What an insult
Dr Harper’s reason for voting “no” is pretty thin (August 25). It seems to be based on a decline in religion and that this will threaten values of “hard work, selflessness and community.” Since when have these values belonged only to Christians? Is she suggesting that we need to declare a Christian affiliation to have these values? What an insult to all other religions and atheists.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Bruce Harper (no relation), Wagga
In my niece’s words
A church-going Christian niece of mine posted her thoughts on marriage equality on Facebook and I consider it to be a fair and well-reasoned piece and thought readers may be interested in what she says:
“I haven't spoken much about the upcoming 'survey' on marriage equality but I feel now is the time to share my thoughts.
To my lovely Christian friends and others who are thinking about voting no or are unsure what to vote or whether to vote at all, can I ask you to consider these points?
-Marriage equality will not impact your Christian marriage. Full stop.
-To those who say that 'a homosexual marriage is not a Biblical marriage’ … please look closely at what Biblical marriages were, including a brother marrying his sister, a wife giving her slave to her husband, a king having many wives and concubines etc.
-Please look again at the scriptures. If you don't follow them to the letter (women to remain quiet, no work on Sabbath, no marriage after divorce, not wearing clothes with mixed textiles, etc) then why choose a few passages to condemn (there are different ways to read the Bible, in context of culture)?
-By voting no you will NOT help LGBTI youths to change their lifestyles.
-Do you consider it right to have religious equality? Should Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and other beliefs impact YOUR rights? Your Christian views should not impact on the equal rights of non-Christians, no matter how right you feel they are.
-A de facto partnership is NOT the same as a marriage ... otherwise why are we all married? The difference impacts people at very difficult times in their lives … for example, when a partner is sick or has died. A de facto partner may be excluded in decisions about their partner, finances, the shared home, children etc. This is NOT equality for all!
I apologise if I have saddened or upset you but I feel that a little discomfort and perhaps a challenge to relook at your views is a small price compared to the vile actions and nasty comments, let alone the inequality that our gay friends are enduring at the moment.
Sometimes silence is not the right thing.
Please think carefully about the impact your vote will make.”
Graeme Callander, Wagga
Not His doing
It is somewhat audacious to overrule the authority of the almighty by changing His rules when it suits. It states clearly in His biblical work that ‘homosexuality is an abomination unto the Lord’.
As for ‘equality’, a word thrown in to give this “cause” oomph - what an insult to that ‘someone’ bigger than ourselves who created everything and everyone and set down rules to live by and yet we have in our world today nations rising up and creating the totally opposite.
There is no argument that justifies gay marriage. When we consider those in government alone (on both sides) condoning it as being okay - what does this say for the society we live in and those who govern it?
Seeing as our constitution is based on Christian values, another reason to be wanting to get rid of it by suggesting Australia becomes a Republic more “control” over the people ruling them with an iron fist of a dictator - they ‘already are under the politically correct rule of thumb’. Australia has lost its way preoccupied with things of no real consequence that truly matters. Time to get back to God (predominately like we use to be). Never has Australia needed ‘someone’ bigger than ourselves than we do now.