Same-sex Marriage in Australia - A Postal Plebiscite? What the heck for? - Equality for All
In Australia, the lucky country, same-sex marriage is currently illegal. The reason I am writing this post is because we seem to have a government and politicians who do not want to act as elected officials. I, as a voter, want my elected official to make decisions on my behalf and do their job.
Postal Plebiscite
Currently, the government has decided to spend $122 million on a voluntary postal plebiscite to determine whether we, the people, want them to have a vote on same-sex marriage in the parliament. What a huge waste of money on something that should be the right of any human being. Who are we to decide who a person can marry? It is illegal to discriminate against another person based on their race, religion or sexuality, yet we still have archaic laws such as this that prohibit a person from choosing who they can marry.
My strong beliefs originate from my upbringing. As a young boy, growing up in Tasmania, I was exposed to very strong racist and homophobic views. There was only one Asian family at my high school and Yung was my friend. However, due to the views of families and that fact that Yung was different, he was subjected to daily bullying and tormenting from many narrow-minded people in my home town. To say I was involved in some scuffles around this would be an understatement.
I remember when it was illegal to be homosexual in Tasmania. Splashed across the news were the images of men and women being locked up for openly flaunting their sexuality, which they should be able to do. It took many years of lobbying, and pressure from the Federal government to enact change. Yet the homophobic views are still deeply embedded in many communities across the state.
It is time to remove out-dated laws.
One such law in Tasmania, still requires for your horse to be fed and a table provided should you stay overnight at a hotel in the state. To test this law, I had a friend ride his horse to the local hotel and demand they feed and house his horse for the night. Luckily for them, they were a small country pub and still had old stables out the back in which the horse could stay.
I find it very difficult, that in this day and age, where we want our children to be welcoming and kind-hearted people, that we still are debating something that should be a for-gone conclusion. If I am free to marry the person I want to spend the rest of my life with, why shouldn’t someone be able to marry a person of the same sex?
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I am a very patriotic Aussie who loves my country and everything it stands for. Unfortunately, these are the types of things that make me embarrassed to be an Australian. The fact that some homophobic and racist views within a community can scare a government into seeking the communities approval to even think about voting on same-sex marriage is unbelievable for a westernised country today. You were elected to do a job. Open the floor for a conscious vote, vote in line with the wishes of the people of your electorate and do the job you are paid for. Stop wasting the hard-earnt money of taxpayers.
Lets show the world that we have moved on from the bigoted views and policies of the past and can accept our citizens for who they are and wish to be.
Everyone has their own view about this issue. What is yours?
Thanks for reading.
It's right that gay people fear the state. (You wouldn't need a long memory)
It's also right that those not in favour of same-sex marriage fear the state.
Everyone should fear the state. It is not your friend
Pretty much every 'anti' I know is anti because they know that within a very short period, churches will start being sued for discrimination, for declining to hold gay wedding ceremonies.
Just like you tested the hotel's compliance with the law, not out of necessity, but recreationally; the attacks on non-compliant individuals and organisations will be swift and brutal.
I'm actually looking forward to it. I doubt they'll dramatically arrest pastors and reverends mid-sermon, as that would too bluntly demonstrate the violent nature of the state; but the message will be clear.
The separation of church and state is over. Comply or be shut down.
Millions of Christians will be confronted with a question.
"What's my real religion? Christianity or statism?"
It will be interesting and about time. Change is needed here and it seems that is could be on the horizon. Looking forward to seeing how it eventuates. Thanks for reading.
So you're looking forward for the state to clash with the religious people? Boy... You have no idea what you're looking forward to. If the gay community with only 2% of the population can get it's voice heard, how much more do you think the religious communities which are by far greater can get their voice heard? Sit back and watch...
Thanks for commenting. Religious communities are very strong and their voices still have a very strong influence on the policies and beliefs of many right across the world. At the moment, the strongest opponents against same sex marriage are religious-based groups due to their beliefs around the sanctity of marriage according to the Bible. It is the job of the state to support the rights of all, not just one section of the community.
I know this is a somewhat controversial issue, however, by keeping same-sex marriage illegal, we are discriminating against a portion of the population.
But when you remove God from the equation, everything becomes a matter of opinion. There will be no right or wrong in an absolute sense. Ultimately, you will fail to defend any type of right in the long-term. You may succeed in a very short period of time, but sooner or later, those who do not remove God from the equation will win again. Because their view of reality is a lot more realistic to average human beings, rightly so... because God is real and it takes a lot of effort to deny the obvious. The problem though from this kind of divide and conquer tactic that I see is being used by the elites is that ultimately a false religion or a false sense of spirituality will take over the power again, just like in the past. Because even if the religious people are part of a false religion or cult per se, and believe in a false god, they will still be able to make a better case for rights, wrongs and justice, and will therefore win the power back. Whereas those who completely remove God from the equation, won't even be able to defend the basic rights of humans, as everything will become a matter of opinion and morality will become subjective.
Thanks for contributing. I see your point and value your opinion. This post has definitely generated some interesting discussion.
Right and wrong as defined by religion is variable. Most religions have a strong belief in (a) God but depending on what religion you are may influence whether it is right to for 'an eye for an eye' or 'turn the other cheek', how liberally a woman should be ruled by her husband, and whether polygmy is acceptable. It is THE right (as opposed to simply 'right, not wrong') for people to worship (or not) as their conscious dictates, but the state shouldn't have the right to determine what is right or wrong on the basis of religion. The state does have the responsibility to determine right and wrong based on ethics (what is good or bad for the individual, community, and country).
The state shouldn't be involved in ANYONE getting married. The state should concern itself with a ceremony which isn't primarily religious. In France civil ceremonies, which are recognized by the state, are available to everyone. If someone wants a religious ceremony to make them 'one under the sight of God' they can also have a church marriage. My own opinion says that is the way to go for heterosexual and gay couples.
But you're not removing a god or religion from the state. You're giving the state a type of authority that only belongs to God. In other words, you're turning the state into a god/religion. That's a very dangerous thing to do and unfortunately you probably don't see why and how yet; one day you will see why and how, but it will probably be too little too late...
The state recognized marriage certificate is a way to keep track of people/citizens and what they owe to the state in taxes. In England it was the king's business as he was the head of the church and state. A required civil ceremony just allows the state to create a legal contract which it uses to determine it's responsibilities in family benefits from the state and what it is owed in taxes (filing taxes as a family has different rules than filing singly).
An official ceremony where two people formally declare their intention to comply with state rules regulating married couples and sign the paper doesn't replace a church ceremony. If the couple wishes to have a marriage which is recognized by God they will have the ability to do so in the church of their choice.
The state requires legal documents for many life experiences - birth and death are required to be recognized by most religions and governments. For a birth the church usually requires things like a blessing or christening and for a death a church often requires either a church or grave-side service and blessings. Is it your argument that birth and death certificates are an attempt to unseat the place of God in these life bench-marks?
Wow 122 Million just to see whether they shall make a decision about same sex marriage or not... Sounds like you got some people in place who are pretty much afraid of making a decision. Not the best while working in such a Position...
But anyways, I fully agree with you. Who do we think we are to make a decision whether someone is allowed to marry the one he or she loves? I´m totally pro same sex marriages!
Thanks for replying. It's time the church took their nose out of people's business. That is where this all stems from.
Nothing to add on this...
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Hi scooter77, do you find it right that the Google Engineer was fired?
Not sure @lucky.digger. I don't know all the facts and never believe the story pushed by the media.
Our government pollies are so worried about the right wing fringe who keep them in government and the left can't be seen to let the Libs have a win. The whole postal vote by the Brito of statistics is an expensive joke but at least this is now a happening thing after years of discussion.
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Thanks for commenting and yes its about time something is happening.
Love your work Scooter!
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