Comments on: The Australian Christian Lobby http://chester4solomon.com/posts/the-australian-christian-lobby/ The Liberty & Democracy Candidate for Solomon Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:33:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Jacques Chester for Solomon » ACL forum report http://chester4solomon.com/posts/the-australian-christian-lobby/#comment-64 Jacques Chester for Solomon » ACL forum report Wed, 21 Nov 2007 01:43:11 +0000 http://chester4solomon.com/posts/the-australian-christian-lobby/#comment-64 [...] night I went along to the forum organised by the Australian Christian Lobby. I’ve already talked about some of the questions here on the site a bit, so I will try to focus more on the evening [...] [...] night I went along to the forum organised by the Australian Christian Lobby. I’ve already talked about some of the questions here on the site a bit, so I will try to focus more on the evening [...]

]]> By: Jacques Chester http://chester4solomon.com/posts/the-australian-christian-lobby/#comment-56 Jacques Chester Tue, 13 Nov 2007 13:10:11 +0000 http://chester4solomon.com/posts/the-australian-christian-lobby/#comment-56 Good thinking, Kirk. I'll try and pitch myself that way. Good thinking, Kirk. I’ll try and pitch myself that way.

]]> By: Kirk Fletcher http://chester4solomon.com/posts/the-australian-christian-lobby/#comment-55 Kirk Fletcher Tue, 13 Nov 2007 12:12:06 +0000 http://chester4solomon.com/posts/the-australian-christian-lobby/#comment-55 </blockquote><i>It should prove to be an interesting evening, not least because I like John Humphreys will not bring much in the way of soothing words or pork-barreling. I come as a blunt libertarian for whom the role of government is very limited</i> </blockquote> On the gay marriage issue, I mentioned that we would not oppose it, but also talked about anti-vilification and sex discrimination laws. I did this NOT to soothe them or to “soften the blow” - but because I know these are real concerns that they have: they are genuinely worried that ministers might be forced to conduct gay marriages, or that christian schools will be forced to employ gays, etc… And this is where you have a chance to sell libertarianism as a philosophy - by pointing out that the real danger is in government intervention in personal decisions. Though they may like some sorts of intervention (eg, banning gay marriage), once they accept that involvement they abdicate their right to make choices for themselves - and it won’t be the only sort of intervention they receive. It’s a hard sell… but some people are open to it. It should prove to be an interesting evening, not least because I like John Humphreys will not bring much in the way of soothing words or pork-barreling. I come as a blunt libertarian for whom the role of government is very limited

On the gay marriage issue, I mentioned that we would not oppose it, but also talked about anti-vilification and sex discrimination laws. I did this NOT to soothe them or to “soften the blow” - but because I know these are real concerns that they have: they are genuinely worried that ministers might be forced to conduct gay marriages, or that christian schools will be forced to employ gays, etc…

And this is where you have a chance to sell libertarianism as a philosophy - by pointing out that the real danger is in government intervention in personal decisions. Though they may like some sorts of intervention (eg, banning gay marriage), once they accept that involvement they abdicate their right to make choices for themselves - and it won’t be the only sort of intervention they receive.

It’s a hard sell… but some people are open to it.

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