The greatest revision of belief within the Judaeo-Christian faiths since the Reformation is underway. It is a bruising process with skirmishes erupting regularly around the globe. Conservatives are still winning, but progressives are gaining.
Six Roman Catholic bishops in Victoria wrote to their flock last week urging them to lobby politicians with their views on same-sex marriage. This is in response to proposed legislation in the federal Parliament to extend marriage to gay couples. “A grave mistake will be made if such legislation is enacted,” the bishops warned. On 2 April, 35 other faith leaders produced a contrasting letter urging Christians and Jews to support the marriage reforms. Signatories included respected Evangelical elder statesman Rowland Croucher from Melbourne, Jewish Rabbi Shoshana Kaminsky from Adelaide and prominent clergy from the Uniting, Anglican, Apostolic Johannite, Metropolitan and other churches across Australia. These letters are significant both for Australian politics and the future of the religious bodies.
To read the pro-equality letter from 50 clergy, click here.