27th October, 2014
The Australian Christian Lobby welcomed Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten’s comments that there could be a civil debate about marriage at its annual conference in Canberra on the weekend after Mr Shorten earlier told the meeting he believes in God and in same-sex marriage.
Mr Shorten was reported in the Sydney Morning Herald as saying that he was a Christian and a supporter of marriage equality.
The ABC quoted Mr Shorten as saying that when he sees people "hiding behind the Bible to insult and demonise people on the basis of who they love, I cannot stay silent. I do not agree".
"When I hear that people allege that God tells them that marriage equality is the first step to polygamy and bigamy and bestiality, I cannot stay silent. I simply do not agree.
"These prejudices do not reflect the Christian values that I believe in. I think they paint the accusers as people who would rather judge than understand."
The ACL’s managing director Lyle Shelton said that while there was "obviously a difference in our views" on the issue, he welcomed Mr Shelton’s response in answer to a question from him that there could be a civil debate on the issue.
"Marriage is an important issue for our society’s future and we should be able to have a mature and civilised discussion that respects different viewpoints" he said in a statement issued later.
Elsewhere in his speech, Mr Shorten reportedly criticised what he described as "deep cuts" in Australia’s foreign aid budget and commended the ACL for organising Solidarity Sunday this coming weekend in which more than 500 churches will unite to pray and raise awareness of Christians suffering persecution from followers of the Islamic State in the Middle East.
– DAVID ADAMS
