Churches' fears for conversion bill are unfounded

[Patiently waiting for Truth]

https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/churches-fears-for-conversion-bill-are-unfounded-20201215-p56no3.html

I think this article puts a bit of balance on things. 

 

The Victorian government’s bill to ban LGBTQ+ conversion practices has raised confusion and disquiet in some religious communities about potential threats to their religious freedoms.

These fears are quickly assuaged by a plain reading of the bill and the statement of compatibility with the Charter of Human Rights.

The Victorian bill carefully weighs the protection of religious freedom against the protection of the rights of LGBTQ+ people and is the product of significant consultation. It does not ban prayer, preaching or pastoral support about gender and sexuality in general. But it does prevent these spiritual practices being misused in attempts to change or suppress a person’s sexuality or gender identity and thereby causing them harm. It has been found to be consistent with Victorian human rights law and does not constitute an overreach.

Placing limits on religious practices, as proposed in this bill, is not new. Both Australian law and international human rights law provide guidance on when it is appropriate to place limitations on religious practices.

There are numerous examples where we do this already in Australian law. Jehovah’s Witnesses hold religious objections to blood transfusions, but Australian law overrides the practice of that belief in circumstances where a blood transfusion is necessary to save the life of a child. Several religious communities have traditions of female genital cutting. Yet Australian law overrides that religious practice, making it both illegal to perform in Australia or to remove someone overseas for the practice. And more recently, several Australian jurisdictions have followed the recommendations of the child abuse royal commission to limit the seal of confession in order to protect children from sexual abuse.

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So. we know from scripture that the Superior Authorities are placed or are allowed to be in their position by Almighty God. 

And we can see some good here that this government is trying to stop female genital cutting and to protect children from sexual abuse. 

The position concerning blood transfusions is a difficult one. A secular government has to make secular decisions completely separate from religious bias. 

So at this moment in time it does not look as if they are trying to wipe out Christianity, as some people pretend they are.