Iranian actress, Marzieh Vafamehr, has been sentenced to 90 lashes and a year in prison for acting in an Australia-produced film.

One of her “crimes” was to appear on screen without traditional head-covering.

Surely 90 lashes is too many – but does that mean she should go entirely unpunished?

Marzieh was using the media to undermine an aspect of her nation’s culture.

Letting her off entirely would, it might be argued, be turning a blind eye to the destruction of something precious.

We Anglo-Celts etc., who comprise the bulk of Australia’s population, don’t see female head-covering as something of critical importance . . . .

* * *

Let’s consider a different example.

Some months ago, a photographer, Bill Henson, displayed an exhibition of pictures of pubescent girls and boys naked and near naked.

He was condemned for using the notion of “art” as a cover for child porn.

I think he was never punished.

A few lashes — not 90 – might have been very appropriate to deter him and potential imitators from a repeat effort.

Is not the modesty of children and adolescents something to revere and vigorously protect?

* * *

Culture is what guides community members regarding what behaviour is acceptable.

A culture can be cruel or unjust and need change.

It can be right to challenge aspects of a culture — but it must be done with respect.

Those seeking change must constantly examine their own motives.

Ultimately our culture should be the practical means of  keeping ourselves focussed on God and his will.

Robert Jeffress, a supporter of would-be Republican candidate for the US Presidency, Rick Perry, has caused a stir.

He says that opposing candidate Mitt Romney — a Mormon– is “not a Christian”.

He labels Mormonism a “cult”.

Mr Jeffress is pastor of a Baptist 10,000-member “mega church”.

Question: are Baptist mega churches Christian?

Anyway, the Democrats are enjoying watching the Republicans undermining each others’ credibility.

And the secular media are bleating about more “separation of Church and State”.

And “keeping religion out of politics”.

* * *

Yes, there must be a degree of “separation of Church and State” – or we’ll end up with injustice.

Two examples:

(1) State-dominating-Church as in China: where the government interferes with the appointment of Catholic bishops.

(2) Church-dominating-State as in Egypt: where today and tomorrow people are shot to pieces or run over by tanks for being non-Muslims.

But “keeping religion out of politics” is something else.

Keeping religion out of politics is not possible.

Without true religion, how does one determine right from wrong?

Without true religion, those getting in your way merit no special respect, being simply animals/robots who, if inconvenient, can be thrust aside or disassembled.

* * *

Think about the practical questions of surrogate pregnancy, abortion, human cloning, euthanasia, same sex “marriage”, business fraud etc.

On issues like these, Mr Romney has been willing to flexibly adopt whatever stance seems politically expedient.

A Catholic cannot do that.

If he tries it, his bishop must discipline him — and, if necessary, excommunicate him.

If not, that bishop must, himself, be attended to by somebody acting for the Pope.

Jeff Kennett, head of Beyondblue, a charity devoted to fighting the epidemic of depressive illness in Australia, has made a tactical error.

He said something without prior approval from the media and the feminist/homosexual lobby.

He said that, “Clearly the best environment in which to bring a child into the world is a stable, loving environment in which a male and female are married to each other.”

A welcome bit of common sense.

* * *

Now, of course, he is being told to resign — blackmailed by past donors threatening to pull out unless he knuckles under.

His CEO has resigned without explanation.

Anyway, Mr Kennett has said he will neither apologise nor step down.

So far . . . .

* * *

There is a condition called “coprophagia”, which affects some unfortunate children. They eat their poo.

Few continue doing so into adult life. But coprophagia is said to be observed in small numbers of patients with schizophrenia, depression and autism.

It is normally treated using strategies aimed at reversing the underlying condition.

What is NOT done is tell them they’re doing the right thing — and to organise poo-eating Mardi Gras-type celebrations.

Some things are not just “diversity”, they are wrong, unhealthy and abnormal.

Mr Kennett didn’t say all that about homosexual practices, but his enemies may fear that one day he will.

Federal Member for Mildura, John Forrest, has told the media he will vote against homosexual “marriage” because his electorate is “very conservative” and “not ready for it”.

If the local paper’s poll (accessible only to people with the internet) manages to come up with a majority in favour of it, what will he say then?

He will have to say that he is going to vote against it because it is wrong and unnatural.

Which is what he should have said in the first place.

* * *

Very little clear thinking seems to go on about homosexuality.

It may help to compare it with alcohol abuse.

Both are traits that can cause powerful desires.

Both are bad for both individual health and for the health of the community.

Both can be resisted by means of will power plus support from friends, family or professional helpers.

Just as we have programs for rehabilitation of drunks, we might consider setting up rehab programs for those given to unhealthy sexual practices.

* * *

The two disorders are not exactly parallel, of course.

Homosexual practice is obviously worse from a moral point of view.

You can get drunk on your own.

To practice homosexuality, one must groom/seduce/recruit somebody to do it with.

This other person is harmed in a way that may well prove irreversible.

The local Council of Echuca, Victoria, has received an application for a permit to open an “adult” (i.e. porn) shop.

Council has also received ten formal objections from members of the public.

Just as interesting as the proposition itself is the coverage given it on ABC Local Radio . . . .

Today it presented an interview with Councillor Williams — who favours granting the permit.

Did we next hear from another Councillor against granting it?

Or from one of the objectors?

We did not.

It was the ABC.

* * *

What did come next was an interview with a spokeswoman of the Eros Association.

The EA calls itself “Australia’s national adult retail and entertainment association . . . We function in the same way as other peak industry groups like the Pharmacy Guild”.

Exactly like the Pharmacy Guild?

She said research reveals that communities accepting sex shops do not experience increased crime.

Sounds unlikely.

Anyway, to people committed to the principle of “loving your neighbour”, that isn’t the point.

* * *

If human beings are spiritual beings capable of relating to God — more than just animals or robots — then love for neighbour means wanting what is best for him/her . . . .

Meaning that he/she come to know, love and serve God above all else.

In this context, “research” cannot help.

Whether people exposed to local sex shops are more (or less) in touch with God – not easy data to access.

But we know the answer anyway.

The media were yesterday quoting recent research suggesting that women in their 50s who drink alcohol are more likely to have a healthy old age than non-drinkers.

Popular news, no doubt.

But does it tell us anything of practical relevance?

The small print reveals that the research is talking about women who drink one standard drink or less per day.

Microscopic amounts – especially by Australian standards.

Less than two thirds of a can of standard strength beer . . . .

Less than 20 teaspoons of table wine . . . .

Professor Jennie Connor of the Dunedin Medical School in New Zealand comments, “I feel very strongly that there is no scientific justification for the promotion of alcohol as health-enhancing for any subgroup of the population. The potential for harm is great and the potential for good is unknown.”

* * *

This Friday, September 9, has been designated Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Day.

Did you know that FASD is the leading cause of mental retardation in Western countries?

The media don’t seem keen on telling us that. **

FASD is totally preventable if mothers-to-be drank no alcohol.

It seems there is no safe minimum amount of alcohol-drinking in pregnancy.

For more facts on this, Google “Isabella’s List”.

** www.come-over.to/FAS/FASDfacts.htm