Adam, I'm still waiting to have a really good explanation of what the "consequences" are for Christians in allowing homosexual couples to regularise their relationships as marriage?

Marriage isn't a Christian exclusive. Do Hindu, Buddhist, Shinto, or other faith groups who also marry in a faith tradition similarly cause consequences for Christianity?

I'm seriously struggling to understand, are you able to shed some light for me?

Sorry Adam but you are also a bigot.

Some people interpret religious freedom as their right to prescribe that other people live according to their dictates. Religious communities will still be able to decide who they will marry.

The author writes:

"Sure, it provides that ministers of religion will not be forced to officiate same-sex weddings. This is the very least it could do."

No. It's the most they can do. If a business provides a public service for money they cannot decide to refuse that service to same-sex weddings any more than they can refuse to provide that service to Jews or Muslims, adulterers, masturbaters, members of the Liberal Party or supporters of the Brisbane Broncos.

thanks Adam. Rational does not come into this debate.The pro homosexual lobby demand reasons for opposing same sex 'marriage'. When given they then label that person a bigot. A five year old can see a penis is designed for a vagina. Anyone with any knowledge of health knows that sodomy is extremely unhealthy. Ms Gillard apologised to kids taken from mothers because she at least realised the importance of a mum. Yeah, reasons are clear but bigots just label others as bigots. The abc/sbs is over represented by the gay lobby. They have been for decades. To take a sensible stand many would have to conclude their own lifestyles need looking at. Oh and we can't have that. Interesting enough the bigots rarely taken Islam. For some reason the vast majority are Christophobic but to gutless to take on Islam.

Times have changed, a critical mass of citizens no longer base their moral judgements on judaeo christian values. If christians want to continue to live their faith in freedom they will need to focus inward on the church community by privatising marriage, education and even employment.

' If christians want to continue to live their faith in freedom they will need to focus inward on the church community by privatising marriage, education and even employment.'

well at least you are honest progressive pat. That obviously is the outcome that the god deniers want.