Call to protect Religious Freedom
Media Release
CALL TO PROTECT RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
MAJOR FAITHS UNITE AGAINST LABOR GREENS POLICY
The Labor and Greens proposal to change Equal Opportunity laws to allow judges to decide fundamental religious doctrines, beliefs and principles of faith, in order to promote equal opportunity, has created an unprecedented alliance. The policies of the Labor Party on this issue are highlighted in the recently release Christian Values Checklist for the Victorian election on Saturday 29th November 2014. http://www.christianvalues.org.au/images/checklists/vic14-state-checkList-13nov14-rgb-2-sides-lr.pdf
The Catholic, Anglican, Coptic Orthodox, Lutheran, Baptist and Presbyterian churches have all joined together to call upon the parties contesting the Victorian elections to maintain the current fair and balanced Equal Opportunity laws. Jewish Rabbis and Muslim Imams have also publicly expressed their concern.
1. Rabbi Mark Shimon + Catholic and Islamic Leaders speak out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNU7HO_obao&feature=youtu.be
2. YouTube Rev Mark Durie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wlX8QsFGxA&list=UU2ja64ydHy-y1p_kiKXjwow&safe=active
3. Combined Church Statement: http://medianet.com.au/releases/release-details?id=815704
"The right to religious freedom of faith-based organisations, such as schools, hospitals, charities, welfare agencies, counselling and support services to employ those who share their beliefs and values, is embedded in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The Labor and Greens proposal to amend the state law is a way of avoiding the intention of this important International Covenant," John Miller, spokesman for the Australian Christian Values Institute said in an issued media release.
"At the heart of the issue is the freedom of religious faiths to employ staff who affirm their beliefs. They have an internationally established right to do this. It is more than the right that the Labor and Greens parties claim for themselves when they select staff who share their ethos and values. The Labor and Greens parties would object if they were forced to employ Liberal party members in their offices".
"If the Labor, Greens and the Sex party, who also back the proposal, want to change the law then they should be prepared to apply it to themselves, and the trade unions, in the interests of a level playing field."
For More Comment Contact
John Miller
0420 356 564