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Can a Labor leopard change its spots?

By Spencer Gear - posted Thursday, 19 September 2019


(d) Christianity's and Islam's views on sexuality are radically different to Labor's.

· There is no need for Jesus to state, 'You shall not commit homosexual acts' as he promoted the biblical norm of heterosexuality: 'That's why a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife. The two will become one' (Matthew 19:5). The New Testament further emphasises the 'shameful desires' of lesbian and male homosexual acts that prevent a person from entering the kingdom of God (Rom 1:26-27; 1 Cor 6:9-11), a la Israel Folau. There was jubilation in Parliament in 2017 with the passing of the same-sex marriage Bill but that's not the way it was in the courts of heaven.

· The verses cited above also include the sexually immoral and adulterers who will not inherit God's kingdom.

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· The Muslim condemnation of homosexuality is based on the 'story of Lot (prophet Lut) and his family and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is mentioned in the Qur'an, verses 7:80, 11:77, 15:59, 21:71, 26:161, 27:55, 29:26, 37:133, and 54:33'.

That's the biblical view but not that of liberal churches such as Gosford NSW Anglican.

Labor's wishful thinking

Labor recognised the problem with people of faith. It can claim 'everything is up for review' but with the evidence above, I can't see that happening because of the ingrained left-wing, anti-biblical agenda on social issues.

Then add the hard-line, pro-abortion women in politics of Emily's List – mainly in the Labor Party.

Australian Catholic University academic, Kevin Donnelly, said he believed Labor and the Greens 'were in denial that they lost votes over religious freedom and parent's rights in education'. Morrison was seen as a rational person and 'the vast majority of people who are not politically-correct and ideologically-driven' saw his statements on 'issues such as the environment and sexuality'. Thirty percent of parents have their children in private education.

According to the 2016 National Church Life Survey, '41 per cent of church-attending Christians voted for the Liberal-National Party, and 24 per cent voted for Labor'.

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If Labor wants to re-engage with the religious, it won't happen through fake communication to gain political points. Where are the genuine Christians, Muslims and Hindus within Labor?

Patrick Parkinson noted that John Black, a former Labor senator and demographer, stated that 'Queensland has a substantial number of religiously active voters across numerous marginal constituencies. Black notes that of the top 25 seats ranked for those active in religion, 15 are in Queensland'.

So, there are enough religiously active voters to tip an election towards parties that have policies that genuinely reflect the religious view of the electorates. Labor in 2019 did not satisfy those criteria.

I'll believe Labor is serious about promoting religious values when I see more people like The Honourable Shayne Neumann MP (Labor Federal Member for Blair, Qld), an active member of Baptist Church, promoted in ALP ranks. I'm yet to be convinced their values synchronise with a biblical world view.

Christians such as firebrand Senator Amanda Stoker (Queensland) and the Honourable Fiona Simpson MP (Queensland) have been endorsed by the LNP.

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About the Author

Spencer Gear PhD (University of Pretoria, South Africa) is a retired counselling manager, independent researcher, retired minister of the The Christian & Missionary Alliance of Australia, and freelance writer living in Brisbane Qld, Australia.

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