well written Rebekkah

>>Why would you think less than 1.6% of the Australian population should dictate to the Christian population of Australia what they can or cannot believe.<<

They don't. And they never will because they can't: you can dictate how somebody acts but you can't dictate how they think. There is no way of reading peoples minds so there is no way to police belief.

>>We are continually told that the gay lobbying is about equality when the reality that it is realistically about restricting the freedom of others to the extent that no-one is allowed to disapprove of their sexual habits without living in fear of the law.<<

Fail. You can disapprove as much as you like. The law is absolutely silent on the subject of personal disapproval. Public disapproval is subject to the limitations which apply to all speech in Australia but those limitations are really very liberal.

What you're not allowed to do is discriminate. We have laws in place which apply to most workplaces that prohibit discrimination on the basis of religion, sexual orientation, race, gender and so on. It means that everybody has to be given equal consideration on the basis of their abilities. A business can't refuse to hire blacks because the owner is racist. Or refuse to hire women because the owner is a misogynist. Or refuse to hire Christians because the owner is a militant atheist. That all seems fair enough.

Isn't it fair enough that these schools abide by the same rules as everybody else? Why should they be above the law?

Cheers,

Tony

Dear Tony,

<<you can dictate how somebody acts but you can't dictate how they think. There is no way of reading peoples minds so there is no way to police belief.>>

That's now just a matter of time - technology is advancing fast.

<<What you're not allowed to do is discriminate.>>

So a bunch of bullies tell you that you must enter into a contract with someone else whom you don't want to have a contract with, or else they throw you in a little cell (or shoot you if you resist). How charming...

<<Isn't it fair enough that these schools abide by the same rules as everybody else?>>

No, it isn't - for those who are in the camp of those who legislated those rules it is easy and natural to follow, while for those in the camp opposite it is excruciatingly painful and counter to their moral values: how can you then state that it is fair?

<<Why should they be above the law?>>

Wrong question - why should they, or anybody else, be below the law in the first place?

@cohenite "I gave an example; YOU provide a citation of what you claim.

And note I said the left not atheist."

Your 'example' is actually a comment from a right-wing publication. Did you read the original article?

Here's my first citation: http://www.atheistblogs.co.uk/ There's about thirty blogs there -- take your time.

And you said -- I quote -- "..the left AND those who take pot-shots at Christianity.."

Emphasis mine.

Back-pedal much?

JonJ; so Quadrant is a "right-wing" publication; that's it; nothing to say about the left's treatment of Ayaan or what Ayaan says about Islam?

Disgraceful!

As for atheists not criticising Christianity; you must be joking! Richard Dawkins, who I might add I used to respect until he came out in favour of AGW, is an atheist and he is scathing about Christianity; at least he is also even handed in respect of Islam which he calls "one of the great evils of the world".

I find Dawkin's belief in AGW immensely ironic; it just goes to show that the 'god-spot' is not dormant in even the most 'rational' individual.

cohenite,

Your slip is showing.

On the one hand you cite Dawkins to buttress your argument against Islam - as if he is someone whose views are pertinent and sagacious.....then you dismiss those which don't suit your agenda.

Dawkins is a man of science. Wonder of wonders that he recognises and supports real evidence regarding AGW