The Catholic Archbishop of Sydney spoke tonight at an Australian Christian Lobby Conference in Canberra. He not only spoke eloquently, but convincingly of religious freedom in Australia. Pulling no punches, he unequivocally established the serious concerns over the anti-discrimination politics in Australia and how they are threatening religious freedom. He aptly represented all Christians tonight with his words and by his convictions.
The Australian Christian Lobby is commended for including the Cardinal on their agenda so prominently. Tomorrow the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will have the opportunity to address the conference. We look forward to hear his voice in the context of helping children, the theme of the conference.
Matthew 18:6
“But if you give them a hard time, bullying or taking advantage of their simple trust, you’ll soon wish you hadn’t. You’d be better off dropped in the middle of the lake with a millstone around your neck. Doom to the world for giving these God-believing children a hard time! Hard times are inevitable, but you don’t have to make it worse—and it’s doomsday to you if you do.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
It seems to me that sometimes there can be a fine line between protecting religious freedom and legitimising discrimination. There are real and valid concerns about the Churches' recent approach to anti-discrimination legislation in Victoria and opposition to a national charter of human rights.
OK. There are always more than one opinion with validity on the many sides of an argument.
I’m seeing it just now like the Cardinal, where anti-discrimination sounds politically correct until it requires people of faith to leave their moral grounds for such. It’s happening now in many places of the globe. Freedom of religion is a higher responsibility of society.
This is only a short reply to a lengthy discussion. Just know that arguments before lawmakers may greatly affect our rights to present the gospel.