The Fourth Session of the conference was focussed as follows: “What is our Christian response to the anti-association laws in Queensland and their enactment as well as to the spread across the country of these types of laws?”

Copyright notice: As I memorised scriptures from the NIV for more than thirty years, the majority of scriptures quoted will be from that version, therefore I include here the copyright notice for the NIV:  “Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.” Some that I wasn’t certain about have been copied in NIV form from www.biblegateway.com and others will be either KJV or my head-modified version of KJV, which was the version from which I memorised all scriptures until about 1978.

I must add that the reports in this post are very far from verbatim reports of what was said by the speaker. I took very abbreviated notes during the sessions.  I have filled out those very brief notes with what I think I heard the speakers say, not necessarily what they actually said.  It is more of a report on how what they said made an impact on me.

MC: Brady March – Longriders CMC Melbourne: Harking back to the theme of the second session this morning, he shared a very powerful testimony: His wife sent an e-mail to him which had as an attachment a photo of a leaf-drawing by his four year old daughter which asked the question: “Why is daddy always at work; always with Longriders; always at work; always with Longriders?” This arrived at his office at 7 o’clock at night on a day when he had been in the office since 7 o’clock that morning. The e-mail stopped him in his tracks and made him reassess priorities and get his life in balance.

Mike Tamplin – God’s Squad – Brisbane – quoted Matthew 22:15-22  “Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words.
They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?”
But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”
“Caesar’s,” they replied.
Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.”
This scripture about giving both to Caesar and to God reminds us that we are to have respect for the laws made by the governments that are elected by us.
Also see Romans 13:1-7 : “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honour, then honour.”
This scripture relates to being subject to governing authorities. Scripture gives us God’s laws; man’s laws, on the other hand, are an ass! So is it right in God’s eyes for us to break man-made laws? We must be very sensitive in framing our response. God is just incredible!

Greg Pendlebury – Brotherhood Sydney: Media constantly re-use images of the Milperra and Sydney Airport incidents to constantly feed the imaginations of the public so they will believe how very bad, bikers are.
Media wants public to be fearful of anyone on motorbikes.
The government wants the police to appear to be tougher than the bikers.
Romans 13:1-2 “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”  While this scripture tells us to be subject to governing authorities, being subject to them does not mean blindly obeying everything they say.
We must resist laws that are plainly wrong; not ignore them, but resist them. The Prime Minister and Members of Parliament are not God, they are human, and can get things wrong. They have the legitimate right to make the laws, and we have the legitimate right to resist laws and argue against them when they promote injustice.
How do the anti-association laws measure up against God’s word? God hates injustice. These laws are unjust – they make taking part in community activities into a crime punishable by six months in gaol.
Proverbs 6:16,19 “… the Lord hates … a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.”  There is no doubt that these laws stir up conflict in the community.
Proverbs 14:31 “whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honours God.” The whole chapter points out the results of oppression.
Psalm 11:1-7  “In the Lord I take refuge.
How then can you say to me:
    “Flee like a bird to your mountain.
For look, the wicked bend their bows;
    they set their arrows against the strings
to shoot from the shadows
    at the upright in heart.
When the foundations are being destroyed,
    what can the righteous do?”
The Lord is in his holy temple;
    the Lord is on his heavenly throne.
He observes everyone on earth;
    his eyes examine them.
The Lord examines the righteous,
    but the wicked, those who love violence,
he hates with a passion.
On the wicked he will rain
    fiery coals and burning sulphur;
    a scorching wind will be their lot.
For the Lord is righteous,
    he loves justice;
    the upright will see his face.
This psalm shows us it is not okay to oppress people.

Romans 13:1-7 was mentioned yet again: Romans 13:1-7 : “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honour, then honour.”
The Old Testament teaches us the concept of “Shalom”.
All crime is a breaking of the ten commandments.
The anti-association laws do not address crime but focus on breaking up friendships – the innocent are being punished – these laws are designed to punish people for what is not a crime – these laws destroy community and have a dehumanising effect.
The government has made normal everyday activity into a crime. VLAD is a tough law, but not a just law. Isaiah 1:17 tells us to: “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed [or correct the oppressor]. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.”
Our aim is to see the bad law changed. God’s views of justice should be reflected in the laws of the land. VLAD does not reflect the laws of God.
As we work towards this, we must keep the gospel at the top of our minds; our prime role is to make disciples of others.

Macca – God’s Squad Brisbane: What is a Christian response to the anti-association laws?
Luke 6:31 says “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Romans 12:2 says “Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
The anti-association law is an unjust law. We must ask God to give us a clear vision so that we know where to stand and what to stand for.
Micah 6:8 says, “He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Psalm 133:1-3 : ”

Kev Daly – Tribe of Judah, Brisbane: He began by referring to 1 Peter chapter 2:13-17: “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honour the emperor.”
Good citizenship: we do not have to obey every law that is passed. The VLAD law does not specifically mention motorcycle clubs: any person with any criminal past may be named as a person with whom it is illegal to associate. It is possible that this law, as it is worded , could be used to make association with members of, for example a golf club or a football club, to become illegal. Could the Titans [Qld rugby league football club] be named as a criminal organisation?
In Oct 2015, the VLAD law is to be reviewed. The Attorney General of Queensland, Yvette d’Ath, also Minister of Justice, affirms that the newly-elected Labor government will see that the VLAD law is enforced. The government has also announced that there will be replacement laws announced by the end of this year. Which is right? Are we just being fed more politically expedient lies?

There was some considerable general discussion about our response to the anti-association laws. Several people were appointed to work on a statement from the conference over dinner.

After the fourth session, I decided not to wait around for dinner or to attend the meeting afterwards.

On the Sunday morning, I attended the breakfast and the biker’s church service which was held at Zillmere.

The letter which was agreed upon and signed by representatives from the clubs reads as follows:

“The VLAD laws in Queensland, Consorting laws in NSW, the old SOCCA laws in SA, and similar laws in other states, change the nature of the crime from ‘What you do’ to ‘Who you meet with’.

The laws result with people being punished for innocent activities. They make it a crime for some people to meet socially, have a meal together, or go to the footy. The VLAD laws apply to a club or a league or any other group of three or more persons, by whatever name called, whether legal or illegal.

Every Queenslander has the potential to be impacted. The National Christian Motorcycle Club and Associations Conference calls on all governments, Federal and State, to repeal all laws that punish people for association, rather than for crime.

All crime, no matter who commits it, should be investigated thoroughly, tried justly, and punished appropriately.

We do not believe these laws fit with the ideal of giving people a fair go.”