Awaken the Giant

By MARK EDWARDS

It is said that after the surprise Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour on December 7th, 1942 Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, who planned the attack, reportedly wrote in his diary, “I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve.” He was of course referring to the United States of America and the fact that this giant was sleeping in terms of being involved in World War 2. However, the might and power of this giant would now be mobilised into action and there would be no stopping it’s resoluteness.

I am not suggesting that what I am about to communicate is in any way likened to a war. Yet I do wonder if, in terms of the state of religious freedom in this nation, the Church is a sleeping giant and what will it take to awaken it with some resolve?

Freedom of religion is one of four interrelated freedoms without which, society cannot be truly be regarded as free. The others are freedom of conscience, freedom of speech and freedom of association. Religious freedom is the right of all persons to believe, speak, and act – individually and in community with others, in private and in public – in accord with their religious beliefs. This sacred and ancient right is an essential pillar of a free democratic society.

Is it reasonable to say that religious freedom in our nation is being diminished? If it is, will the sleeping giant of the Church be awakening to do anything about it?

In early 2022, prior to the last Federal election, the Religious Discrimination Bill went before the Parliament. After proceeding through the House of Representatives, with amendments, it was withdrawn from the Senate.

Since then, the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC), based on three terms of Reference from the Federal Attorney General, primarily relating to religious discrimination in faith-based educational institutions, produced a Consultation Paper. This Paper was quite a disappointment and in some ways a shock. Without going into all the details, the huge concern is the ALRC is recommending that faith based schools will not be able to preference the employment of staff, based on the values and ethos of the educational institution. I would have thought that if this recommendation is accepted by the Government, this would be a diminishment of religious freedom in our nation.

What can the Church do about this? What can you do about this?

At the National Conference, we will be launching a strategy which will include a Freedom of Religion Sunday on May 7, 2023. The strategy needs you to be involved. This is not a time for passivity or for a false belief that someone else will get involved.

Don’t ask the question, ‘Am I really needed?’ All of us must engage Government in relation to this issue. Many of you, like myself, do not have a Christian School attached to the church nor perhaps did you send your children to a Christian School. There is a principle here that is worth defending. Faith-based schools must have the right to employ teachers who agree with the ethos of the school. Would the ALP employ a member of the LNP or the Greens in any capacity? There is no way a company would employ a CEO if that individual didn’t believe and accept the ethos and values of that company.

This is a principle that must demand your attention and involvement. So let’s awaken the giant. After the strategy has been outlined at the National Conference, fill yourself with resolve and be engaged.

Fire is contagious. A small flame can start a major blaze.