ŠĻą”±į>ž’ JLž’’’I’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’ģ„Į%` šæ0«!bjbj"x"x .0@@…%’’’’’’¤hhhhhhh|@@@8x „,| +¶¼¼"ŽŽŽ¹¹¹ˆ*Š*Š*Š*Š*Š*Š*$æ+h'.Ģ®*h ¹¹  ®*hhŽŽŪĆ*DDD XhŽhŽˆ*D ˆ*DDŖœ)|hh`*Ž° ©‡ ĀvÉ@d”*ˆ*Ł*0 +**6ó.ųčó.$`*ó.h`*(¹v/TDƒDĒE¹¹¹®*®*ąd¹¹¹ +    |||Ä@|||@|||hhhhhh’’’’ FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND BELIEF IN THE 21st CENTURY. A Submission to The Commissioner for Race Discrimination and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Social Justice Commission. Mr. Tom Calma Thank you, Sir, for the privilege of being able to make a contribution to this important discussion. For your information and understanding, I am a mature person in both age and experience. I was brought up in the Salvation Army and worked as a Lay Person in that organization for 30+ years. I have since joined the Pentecostal Movement and have served a significant Church group for the remainder of my life in both lay responsibilities and as a Pastor. Another 30+ years. Whilst that gives me a certain bias in my thinking, which I acknowledge, It also means that I have a wide experience of people and their life issues. I would therefore present my considered opinion on the issues under discussion. The Constitution I consider Section 116 of the constitution quite adequate to sufficiently protect our freedom of religion and belief. No Comment. It is impossible to separate religion and state, as the state (presumably the various governments) is a representation of the people, and not an entity in itself, and therefore must represent the religions of those whom they represent. At this stage I do not think there is undue influence over government by religious groups or vice versa. They should be interactive. A legislated Charter of Rights will never add to freedom, as such a charter can only be restrictive of some freedoms, not productive of more freedom. Roles and responsibilities. No wish to comment Religion and the State – practice and expression. True Faith-based Services will always out-perform Government-based social services because the people involved are motivated by compassion – it’s more than a job! The problem that Government has with Faith-based issues such as those raised is that the people involved believe themselves to be accountable to a power superior to that of the Government. As the Australian Constitution recognizes the existence of God, and as the Government consists of people like us. They can have no jurisdiction over these issues without creating unnecessary conflict. We are free – let us remain free! No Comment Security Issues….. Not to my knowledge. The balance between physical security and Civil Liberties is a difficult issue. However, those who interfere with our physical security should always anticipate a restriction of their civil liberties as a consequence. Restriction of Civil Liberty should not, normally, be a pre-requisite of Physical Security. Faith-based Communities are subject to the law of the land. Immigrants, whatever their religion, are also subject to our laws. If they are not willing to agree to this, let them go elsewhere! Yes, some, but generally they are ineffective, and will remain so if our government does its job. No. The Interface between religious, cultural and political aspirations. a. A conflict of people with big egos matched to big mouths matched to airy-fairy ideas that will never work!! Most of them need a huge dose of reality! Get rid of fancy political agendas and get down to governing the best country in the world in a proper and dignified manner with the best interests of all Australians in mind. In the kingdom of God there is no emphasis on gender at all. We are all equal. That’s how it should be! No. But you can’t legislate for it! As above. If a person wants to become an Australian Citizen, then they should adopt the Australian Culture. It’s our culture that is under threat, and it’s time the Government acted to preserve it! Citizens should have a basic understanding of Australian Culture and values as well as a commitment to preserve them, and to obey our laws. Until they reach this point t they should not be granted the privilege of Citizenship. Of course! Our whole society is based on the basics of Christianity. That’s why it works as well as it does. Go to India and see what a Hindu-based society is like. Or to some of the Muslim Societies and see what their societies are like! It’s time we woke up to ourselves and began to appreciate all that we have been given in trust for future generations! Technology and it’s implications. Technology has greatly assisted the dissemination of Faith in many ways. Yes, I have learned a great deal through the Internet and via CDs and DVDs. No Comment. They do not affect my belief or my worship. The media is extremely biased in it’s portrayal of religion. They are very anti-Christian and anti-Christian values. The only reporting of Christian events is a brief portrayal of the most ‘stuffy, religious’ services on odd occasions. They very rarely report on the joyful experience of worship that most Christians in Australia experience. In fact they don’t have a clue! The truth is far from them and they dictate to us what our opinions are even before we get the chance to form or express them! They are largely responsible for a marked degradation of our lifestyle in my own lifetime! No more than affect any other issues. It’s a fact of life. 7. Religion, cultural expression and human rights. Yes No Comment No Comment No Comment Not to my knowledge. As a Christian, the issue of alternative sexual expressions is one that is governed by the clear statements of God recorded in the Bible, and therefore not open for other opinions. However, that does not mean that people involved are rejected. They are welcome as we all are, to experience the amazing Grace of God and the love of His people. If he then transforms them, as he always will, when we welcome Him, then great! It is a big issue, and one not to be enlarged on here, but the choice is theirs, not ours to make. As above If their religious beliefs are like mine, then, depending on the employment responsibilities, they must. – Sadly! Perhaps it will cause us to pray a bit more! I am concerned at the influx of Muslims into our country. Generally speaking, they have a world-domination agenda, and their culture is far removed from our own. They are evidently anti-Christian and therefore are a potential source of conflict at various levels of society. I do not think that legislative restrictions are much of an answer to anything. Immigration is where the control needs to be exercised. Stop the problem before it arises! Thank you for the opportunity to comment. God bless you in your difficult role. 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