Equal and Fair Treatment should be given to Churches
The Victorian Christian community welcomes the Premier’s announcement easing restrictions for churches. For the first time in more than 6 months, Christians can begin to return to worship services in metropolitan and regional Victoria.
Read morePetition: Fairness for Victorian Churches
Churches are not being treated fairly in Victoria’s roadmap out of lockdown.
In regional Victoria, churches must meet outdoors in groups up to 20, whilst people can wine and dine indoors in pubs and restaurants, without masks, in groups of 40, or outdoors in groups of 70.
This unfair and illogical treatment will be extended to Melbourne from midnight on 1 November.
It is despite nearly 300 church leaders and 10,000 Victorians asking the Premier for equal consideration.
It is despite churches being model citizens in recent months, working patiently and cooperatively with the government, complying with all COVID-Safe measures and the DHHS guidelines.
We know how many are struggling after prolonged isolation with loneliness and mental health issues. We know many need spiritual nourishment and fellowship. We also know that God’s interest ought to be first in line. We don’t ask this for ourselves so much as for God and our neighbours.
Another, stronger outpouring of concern is needed on this important matter.
Therefore, I’m encouraging you to take action today.
Please sign the petition to urge Premier Daniel Andrews to treat churches fairly, allowing churches to open for indoor worship in parity with the hospitality sectors.
Please read the letter below and sign. You'll notice that we've asked for your address. This is to validate you're a Victorian so that your voice counts!
The Hon Daniel Andrews
Premier of Victoria
1 Treasury Place
Melbourne VIC 3002
Dear Premier Daniel Andrews,
As people of faith from Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant traditions, we are writing to express our concern that churches be treated equitably in the “roadmap” out of lockdown.
Churches in regional Victoria must meet outdoors in groups up to 20, whilst people can wine and dine indoors in pubs and restaurants, without masks, in groups of 40, or outdoors in groups of 70.
This unfair treatment will be extended to Melbourne from midnight on 1 November.
With our support, our churches have been working patiently and cooperatively with the government, complying with all COVID-Safe measures and the DHHS guidelines since the beginning of the pandemic.
With spacious buildings, COVID-Safe plans, and time limited services, our churches are safer places for people to gather than many other venues.
Therefore, we cordially urge you…
1. To allow churches to open for indoor church services
2. To give churches equal and fair treatment in each of the subsequent steps in the “roadmap” out of lockdown
We make this request on behalf of our wider communities. Many of us are lonely, isolated, facing mental health challenges, and aware of our need for spiritual nourishment. With a spike in health issues around these matters and more, we feel a special urgency to safely open our churches for the good of Victorians.
As Premier, you are continually in our prayers, and we look forward to your plan to work out a safe and fair solution for people of faith and the communities they serve at this challenging time.
Yours Sincerely,
Real, lived experience shows religious freedom laws essential
The following opinion piece was published in 'The West Australian' on 25/6/20:
Yes, Brian Greig, Australians won’t cop discrimination on the basis of sexuality. (Australians won’t cop discrimination on basis of sexuality, 16/06/2020). But they won’t cop it on the basis of beliefs either.
Read moreNSW Government’s ‘good call’ on Latham’s religious discrimination bill
The Australian Christian Lobby welcomes the appointment of an NSW Parliamentary Joint Select Committee to investigate Mark Latham MLC’s excellent religious freedom bill - the Anti-Discrimination Amendment (Religious Freedoms and Equality) Bill 2020.
Read moreWhy the Eden-Monaro by-election is important for religious freedom
The upcoming 4 July by-election in the Federal seat of Eden-Monaro is of national significance for people of faith across the nation.
With Labor yet to take a position on Scott Morrison’s religious discrimination bill, a Liberal victory in the seat would provide more certainty for the passage of the legislation, which seeks to ensure religious freedom is protected for all Australians.
Read moreReligious Discrimination Bill: myth-busting the activists’ myths
Read moreWhile most of the world has been occupied with coronavirus, I have learned, yet again, that effective activism never sleeps.
ACL seeking improvements to the draft Religious Discrimination Bill
Some parts of the Religious Discrimination Bill (RDB) are fine. These are the protection for people of faith from discrimination in the provision of education, accommodation, finance, club memberships etc.
Read moreReligion Bill much improved, but little certainty for future Folaus
The Australian Christian Lobby has welcomed key changes to the Federal Government’s second draft of the Religious Discrimination Bill 2019 released today, whilst expressing concern that individuals of faith or ‘future Folaus’ may not be fully protected from workplace discrimination. “On the one hand the bill contains some meaningful improvements, but on the other hand, some obvious gaps still remain,” said ACL spokesperson, Dan Flynn.
Read moreA Prayer for Religious Freedom
Religious freedom advocacy is often criticised as playing the victim. The argument goes that it’s fundamentally a self-interested effort, and that the need is not pressing enough.
Through the Apostle Paul, the Holy Spirit exhorts us to pray for our leaders. The content of that prayer is that the godly life might be a life of peace.
Israel Folau left out in the cold by Attorney General
The Australian Christian Lobby has expressed deep reservations concerning the draft religious discrimination bill released today by Federal Attorney General, Christian Porter.
Read more