118 Comments

It's easy to despise Arise. So much obfuscation, so little care for their flock.

As for your good news, Liam has a new fan in me! And I still admire your continued dedication to unattractive screenshots of John Cameron.

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Liam Hendriks gives me hope that I very much needed.

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Jul 7, 2022Liked by David Farrier

It takes a lot for me to have faith in people replenished but the baseball ending put a little back in the tank.

I’m not a sports guy either but I’ve found in recent years that the sound of basketball players’ shoes squeaking on the courts is one of my favourite sounds. Highly recommended as something on in the background.

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Some queer baseball history: this week I read that the high five was invented in 1977 by Glenn Burke, an outfielder for the LA Dodgers. He didn't come out until 1980 (after he retired), but enough people knew he was gay while he played. The team executives offered him $75,000 to get married in the 1977 off-season and he said "I guess you mean to a woman."

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Really feeling for those who reported their experience at Arise Church. This was an opportunity for their voice to be heard and to feel empowered but this process or lack of process ensures that power is still with the Cameron's. Can an investigation be organised separate to the church at the behest of survivors? And a report publicly released? I'm thinking of something like the People's Mental Health Report that prompted a formal Government Mental health investigation?

And it's good to see LGBTQI+ being celebrated and accepted. Go Liam!

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Jul 8, 2022Liked by David Farrier

Liam Hendriks. What an absolute champion. Good on him for taking a stand to ensure everyone is treated the same way. My wife and I have done something similar here in Melbourne – although 54 million dollars aren't a part of our story! Last year our church board and leaders put together an Inclusion Statement promising that our church will treat all people equally regardless of gender, sexuality, age, ability, race, or ethnicity: https://baysidechurch.com.au/inclusion-statement/. It shouldn't be controversial, but sadly, it still is in the Pentecostal/evangelical world, as you have expressed on many occasions, David.

I am convinced that discrimination is inherently unchristian. Excluding people based on something they didn't choose and cannot change is NOT Jesus' way. It doesn't reflect how he treated others, yet it is endemic in many institutions that bear his name. I hope that in time this will change. But the church invariably moves at a glacial pace. Jesus adopted a common saying of his day and remarked that it summarised the Bible: "in everything treat others the same way you want them to treat you." It's simple, profound, and life-changing for those on the other side of our actions.

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Jul 7, 2022Liked by David Farrier

So glad you ended it on such a lovely story. I've not heard of Liam, and to know there's a man like that in that position, doing good helps a lot when you've just read an update like that. Thanks (again) David <3

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Great bit of digging to, yet again, call out Arise on their attempts at pulling the hood over the media and people.

Loved the Liam story at the end. Sounds like a genuine nice bloke. I disagree with one comment however; “It’s huge to me that someone like Liam speaks out about this stuff. He doesn’t have to. There is nothing in it for him. “

There is something in it for him. When we do nice to others we in return get a sense of belonging and community. - Dalai Lama (not his exact words but the same meaning)

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Jul 7, 2022Liked by David Farrier

Liam sounds like a total GC 🙌 Glad you met someone so special and got to share it with us, not just all the narcissistic Christi-Fascist pricks & bullies!

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Jul 7, 2022Liked by David Farrier

You’re such a legend !! Thanks for bringing it all to light, the morons & the rad dudes 🤘

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Jul 7, 2022Liked by David Farrier

Really appreciate what you do David - holding people to account and not giving up. Thank you :)

Also loved the story about Liam - what a wonderful human being

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Care Bears shirt though 🥰❤❤❤

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What a legend

Great work ongoing with the Arise bigots, but what a great way to finish bringing Liam Hendriks to the fore.

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Do the people making decisions at Arise not understand the nature of investigative journalism? What exactly do they think will happen? While it’s horrible how they’re dragging this out, I enjoy how truly stupid and deceitful they reveal themselves to be.

Liam! What a gem! Seriously what a ray of hope, I adore him, thanks so much for introducing him! Friday made.

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Jul 7, 2022·edited Jul 7, 2022

So disappointing; yet also disappointingly unsurprising. The “transparency” comments seem to be, as I’m sure you suspected, just a meaningless deflection. I really hope, for the sake of those who shared their trauma and because Arise needs to be officially exposed, that they are forced to release it.

Fantastic to see somebody with a platform, but particularly in sports, using their influence to support our rainbow communities.

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“The Chicago team” 🤣😂 There are 2 baseball teams in Chicago. I love you David!! So glad you have a weekly podcast. The rapport between Monica and yourself is adorable and a joy to listen to

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