Given the relentless attacks on The Church by secular media I believe there is a need to address the misconceptions which result.

I offer as my first candidate.

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

Sidney Myer.. founder of the Myer Emporiom chain.

Sidney Baevski Myer (born Simcha Myer Baevski on 8 February 1878 – 5 September 1934) was an Australian businessman and philanthropist, best known for creating Myer, Australia's largest chain of department stores.

Myer's will was proved at £922,000. His funeral was attended by some 100,000 people. The Sidney Myer Charitable Trust was established, now known as The Sidney Myer Fund, to continue the tradition of philanthropy began by its founder.

The most famous philanthropic funding was for the construction of the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in the Kings Domain in 1958.

The Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne is named in his honour.

What the Wiki bio does not say..is that Sidney, a man born into the Jewish faith, became a Christian.

//There is no question that Lee Neil's example - his faith informed every facet of his life - had a profound impact on Sidney Myer, leading towards Sidney's conversion and baptism and his practice of strong Christian ethics in business.

Sidney Myer's big-heartedness and generosity, admirable if not legendary in his lifetime, continue to this day in the Sidney Myer fund, but note this: “When he died suddenly in 1934 at 55, Sidney Myer was still a millionaire. He had given more than a million pounds to community projects and left one-tenth of all he possessed to charity and culture.//

Jewish population of Australa 2005 ....102,000

Jews who became Christians ? Only God knows.

Dear Al

I will bite despite the furphy of a topic in response to Foxy's thread. Of course Christians have made huge contributions to this country, we are a Judeo/Christian heritage so it follows that the contributions have been great.

Do you really think Christians are demonised more than Muslims in the media?

I cannot think of any time where Christians have been demonised in Australia. If you are thinking in terms of the child abuse revelations, this criticism has been warranted - it is not a baseless accusation that the Chruch did nothing in the face of a growing problem.

This is not demonisation, merely a plea for accountability.

Personally, I tend not to think in terms of contributions from groups, but from individuals no matter which ethnic group they belong.

Can I bite too?

If Myer truly followed Christ's ideology, how is it that he still had so much money when he died? Why is it that he didn't sell all his capital and distribute all his wealth when he first joined this cult?

Well..the prize for religious vilification :) goes to..AIME. "cult"
Interesting that you actually attack a man who did well in business, gave away at least the same amount that he ended up with...yet you attack him as a 'cult' member ? shame.
Aime...at his funeral they reckon half of Melbourne turned out. I think you are in a minority there.

Pick on one of the abusive priests..not one who seems to have done only good.

Pelly.. try this on for 'demonized'...

http://www.theage.com.au/national/investigations/sex-abuse-victim-told-to-go-to-hell-20090810-efkm.html

The way that story was constructed shows it had no other goal than to demonize 'The Church' of whatever flavor.

The sensationalist headline "go to hell...bitch" with a deliberate picture of an angry Arch Bishop.

But pelly.. you made an important observation.. peoples contributions to Australia should NOT be reported in terms of their religion or ethnicity..but their personhood.

That's why some of us took exception to Foxy's blatant 'Islmophilia'..she was trying to force an overlay of 'nice moderate' Islam on ALL our perceptions of ALL Muslims..whether she admits it or not.

Catholics have made some wonderful contributions to helping the Poor and lifting up those who are downtrodden. St Vinnies for one.

The demonization in the Age was just that.. deliberate and calculated.
I went into that story deeply..and raised a RRT complaint.. so I had feedback from the Journalist Nick McKenzie on it.

Can you remember a movie you saw where the 'Christian' was not a molesting, abusing, nut case ?

Can ANYone recall a movie which portrayed Christians as decent, upstanding people ? I suppose 7th heaven might qualify there.

Having said all that.. it is ABSOLUTELY true that some Priests and religious figures calling themselves "Christian" have done some awful things. It's a bit difficult though to connect such behavior with the one they claim to follow. This is 'WHY' the likes of Proxy go on with such vehemence about the 'other mob'...ie...it can be connected...directly.

If anyone wishes to criticize 'Christianity'.. feel free.. but do so on the basis of what it actually teaches please..not on how some have acted.

Well..the prize for religious vilification :) goes to..AIME. "cult"
Thank you, thank you. I always try my best:-)

"Interesting that you actually attack a man who did well in business"
Bit strong AGiR. Come on! I only asked a simple question. Couldn't actually attack the man. I barely knew him!

And please don't get defensive about your "Christian" church. I think all religions of all persuasions are cults. They heard you like sheep and fleece you of your money. Just take a look at all the preachers of churches like the Salt Shakers, Seven Day Adventists, Assembly of God etc. How is it that those preachers all drive fancy cars, have an expensive hair-do and suits, while half the congregation can only manage their "Sunday best" which isn't always that flash I might add.

My only great regret is that 'men and women' of God couldn't get a glimpse of recognition at the time of their deaths and realise that all their praying and hatred of the devil (and anybody else who wasn't "one of them") was all for nothing. If only they could realise that after death, there's nothing out there and never will be. Death equals "lights out!" You become atoms to be spread around the world by way of worms, grass and that which eats the worms and grass, or carried on the wind via the smoke from the crematorium to become smog in a distant city. That's what life after death is all about!