CRIKEY WRITES: We have 14 tickets to the upcoming Storyology events in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane to give away. Just reply to this email with the subject line – “Storyology Tickets” and we’ll sort out your tickets if you’re among the first 14.
On the postal plebiscite
Cara MacNish writes: Re. “This postal plebiscite bullshit is nothing but fear, wrapped in cowardice, inside stupidity” (Wednesday)
One of the stranger comments to come out of today’s postal vote debacle was former Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s assertion that if you’re worried about freedom of speech you must vote ‘no’ to marriage equality. It defies logic, but lets give it a go. The converse, that if you vote “no”, you’re worried about freedom of speech, doesn’t logically follow (you might vote “no” for some other reason).
Nor does it logically follow that if you’re not worried about freedom of speech, you must vote “yes”. But the contrapositive, which is logically equivalent, is that if you vote “yes” to marriage equality, then you’re not worried about freedom of speech. I’m glad we got that cleared up. Now, where did I leave those stamps?
Meredith Williams writes: Re.“Fire up the homophobic abuse — the junk mail plebiscite is now on” (Wednesday)
Yes, the junk mail is already arriving. This afternoon I received an unsolicited email from the Australian Christian Lobby, assuming that as I am a minister of a Christian denomination I am therefore going to be part of its campaign against marriage equality and will be preaching homophobia to my congregation. I replied with the following:
“Please be advised that I am fully in favour of marriage equality and do not in any way feel it threatens me, my marriage, my children or the society in which I live. Neither do I think the voluntary, exclusive union of two adult people who deeply love each other contravenes fundamental Christian concepts of grace, relationship, fidelity and fullness of life.
I resent your assumption that all Christians share your views and your portrayal of your organisation as in some way representative of Australian Christians on this issue.”
Spot on Meredith.
Shirley Schubert writes re Meredith Williams comment: Thank you, Meredith. You have said what many Christians, including me, think. The ACL does NOT represent Australian Christians – and it is good to hear from Christians willing to state the values of grace and peace. It is timely to remember that we have separation of church and state for good reasons.
Heya, Christians, I think you need a lobby group that represents you more accurately than the ACL does. Start with the Gosford guy.
“Arguements”? Oh dear.
While living in Manhattan we occasionally attended a Sunday Service at Saint Bartholomews Church on Park Avenue. One day our attendance coincided with the Pride March and the Vicar cut short his sermon to ensure that people were able to get to the start on time. Little doubt where Episcopalians stood on the topic.
I don’t believe in Racism, sexism, apartheid, bigotry, slavery, abuse or intimidation. To me; life is about dignity, equality and respect.
The question should not be ” should we allow same sex marriage?” – Rather, it should be “Why isnt it already legal for any two consenting adults regardless of gender to enjoy the same rights, freedoms, and dignities.”
Am I gay? nope. do I have any gay friends? not that I know of. Did I vote in the last election on the basis of which party is more likely to grant same sex marriage? Yes!
why? not only do I not feel threatened, but I firmly believe that society will continue to function, the world will continue in its orbit, and birds will still sing in the morning. The world can only be a better place when there is less hatred and ignorance.
Lets free the black man..oops… equality for women….hang on….ahh yes…. stop throwing christians to the lions!! no thats not it…. got it – equal civil rights for everyone in our society – hetero and homo. cheers