Defend Christian/Religious Freedom!

The Australian Federal Government is currently considering proposals that would significantly harm religious freedom. These changes would drastically undermine the ability of Christians to practice their faith in community.

Background to the Current Religious Freedom Debate

Currently, Christian schools have provisions in the law that allow them to teach biblical views on marriage, sexuality and gender. Exemptions in the Sex Discrimination Act allow Christian schools and churches to hire staff who will uphold and be able to teach and endorse biblical morality and model that behaviour.

However, the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) has sadly recommended that these provisions be removed.

The Federal Labor Government desires to endorse the recommendations of the ALRC. This means the provisions in the Sex Discrimination Act for Christian schools and churches will be removed. In addition, a Religious Discrimination Bill would further entrench the view that biblical morality in the areas of marriage, sexuality and gender, is essentially illegal. Even Christian hospitals would be forced to perform procedures like abortion and euthanasia.

Australia finds itself in the strange position where it has gone away from believing in the absolute morality given by God in the Bible. In the place of biblical ethics, society has substituted the secular belief that morality is subjectively determined by human beings – not God. And now it is turning around and saying its relative, secular morality is absolutely binding after all!

After the failure of the previous Coalition Morrison Government to enact religious freedom, Labor promised to introduce its own version. But instead of offering an improvement in the ability of Christians (and other religions) to practice their faith freely (which is the whole point of such a bill), the Religious Discrimination Bill would have the opposite effect.

On 19 March 2024, Prime Minister Albanese announced that he would not seek to pass a religious discrimination bill without the support of the Coalition.

However, on 26 March 2024, he stated he would also work with the Greens – if they are willing. The Greens have openly hostile policies to Christianity – which include cancelling government funding for private schools. A partnership between Labor and the Greens would be devastating for religious freedom in this country.

Christianity Gave Rise to Rights and Freedoms

It’s Christianity that has given rise to the freedoms and rights so many Australians take for granted. Undermining the right of Christians to practice their faith in private and public will have the inevitable effect of undermining the freedoms and rights that Christianity gave the modern world in the first place. Taking away the rights of Christians is detrimental to everyone.

Religious freedom is a bedrock of a free and fair society. Individuals and communities should be allowed to live out their faith without fear of discrimination or persecution. The current Labor Government, sadly, takes the view that religious freedom should be kept to a minimum. But this is in direct conflict with Article 18 in The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states:

Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.

It is critical that Christians (and people of all faiths) voice their strong concern about the proposed Religious Discrimination Bill and amendments to the Sex Discrimination Act.

Paul wrote to Timothy that we should pray for those in authority, that “we may lead a quiet and peaceful life” (1 Tim 2:1–2). If the gospel is able to freely go out, it creates greater opportunity for everyone to hear about the free gift of eternal life that is available to all (1 Tim 2:3–4). And this is good and very pleasing to God (1 Tim 2:3).

Make a Stand for Christian/Religious Freedom

It’s time to make a stand for Christian freedom – and indeed the freedom of all.

In reality, everyone has a religion or worldview, whether that be Christian, secular humanism, Islam, paganism, etc. People differ in their ethics and behaviour because of their different worldviews. In a truly pluralistic society, we must respect the individual’s right to hold and practice the worldview/religion of their choosing.

And once again, it’s our Christian heritage with its emphasis on individual rights, responsibility and accountability that has allowed religious freedom in the first place. Simply ask those who wish to flee other parts of the world and come to a country such as Australia.

This should be what religious freedom is all about. Sadly, under the current proposal, it is not.

We strongly urge you to write to the following people to voice your concerns about the Federal Government’s current proposals:

• The Prime Minister, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP
• The Opposition Leader, the Hon Peter Dutton MP
• The Attorney-General, the Hon Mark Dreyfus MP
• The Shadow Attorney General, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash
• Your local federal MP

Please keep your emails concise, strong and respectful.

When writing your email, consider:

• Writing a clear email title stating your opinion, such as ‘My Concerns about the Proposed Religious Discrimination Bill’
• Giving your full name and address. Politicians must know you are a real person.
• Using information from this page and this Daily Declaration article.
• Write the email using your own words.
• Addressing your email first to the Prime Minister. You could then send a copy to the other politicians asking for their response to your email to the PM.
• Alternatively, you could address and send your email directly to each politician.
• When writing to the PM, address the email with: Prime Minister the Hon Anthony Albanese MP, c/o Prof. Glyn Davis AC, Secretary of PM&C