ࡱ> uwt%` 0bjbj"x"x < @@*TTTTTTTT[[[8F[ R[Tяr[r[[[[\\\PRRRRRR$Ñh+hvT\\\\\vTT[[HZ^Z^Z^\dT[T[PZ^\PZ^Z^@TT^[f[ }\?^[4]d:8P0яr]dp^^nT̍\\Z^\\\\\vv]^\\\я\\\\TTTXTTTXTTTTTTTTT Dear Sir/Madam I have taken the time to read certain portions of the proposed Bill of Rights, and on the surface it appears to satisfactorily set forth appropriate standards of protection for valued human rights. However, the Australian Constitution was originally hailed as a land-mark document intended to do the same job. The problem is not in the wording of the document, but in the freedom given to the courts to interpret the terminology in which the rights are framed. The document must be taken literally and not be allowed to be extended or restricted by way of legal interpretation designed to give voice to those who are opposed to the rights and freedoms of others. It is my personal belief that the Australian Constitution is sufficient for governance and protection of the Australian people. Of special concern to me is the rise of persecution in Australia due to the establishment of Islamic communities where there have been clearly stated intentions of carrying out practices associated with beliefs that do not countenance the right of anyone to hold a different religion. There is no allowance for anyone acting in accordance with their own faith or conscience. All groups, notwithstanding race or creed ought to be subject to the rule of law and not permitted to, as Archbishop Williams of Canterbury suggests, able to invoke their own independent legal system wherever they may choose to reside. Section R5.3 is inadequate in its present form, as it does not permit the freedom of preachers in any religious organization to make comparisons between belief systems for the benefit of those who voluntarily attend its meetings or worship services. Nor does it permit religious groups to express views in the wider public domain, such as in the daily newspapers, for fear that it may be viewed by someone as an act of vilification. Recently we have read of the legal action taken in Victoria against Christians by people who had actually engaged in spying on them to seek grounds for persecution. Thankfully the courts ultimately recognized the error in supporting such activity, but once the new Bill of Rights is enacted, how does it prevent this kind of activity being undertaken? One need only examine what is presently occurring in retail establishments to identify the way in which freedoms have already been seriously eroded. Australia was once identified as a Christian country because the majority of its citizens held to the Christian belief system. Along with that we had festivities such as Easter and Christmas where retailers created exhibits on those particular themes. Today these exhibits are disappearing because of the fear of offending someone. I might add that I have not yet heard of any Christians being offended by other religious groups publicly declaring their beliefs. May I add that if we are to abolish the rights of Christians to celebrate special events, then we ought to abolish the public holidays associated with those beliefs. The workers already enjoy far too many holidays, something you do not find elsewhere in the world. Today we have much being said about the state of the economy, so if there were fewer holidays there would be greater production in the work place. But if we are to abolish by means of legislation the rights and privileges of Christians, then lets also abolish the rights and privileges of other religions. Every Australian citizen enjoys certain rights and freedoms that were won by the sacrifice of many during two world wars. But if those charged with the responsibility for upholding those rights do not take a firm stand against their erosion, then it is apparent those sacrifices were in vain. John Sybenga Pastor Presbyterian Church of Queensland      PAGE \* MERGEFORMAT 1 hwkhwkmHnHu h_hwkjh_hwkUh#jh#U hV/h*hVOJQJ^J + , OPvwgdmLgdV/gdVgdV/gd@0gdq:&P 1h:pqBP. 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