Where to with Religious Freedom?
Minister’s Letter 10th February 2022
Friends in Christ, it has been a convoluted month for religious freedom in Australia.
On the one hand, we saw Usman Khawaja, the Australian Muslim cricketer, treated with respect, when he quietly removed himself from the Ashes victory celebrations once alcohol was being sprayed about. The new captain, Pat Cummins, asked the other players to stop so Khawaja could be included. Khawaja later explained that he didn't mind being around his team mates when they drank in the dressing room, but his religious convictions meant he did not wish to be associated publicly with the promotion of alcohol.
A couple of weeks later, the first ever Muslim AFLW player declined to wear the 'rainbow pride' jersey for the LGBT round of Aussie Rules matches. She affirmed her respect for all her team mates and others, regardless of sexuality, but explained that as part of her faith community, she could not wear the jersey. Instead of being attacked, her coach and team expressed understanding. She needed to be included as much as others.
Perhaps I was overly optimistic, but that gave me hope that Australia might be moving past the polarised approach to religious conviction in public life, back towards tolerance, where you can respect someone's right to express their convictions peacefully, even though you don't agree.
But the fierce public debate over the Religious Freedom Bill makes me suspect it's still very tough to live out your Christian convictions in public, even when you do so quietly and respectfully. No doubt, it can be painful when worldviews collide in public life, but I was deeply saddened to hear the Leader of the Greens refer to the proposed legislation as the "Prime Minister's hate bill". With such inflammatory language, one wonders about self-awareness.
The outcome of the parliamentary deliberations is unknown at time of writing, but we Christians know we must pray for those in authority, with the hope "that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness" (1 Timothy 2:2). What I am praying for is legislation that upholds the variety of human rights: freedoms of speech, association, religion, and conscience, alongside freedom from improper discrimination. (I do note that political parties and lobby groups are not prohibited from discriminating against people who oppose their policy and values from joining or remaining on their platform!) Our parliamentarians do need great wisdom for balancing different rights that can seem to collide.
What about in daily life? What if you are demanded to do something that makes you uncomfortable in your conscience. For example, I have heard of some school students and employees, who have been directed to "wear it purple" (not just asked to consider it) even when they did not wish to. I think a Christian could follow those examples above. You could quietly but firmly say, "I respect all people in our workplace, as I hope you have seen by my example. But because of my faith convictions, I do not feel comfortable taking this step. Just like the ALFW respected that Muslim player's conscience and religion, and continued to include her, I hope you will extend respect for diversity to me, and allow me to uphold my Christian convictions."
If you are asked why your religion leads you to refuse a particular action, or to disagree with a particular popular claim about morality or policy, then you might preface any answer you choose to give with this, "May I ask if this is a safe space for me to share my convictions? Because my beliefs are deeply personal and I hope they would be listened to with respect, even if people disagree with me." This reminds others of the need for tolerance of diversity.
Time and again, as difficult debates have unfolded in our society, I have returned to the famous incident of Jesus with a woman caught in adultery, where he says “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” (Now found at the start of John 8.) Jesus’ actions teach us three things.
Firstly, it’s good to protect those we disagree with from bullying. Jesus’ challenge to let a sinless person be the first to throw stones was pure genius. It should make religious leaders like me check our self-righteousness.
Secondly, though Jesus often said adultery was sin, he treated this woman with mercy. “Neither do I condemn you.” I hope we can all act in this compassionate and personally non-condemnatory way towards those we disagree with. Of course, the world around generally finds it easy to agree with those first two insights.
But thirdly, Jesus still challenged the woman to change her lifestyle. His example demonstrates that true love does not require us always to approve of other people’s actions or attitudes!
The Old Testament lesson set by the Prayer Book for the anniversary of the Monarch's accession was Joshua 1:1-9. At the death of an old leader, it encouraged the new leader to always keep the word of God's revelation on their lips and in their meditations, as our Queen certainly appears to have done. And it concludes with this encouragement:
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go" (Johsua 1:9).
That challenge and promise is not misplaced when it is applied to us today.
Warmly in Christ,
Sandy Grant