Really good news does not come along all that often. When it does, we need to savour it, promote it, relish it, cherish it, celebrate it, and advertise it. There is always hope, and when good people do something (work a lot, pray a lot, etc), then real victories can and do happen.
By now most people – both supporters and opponents – would be aware that the Australian House of Representatives just hours ago voted on a bill from a Labor MP to legalise same-sex marriage. It was overwhelmingly defeated by a vote of 98 to 42.
This is a very significant victory for so many reasons, including the very wide margin of opposition to the bill. Many had thought that if the bill was defeated, it would be by a very small margin. So even though it is incredible to think that we have 42 political leaders willing to destroy marriage and family to placate activist agendas, we still had 98 who stood strong.
For those who are interested – and we all should be – you can see who voted and how they voted here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/106321292/Same-Sex-Votes
It is most revealing to see who voted for and against. For example, we have Labor MPs like Peter Garrett who claim to be Christians, yet somehow think that the Christian thing to do here is to tell God he is wrong about marriage, and that he needs to get with the times. How such people can live with their conscience baffles me. And what they say and do when they stand before their Maker will be interesting indeed. I would not want to be in their shoes then.
Then we have fakes like Oakeshott, who already conned his electorate into believing he was somehow a conservative, only to betray them and side with the lefties in Labor. He too voted for the destruction of marriage. Shame on him.
And to their credit, a number of Labor MPs voted against their own team on this. These include Gillard, Rudd, Danby, Swan, Emerson, and McClelland. The Liberals and Nationals all voted as a block, as per Tony Abbott’s instructions. The opposition leader is to be commended for standing strong here.
Rejoicing and thanks
As mentioned, such victories do not come around all that often, so the champagne corks certainly deserve to be flying here. We had a similar win back in 2004 of course with the passing of the Marriage Amendment Act. That was a terrific victory and there certainly were big celebrations going on over that win as well.
Of course that should have been the end of the matter, but the activists keep at it nonetheless. So we have had to fight this battle all over again. As Margaret Thatcher once rightly put it, “You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it.”
Quite so. But we can nonetheless take some time out to celebrate and give thanks. And I must give thanks to every single one of you who did something on this important issue. Some of you prayed, or wrote letters, or emailed MPs, or contacted Senators personally, or got on to talk-back radio, or sent in letters to the editor, and so on.
So very many of you did so much, and I applaud you and your efforts. Sure, this is a victory which is ultimately due to God and his grace, but he works through his people. So thank you so much for getting involved in this, for caring, for praying, and for acting. We could not have won without all your help.
And who knows? Maybe this victory will last for quite some time. Perhaps this is more monumental of a win than we realise. Just on Monday when I was at Parliament House, Canberra, Kevin Andrews told a group of us that he was somewhat surprised that the defeat of euthanasia back in 1997 (thanks to his private members’ bill) was still going strong.
Sure, many attempts to legalise euthanasia have been made since then, but it still remains illegal in this nation. That was a real encouraging reminder. Thanks to his efforts and the efforts of so many others, the battle over euthanasia has at least been kept in check for some 15 years now. That is great news indeed.
As I say, this is not the end of the marriage battle – not by any means. But it is a wonderful victory along the way. Thanks to all of you who prayed and worked so hard to make this happen.
A word of warning
At a time like this however there is always the danger of complacency. We can be tempted to think: “Well, we won, so it is back to business as usual. I signed a petition and sent off a quick email, and did my bit, so now I can go back into retirement mode.”
While we are all so grateful for any work you may have done here, it is not over as I already warned. Indeed, the battles continue to rage. We must not drop our guard here. The other side is certainly not going to just go away quietly now. They will be redoubling their efforts.
And so should we. We must remain alert and continue to pray and work for religious freedom, for the wellbeing of marriage and family, and so on. Not only will the activists keep pushing their destructive agenda on the Federal level, but so too on the state level. Right now four bills on homosexual marriage exist in various states and territories, with more likely on the way.
So we dare not let our guard down here.
Action
When the celebrations have died down, there is still work to be done. Not only must we be vigilant about future moves by the activists, but we have some more work to do right now. First, please contact those who voted against this bill and thank them heartily. See the list above for names, and see here for contacts: http://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Parliamentarian_Search_Results?page=1&q=&mem=1&par=-1&gen=0&ps=10&st=1
Also, contact those who voted for it, and remind them that they may be in a tenuous position come the next election! Let them know you do not appreciate how they are working to destroy marriage, and you will not forget this in upcoming elections.
And one last thing: Senator Cory Bernardi has just been forced to resign his position as opposition parliamentary secretary because he dared to speak truth on this issue. For daring to suggest that there is a real slippery slope here, all hell has broken out.
Please write and offer him your support, encouragement and prayers: senator.bernardi@aph.gov.au
And write to Tony Abbott and ask him to reinstate Bernardi: Tony.Abbott.MP@aph.gov.au
Thanks again one and all. It was a magnificent victory. All glory to God!
Well done to all those who have worked and prayed, long and hard for this.
Rose Klein
As much as i would like to celebrate, this contentious issue is still in the Tasmanian Parliament, attempting to make gay marriage a state by state thing. I’m irritated with the whole issue and wish politicians would stop the ridiculous rot and get on with more important issues. Unlikely that will happen though.
Ben Mathewson
Praise the Lord. My New Year resolution was to pray every day for the defeat of same sex “marriage”.
I still have other requests on my list. When you consider the wonderful contribution the USA has made to world Christianity, we need to pray “God bless America”. May God spare the nation another four years of Osama Obama. I trust we will be celebrating again come November.
Des Morris
FANTASTIC NEWS!! 😀 Well done to everyone who acted.
As requested I have written to Tony Abbott and Cori Bernardi. So sad he was bullied into resigning for speaking the truth. God bless you Bill 🙂
Julie Downs
What a good feeling, to know such people are in the world, fighting the good fight. This, has lifted my spirit.
Daniel Kempton
To the champagne (or lemonade) briefly and then back to prayer and activity. Great news.
David Morrison
I prayed for the sake of the children. I asked God to show mercy for the children. The children that would be taught that it was OK if they were attracted to the same sex. Because marriage of same sex is legal.
I thought of the socio-conditioning books that would be altered and the number of cases of homosexual suicide what would increase.
I am thankful to God.
Jack Jones
“All glory to God!” Amen. Those of us in the UK who face the same challenge over SSM rejoice with you at this decision, and as you say Bill, with such a good majority.
Clearly God has answered the prayers of his people.
Thanks too for the timely words of warning for the same battles are still raging elsewhere – in the USA, France and UK.
What an inspiring and heart-warming lead given by the House of Representatives. I intend to send a message to our own deceived PM David Cameron to follow the moral lead given by Australia.
Graham Wood UK
I think the most important thing that needs to happen is people – Christians especially – need to stop conceding that homosexuality is genetic, either explicitly or implicit as an assumption within conversations and other communications. This can happen very subtly, being embedded in such comments as “We need to remove inequality” or questions like “What would you do if you son was gay?” People need to highlight the ‘born that way’ assumption within and challenge it as baseless.
It seems to me that many spend time talking about points 2 to 415 down a certain track in this issue, without having established point 1. And there is little evidence to support the genetic hypothethis. It’s rather like building a tall building on a sandy beach.
And yes, as Christians I would rather not tell God He did not know what He was doing when He created male and female. Garrett has clearly given no more than 5 seconds of real thought to his position.
“Haven’t you read the Scriptures?” Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’” And he said, “‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.” – Matthew 19:4-6
It seems to me that if Jesus wanted to exclude all other paradigms other than the one which God intended, He could not have stated it more concisely. If you read it carefully you will realise other couplings such as incest are also outside God’s will. Homosexuality is just not the best for any human being. Male and female are made for each other, be glad you have a mother and father – I am – today is my birthday and it was a good birthday present from Canberra. You can be glad on your birthday too that you have life – a testimony to heterosexuality, what the human body is made for.
“Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. “Honour your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honour your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.” – Ephesians 6:1-3
Mark Rabich
Dear Bill, This is excellent news. I am wondering if there are another three Bills to be debated in Federal Parliament about same sex marriage. It makes me wonder why the Greens are wasting parliamentary time on this issue.
Regards, Franklin Wood
Excellent news!
As well as continuing prayer, my plan of action now is to be engaging other Christians more fully about their sloppy thinking and complacency on this issue.
Lauren Hughes
Well done Lauren
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
These include Gillard, Rudd, Danby, Swan, Emmerson, and McClelland.
But shame on Mr Swan, who attacked Sen Bernardi for his reporting of “creepy people” who dare to consider bestiality as OK.
So Mr Swan is not yet fully convinced of the arguments.
But the war is far, far, far from over, this was only 1 battle, a little skermish.
The press conference after was way more telling than the actual vote. there is 1 bill still in play, the greens have at least one more bill on the to read list (just after Christmas it is slated for). They stated that they have learnt from this and intend to reactivate it either in the leadup to the next election, or just after.
this is a war of atrition people, they intend to slowly wear us out and down, until we just give up and allow them to overrun us, so dig in, watch your arcs and keep ready for the next onslaught.
But on the up side, they were soooooo very very very angry at the press conference, and angry people make mistakes, so lets hope they become enraged to the point of blindness.
If your not taking flak, your not over the target. enjoy the flak everyone.
Neil Waldron.
G’day Bill,
Couldn’t help noticing that as at 12.09 am, the Sydney Morning Herald didn’t have a report on the decision on it’s website. Many hours later. Speechless? Or they just couldn’t bear to report the news as it was.
Andrew Campbell
With God, a majority. Thank you God that the majority won.
Lets keep standing for marriage, One man with One wife for LIFE.
Judith Bond
Fantastic outcome, I was beginning to doubt it would happen, but so thankful to God and those people who worked and prayed hard… yes go Lauren, we desperately need this! thank you.
Liz Gee
Thanks for writing this Bill.
These are the kinds of issues that aren’t discussed in church. If anything, reading your blog has reminded me not to be complacent in my prayer life.
Scott McPhee
I have just logged onto the web site Bill gave listing the names of the politicians and how they voted. Then I scrolled down to read the comments on the vote. Oh dear, and they call us bigots etc for opposing SSM.
If you want to know what hate speech looks like, have a read of the responses.
Madge Fahy
Thanks guys
And yet even more terrific news! The Australian Senate has just voted on homosexual marriage with another big defeat! Both votes were supposed to be cliff-hangers, yet both were massive wins.
Here is how it all went:
HoR 98 no 42 yes
Sen 41 no 26 yes
Total 139 no 68 yes
A huge win indeed. Many thanks for all your prayers, all your hard work, and all your concern. It has all paid off big time here. Glory to God.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
You call yourselves Christians??? I am ashamed to be associated with each and every one of you!!!! Love is love, no matter what race or sexual preference. I was raised Catholic, I still believe in my faith but, I am divorced and I have used contraception, 2 things that I was taught would send me straight to hell but times have changed. You all need to wake up and smell the coffee!! Times have changed and the “laws” of Christianity need to move with the times. I have several gay friends that have been in relationships that have lasted longer than most heterosexual relationships but that doesn’t count with you people does it…Wake up Australia, you just have to realise that some people were BORN THAT WAY!!!!!
Elaine Healy
Thanks Elaine
But all you have done here is tell us that you most certainly do not ‘believe in my faith’. You have rejected the faith entirely, and instead have swallowed hook, line and sinker the world’s passing fashions instead. Biblical love has to do with obeying God’s commandments, not rejecting them. Biblical love has to do with submitting to God’s truth, not rejecting it.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
Elaine, as a Catholic, I can assure you that you do not believe in your faith. Your faith requires obedience not just to God and Holy Scripture, but also to the teaching of the Church. You are well entitled to your views, however they most certainly do NOT represent the Catholic faith.
Debbie Garratt
Sorry Elaine but as a practicing Catholic I have to disagree with you. I am happy to follow the teachings and tradition of the Church. I am also happy to pick up my cross daily whatever it may be. Give me God over Caesar any day.
On the issue of being ‘born that way’ sorry but you are also wrong on that issue. Look at the real studies and you will find that no one is born homosexual.
Madge Fahy
Elaine, generalising about homosexual and heterosexual relationships really makes you like kind of silly and emotional, with no real basis for your argument. I have been married to my husband for 44 years and in my circles that is not at all unusual. From newlyweds to couples married 70 years and more this is the norm. I think you need to get out more. I’m afraid I have to admit I don’t know any homosexual relationships of that length, commitment, durability and faithfulness.
God’s word never changes, it is immutable and it is us who must change, not the bible. Pity you don’t understand more about this amazing God and His word or you would know that using contraception and divorce do not send you to hell, only rejecting Jesus Christ and His word does that.
Sandy Anderson
Elaine, you can’t pick and choose what you’d like Catholicism to be. The Church still teaches and always will teach that divorce and contraception are wrong, even if you don’t think so, even if the whole world doesn’t think so.
Homosexual acts don’t let anyone have the true lasting happiness they deserve, that is why it is wrong. It is also why we can’t let it go, because the Church cares too much for these people, we can’t stand by and watch them make themselves miserable when they’re think they’re chasing happiness.
Monica Lubgans
Elaine,
“BORN THAT WAY”? Hmmm. Thanks for shouting, it makes the point so much more truthful. In the meantime, please explain to me how anyone can be BORN (ie. via heterosexual behavior) into inherently infertile sexual behavior that precludes passing the gene on for precluding passing the gene on. But, yeah, homosexuality is genetic, sure.
If that makes sense to you, I have a bridge for you I’m selling cheap. Looks like a coathanger near prime real estate. Good for fireworks on New Years Eve too.
But seriously, how did we ever get into a situation where people actually believe this? It’s like they’re trying to claim electrical insulation tape is an excellent conductor.
Mark Rabich
Elaine we indeed live in strange times, nominal Catholics indulge the thought they know more about faith and morals than the Magisterium of the Catholic Church, an institution charged by God to be stewards over what he promised ‘the gates of Hell will not prevail over’. Nominal Catholics even allow themselves the temptation to treat themselves as supreme Pontiff, as the true successor to Peter, the Rock, refusing the knowledge that it conveniently eliminates the tension between faith and the world Jesus said was would always be experienced by his disciples. But this was how He could be yeast, salt, light in the world – through us. Those who would not be these things were to be “if salt loses its saltiness . . . it is thrown out and trampled underfoot” “vomited out of his mouth”.
As a Catholic I have much more in common with Bill and Biblical Christians than your kind of self professed Catholicism. Anyone may call themselves a Christian of any kind but “can they prove it”.
Today, in times of very great increase in the intensification of the ‘yes’ and ‘no’ for Christ, proof clearly comes in the form of the rejection of the expansion of the state into marriage and elite self donation of god-like powers over areas of life they are supposed to honour and respect – not do as Power does in every generation – claim dominion over whatever it can.
P.s. God is love. And he revealed who He is in Christ. I’m going with His teaching on this, you can try your luck with therapeutic elites, but have the courage of your convictions and don’t pretend your apostasy is anything but what it is.
God have mercy on all of us.
Martin Snigg
Bill, we rejoice with you for this legislative integrity.
Our God has answered prayer and honoured multiple representations. I commended Corey Bernardi for his stand for bible truth; that the Lord will honour him though his party has demoted him. God honors integrity.
I pleaded with Tony Abbott to honor one of his team for standing for the Word of God as in Deuteronomy 23 and Romans 1 as in the latter part. The Bible uses the term ‘sodomites’, delicately avoided in the debate.
Current God-defying authors progress from same sex to bestiality, which incurs God’s wrath, in the punishment by death of man and beast.
From my medical practice, I encountered one (now deceased) who had sexual union (peris-rectum) with cattle. In bitter tears, he loathed himself, saw his depravity, repented, serving God faithfully the remainder of his days.
I told Mr Abbott that a HIV virus from animal stock would be more devastating than the present HIV from human same-sex activity. Spiritual bankruptcy leads to economic ruin.
Sir, our nation in deeply indebted to you.
Harrold Steward, Christian Family Bible Studies
In the next round, we need to point out to those who want SSM that it is contravening the constitution which says that the government cannot deny a person the freedom to express their religion.
Bearing in mind that the pink gaystapo will stop at nothing to force SSM ceremonies on churches and ministers, the law will take away that freedom and be unconstitutional.
I intend writing to all those who voted for the Bill and point it out to them.
Well done to all those who have worked and prayed, long and hard for this.
Rose Klein
As much as i would like to celebrate, this contentious issue is still in the Tasmanian Parliament, attempting to make gay marriage a state by state thing. I’m irritated with the whole issue and wish politicians would stop the ridiculous rot and get on with more important issues. Unlikely that will happen though.
Ben Mathewson
Praise the Lord. My New Year resolution was to pray every day for the defeat of same sex “marriage”.
I still have other requests on my list. When you consider the wonderful contribution the USA has made to world Christianity, we need to pray “God bless America”. May God spare the nation another four years of Osama Obama. I trust we will be celebrating again come November.
Des Morris
FANTASTIC NEWS!! 😀 Well done to everyone who acted.
As requested I have written to Tony Abbott and Cori Bernardi. So sad he was bullied into resigning for speaking the truth. God bless you Bill 🙂
Julie Downs
What a good feeling, to know such people are in the world, fighting the good fight. This, has lifted my spirit.
Daniel Kempton
To the champagne (or lemonade) briefly and then back to prayer and activity. Great news.
David Morrison
I prayed for the sake of the children. I asked God to show mercy for the children. The children that would be taught that it was OK if they were attracted to the same sex. Because marriage of same sex is legal.
I thought of the socio-conditioning books that would be altered and the number of cases of homosexual suicide what would increase.
I am thankful to God.
Jack Jones
“All glory to God!” Amen. Those of us in the UK who face the same challenge over SSM rejoice with you at this decision, and as you say Bill, with such a good majority.
Clearly God has answered the prayers of his people.
Thanks too for the timely words of warning for the same battles are still raging elsewhere – in the USA, France and UK.
What an inspiring and heart-warming lead given by the House of Representatives. I intend to send a message to our own deceived PM David Cameron to follow the moral lead given by Australia.
Graham Wood UK
I think the most important thing that needs to happen is people – Christians especially – need to stop conceding that homosexuality is genetic, either explicitly or implicit as an assumption within conversations and other communications. This can happen very subtly, being embedded in such comments as “We need to remove inequality” or questions like “What would you do if you son was gay?” People need to highlight the ‘born that way’ assumption within and challenge it as baseless.
It seems to me that many spend time talking about points 2 to 415 down a certain track in this issue, without having established point 1. And there is little evidence to support the genetic hypothethis. It’s rather like building a tall building on a sandy beach.
And yes, as Christians I would rather not tell God He did not know what He was doing when He created male and female. Garrett has clearly given no more than 5 seconds of real thought to his position.
“Haven’t you read the Scriptures?” Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’” And he said, “‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.” – Matthew 19:4-6
It seems to me that if Jesus wanted to exclude all other paradigms other than the one which God intended, He could not have stated it more concisely. If you read it carefully you will realise other couplings such as incest are also outside God’s will. Homosexuality is just not the best for any human being. Male and female are made for each other, be glad you have a mother and father – I am – today is my birthday and it was a good birthday present from Canberra. You can be glad on your birthday too that you have life – a testimony to heterosexuality, what the human body is made for.
“Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. “Honour your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honour your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.” – Ephesians 6:1-3
Mark Rabich
Dear Bill, This is excellent news. I am wondering if there are another three Bills to be debated in Federal Parliament about same sex marriage. It makes me wonder why the Greens are wasting parliamentary time on this issue.
Regards, Franklin Wood
Excellent news!
As well as continuing prayer, my plan of action now is to be engaging other Christians more fully about their sloppy thinking and complacency on this issue.
Lauren Hughes
Well done Lauren
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
But shame on Mr Swan, who attacked Sen Bernardi for his reporting of “creepy people” who dare to consider bestiality as OK.
So Mr Swan is not yet fully convinced of the arguments.
Beware of the flaky ones!
John Angelico
I wrote a defence of Bernardi here:
https://billmuehlenberg.com/2012/09/19/in-defence-of-cory-bernardi/
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
This win was awesome.
But the war is far, far, far from over, this was only 1 battle, a little skermish.
The press conference after was way more telling than the actual vote. there is 1 bill still in play, the greens have at least one more bill on the to read list (just after Christmas it is slated for). They stated that they have learnt from this and intend to reactivate it either in the leadup to the next election, or just after.
this is a war of atrition people, they intend to slowly wear us out and down, until we just give up and allow them to overrun us, so dig in, watch your arcs and keep ready for the next onslaught.
But on the up side, they were soooooo very very very angry at the press conference, and angry people make mistakes, so lets hope they become enraged to the point of blindness.
If your not taking flak, your not over the target. enjoy the flak everyone.
Neil Waldron.
G’day Bill,
Couldn’t help noticing that as at 12.09 am, the Sydney Morning Herald didn’t have a report on the decision on it’s website. Many hours later. Speechless? Or they just couldn’t bear to report the news as it was.
Andrew Campbell
With God, a majority. Thank you God that the majority won.
Lets keep standing for marriage, One man with One wife for LIFE.
Judith Bond
Fantastic outcome, I was beginning to doubt it would happen, but so thankful to God and those people who worked and prayed hard… yes go Lauren, we desperately need this! thank you.
Liz Gee
Thanks for writing this Bill.
These are the kinds of issues that aren’t discussed in church. If anything, reading your blog has reminded me not to be complacent in my prayer life.
Scott McPhee
I have just logged onto the web site Bill gave listing the names of the politicians and how they voted. Then I scrolled down to read the comments on the vote. Oh dear, and they call us bigots etc for opposing SSM.
If you want to know what hate speech looks like, have a read of the responses.
Madge Fahy
Thanks guys
And yet even more terrific news! The Australian Senate has just voted on homosexual marriage with another big defeat! Both votes were supposed to be cliff-hangers, yet both were massive wins.
Here is how it all went:
HoR 98 no 42 yes
Sen 41 no 26 yes
Total 139 no 68 yes
A huge win indeed. Many thanks for all your prayers, all your hard work, and all your concern. It has all paid off big time here. Glory to God.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
You call yourselves Christians??? I am ashamed to be associated with each and every one of you!!!! Love is love, no matter what race or sexual preference. I was raised Catholic, I still believe in my faith but, I am divorced and I have used contraception, 2 things that I was taught would send me straight to hell but times have changed. You all need to wake up and smell the coffee!! Times have changed and the “laws” of Christianity need to move with the times. I have several gay friends that have been in relationships that have lasted longer than most heterosexual relationships but that doesn’t count with you people does it…Wake up Australia, you just have to realise that some people were BORN THAT WAY!!!!!
Elaine Healy
Thanks Elaine
But all you have done here is tell us that you most certainly do not ‘believe in my faith’. You have rejected the faith entirely, and instead have swallowed hook, line and sinker the world’s passing fashions instead. Biblical love has to do with obeying God’s commandments, not rejecting them. Biblical love has to do with submitting to God’s truth, not rejecting it.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
Elaine, as a Catholic, I can assure you that you do not believe in your faith. Your faith requires obedience not just to God and Holy Scripture, but also to the teaching of the Church. You are well entitled to your views, however they most certainly do NOT represent the Catholic faith.
Debbie Garratt
Sorry Elaine but as a practicing Catholic I have to disagree with you. I am happy to follow the teachings and tradition of the Church. I am also happy to pick up my cross daily whatever it may be. Give me God over Caesar any day.
On the issue of being ‘born that way’ sorry but you are also wrong on that issue. Look at the real studies and you will find that no one is born homosexual.
Madge Fahy
Elaine, generalising about homosexual and heterosexual relationships really makes you like kind of silly and emotional, with no real basis for your argument. I have been married to my husband for 44 years and in my circles that is not at all unusual. From newlyweds to couples married 70 years and more this is the norm. I think you need to get out more. I’m afraid I have to admit I don’t know any homosexual relationships of that length, commitment, durability and faithfulness.
God’s word never changes, it is immutable and it is us who must change, not the bible. Pity you don’t understand more about this amazing God and His word or you would know that using contraception and divorce do not send you to hell, only rejecting Jesus Christ and His word does that.
Sandy Anderson
Elaine, you can’t pick and choose what you’d like Catholicism to be. The Church still teaches and always will teach that divorce and contraception are wrong, even if you don’t think so, even if the whole world doesn’t think so.
Homosexual acts don’t let anyone have the true lasting happiness they deserve, that is why it is wrong. It is also why we can’t let it go, because the Church cares too much for these people, we can’t stand by and watch them make themselves miserable when they’re think they’re chasing happiness.
Monica Lubgans
Elaine,
“BORN THAT WAY”? Hmmm. Thanks for shouting, it makes the point so much more truthful. In the meantime, please explain to me how anyone can be BORN (ie. via heterosexual behavior) into inherently infertile sexual behavior that precludes passing the gene on for precluding passing the gene on. But, yeah, homosexuality is genetic, sure.
If that makes sense to you, I have a bridge for you I’m selling cheap. Looks like a coathanger near prime real estate. Good for fireworks on New Years Eve too.
But seriously, how did we ever get into a situation where people actually believe this? It’s like they’re trying to claim electrical insulation tape is an excellent conductor.
Mark Rabich
Elaine we indeed live in strange times, nominal Catholics indulge the thought they know more about faith and morals than the Magisterium of the Catholic Church, an institution charged by God to be stewards over what he promised ‘the gates of Hell will not prevail over’. Nominal Catholics even allow themselves the temptation to treat themselves as supreme Pontiff, as the true successor to Peter, the Rock, refusing the knowledge that it conveniently eliminates the tension between faith and the world Jesus said was would always be experienced by his disciples. But this was how He could be yeast, salt, light in the world – through us. Those who would not be these things were to be “if salt loses its saltiness . . . it is thrown out and trampled underfoot” “vomited out of his mouth”.
As a Catholic I have much more in common with Bill and Biblical Christians than your kind of self professed Catholicism. Anyone may call themselves a Christian of any kind but “can they prove it”.
Today, in times of very great increase in the intensification of the ‘yes’ and ‘no’ for Christ, proof clearly comes in the form of the rejection of the expansion of the state into marriage and elite self donation of god-like powers over areas of life they are supposed to honour and respect – not do as Power does in every generation – claim dominion over whatever it can.
P.s. God is love. And he revealed who He is in Christ. I’m going with His teaching on this, you can try your luck with therapeutic elites, but have the courage of your convictions and don’t pretend your apostasy is anything but what it is.
God have mercy on all of us.
Martin Snigg
Bill, we rejoice with you for this legislative integrity.
Our God has answered prayer and honoured multiple representations. I commended Corey Bernardi for his stand for bible truth; that the Lord will honour him though his party has demoted him. God honors integrity.
I pleaded with Tony Abbott to honor one of his team for standing for the Word of God as in Deuteronomy 23 and Romans 1 as in the latter part. The Bible uses the term ‘sodomites’, delicately avoided in the debate.
Current God-defying authors progress from same sex to bestiality, which incurs God’s wrath, in the punishment by death of man and beast.
From my medical practice, I encountered one (now deceased) who had sexual union (peris-rectum) with cattle. In bitter tears, he loathed himself, saw his depravity, repented, serving God faithfully the remainder of his days.
I told Mr Abbott that a HIV virus from animal stock would be more devastating than the present HIV from human same-sex activity. Spiritual bankruptcy leads to economic ruin.
Sir, our nation in deeply indebted to you.
Harrold Steward, Christian Family Bible Studies
In the next round, we need to point out to those who want SSM that it is contravening the constitution which says that the government cannot deny a person the freedom to express their religion.
Bearing in mind that the pink gaystapo will stop at nothing to force SSM ceremonies on churches and ministers, the law will take away that freedom and be unconstitutional.
I intend writing to all those who voted for the Bill and point it out to them.
Roger Marks