by the fact that people are harming themselves and sometimes taking their own lives because of bigotry and prejudice,” he said
    The Dictator is always quoting facts about LGBTQ+ people harming themselves & suicide. I would suggest that these number ( who knows how many ) are caused by mental issues including identity crises. Being coerced into changing your sex is a massive decision, if one is even possible without mental trauma. I would suggest that well over 50% regret the decision.
    The Dictator seems to infer that general public are going around on a daily basis, in great numbers, gay bashing & slagging about the LGBTQ+ people.
    It’s just typical of him.

  34. Chris M says:

    The headline doesn’t mention Putin

    Correct, he is very much the boss though. Let’s not pretend the Russian government is pro-Christian when it is quite opposed. The Orthodox thing is just pushed by them for nationalistic reasons, they remain commies at heart.

  35. and says:

    Take note. From the New Cat. It’s behind a paywall at the HeraldSun

    Stonnington council is reviewing its rental agreement with controversial church City On A Hill which uses the council-owned Phoenix Park Community Centre in Malvern East.

    The innereast council is concerned the church’s views on LGBTIQA+ rights may not align with Stonnington’s Action Plan and commitment to “ inclusion, equality, and pride in the diversity”.

  36. and says:

    Greg Sheridan making sense

    Thorburn being sacked due to his beliefs is a ‘grave moment in Australian culture’

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2WWB4zmfHQ
    .

  37. NoFixedAddress says:

    The Sicktorian Diktater spoke and the purges have begun.

    Vikpol will be busy!

  38. C.L. says:

    It will probably come to that, NFA.

    It already has, really.

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