Renewed marriage push
AFTER the confusions of the same-sex marriage plebiscite, which was denied to the public, we are now being confronted by a “renewed push” for a decision in parliament.
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A number of observations need to be made to put some balance into these statements.
The proponents of what they call “The Equality Campaign”, are promising us a massive advertising blitz through television, billboards and social media. This will all be directed by “executive director” Tiernan Brady.
Brady was prominent in the campaign in Ireland to change the constitution to legalise same-sex marriage. The Irish campaign was successful.
The Irish example is pertinent to our own ideas, for a number of reasons.
Brady’s role and his associations with international financial contributors needs examination. A great deal of money from the USA went into the Irish campaign from Atlantic Philanthropies.
Similar funding is already evident in Australia, where international corporations and local companies are expressing their support for marriage changes.
Irish public media were happy to promote the same-sex claims, while largely ignoring the opposing viewpoints. This is already evident in Australia, most notably in the way our ABC, and some of our major daily newspapers, are treating the arguments.
Social media was critical in Ireland: mobilising supporters to become very active in the community, especially among the young. Knocking on doors and giving out leaflets, while saying your piece, is crucial promotion and requires high energy commitment.
Brady understands all this. He is a very astute operator, using the assistance of professionals across many fields from political advisers to pollsters.
While he cannot be taken lightly, he will rely on a smoke-and-mirrors presentation. He promotes emotion not rational evidence-based argument. So we will see plenty of stories about individuals. Celebrities will promote their “pop culture” view of life.
Mr Brady insists the campaign will be about “real people” and “not simply about law, philosophy and religion” (Sydney Morning Herald, April 23, 2016).
The sorts of communal consequences seen in all societies that have reinterpreted the meaning of marriage will be ignored. Yet it is precisely these sorts of consequences that demand recognition and full and open discussion.
Bruce Watson
Kentucky NSW
Animals sex victims, too
IF IT’S wrong to sexually abuse human beings (A 'network of sexual perpetrators' operated in Anglican church youth group, royal commission finds, 14/2) how can it be right to sexually abuse non-human beings? The beings I'm specifically referring to are farmed animals.
These victims are every bit as unwilling as their human counterparts yet they are routinely sexually violated in order to force them to produce the offspring that farmers are so desirous of.
Protesting male turkeys are held upside down with their legs clamped and are "milked" by workers. The unwilling females are then put in stirrups and have their private parts invaded in order to artificially inseminate them.
Dairy cows, pigs and other farmed animals are likewise sexually abused.The sexual violation of humans and the sexual violation of farmed animals are similar in that the purpose of both is to satisfy a desire. In the case of farmed animals it is a desire to profit from breeding animals for food.
But, given that we have absolutely no requirement for animal products in our diet, is the sexual abuse of non-humans any more justifiable than the sexual abuse of humans?
