THAT DAMN PLEBISITE

[Grazee]

I was angry to read that the same sex marriage Plebiscite was going to be held early next year. Even if it's passed being a Plebiscite doesn't make it law. What I'm concerned about is it NOT being passed. We all know the history of Australian Referendums . . . the NO vote usually wins. So does a NO vote mean that Gay Marriage will NEVER be accepted in Australia. I suspect that we , I mean we, have more to lose by this vote; even if passed it won't be legal and if rejected we will never have Gay Marriage legalized.

I don't know whether to vote YES ; vote in formal as a protest ; or just not vote at all. Anybody got some ideas??

[MsPurple]

When I was young I needed an escape from home and my anxiety. I was welcomed into a youth group. That youth group was a church that was very against gay marriage and homosexuality. I'm not going to go into details about the church, but it was a little bit cult like and I left after a while. I do consider myself a non practising christian (I believe but I don't go to church or follow the bible to a t or anything). The church I went to kinda scared me. I feel saddened that at one stage I was a little 'brainwashed' into thinking that love could be a sin. I also believe that the bible was written a long time ago and from the old testament to the new things changed. I believe that homosexuality would have not been as a sin if the bible was still being written. In saying this, it is sad to me that this conflicting feelings of homosexuality being a sin or not a sin can make it hard for someone to accept their sexuality. I have recently accepted myself for who I am, and I know God loves me no matter what.

[MsPurple]

I also forgot to add that many religions use the word marriage. So I don't fully understand why the christians solely claim it and their beliefs to stop same sex marriage

[Kazzl]

Hi MsPurple, how lovely to meet you! Yes, I agree with you. I expect other religions have a view, but they are not being vocal. What the extremists in the right wing Christian lobby don't understand (but I believe the majority of the population does) is that this is not an issue about religion or moral high ground, it's about human rights - legal rights.

And, whatever happened to that fundamental principle of our system of government - separation of church and state?

Back to my soapbox about this not being an issue just for the LGBTI community ... yesterday I signed up on Facebook to get notification of events and activities in Canberra to protest the plebiscite and support same-sex marriage. For me at least I think it's important to not just post things on social media but to turn up in person. Vote with our feet so to speak. Walk alongside our LGBTI families, friends and strangers. Love is love is love.

OK, that's my rant for today. 😄

[Grazee]

Hi Kaz . . . . I'm a 'Doubting Thomas'; until I hear from ' compassionate, peace-loving, humane Christians who worship a God of love' I'll assume there are none. Frankly the only compassionate voice is that of Tim Costello. In view of the Child Sex scandal ' Christians have lost their moral right to judge us, that is if they ever had a right to judge in the first place.

[Kazzl]

Hiya Grazee, I respect your view. And maybe I'm being optimistic 😄. But I do think they are out there (my extended family at least) but like you say, until we start hearing from them loud and clear on this issue it's easy to think the whole faith and its followers walk in step with the haters. Like I said earlier I think there's real potential for this to damage the Christian 'brand' for anyone who cares about it.

More importantly at this point in time, how are you Grazee? Hope you're OK mate.

Kaz

[Jeb_CC]

@MsPurple: Oh and fun fact, the old Testament never actually says homosexuality is bad. Only the sexual acts. People say; "But gays were stoned to death in the Bible!" Yeah... so was everyone else. XD The Old Testament should be seen as more history. What should be followed is the New Testament. So, just because Hitler decided to kill a bunch of jews doesn't mean we should do it - cause that's history. And if we read history, we will not repeat it. Times have changed and if there was a Bible V2 then everything would make a bit more sense. 🙂 But until then, we'll have to deal with people who take the Old Testament literally. >.>" Oh boy.

Back on topic though, what is actually a plebisite? lol I'm really not into politics as much as I should be, it's kinda hard to understand for me. I don't get any of it. :S I'm only good at acting like I know what I'm talking about.

[Paul]

I think we'd be in just as much trouble if we took the new testament literally as well. It's full of hate and horror as well.

[Wednesday]

Maybe we could put the ancient religious books back on the bookshelf?

Lets just use common sense, human rights, science and evidence as a guide.

Jeb
My understanding of a plebiscite is that it is an issue put to the vote which does not affect the Constitution. Governments can hold but are not bound by plebiscites to test whether people either support or oppose a proposed action.

Different to a referendum that will change the constitution.

[Jeb_CC]

@Paul: Hey, it's better than the Old Testament. XD I don't think any of it should be taken 100% literally.

@Wednesday: It's a little hard to use 'common sense' and 'human rights' because what's 'right' differs from person to person. But cheers for the info.

[MsPurple]

Yes I agree. It is about human rights and love being seen as equal regardless of the genders of the people getting married

When I was saying how the bible changed from old to new testament I was just saying that the bible changed as times changed, and I think that it would no longer be seen as a sin. It can go back on the shelf

I can't wait to see everyone marrying the person they love. I just don't understand why we need a plebiscite? Why not just vote in parliment? (don't know the techinical word for it). It is going to cost so much money that can be used in other areas such as mental health, homelessness etc. I just don't understand why a plebiscite? I maybe a little uneducated in politics but I don't understand why they can't just vote or do a public vote that would change law? (Referendum)