2 votes

Little upside for Malcolm Turnbull in debate over religious freedom

3 comments

  1. demifiend
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    IMO, freedom of religion must be balanced by freedom from religion. Individuals should be free to think what they like about abortion, homosexuality, pre-marital sex, etc. They should even be free...

    IMO, freedom of religion must be balanced by freedom from religion.

    Individuals should be free to think what they like about abortion, homosexuality, pre-marital sex, etc. They should even be free to express their opinions if they are private individuals with no authority. However, anybody in a position of secular authority who abuses that authority to push a religious viewpoint must be punished swiftly and mercilessly, whether they're a teacher or the POTUS (or Prime Minister).

    Your right to swing a god ends where my nose begins.

    5 votes
  2. clerical_terrors
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    Every time this argument is made people look at instances where bad actions/actors justifying themselves on the basis of religious faith are hindered, and then conclude that to be an attack on the...

    Every time this argument is made people look at instances where bad actions/actors justifying themselves on the basis of religious faith are hindered, and then conclude that to be an attack on the faith itself. If the practice of your faith must necessarily result in denying other people's rights and dignity then isn't the problem with you? We don't want people skirting the laws or discriminating on the basis of non-religious convictions like ideas of gender or race either, do we?

    The strong proponents within the Coalition of this new protection are coming from a Christian point of view. But protection for religion would extend across faiths, potentially raising issues about practices of some non-Christian religions that, while not contravening Australian law, mightn’t fit so well with Australian values. Do we want to get into that mire?

    This is a very good point because you can shelter a lot of very questionable practices under the umbrella of religious tradition. Short of having a law protecting Christian practices, and only a chosen few at that.

    1 vote
  3. chocolate
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    I can't stand the idea of 'religious' freedom. Religious people should have the same freedoms as non-religious people. If a religious person has the right to do something, I want the same right. I...

    I can't stand the idea of 'religious' freedom. Religious people should have the same freedoms as non-religious people. If a religious person has the right to do something, I want the same right.

    I shouldn't have less freedom because I'm more sceptical.