New Link added: Memucan Institute

I'm kinda surprised it took me this long to get this one on my list. Allan Barron's writings, along with others from the Memucan Institute of Mens Studies (MIOMS), have been cited on this blog a number of times; and his works are cited constantly in the Bittie Browser scroller from OzInfoNews.

The Bible Dictionary tells us that 'memucan' means 'dignified', and refers to "one of the royal counsellors at the court of Ahasuerus, by whose suggestion Vashti was divorced (Esther 1:14, 16, 21)"

MIOMS exists to promote the virtues of traditional roles for men and women, and to demonstrate their value to society. We expose the deficiencies of equal opportunities, and of the threat this poses to the stability of family life and by extension society as a whole. Men and women are in equal in status, and before the law. Equality in status does not imply sameness of purpose or function.

The sexes have a complementary relationship to each other and mutual respect and harmony can only occur when this complementary nature is upheld and promoted throughout society. Feminism is a regressive, counter culture movement whose self-centred ideologies not only undermine civil and personal liberties, but also destroys the foundation of stable family life.

History will judge this generation most severely for making some critical errors regarding the over zealous pursuit of equality for women. Most gender `reforms' like affirmative action were carried out on the basis of ideology rather than popular consensus or validated scientific research.

The Memucan Institute has shown its leadership and vision for many years. I cannot avoid the feeling that their leadership has fallen victim to the dismal habit of Australian society to take a decade to make a small step, then throwing itself over the precipice fanatically in sweeping social engineering "reforms." Reforms which then drive themselves far beyond reason, ignoring the calming voices of those who would measure the steps and the distance.

There is an old saying that a man grows more conservative as he grows older. I have to admit that I see that happening in myself. Although I'm hardly a bible thumper, I have a great deal of respect for the wisdom in the Bible, and those who live the tenets of Christianity. If it were not for the Bible and Christianity, the world -- and every nation in it -- would be a much harsher, uglier place than it is today.
Most people will concede that they are not churchgoing, but try to live by the meaning of Christianity.
Kevin Rudd appears to be the political spokesperson for this side of Australian politics, although I know of no connection with the Memucan Institute.

In Rudd’s new essay in The Monthly, titled “Faith and Politics", he takes a familiar argument several steps further (writes Cristopher Pearson).

He begins with a quote from John Wallace book, “God’s Politics”:

“God is not partisan. God is not a Republican or Democrat. When either party tries to politicize God or coop religious communities for their political agendas, they make a terrible mistake. The best contribution of religion is precisely not to be ideologically predictable, or loyally partisan. Both parties and the nation must let the prophetic voice of religion be heard. Faith must be free to challenge the right and the left from a consistent moral ground.” (The Australian, 8 Oct 2005)

Christian values are often assailed from any quarter given the social trends towards market utility.

Personally, I am often humbled by those who have found the gentle strength to remain strong in one faith without becoming bitter and cynical. That is the courage that many find in religion. And for those who are not religious, that statement may be the greatest attribution any can give.
One of the goals of this blog and all the work I have done for the Family Rights and Men's rights movements is to attempt to avoid that cynicism and bitterness. To be honest, I am not certain at times that I have succeeded.