Religious Freedom Not About Special Rights

It is time to take a long hard look at the religious freedom debate and for some to stop misrepresenting what is going on.

The debate is not about giving special rights to some people or groups but to ensure there is genuine diversity in our society.

There are all sorts of religious beliefs and if we are serious about tolerance – they will be able to be aired, debated and lived out according to conscience.

We must not adopt the so-called ‘cancel culture’ starting to emerge in the US and elsewhere – where unknown elites will say whether or not you have a right to speak in public or be cancelled and de-platformed.

Our society has always allowed for a debate of views – religious or otherwise, and the legislation to be put before Federal Parliament should respect that and allow it to continue.

I’m Russell Powell for the NSW Council of Churches.