The Free Speech Union is critiquing a renewed attempt to legislate against blasphemy.




Responding to calls for religious criticism to be classed as 'hate speech', CEO Jillaine Heather points out that it's a thinly-veiled attempt to restrict unpopular or divisive opinions, and could be used against minorities. She also questioned the timing of the government's proposed social media ban for under-16-year-olds, saying that the duty of law is to protect people before ideas but that both proposals miss their mark.




Text 8168, keyword 'Comments' to share your thoughts.

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Tune into Thoughts & Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App.




 For more from the show, visit the Thoughts & Comments page at rhema.co.nz.



Tune into Thoughts & Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App.

For more from the show, visit the Thoughts & Comments page at rhema.co.nz.

Produced using AI tools under human supervision.

The Free Speech Union is critiquing a renewed attempt to legislate against blasphemy. Responding to calls for religious criticism to be classed as 'hate speech', CEO Jillaine Heather points out that it's a thinly-veiled attempt to restrict unpopular or divisive opinions, and could be used against minorities. She also questioned the timing of the government's proposed social media ban for under-16-year-olds, saying that the duty of law is to protect people before ideas but that both proposals miss their mark. Text 8168, keyword 'Comments' to share your thoughts.~~~~Tune into Thoughts &amp; Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App. For more from the show, visit the <a href="https://www.rhema.co.nz/listen-on-demand/video-podcast/thoughts-and-comments" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Thoughts &amp; Comments</a> page at rhema.co.nz. Tune into Thoughts &amp; Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App.For more from the show, visit the <a href="https://www.rhema.co.nz/listen-on-demand/video-podcast/thoughts-and-comments" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Thoughts &amp; Comments</a> page at rhema.co.nz.Produced using AI tools under human supervision.

Here you can catch up on all of the latest interviews from Thoughts & Comments with Andrew Urquhart.

Here you can catch up on all of the latest interviews from Thoughts &amp; Comments with Andrew Urquhart.

Thoughts & Comments Interviews

Thoughts & Comments brings social commentary to current issues and a faith perspective to the latest news. Hosted by Andrew Urquhart, a seasoned broadcaster with over three decades of experience. In each episode, Andrew chats with a wide range of guests and experts who bring their wisdom and insight to a huge variety of topics, including politics, psychology, societal trends, theology, geopolitical analysis, social policy, and spirituality. We’ll give you something worth thinking about! Thoughts & Comments with Andrew Urquhart, wherever you get your Podcasts.

Thoughts &amp; Comments brings social commentary to current issues and a faith perspective to the latest news. Hosted by Andrew Urquhart, a seasoned broadcaster with over three decades of experience. In each episode, Andrew chats with a wide range of guests and experts who bring their wisdom and insight to a huge variety of topics, including politics, psychology, societal trends, theology, geopolitical analysis, social policy, and spirituality. We&rsquo;ll give you something worth thinking about! Thoughts &amp; Comments with Andrew Urquhart, wherever you get your Podcasts.

Thoughts & Comments Podcast

Thoughts & Comments brings social commentary to current issues and a faith perspective to the latest news. Hosted by Andrew Urquhart, a seasoned broadcaster with over three decades of experience, chatting with a wide range of guests and experts who bring their wisdom and insight to a huge variety of topics, including politics, psychology, societal trends, theology, geopolitical analysis, social policy, and spirituality. We’ll give you something worth thinking about! Thoughts & Comments with Andrew Urquhart, wherever you get your Podcasts.

Thoughts &amp; Comments brings social commentary to current issues and a faith perspective to the latest news. Hosted by Andrew Urquhart, a seasoned broadcaster with over three decades of experience, chatting with a wide range of guests and experts who bring their wisdom and insight to a huge variety of topics, including politics, psychology, societal trends, theology, geopolitical analysis, social policy, and spirituality. We&rsquo;ll give you something worth thinking about! Thoughts &amp; Comments with Andrew Urquhart, wherever you get your Podcasts.

Thoughts & Comments

Socials & Religion Taboo? U-16 Ban & Blasphemy Laws

Commentator Brendan Malone joins Andrew Urquhart to dissect the media storm around Nicky Hager's latest election-season book, questioning whether it represents genuine investigative journalism or a recurring pattern of politically timed hit jobs targeting the right. Malone draws a parallel with America's "October surprise" tradition, arguing Hager's repeated conspiracy framing ironically mirrors the very "undue influence" he accuses groups like the Taxpayers Union of wielding.



Malone goes on to challenge the Enlightenment assumption that voters are purely rational, arguing emotion, tribal loyalty and media trust (or distrust) shape political choices more than policy analysis. He points to Stuff's fact-check double standards as evidence of uneven media scrutiny, and urges voters to prioritise a candidate's character and virtue over claims to expertise, while ultimately placing trust in God above any media institution.



Tune into Thoughts & Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App.

For more from the show, visit the Thoughts & Comments page at rhema.co.nz.

Produced using AI tools under human supervision.

Commentator Brendan Malone joins Andrew Urquhart to dissect the media storm around Nicky Hager's latest election-season book, questioning whether it represents genuine investigative journalism or a recurring pattern of politically timed hit jobs targeting the right. Malone draws a parallel with America's "October surprise" tradition, arguing Hager's repeated conspiracy framing ironically mirrors the very "undue influence" he accuses groups like the Taxpayers Union of wielding. Malone goes on to challenge the Enlightenment assumption that voters are purely rational, arguing emotion, tribal loyalty and media trust (or distrust) shape political choices more than policy analysis. He points to Stuff's fact-check double standards as evidence of uneven media scrutiny, and urges voters to prioritise a candidate's character and virtue over claims to expertise, while ultimately placing trust in God above any media institution. Tune into Thoughts &amp; Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App.For more from the show, visit the <a href="https://www.rhema.co.nz/listen-on-demand/video-podcast/thoughts-and-comments" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Thoughts &amp; Comments</a> page at rhema.co.nz.Produced using AI tools under human supervision.

Nicky Hager's Book: Journalism or Election Ambush?

Nathan Seiuli, founding head of civil liberties group Pillar, reviews the outgoing Parliament's three-year term as politicians head into campaign mode. He grades the National-led coalition a "B at best", crediting them for shrinking a bloated public service inherited from Labour's expansion years, but criticizing moves like move-on orders, gang patch bans, proposed social media restrictions and talk of reviving blasphemy laws as civil liberties concerns that cut across political lines.

 

Mr Seiuli also unpacks the coalition's contested shift away from ancestry-based service allocation towards needs-based support, arguing genuine Kiwi identity rests on shared values of responsibility, innovation and service to neighbours rather than heritage, while acknowledging fierce external opposition to these changes. He reflects on ACT and NZ First's influence in restraining National, suggests real reform typically takes more than one term, and predicts the coming election will be fought more on opposing rivals than distinct policy visions ([www.nzpillar.com](https://www.nzpillar.com)).

 

Tune into Thoughts & Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App.

For more from the show, visit the Thoughts & Comments page at rhema.co.nz.

Produced using AI tools under human supervision.

Nathan Seiuli, founding head of civil liberties group Pillar, reviews the outgoing Parliament's three-year term as politicians head into campaign mode. He grades the National-led coalition a "B at best", crediting them for shrinking a bloated public service inherited from Labour's expansion years, but criticizing moves like move-on orders, gang patch bans, proposed social media restrictions and talk of reviving blasphemy laws as civil liberties concerns that cut across political lines.
&nbsp;
Mr Seiuli also unpacks the coalition's contested shift away from ancestry-based service allocation towards needs-based support, arguing genuine Kiwi identity rests on shared values of responsibility, innovation and service to neighbours rather than heritage, while acknowledging fierce external opposition to these changes. He reflects on ACT and NZ First's influence in restraining National, suggests real reform typically takes more than one term, and predicts the coming election will be fought more on opposing rivals than distinct policy visions ([www.nzpillar.com](https://www.nzpillar.com)).
&nbsp;
Tune into Thoughts &amp; Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App.
For more from the show, visit the <a href="https://www.rhema.co.nz/listen-on-demand/video-podcast/thoughts-and-comments">Thoughts &amp; Comments</a> page at rhema.co.nz.
Produced using AI tools under human supervision.

Parliament's Term Report: Does National Deserve a B?

Evangelist Philip Williamson of OAC Outreach and Church Ministries discusses the practicalities of street evangelism and everyday Gospel conversations in a society he says is more open to spiritual talk than often assumed. He explains how questionnaires, curious questions about people's life goals, and simple apologetic answers can open doors past people's preconceived views of Christianity.

 

Williamson argues that effective evangelism isn't about forcing instant conversions but helping people take "one step closer to Jesus" through genuine, relational conversation rather than a tick-box approach. He encourages even nervous or introverted believers to share their faith the way they'd share any passion, noting the New Testament calls all Christians—not just gifted evangelists—to spread the gospel ([www.oac.org.nz](https://www.oac.org.nz)).

 

Tune into Thoughts & Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App.

For more from the show, visit the Thoughts & Comments page at rhema.co.nz.

Produced using AI tools under human supervision.

Evangelist Philip Williamson of OAC Outreach and Church Ministries discusses the practicalities of street evangelism and everyday Gospel conversations in a society he says is more open to spiritual talk than often assumed. He explains how questionnaires, curious questions about people's life goals, and simple apologetic answers can open doors past people's preconceived views of Christianity.
&nbsp;
Williamson argues that effective evangelism isn't about forcing instant conversions but helping people take "one step closer to Jesus" through genuine, relational conversation rather than a tick-box approach. He encourages even nervous or introverted believers to share their faith the way they'd share any passion, noting the New Testament calls all Christians&mdash;not just gifted evangelists&mdash;to spread the gospel ([www.oac.org.nz](https://www.oac.org.nz)).
&nbsp;
Tune into Thoughts &amp; Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App.
For more from the show, visit the <a href="https://www.rhema.co.nz/listen-on-demand/video-podcast/thoughts-and-comments">Thoughts &amp; Comments</a> page at rhema.co.nz.
Produced using AI tools under human supervision.

Socials & Religion Taboo? U-16 Ban & Blasphemy Laws

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