Laws for separation of church and state were to protect the church/religions from political control, not to exclude religion from impacting upon the state.

Religion should have no impact upon the state. People should.

Nothing has changed or will change while we use a Cnsored website to promote something only openmindedness will see altered.
What a waste of time and money.
Leave people alone to live their life.

Hi Hayden,
Interested to hear why you think there should be separation of church and state? I hear this phrase bandied around a lot, which originates from the foundation of the US, but mostly it is mis-used. Separation of church and state as a concept, particularly in its original context, was to stop politics interferring with religion, not the other way around. However, keen see your argument laid out, rather than just a cliche stated.
Ben

Your message seems contradictory. You're happy to discriminate against the church, but say the laws should protect not discriminate. If we believe that we were created from slime by a combination of random chance events and the struggle for survival, it is understandable to say that there is no higher authority and we can make our own rules.  However, if there is a loving God who planned us and gave commands for us to follow, then we must do so.  God has set forth His standards in the Bible, beginning with the foundational teaching in the book of Genesis.

You guys are right, it was originally put in place to stop the government interfering with religions. How ironic it is that it's now the other way round. Don't you love how Christians think they're being discriminated against because we don't think they should have special privileges and influence in government? Try living in Australia as a homosexual or minority race or religion. Then you will know the face of discrimination, my Christian friends. I think you will find it walks and talks just like you.

Wow! Some people take themselves so seriously... Hilarious :) Nice one Hayden. Peace out.

Hayden, i think your on the right track here for sure! I just want to live my life, my way, with my guy. I dont need the remnants of an outdated failing institution like christianity to hold me, or any australians, from freedom of choice. Afterall choice has to be a good thing right?

The law for church and state is not only to protect Christian churches. It protects ALL religious groups and organisations. Muslim, Christian, Wiccan, Jewish, Buddhist, all of them, including Jedi.

I am getting really sick and tired of the hate speech directed towards Christians on here. Yes, the Catholic church has been a huge persecutor of homosexuals, but so have most other major religions in this nation. I'm not saying that makes it right, not at all. I admit that the church on a whole has behaved atrociously. But what has been said on here of late, that's really hateful, and hurtful to those of us who are both Christians and supporters of the GBLT community.

GREAT PHOTO: And in response to some of the comments, Separation of Church and State was to stop any individual religious group from forcing their particular ideals down other peoples throats through law. Bottom line, we gays and lesbians keep our sex in the home so should people and their religion.

If you Google 100Revs, you will find an organization where 100 ministers of religion have signed an apologiy to the gay community for the way gays have been treated in churches. In many cases, gays have found their relationship with churches to be highly abusive.

It is long overdue and is great to see.

I am a retired Baptist Pastor myself.

Make no mistake, the religious right has very significant influence over politicans and the law. The anti-discrimination legislation which makes it an offence to discriminate against people on the basis of their sexual preference apllies to the whole community with one notable exception.

You guessed it, it is the churches that are exempt from that law.

wow

some of the people on here need to take a deep breath or get a hug or something

no one has discriminated against christianity or religion as far as I can see... I think this guy is simply stating that religion and laws/human rights are separate, and should be separate...

There's nothing discriminatory in what he is trying to get accross

get a grip and if you don't have something nice to say. well... you know the rest.

Amen to that Tara... Peace out... Paul

Tara, it wasn't directed specifically at this image, more some of the comments made over multiple images on this site. One image and associated comments has since been pulled down, and the whole rosaries/ovaries image still offends me.

Hear hear! Until there is conclusive evidence that the preachings of the Church / any other religion is truth, it should not have any part in determining the laws of our country, particularly those that discriminate against certain sections of society.

Well said Hayden! We are fortunate that in Australia there is (at least formally) a separation of Church and State; indeed that is why when you get married in a church you also have to sign a register, because the 'legal status' of marriage is in fact a State issue...NOT a church issue i.e. if you are married in a church and do not take the appropriate steps to have the marriage 'certified' then you are not married in the eyes of the State! What utterly confounds me then is how successive Federal Governments manage to support legislation which makes it illegal to discriminate on the basis of (amongst other things) sexuality, yet deliberately opt to do exactly that....discriminate against same sex couples to disallow them from marrying (as in legally...nothing to do with the church 'institution of marriage'). I just don't get it!

Warwick
I totally agree. I am a strong supporter of gay marriage.

David