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The Forum > Article Comments > Same-sex marriage should go to the people > Comments

Same-sex marriage should go to the people : Comments

By Lyle Shelton, published 6/9/2013

By 10:30 when many of us arrived home and tuned into the ABC's Q&A we were just in time to see Mr Rudd's 'prayerful conscience' approach to tolerance going out the window.

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Dear McReal,

<<
1 Peter 2:18-25 (NIV)
18 Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 20 ... if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
>>

I think that Peter has made a good point:

If you are a slave in a society that enforces slavery, and have no way whatsoever to un-slave yourself, then it's a great advice to be a good slave rather than a bad slave, to do your work happily rather than be whining and whinging. Sure, if you find a way to escape do so, especially if you can do it without placing your family and your spiritual community in harm's way, but was that possible at the time?

One should make the best of their circumstances and any predicament one finds themselves in, no matter how harsh, can be used for spiritual elevation. I knew someone who despite of all horrors, used her time in Auschwitz as a growth experience, who instead of coming out bitter and broken, emerged when the camp was liberated happy ever after, not a single sad thought for the rest of her long life.

In light of that, please read also the rest of the verses you quoted and you will find that these are excellent advices of both practical and spiritual great value.
Posted by Yuyutsu, Friday, 6 September 2013 11:39:45 AM
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A referendum is not a suitable way of determining issues of rights or equality as, ethically, rights or issues of equality are Not issues of majority rule.
Posted by McReal, Friday, 6 September 2013 11:42:22 AM
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The author is totally wrong here, this election wasn't "in part a referendum on same-sex marriage", same sex marriage was the ONLY issue in this election. From Q&A to 100 days to his 'front page' change of heart to rainbow labor to Abbott's Christian School kerfuffle to Get Up saturating the internet with marriage equality poignancy, tomorrow's victor will reflect Australia's view on governmental intrusion into ancient customs.
Posted by progressive pat, Friday, 6 September 2013 11:47:57 AM
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This topic requires courage from commentators and policy makers alike. It takes diplomacy and respect from all sides to resolve what needs to be said and done. Confrontation is necessary, but to arrive at a decision that best represents the people, is the right outcome. We have been mislead on homosexual marriage, it is not genetic, the children most affected by these relationships will not live in the best environment for parental guidance. Strategically, positions have been taken up by gay supporters who change the law and discriminate against law-abiding citizens for taking a stand against this lifestyle. Forget the personalities, look at the heart of the person and the reason they speak up. This article determines direction by advocating a better future for families.
Posted by Longy, Friday, 6 September 2013 11:50:23 AM
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Dear Pat,

Correct. This election is NOT a referendum. It's about 1000 other things, for me primarily about stopping the NBN. The gay-marriage issue doesn't even come into consideration.

Dear McReal,

<<A referendum is not a suitable way of determining issues of rights or equality as, ethically, rights or issues of equality are Not issues of majority rule.>>

You would be 100% right if you spoke about individual freedoms. "Rights" however are different: One's freedom is inherent, God-given, while rights are issued by humans (usually as petty-change after they robbed away your freedom). What this gay-marriage discussion is about has nothing to do with individual/personal freedom, but rather with the expansion of a certain government-service (to include same-sex people), a service relating to a private and intimate matter of the heart, a service which should not have been offered by the state in the first place.

Dear Runner,

<<Lying will always be lying and perversion will always be perversion even if sanctioned by the State.>>

EVEN IF?

You should know better by now that anything sanctioned by the State is most likely a perverse lie. What saddens me, is why the Church, who was supposed all along to be the body of Christ, was laying for so many centuries in the same filthy bed with the State.

However, with your comment above, it seems that this unholy and adulterous alliance is about to break - so perhaps the second-coming of Christ is not that far away after all!
Posted by Yuyutsu, Friday, 6 September 2013 12:21:32 PM
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Congratulations Lyle on a well-balanced piece. Any reasonable person should be concerned that the Prime Minister made a humble pitch to the Christian constituency at 7.30 pm and then, 3 hours later, proceeded to express his true views in a belligerent manner to a single Christian in the presence of a hostile audience. It is bizarre that the Prime Minister could conduct himself so ungraciously on national television to a person who views are the same as the laws of the land.

The former Labor Attorney-General has also expressed his views on the difficult path that lies ahead. Ultimately you are correct Lyle to point out that this is an important issue that needs to go to the people and the people ought to be given the opportunity to debate the issue thoroughly without being subjected to the customary abuse and name calling of the extremely vocal minority that are active in social media circles. The proper rules of debating should apply – every person should be entitled to express their view and provide reasons for their view. Just as importantly those who hurl abuse should be deemed to have lost the debate. That way we can maintain civility in the debate.
Posted by John Glavine, Friday, 6 September 2013 12:44:00 PM
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