Court ruling attacks free speech: Christian Lobby
The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) has attacked an Australian Press Council adjudication that found a Herald Sun column by former tennis champion-turned-pastor Margaret Court was “very probably inaccurate and potentially dangerous”.
Court claimed homosexuality was “a choice” in the editorial and said that Australian society was on a steep moral decline in relation to sexuality.
In a media release today, ACL managing director Jim Wallace called the Press Council’s decision “a dangerous precedent against free speech” and claimed Court never made a factual assertion about homosexuality, she was merely stating her belief.
“This is clearly not a factual assertion, as the Press Council wrongly ruled,” Wallace said.
“It is a sad day for free speech in Australian when the Press Council upholds vexatious complaints, one of which was from a known homosexual activist, that are clearly designed to inhibit free speech.”
Wallace then claimed that the belief that homosexuality was a choice was in fact held by many in the scientific community, and that the Press Council did not have the qualifications to determine that Court’s views were incorrect.
“Margaret Court’s view, which is shared by ACL and prominent scientists and sociologists, is entirely reasonable and uncontroversial,” he said.
“There is no scientific proof for a ‘gay gene’.”
Dave, I agree Margaret Court is one of the Great Oppressors, as is the federal government. That’s why I didn’t pay my Penalty Notices when they fell due on Monday.
what have u learned, its your comment that leaves alot to be desired. Margaret Court is one of the Great Oppressors. Get a clue will you.
Heterosexuals deny homosexuality is biological because it excludes them from ever experiencing it.
Here we go again… the old ‘hate speech’ argument. Personally I fully agree with Margaret Court. She has lovingly dealt with and helped many gays whose lives are tormented and oppressed…people who have come to the church for help. Honestly, some of the comments on here leave a lot to be desired.
Rudeboy needs therapy.
Michael C, so profoundly and tastefully put! lol
Margaret Court did indeed make a factual assertion. And it was wrong. Moreover, it was specifically stated as a justification for a comment relating to the moral decline of society in the area of sexuality.
And the Australian Christian Lobby supported her, and stated that scolding her for her erroneous assertion due to the negative effects that it would have on society was a curtailing of free speech.
The right to freedom of speech is not and can never be absolute; those speaking must be held to account for their words where these create a negative effect on society. This is why we have criminal charges such as ‘incitement to riot” as a part of our criminal code; because people who believe that they can say anything without consequence start wars.
The Australian Christian Lobby claims to believe in freedom of speech when it is convenient for them, but is one of the first to condemn the free speech of the gay community when it launches an advertising campaign calling for acceptance or even tolerance of gay members of society. Their approach is hypocritical, and therefore not worthy of consideration.
Further, in a country that advocates separation of church and State, the mere existence of a lobby group for a religious organisation or group of such organisations is a statement that they are unwilling to accept the standards to which our society holds itself. As such, they have no place in our society and thus should, in my opinion, be disbanded under law.
Morality is not sex or sexuality. It’s not about colour or religion, it’s not even about being controversial. It’s about how we treat each other, plain and simple.
Love, honesty, respect, consideration. That’s morality.
And the question is not whether scientists have found a ‘gay gene’. The question is, “Why are they looking for one?”
And there you are; I just exercised my freedom of speech. And I feel I have done so morally.
If being gay is a choice how come I automatically get a huge hard-on when I see a hot man? And when I see a hot woman? Well, nothing really. Margaret and Jim , you should try telling my cock its a choice, then show me a couple of good looking dudes getting it on. The truth is in the great big stiffie. Its simple really.
I read Margaret Court’s article and my memory is that she was making a factual assertion about homosexuality, not merely stating her belief.
And her factual assertion is wrong, so the Press Council are to be commended.
“There is no scientific proof for a ‘gay gene’.”
Well of course there isn’t a ‘gay gene.’ Homosexuality is far too complex a trait to be governed by a single gene; indeed, it seems probable that it isn’t entirely genetically determined, but rather governed by a complex interaction of genetic predispositions and environmental influences. What we know for certain is that homosexuals do not experience any sense of choice in determining their sexuality, any more than heterosexuals ‘choose’ to be attracted to the opposite sex.
Also, it must be said that freedom of expression is not an absolute right; hate speech, incitement to violence and discrimination, for example, are not protected forms of expression. As such, the ruling was entirely appropriate. So, as per usual, Jim Wallace is flatly wrong on all counts.
It’s all part and parcel of worshipping a false Messiah.
Under this ruling I guess it now means its illegal to state things like “we create our own reality” then?
All religions are affected by this ruling, not just Christians. Very concerning.
So if I state a belief about myself, that I choose to be straight, is that also illegal under this moronic, unscientific and free-speech killing ruling.
I chose my sexuality. So there.
You can tell when the “right” starts loosing the battle. You can tell cos they squeal like little pigs.
Move over old man no one cares about your “opinions” anymore.
Does Jim Wallace’s support for free speech extend to a student at a christian school declaring their support for equal rights for gays and lesbians?
One part of me is very despondent that the likes of Jim and Margaret seem beyond any sort or reason or help; the other is very angry that their bigoted opinions even get an airing in the press. Its great that Australia has bodies such as the Press Council to keep minimum standards of decency and rationality.
Why do we keep giving this man a public voice? He doesn’t represent anybody but his own hate-filled agenda. He does not speak for the christians in Australia.
And apart from anything else, he’s wrong – there is plenty of scientific evidence that sexuality is determined physiologically and has absolutely nothing to do with choice. Did he choose to be straight (assuming he is)?
And what difference does it make even if it is a choice?
The ACL cult might live by hate thy neighbour, but the majority of Christians simply do not support them.
Poor Jim. Doesn’t like the same medicine dished out to him and his flock.
Just another school yard holy bully whose punching bag has been taken away.