religion
Pastor dismisses COVID-19 as media beat-up, then dies of it
Virginia pastor Landon Spradlin died Wednesday from COVID-19 after previously sharing a meme describing the response to the pandemic as a media beat-up and ‘mass hysteria’. The meme seemed to echo of the words of Australian broadcaster Alan Jones who, at about the same time, described the response as ‘hysteria and alarmism’. Describing the response …
Fury as Morrison Government delays gay law review
LGBTIQ advocates have slammed the Morrison government for again delaying law changes to protect LGBT students and staff at faith schools. Last week, it emerged federal Attorney-General Christian Porter quietly delayed the reporting date of a legal inquiry into faith schools’ ability to expel LGBTIQ students or refuse enrolment from same-sex families. Prime Minister Scott …
Holy blood protects against COVID-19 at Court’s church
Margaret Court’s Victory Life Centre church released a statement Friday telling congregants holy blood would protect them from COVID-19. “We are all protected by the blood of Jesus.” The Victory Life Centre statement suggested ‘readily available hand sanitiser’ and holy blood would provide sufficient protection from the deadly pandemic. “Your health and safety is a …
Record damages for Christian Brothers child abuse
A West Australian judge yesterday awarded the highest payment ever to a victim in a case of Christian Brothers child abuse. Judge Mark Herron ordered the Christian Brothers to pay damages of $1.32 million to 75-year-old John Lawrence. Judge Herron described the abuse of child migrant Mr Lawrence as insulting, humiliating and degrading. He also …
Sporting bodies slam religious discrimination bill
Seven of Australia’s largest sporting bodies want changes to the latest draft of the federal government’s controversial religious discrimination bill. The Coalition of Major Professional and Participation Sports (COMPPS) includes the AFL, NRL, FFA and Rugby Australia. Cricket Australia, Tennis Australia, and Netball Australia are also part. In their response to the bill, COMPPS argues …
Lesbian YouTuber’s anguish as religious father snubs wedding
Lesbian YouTube star Hannah Hart has explained in an emotional video her Jehovah’s Witness father is refusing to attend her wedding. The 33-year-old has 2.5 million YouTube followers and is known for her web series My Drunk Kitchen. Soon, Hannah will marry fiancée Ella Mielniczenko after their two-year engagement. But in a new video, Hannah …
Michael Kirby says religious freedom laws ‘a weapon against non-believers’
Former High Court judge Michael Kirby has slammed the Morrison government’s religious discrimination laws as allowing Australians to use “religious belief as a weapon against non-believers”. Mr Kirby, who is an Anglican, said the Morrison government’s second draft religious discrimination bill was divisive and breached human rights. “This is not a bill that protects Australians …
Bollywood gay rom-com banned in Kenya and UAE
Bollywood gay rom-com Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan opened in India Friday to 5-star reviews. However, both Kenya and the United Arab Emirates announced bans on screenings of the film. Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan tells the story of a gay couple struggling to win acceptance from one set of parents. They refuse …
Brisbane doctor blasts ‘harmful’ religious discrimination bill
A Brisbane doctor who specialises in LGBTIQ healthcare has slammed the government’s “harmful” religious freedom bill. Dr Ryan Williams is a GP at Stonewall Medical Centre in Brisbane. The long-running centre is one of four in the city specialising in care for LGBTIQ people. “I’m a proud gay man myself, and the majority of my …
DocQ: Critics of trans kids have nothing to offer
During an Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) talkfest at Queensland Parliament House last week, a so-called ‘expert panel’ spent most of their time claiming a ‘gay conversion therapy’ ban would create trans kids. Dr. Fiona Bisshop, with on the job experience of hundreds of trans patients, looks at their claims. It’s hard to know where to …