Who owns the Rainbow?

Is Ken Ham supporting Pride?

 Ken Ham a bigot of questionable sincerity and sanity, has, with the help of government funds made a model of the mythical ark,  The world flood and ark myth originated as far as we know in the Sumerian mythology recorded in the Epic of Gilgamesh. 

 Ken Ham has lit up his model of the ark with rainbow colored lights, but not in support of the LGBT community, he is using the rainbow to try and promote hate and  discord.

 He has claimed that Christians need to take back the rainbow from the LGBT community because he claims that the christian god owns it!

 Firstly this man is wrong, in that Christians are free to use the rainbow, the LGBT community do not own it any more than any one god does. We do receive royalty's every time someone uses a rainbow or sees one in the sky.

 Secondly the rainbow flag created by Gilbert Baker in 1978 is a symbol uniting all people, of all races and religions in peace and the acceptance of the natural diversity of humanity. The colors of the Rainbow flag represent Sex, Life, Healing, Sunlight, Nature, Magic, Art, Serenity and Spirit, all things Ken Ham is against apparently.

  Lets just have a quick look at some actual facts that disprove Ken Hams outrageous claim that his lone god created and owns the rainbow.

 In Aboriginal mythology the rainbows are giant divine serpents with various names and attributes, there are two of great note here; Ungud is said to be androgynous or transgender while another Rainbow Serpent Angamunggi is transgender. 

 In Armenian mythology the rainbow is the belt worn by Tir a sun god of knowledge.

 In Aztec mythology Xochipilli is associated with rainbows and is the god of homosexuality.

 In Greek mythology Iris is the personification of the rainbow and works as liasion between gods and men.

 In Hindu mythology the rainbow is the actual lightning arrow shooting bow of the god Indra. 

 In Japanese mythology rainbows are used for ancestor spirits to travel the realms.

 In Maori mythology the Moon goddess Hina created the rainbow to allow her mortal husband to return to the mortal world.

 In Navajo mythology rainbows are seen as paths that allow holy spits to travel between the mortal and divine realms.

 In Norse mythology the rainbow bridge connects our mortal world with the realm of the gods.

 In Sumerian mythology the gay Gilgamesh from which the ark story originated, the rainbow sanctioned war and was associated with life and immortality.

 There are of course many other instances of the rainbow used in non-christian mythology. His misrepresentation of the facts show Ken Ham has very little knowledge of religion and probably shouldn't be consulted on spiritual issues.

 

 Obviously Ken Ham is just attacking the LGBT community is a publicity stunt to re-engage with his bigoted homophobic base and to try and bring attention to his failing ark model. 
 The Model has previously been criticised for its dodging of taxes, low attendance, highly questionable claims and discriminatory hiring polices.

Dishonoring the Australian flag.

Dishonoring the Australian flag.

 

 In the lead up to Australia day,  George Christensen the homophobic and child hating Liberal senator has introduced a bill into parliament in order to make burning the Australian flag illegal. It should be noted here that the bill relates to the Australian National Flag and the Australian Red Ensign flag. It does not effect the treatment of the Aboriginal flag or the LGBT flag strangely enough...

 Some claim that people fought and died for the flag, this is admittedly an 'alternative fact', which actually means its a lie. People don't fight for a flag, they fight for the ideals it symbolises. Ideals like freedom to protest, freedom of religion, our constitution, equality and a fair go for all, and sticking up for the underdog.

 As you may be aware bigots and Australian terrorists have draped themselves in the Australian flag. They have succeeded in making our flag a symbol of hate and fear. They may have desecrated the flag beyond all hope of salvation.

 Knowing that, if burning the flag is an act against hate crimes, oppression, racism, bigotry, homophobia, religious intolerance, and terrorism, is that act really a bad thing?

  Again the problem is what the flag has come to symbolise, not what is done to the flag in protest of that symbolism. If we are not going to police what the flag stands for, is it time for a new Australian flag?

  After taking a look at the bill it seems Christensen might be working against his own interests here. The bill actually includes the terms; 

  'Dishonoring the flag with intent to offend, insult or intimidate any group of people would be illegal'

 He doesn't seem like the most informed or reasoned person so he probably doesn't realise that the hate speech he and those like him spout about non-Christians, LGBT Australians and children could never be spoken anywhere near a flag again without legal repercussions. 

 The terrorists and racists who don the flag would have to be arrested on the spot.

 Pauline Hanson would have to be very careful with her many media appearances, she has a history of using the Australian flag and its difficult to find a speech where she didn't intentionally offend, or insult some group for political gain. 

 Obviously police numbers would have to be increased just to arrest and charge right wing politicians.

 While it would be good to see fear mongering, child bullying, racist, science denying, sexist, homophobic, bigots out of politics and in prison. 

 I am sure if this was not a right wing bill it would be called "political correctness" gone mad, and the alt-right would moan that people shouldn't be charged for hurting the delicate feelings of the triggered special snowflakes. But such arguments are only used by the right when they disagree with something.

 

 I honestly don't know how i feel about this bill, if it is implemented justly it could do some good, but i fear it would only be enforced when it serves the current right wing governments agenda.

 Perhaps its a little late for this bill, or perhaps the burning of the flag part should be removed.

What do you think? What does the flag symbolise to you now? What do you feel it should symbolise? Do we need a new flag? Is Christensen's bill a good idea, would you change anything in it?

http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;page=0;query=BillId%3Ar5628%20Recstruct%3Abillhome

 http://www.ausflag.com.au/