Festival of Light Homepage This website has lots of information on current issues affecting family life and society. We believe Christian values are a wonderful blessing. NEWS RELEASE 9 July 2008 Festival of Light has a new name: FamilyVoice Australia Thirty five years after its Australian launch, Festival of Light has changed its name to FamilyVoice Australia. “The old name was coined by famous media commentator Malcolm Muggeridge. Along with Mary Whitehouse, Cliff Richard and others, he helped found the Festival of Light in Britain in 1971,” said FamilyVoice president Dr David Phillips. “Muggeridge saw light as representing the values of Jesus, who told us to be the “light of the world” (Matthew 5:14), and festival as a celebration of those values. “They were good concepts, but the name Festival of Light has caused us many problems because of confusion with other groups. It has been used in India for centuries for the Hindu Diwali (‘Festival of Light’) and in Jewish communities for the Hanukka (‘Festival of Lights’). Various towns and cities (eg Frankston, Victoria; Peoria, Illinois; Hartford, Connecticut) have used the name ‘Festival of Light’ for annual displays of fireworks or lights on buildings. Some ‘New Age’ groups are using the name Festival of Light for events promoting pagan philosophies including fortune-telling and crystal-selling,” Dr Phillips said. “Confusion is even greater in New South Wales, where many people think that the Festival of Light is a political party. During a federal parliamentary inquiry into a recent election, a NSW MP wanted to discount our evidence because, he said, ‘You are a political party - you field candidates.’ He and others wrongly thought we were part of the Christian Democratic Party. “Moreover some people contact our office to ask for tickets to the Festival Theatre, or wanting to buy a light fitting, or even pay their electricity account. “We realised the time had come to change our name to give a clearer idea of what we do,” Dr Phillips said. “To those who know nothing about us, the name FamilyVoice Australia says we are speaking out for families. “The Voice part of the name has biblical resonances - eg with John the Baptist, who was a prophetic voice preparing the way for Jesus. “Our new letterhead further explains our purpose with the motto: A Christian voice for family, faith and freedom. “FamilyVoice Australia gives people an idea of our ministry, without false connotations of Hindu gods, political parties, arts festivals, lighting displays, fireworks or New Age beliefs,” Dr Phillips said. “We have been encouraged by the positive reaction to our new name.” Federal Election Survey 2007 In the list of "Surveyed elections in 2007" click on Federal election - Senate or Federal election - House of Representatives Survey Questionnaire Responses from Political Parties (and Score) Christian Democratic Party (100%) Democratic Labor Party (100%) Family First (95%) Liberal National Coalition (57%) Australian Labor Party (50%) Australian Democrats (30%) Greens (10%) Help stop the SA push for HUMAN CLONING click here for action sheet To the left should be a navigation frame that helps you reach any part of the Festival of Light website easily. If it is not present, click here. Click on any of the hyperlinks in the navigation frame and the related page will be displayed here in the main frame. Below is a brief description of the different areas of this website Homepage This is the Festival of Light homepage here. It is a useful starting point for reaching the other areas of this website. Welcome Find out more about Festival of Light. The welcome area leads to the Guestbook page, which invites you to sign our guestbook and receive a free copy of our magazines. Magazines Thousands of people around Australia read FOL's magazines Light and Focus. See the topics covered in recent issues and read a prize-winning editorial. Resource Papers You can choose from dozens of resource papers providing carefully researched information on a wide range of family issues including: abortion, Christian values, drugs, education, euthanasia, fertility, gambling, gender issues, government, homosexuality, marriage, parenting, pornography, prostitution and sex education. Services Are you looking for an interesting and informed speaker for a church or fellowship? Here are some suggestions. Also, you can download FOL's popular prayer calendar to help you join us in praying for our nation. Current Issues Information on many current issues affecting families and our society. Elections Find out what candidates in federal and state elections believe on family issues. Festival of Light asks candidates to answer ten questions on vital family issues and scores the responses. Read the results obtained by candidates in your electorate. Cybershop See our unique range of books, audio tapes, video tapes and other items available, which can be ordered via our secure online system that protects your privacy. Subscriptions Subscriptions and donations can now be paid using our secure online system that protects your privacy. Search Seach the Internet with GOeureka. Web Links You might like to visit some of the many other interesting websites we have found.