Once again someone (this time Hamlet) tries to find persecution of Christians in Australia where it doesn't exist. Disagreeing with Christian doctrines and opposing church organisations on same-sex marriage is not persecution.

Now, forcing religious organisations to wed same-sex couples would be a form of oppression. But if same-sex marriage was legislated in Australia, I for one would stay away from any religious outfit - as far as possible. I avoid them like the plague as it is.

There is no evidence, from what I can see, of gay people bashing and murdering worshippers of any religion. There is plenty of evidence of Christians being oppressed in North Africa, the Middle-East, China and South-East Asia. Practising Christians should turn their attention to real persecution and not get precious over a few insults.

DavidJS wrote:

"Now, forcing religious organisations to wed same-sex couples would be a form of oppression."

David, here is the problem: the US Episcopalian Church is a member of the Anglican Communion. That is, it claims certain privileges and rights, and rites, as part of that organisation.

Recently it not only consecrated as a Bishop a man living with a sexual partner out of wedlock (against the traditions and teachings of the Anglican Communion) but also then carried out the 'rite' of marriage between this Bishop and his male partner, once again against the teachings and traditions of the Anglican Communion.

I think that even you would agree that is what has happened.

Now, the US Episcopalian Church is, in effect, forcing the other member churches of the Anglican Communion into accepting this as a valid marriage rite. In other words, it is saying that we are forcing you to accept this Bishop and his male partner as married:

The Episcopalian church is: "forcing religious organisations to wed same-sex couples" and this is "a form of oppression". The oppression against the Anglican Communion is coming from within, not without.

If the US Episcopalian Church wants to act against the teachings and traditions of the Anglican Communion it can - but it should do so by leaving that communion, and not forcing others to accept its views.

DavidJS wrote, in another topic, after my most recent post here, which would indicate that he has inhabited this forum since my post:

Quote

All religions are stupid.
Posted by DavidJS, Friday, 11 July 2008 9:05:45 PM

Unquote

Well DavidJS, if all religions are stupid why are you bothering debating with believers? Why debate with those stupid people who believe in religions in the first place?

Shouldn't you, instead, be contacting all those gay people who want to change religion to suit themselves and trying to get them to leave all those stupid religions? (well, if all religions are stupid then even the changed ones must be stupid).

You would surely be doing them, and the believers in Biblical authority a favour.