religion
Folau’s Truth of Jesus Christ Church an ‘isolated hate group’
One of Australia’s most respected journalists, Kate McClymont, reports in the Sydney Morning Herald that a concerned parent who investigated the Truth of Jesus Christ Church called it an “isolated hate group.” Israel Folau sometimes preaches at the church founded by his father Eni in 2013. Kate McClymont reports that the mother, concerned about her …
Homosexuality causes autism priest cancels Australian retreat
Father Dominic Valanmanal claims he cured children of autism through prayer. He stated previously that people ‘addicted’ to adultery, masturbation, homosexuality and porn have a high risk of bearing autistic children. Further, Valanmanal said children with autism were ‘like animals’. “Adultery, masturbation, homosexuality, porn — if you are addicted to these, I say to you …
Freedom and Equality for all – not for some.
Shelley Argent OAM is the National Spokesperson for Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG). She is one of the most effective advocates for the human rights of LGBTIQ people in Australia. As such, Shelley played a leading role during the Australian campaign for marriage equality. She believes fervently in freedom and equality for …
LGBTIQ groups want ‘affirming’ religious discrimination bill
More than 50 Australian LGBTIQ groups have released a joint statement calling for an “affirming” Religious Discrimination Act. The statement backs “protections from discrimination for people of all faiths, and for people who don’t hold religious beliefs.” But new laws must not sanction new forms of discrimination against others, it adds. “As members of LGBTIQ+ …
Editorial: Is this what religious freedom looks like?
Ryan Williams from Lancashire England posted this photo of himself to Facebook last night. “I never thought in my life that I would get beaten up for being GAY!” he said. We don’t know the circumstances of the violent physical attack on this young man. It certainly bears the hallmarks of a gay bashing. What …
Attorney-General makes ‘religious freedom’ LGBT pledge
The government’s religious discrimination laws “aren’t intended” to interfere with state laws protecting LGBT people, Attorney-General Christian Porter says. Porter told the Guardian his bill “is not intended to displace state law nor will it import specific provisions of international law.” The Attorney-General is still working on the bill, and his statement comes after concerns …
Gay Christian Iranian teen’s asylum bid rejected
The Swedish Migration Board yesterday ordered a gay Christian Iranian teenager to leave Sweden. Despite the well documented persecution of both Christians and gays in Iran, the board rejected 19-year-old Mehdi Shokr Khoda’s application for asylum. Mehdi Shokr Khoda and Christianity Mehdi fled Iran in 2017. He converted to Christianity in Stockholm and subsequently underwent …
Fr Rod Bower’s response to anti-gay heckler
New South Wales Anglican priest Father Rod Bower has been heckled on camera for his contribution to the religion freedom debate. The outspoken priest’s signs are well-known throughout Australia for his uncompromising messages on social issues and politics. Appearing on ABC’s 7.30 program on Wednesday night, Fr Bower was filmed replacing his recent church sign …
Amazon bans LGBTIQ conversion therapy books
Online retailer Amazon last week banned books by Dr. Joseph Nicolosi, ‘the father of conversion therapy’. Nicolosi authored some of the best known books on the pseudoscience of changing sexual orientation and gender identity. However, Amazon withdrew the books from sale permanently after a change.org petition amassed over 82,000 votes. According to the 2019 National …
Poll reveals little support for Religious Freedoms Bill
A Guardian Essential poll reveals only 38% of Australians support a religious freedoms bill as currently proposed by right wing elements of the federal government. Since the federal election and the Israel Folau controversy, politicians and the Australian Christian Lobby launched petitions for federal action. 64% of people surveyed in the poll agreed with the …