In Defence of our Faith

The Government has recently announced that between September 12th and November 7th, Australians will be voting in a postal plebiscite concerning the question of re-defining marriage, so as to allow two persons of the same gender to marry. The slogan of the campaign is “Marriage Equality”. As citizens, we will have to decide according to the principle values each one holds.

For the Christian, the matter becomes a question of conscience, as he/she would either have to support those who are asking for change, so as to attain equal status in society as the majority have enjoyed so far, OR whether to obey the law of God, which is contrary to such marriage, and reject the new proposal. The detailed Bible references the Christian will depend on for making a decision are: Lev 18:22, Lev 20:13, Matt 19:4-9, 1 Cor 6:9, Gen 19:1-11, Rom 1:26-27, 1 Tim 1:10, Heb 13:4.

However, when one delves into the issue, by following the print and electronic media on the matter, one becomes not only apprehensive, but seriously disturbed, by what is proposed to follow beyond the plebiscite. Advocates of the new form of marriage, insist that the plebiscite should only concern itself with marriage equality. This excuse is not that easily accepted, since the average Australian is well-educated (the majority up to a high school standard), not to mention the massive rise in the numbers of university graduates over the last 20 years, with increased critical powers, and therefore able to see around corners.

With the knowledge of plans put out by the marriage equality campaign so far, and now in the public domain, and with the light of objectivity, one sees that there are massive plans of social engineering to follow. Let us mention the most glaring ones, so well described by Paul Kelly, (The Australian, August 22, 2017). There will be problems of religious freedom, for Churches, clergy and lay people. Changes in school curricula, such as Safe Schools (e.g. sexuality taught from year three, and children to behave and dress like the opposite sex if they so feel), restrictions on religious charities and changes in business and civic Institutions.

Freedom of speech will be curtailed, and those speaking in support of traditional marriage will be pursued. According to law professor Patrick Parkinson (University of Sydney): “In certain sections of the community, there is now deep hatred expressed of people of faith”. Does this imply the removal of religion from the Public Square? Marriage equality may well be achieved, great attention having been paid around the ceremony of marriage, but protection of religious freedom, and freedom of speech, conscience, thought, and association are all ignored, due to the failure of both Coalition and Labor parties in their draft bills so far, to protect religious freedom, once same-sex marriage is legislated.

So, religious freedom in Australia becomes a second-class issue, whereas in international law it is a “first-order” right! It is rumoured that the Yes vote may win the day, but a recent Newspoll shows that 62% of people voted for protection of religious freedom (Paul Kelly, The Australian, August 22, 2017). If the social changes described do in fact materialise, Australian Society will be left with a rift right down its middle, because the religious and conservative masses will not be willing to sacrifice their faith for the sake of appearing progressive. After all, the Christian Church is a religious organisation, with which the majority of our population identify, and our religious convictions do not disqualify us from engaging in discussion on such important matters.

Source: Lychnos October/November 2017