‘I have different views’: Essendon chief opens up on controversial church
Essendon chief executive Andrew Thorburn admits the church of which he is chairman has views which are offensive and upsetting to some, but insists his business record shows he is welcoming and endorses diversity.
Thorburn has taken charge of the Bombers at the end of a tumultuous season for the club, but his appointment has also generated unwanted headlines, primarily because of his involvement with The City on a Hill church movement.
The former NAB chief executive plays a key role in a church which, in a sermon, likens abortion to a concentration camp, and says practising homosexuality is a sin.
Thorburn’s personal beliefs could upset the Bombers’ AFLW side, which preaches diversity and inclusiveness, as well as the Purple Bombers, the club’s official diversity and inclusion supporter group. The Purple Bombers were contacted for comment.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, a Bombers supporter, had a strong response when asked on Tuesday about the views expressed by Thorburn’s church, but acknowledged the CEO’s appointment was a matter for the club’s board.
“All of you know my views on these things. Those sort of attitudes are simply wrong, and to dress that up as anything other than bigotry is just obviously false.
Christianity is inherently offensive. It teaches that people are born broken and can’t fix themselves, and that submission to God is the only solution. It teaches that the intelligent, the wealthy, the powerful, and the influential aren’t necessarily better off than anybody else. It teaches that our best efforts to do good on our own are all but wasted. It teaches that allegiance to God is more important than allegiance to your family…and that, if you have to choose, you should choose God. It teaches that some actions are wrong, even if they feel good. It teaches that the things that we brag about in our selfishness and immaturity are less important than the things that nobody sees, and get no earthly reward.
This is just my opinion.
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