Is Rev Fred Nile's response Christian?

Is it just me, or is there something decidedly un-Christian about the Rev Fred Nile's recent Australian Christian Democratic Party media release (below).

Whist it is often difficult for people to transport the image of a first century Jesus Christ (sandals and robe) into a 21st century context it is not difficult to identify some basic elements of character and values. The Jesus we read about in the gospels is undoubtedly a man of compassion, grace and justice. A person who reached out to the down-trodden and societies outcasts. A person who told us to love our neighbours as ourselves. Treat others the way you'd like to be treated yourself. Yes there are examples of another side to Jesus, but interestingly that only came out when he had to confront the self-righteousness and judgmental religious people of His day. Is there a similarity here?

There are certain characteristics which we could say are Christ-like/Christian. I don't think the smugness and gloating reflected in the tone of this press release are ones that we would recognise however.

I know two things would be important, possibly paramount to Rev Nile and others, as evangelical Christians. Firstly that people would be able to see Jesus Christ's character in their life and secondly that through their witness he would bring others to a faith in Christ. It appears though that Rev Nile's message, attitude and tone, along with others such as the Australian Christian Lobby are turning people away in their droves.

It's unfortunate that we have to remind someone who claims to be a Christian of many years of some words in the Bilble but here it is.

"He has showed 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". Micah 6:8

Media Release

Rev Fred Nile Congratulates Federal MPs and Senators for voting against the Same-Sex Homosexual Marriage Bill

Friday 28 September 2012

We give praise to the Almighty God for the victory in the Federal Parliament from 18-20 September 2012 when the same-sex homosexual marriage bill was overwhelmingly defeated in spite of all the efforts by the so-called Marriage Equality Homosexual Campaign supported by the Sydney Morning Herald, Sun Herald and Channel 7 etc to promote the bill. 

They all have egg on their faces because of this amazing victory, when the House of Representatives by over 2 to 1, 98 votes to 42 votes soundly rejected the anti-marriage, anti-family Bill. The Senate, where the 9 Green Senators usually get their way, voted 49 to 26 to defeat the Bill.
 
No coalition members voted for the bill but 38 ALP MPs and the Greens voted for it.

We must remain alert as anti-Christian forces will continue their campaign as they are manipulated by Satan, because the institution of marriage came from the heart of God as taught in Genesis 2:24 and Jesus Christ reinforced this model of a man marrying a woman in Matthew 19:4-6.

"Have you not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this reason a man will leave his father and mother, and shall be united to his wife: and the two will become one flesh? So they are no longer two, but one." 
 
A male and female are created to be perfectly mated in love - sexually, biologically, physically, mentally, etc. Two men cannot become one flesh, neither can two women.

We also thank Tony Abbott for his strong leadership and for standing firm in support of marriage!

Unfortunately the Greens are now trying to push the Bill through State Parliaments and have already started in Tasmania and South Australia.

We are very disappointed that the NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell has already agreed that the Coalition MPs can have a conscience vote. He should make it Coalition policy to support marriage and vote against the same-sex homosexual marriage Bill.

Rev Nile congratulates the Tasmanian Upper House for the Same-Sex Homosexual Marriage Bill defeat 8 votes – 6.

It's not hard to see where the problem is with the arguements against marriage equality. Is the problem really with two people of the same gender making a public, life-long, legal commitment to each other in the presence of the family and friends who love and support them .......or is it something else?