This is an ongoing issue that was created when marriage equality was passed into legislation in December 2017. A group got the Government of the day to agree to a free vote for marriage equality if Religious Discrimination was debated and made into law. Some chose to call it Religious Privilege.
The concern with the people of religion (I can’t say Christians) was that they would lose their power to discriminate against those they perceived to be sinful and against the teachings of God.
My personal belief is that it will be introducing religious privilege for a minority and has been floating around the halls of Parliament since 2017. Turnbull had an inquiry headed by Phillip Ruddock, Scott Morrison was very keen to get legislation passed, but it failed because it wasn’t considered tough enough for the “religious extremists”.
As I write this in 2024, Anthony Albanese is in power, and it is still being seen as a threat. My personal opinion is that Albanese is trying to keep the people of religion on side and so he is not being as active as he could be about keeping discrimination at bay. So, people need to remain vigilant and not assume that it will never happen.
This Review was called after marriage equality was legislated after January 2017. Personally, I think the Religious Review got the same response as our Polls, because nothing happened, except more debate.
Below is my submission to the Ruddock Review on Religious Discrimination.
This Review to me is very concerning. Marriage equality, as I have been told over the years, was a political football, a game and at times a power play, between left and right from both sides. And all the time while games and power plays, played out, it was always at the expense of the mental health and self-worth of the gay community.
I feel the outcome of this review will be the same, once again at their expense.
If the NO campaign had won, the gay community would be out in the cold.
For many years we have played the game of promises, delayed and broken. The Postal Survey I believe was designed in such a manner it should have lost, but it didn’t. We had no choice about the robust debate from good decent people. We played the game of the no campaign discussing everything – except what was in the marriage act.
Would the government be concerned about protections of LGBTQIA+ if they lost, like they are protections of Christians? I really doubt it.
What protections will be set in legislation for my son and the rest of his community?
People worry about Christians and their right to freedom of religion. I worry about religious privilege. No one should want to restrict anyone’s freedoms – however when it comes to privilege, yes, they do. No group’s freedom should impact on another.
Christians inside and outside of politics have had the freedom to say what they like whether it’s true or not, delay the process, choose the process and even decide on the winner’s prize. When the legislation was first changed in 2004 no one asked the people if this is what they wanted, it was just done. Eventually, after 13 years the government did, but many didn’t like the answer and so here we are.
Mr Ruddock once discussed with me about marriage equality being part of the slippery slope.
- But if this panel supports discrimination of LGBTQIA+ for privilege for Christians, that is the real slippery slope.
- The slippery slope is Christians who carry on about LGBTQIA+ morals but protect Christian adulterers who get subordinates pregnant. Then espouse that politician’s private lives are private but happily exposed a Gay NSW MP’s private life when he entered a gay sauna.
- Or a politician wrongly accusing a high court judge of seeking rent boys with little repercussion.
- Or ministers and priests being excommunicated because they have defended a minority. That is the slippery slope.
61% of Australians voted Yes, for marriage equality. They didn’t vote for marriage discrimination. You are either equal or you aren’t. You can’t be a little bit pregnant, and you can’t be a little bit equal.
If you decide that it’s ok for Christians to discriminate because of their beliefs against the gay community, single mothers or any other group – whatever words you choose that make the word discrimination more palatable – it is still discrimination.
Will gay businesses be able to refuse to serve Christians because it’s against their beliefs to condone discrimination?
Or, if you decide discrimination is fine – it should be compulsory for Christians to be clear either on their website or shop window that LGBTQIA+ are not welcome.
If people choose to discriminate, they need to stand up and be counted – and not be cowardly while doing this deed in the name of someone who isn’t here to defend his teachings or the oppressed.
Refusal of service needs to be clear before couples have to consider possible discrimination when it comes to buying their wedding cake, dress and anything else related to getting married. They don’t want to be either insulted or embarrassed when being refused service. And neither does the Christian business owner.
We need to understand privilege of one group over another can become difficult and dangerous and not democratic. As a nation, we don’t discriminate against other groups in the manner being discussed to discriminate against my son and others like him.
I know from the passages in the Bible that some Christians interpret to suit their personal opinion and then write to me and let me know how my son will burn in hell. Or the wrath of God will come down on his head.
They forget about love thy neighbour, an eye for an eye, and do unto others as they would do to you – and of course, let he who is without sin cast the first stone, which I believe came from the same book.
Finally, I will never understand how a decent person, Christian or otherwise would expect a gay doctor to heal them or their loved one, a gay police officer to protect them in dangerous situations and then the next day have the right or desire to deny them- their services. That is not Christian, or a display of any positive moral code.
Or if to make things look fair and the outcome is for people to be able to refuse to serve anyone for any reason, just to not single out LGBTQIA+ people that would be the worst of all discrimination, and we can be sure we would all have reached the bottom of the slippery slope
In conclusion – we don’t want privilege, or bias we want what the majority of Australians chose to vote for which is marriage equality.
If other discriminations are permitted such as employment dismissal or rejection of care services, it should be a 2-way street. Christians should not expect the privilege of withdrawal of services but then expect to be provided service by the gay community and other groups they have rejected.
We are a secular society. Christians should most definitely have the right to freedom of religion but clearly should not be the judges of morality. They have too many skeletons in their own closets, whether as individuals or institutions, and should not be sitting in judgement of those who just seek dignity and respect of their relationships and families.
Below is one of the many letters sent to Federal MPs and Senators from all Parties.
19th November, 2021
Dear Member of Parliament/Senator
As a parent, with a LGBTQIA+ loved one I am extremely concerned that such backward legislation is about to become a reality in this country. We have religious freedom. As a nation we should never encourage religious privilege against minorities of any kind. Australia has religious freedom. People don’t live in fear because of their Christian beliefs, instead they enjoy the freedom to practice their religion without negative repercussions.
However, this legislation if passed will give people of religion the freedom to legally insult LGBTQIA+ people with what will be called a “statement of belief”. People may be dismissed from their workplace because of their diverse sexual orientation and gender.
This is taking our country backwards and weakening various minority groups rights. The legislation will weaken anti-discrimination laws. In fact, this proposed legislation will protect people who insult or belittle our loved ones.
This terrible legislation should not be condoned. Australians, are better than this. This legislation will encourage hate speech and increase mental health problems free from repercussion. This is a country of great opportunity; we have been a proud secular nation and now this legislation will create friction and division between groups.
As leaders and legislators of this country you can ensure we continue to move forward as a nation and vote NO to discrimination. Condoning this proposed legislation is nothing to be proud of, as a parent I am asking you to do what is right, not easiest. Please do not just follow the party line because it’s easy. Do what’s right and say “NO” to such appalling legislation
Additional Articles
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