Home > Online Magazine > Online Magazine: Edition 83 - Autumn (Mar-May) 2025

Online Magazine: Edition 83

Autumn (Mar-May) 2025

Welcome to the Eighty-third Edition of the Online Magazine of the Thornleigh Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Articles

Editorial - Masculinity & Andrew Tate 'manfluencer'

Welcome to the Autumn edition of our online magazine.

Research conducted by Monash University has revealed insights into the resurgence of male supremacy and the advancement of toxic masculinity in Australian schools.

The research found that:-

Male supremacy in classrooms was rampant amongst Australian schools.
The beliefs of Andrew Tate ('manfluencer' and self-proclaimed misogynist) were cited as a significant factor in this change in the behaviour and attitudes of young boy.
This change is having a significant impact in the classroom for both female teachers and students.

https://www.monash.edu/news/articles/research-exposes-alarming-impact-of-manfluencer-culture-on-australian-schools

So who is this Andrew Tate?

Mr Tate is a former kickboxing champion who is known for his unapologetically misogynistic attitudes and violent posturing towards women in online videos.

He first gained notoriety after he was banned from reality television in the UK in 2016 when a video of him assaulting his ex-girlfriend emerged. In 2022, his misogynistic attitudes led to bans on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter, though the latter has since been removed.
He was arrested in Romania after an investigation into allegations of forming an organised criminal group, human trafficking, and rape.
He has referred to women as the property of men and suggested "you can do anything you want with a woman when you have got her in a relationship".
He promotes a culture of domination and violence.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-25/andrew-tate-admired-by-teenage-boys-survey-shows/101885940

What is it that makes Andrew Tate so popular with teenage boys?

A survey, by "the man cave", of 500 Australian schoolboys found more than 90 per cent of boys knew of him, 30 per cent looked up to him as a role model and 36 per cent agreed he was relatable.

Boys relate to his successful lifestyle. Tate is a self-made man with all the rich man trappings of expensive clothes, cars and beautiful women. He is "living the dream" and he can show you how to do it too. He talks about personal and business strategies for how to succeed like him. On the surface his messaging seems positive (e.g. work hard, strong bodies are strong minds, don't smoke drugs). However, this platform provides a gateway of influence to some of Tate's more extreme views. He has become a leading voice in the online 'manosphere' and is known as the king of toxic masculinity.

How is it that we have such an absence of positive examples of masculinity, that teenage boys are seeing Tate as a viable role model?

https://www.smh.com.au/national/why-some-young-men-idolise-andrew-tate-and-young-women-are-disgusted-20230106-p5caqm.html

This research begs another question, If Andrew Tate's philosophy is not acceptable, then what should masculinity really look like. From a Christian perspective we can look no further than the example set by the life and teachings of Jesus.

Selflessness/Humility- "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." (Philippians 2:3-4, NIV)
Servant Leader - "Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:42-45, NIV)
Sacrificial Love - " Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself." (Ephesians 5:25-28, NIV)
Unconditional Love - "But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you." (Luke 6:27-36, NIV)
Provider - "Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever" (1 Timothy 5:8, NIV)
Protector - "Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked." (Psalm 82:3-4, NIV)
Integrity - "The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them." (Proverbs 20:7, NIV)
Mentor - "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others." (2 Timothy 2:2, NIV)
Strong and Courageous - "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9, NIV)

True masculinity is not about buying into some 'manfluencers' cultural stereotypes, it is about personifying the characteristics of Christ. We need to do all that we can to promote positive examples of masculinity whenever we can.

In this Edition

Mo Chuisle - Stenoy (Steve) Stephenson

Steve encourages us to ponder the unique pulse that God has placed in each of our hearts.

Be Sad, Better - Zanita Fletcher (Writing for Sings of the Times)

Zanita writes about our cultural obsession with the pursuit of happiness, suggesting that we could experience more happiness if we learnt to embrace our sadness.

Daron has a Soapbox moment! - Vitamin N Deficiency - Pr Daron Pratt

In this issue we would like to introduce to you Pr Daron Pratt (Director of Children's Ministry & Family Ministries, Greater Sydney Conference of Seventh-day Adventists). He is well known for his soap box moments, particularly when it comes to issues that impact children and families. Darron suggests that vitamin N (Nature) deficiency is doing more damage to our children than we might realise.

Book Review - Pawverbs (Author - Jennifer Marshall Bleakley)

Our resident book reviewer says about this book, "If you are looking for a book with inspirational thoughts and you are an animal lover, this is the book for you."

Vegetarian and Vegan Recipes - Erica Green

Our recipe column for this edition takes us on a journey of Mexico.

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Rice (Vegan)
Mexican Layered Tortilla Stack (Vegetarian)
Mexican Buttered Corn and Zucchini (Vegetarian and modifyably vegan)
Black Bean and Corn Salad (Vegetarian and modifyably vegan)

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