An appalling pro homosexual decision has been made by the NSW Discrimination Tribunal against the church in Australia
The Uniting Church in Australia (NSW) has been told by the NSW Administrative Decisions Tribunal that its foster care agencies, including Wesley Dalmar Child and Family Care’, against whom the original case was brought, cannot refuse to accept homosexuals as foster carers.
Wesley Dalmar (Part of Wesley Mission) has been ordered to pay $5,000 to EACH of the two homosexuals who brought the case against them for not accepting them as foster carers.
Wesley Dalmar has also been ordered to “review its policy on homosexual foster carers and take all necessary steps to eliminate unlawful discrimination on the ground of homosexuality in the facilitation and provision of its foster care services”
Despite the fact that the NSW Anti Discrimination Act has exceptions for religious bodies, and these were claimed by Wesley/UCS, the Judges found that they were irrelevant.
Why did the exceptions not hold up?
- Because the UCA is divided on the issue of homosexuality the Judges hearing this case decided that the decision to ban homosexuals as foster carers IS NOT DOCTRINE.
- They noted that other UCA agencies already allowed homosexuals to be foster carers!
- Sadly, they also correctly stated that there is no consensus of ‘doctrine’ about homosexuality in the wider Christian Church!!!
This appalling decision, made by the NSW Tribunal, is itself blatantly discriminatory
It is saying that the long held religious beliefs and traditions are less important than the lifestyle choices of two men and that they felt “hurt and embarrassed”! It also discriminates against the best interests of children.
In many ways this decision is the Christian churches own fault because it has moved away from Biblical truth. This decision shows just how far this nation has moved towards calling evil good and good evil.
There are many issues of great concern we need to draw out from this decision and over the next few days we will review it in detail. Initial analysis shows that;
· Some of the findings create precedents that have far reaching ramifications for the whole Christian Church in Australia.
· This case decision shows how tenuous any exemptions/exceptions to bad law are.
· IF YOUR CHURCH is part of a denomination with even the slightest element of ‘liberal’ thinking – IT MAY BE TIME TO GET OUT!!
· If your CHURCH does not have a stated Biblical position of ‘doctrine’ relating to homosexuality – agreed to by all your members - that could also place your Church in jeopardy.
We urge the Uniting Church and Wesley Mission to appeal against this discriminatory decision.
Mr Peter Stokes
Co Founder & Executive Officer
SALT SHAKERS
PO Box 6049, Wantirna, Victoria, 3152
Ph (03) 9800 2855
Mobile: 0413 084 146
Email: peter@saltshakers.org.au
Web: www.saltshakers.org.au |
