AP

The Australian Christian Freedom IndexA significant event occurred in the parliament in Canberra today (Thursday 28^th May). It was not broadcast live on the ABC. I doubt that you will read much, if anything, about it in the secular press. However, it is still significant. (you can see the details here https://www.youtube.com/live/xMhXyzc2ts0)

The Australian Christian Freedom Index was launched as an audit of Christian freedom in Australia, looking at the pressures on Christian belief, practice, and public witness.   It was launched by the Canberra Declaration under the leadership of Kurt Mahlburg, along with the Australian Christian Lobby, Family Voice Australia, the Australian Family Coalition, CitizenGo Australia, and the Human Rights Law Alliance.   It is a report full of personal testimonies and evidence.  One astonishing fact is that 74 acts have been passed in the past 25 years restricting Christian freedoms – half of them in the past five years.

Why does all of this matter? Australia is broadly free and democratic, yet in a quirk of its constitution, Australian law does not have a specific law which forbids religious discrimination.  The report itself, or rather the index itself, is a fascinating read. It is well-produced, well-written, well-researched, and well-argued. I would certainly recommend every Christian leader to get hold of it. One of the most encouraging aspects of it for me is that this is a continual project which will be updated every year.

Glenn Davies, the former Archbishop of Sydney, sums it up well:

“The inaugural Australian Christian Freedom Index deserves a wide readership, especially among parliamentarians and religious leaders. Despite its title, it is not sectarian, but carefully analyses the erosion of freedoms in our country over forty years or more. Like the frog in the pot, most Australians are not aware of the diminution of religious freedom, but this careful and comprehensive analysis provides ample evidence that we must speak up against this demise in our country, “humbly relying on the blessing of Almighty God”, which our Constitution implores us to do. “

Let’s think about these erosions of freedom. I know that there are far too many within the church who will consider this to be just yet another example of right-wing conspiracy theorists going mad. But Davies’ comment about the frog in the pot is absolutely spot on. We need to be aware of how this happens, and we need to ensure that the Presbyterian Church, or indeed any church, is not complicit in this diminution of religious freedom.

So how does this work? Let me just give you some personal examples I have come across in this country. First of all, there is the discrimination that occurs within work.  I think of the young lawyers who do not want to be open about their faith at work because this may lead to hindrances to their careers in their particular firm. They are reluctant to speak out about Christian things, even when invited to do so. I think of the Christians who have been refused the opportunity to serve in a political capacity because those who vet candidates deem them to be too socially conservative. I think of the journalist who was told that there could be no appearance on a particular broadcast because staff and producers were horrified at the refusal to support same-sex marriage. That is what I would call indirect discrimination.  The report documents that healthcare and education are particularly restrictive areas.

But there is also a far more seditious and authoritarian restriction on Christian freedom. I recall speaking at a Christian event in Victoria, where I was told by some of the young people present that they thought I was incredibly brave because we are not allowed to say such things in Victoria. The use of ‘hate speech’ legislation as a category to exclude biblical teaching is a particularly devious form of restriction.

I think of the Christian teacher who told me that he believed a couple of his pupils were being sent to try to get him to say things in order that he would be suspended from his job.  Even within the church this fear of saying something that would offend modern sensibilities can be restrictive.   I was once asked by a child at a Sunday school Q and A about whether boys can become girls.  The teachers looked horrified as I answered.  We don’t talk about these things.  

And how is the church complicit in this? When we allow the state to be seen as our moral guide, when we regard the standards of the state as above the authority of the scriptures, when in the name of love, we do what the state demands without thinking about what it is really asking for.

Sometimes the government doesn’t need to put shackles on Christian churches, charities, and media organizations. They don’t need to do it because we do it ourselves. I have lost count of the number of times I have been told that you cannot say that or that you cannot say that in that way.

in my native country of Scotland, I recall being asked by the church to write a report on transgender. And yet because the denomination’s college were scared that they might lose government accreditation, that report was in effect disowned. If churches and Christian organisations are reliant on government accreditation and government funding, then those same churches, even though they speak about the freedom of religion, are much more inclined to follow government diktats, even if these are not explicit.  When the government says ‘jump’ the churches are often far too quick to respond: ‘How high?’ 

We need to be very careful that we do not think that we are preserving future freedom by giving up what we consider to be minor ones today. And we need to make sure that we continue to fight for genuine freedom of religion, and the right to proclaim the word of God within our churches and communities, and on our media. In this respect the Australian Christian Freedom Index is a helpful and encouraging tool, a gift to the church. May we use it.

David Robertson