There’s a simple message for those “Christians” who demand the right to discriminate: Jesus would not have turned away the young, the old and the vulnerable.
This week will see debates in state and federal parliament about whether faith-based schools and welfare agencies have the right to turn away people they don’t like.
In the Tasmanian Upper House there will be debate on whether faith-based schools should be allowed to turn away students from other faiths, students who are gay or transgender, or students whose parents aren’t married.
The Government has proposed a narrow exemption allowing schools to discriminate only on the grounds of religion and only if a school has too many applicants. The Liberals are likely to put forward an exemption that allows discrimination on just about any ground. This would not only make life even harder for gay students. It would jeopardise the strides we have made towards safer more inclusive school communities thanks to our strong Anti-Discrimination Act.
The Upper House will also be debating a bill allowing same-sex couples to adopt children relinquished by other people, something that’s particularly important for those children who are currently being fostered by same-sex couples and who would benefit from being adopted by them.
It is understood an Upper House member may put forward a motion exempting the Catholic welfare agency Centrecare from the new adoption equality law. Centrecare doesn’t arrange adoptions any more. That’s all handled by the state health department. But it does do pre and post-adoption counselling. If you’re a Catholic same-sex couple looking for some guidance about your new child the door is closed to you.
In federal parliament there will be debate on whether there should be an exemption to new anti-discrimination laws allowing faith-based aged-care facilities should be allowed to turn away gay and transgender clients. Most aged-care facilities are faith based, severely limiting access to aged care for gay and transgender people.
It won’t come as a surprise that I vehemently oppose these exemptions. In each case we are talking about vulnerable people – children and the elderly. In each case we are talking about essential welfare services that are tax-payer funded. In each case we are talking about exclusion that is just as morally reprehensible as if a school or an old-age home put up a sign saying “NO BLACKS”.
Worse still, this kind of exclusion runs against the fundamental principles of Christianity. Did Jesus turn people away because they professed a different faith or had a different way of living? No, he made a point of embracing such people.
Despite all its huffing and puffing about same-sex marriage the Vatican still holds to this principle. In its letter on the pastoral care of homosexual persons – endorsed by John Paul II and Benedict XVI – the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has declared,
“According to the teaching of the Church, men and women with homosexual tendencies must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided.”
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_19861001_homosexual-persons_en.html
What is just about expelling a student because their parents aren’t married or because they come out as gay? What is just about turning away a same-sex couple who need help with their new child or want to find a place to spend their final years?
I hope this week will see all these immoral exemptions defeated. But if they are passed, we will see some of the most fundamental tenets of Christianity violated, not by godless heathens and homosexuals, but by people acting in the name of religion.
• Rodney Croome: Advocates call on Upper House to support stronger anti-bias protections
• Peter Madden, Family First: Dark MOFO, gay tourism and wind farms do not represent Tasmania’s future Mr Madden said, “In travelling throughout the state for the last five months campaigning, talking with thousands of Tasmanians and listening to their concerns. I can say with absolute certainty that the majority don’t see “novelties” such as “Dark Mofo” wind farms, gay tourism etc., as representing Tasmania. This is not a solution for Tasmania’s economic troubles. “In fact, there is a lot of public anger about the ludicrous push of these taxpayer funded novelties as solutions, by the Greens, the ALP and the left wing media. While our true way forward through mining, forestry, agriculture and industry are strangled by these very same elements” Mr Madden said.
• Rodney Croome: A vote for Family First is a vote against jobs
• FamilyVoice research officer Ros Phillip: Discrimination bills undermine key freedoms
• Jim Collins, FamilyVoice: Adoption: kids need both mum and dad
• Rodney Croome: Advocates overjoyed with US Supreme Court marriage equality decision, just hours after election of first PM who supports reform
• Guy Barnett: Briefing to Members of the Tasmanian Legislative Council
