Presbyterian Church Wants The Power To Exclude Gay Students
UPDATE: Since this article was written, a student captain at the Melbourne Grammar School has come out as gay. Daniel Cash writes about the Presbyterian church’s exclusion of LGBTQIA+ people in an opinion piece for The Sydney Morning Herald. “I see nothing particularly Christ-like in telling a child that, because of some unchangeable fact about their identity, they cannot have a recognised position of respect among their peers. To be honest, what I do see is irrationality,” says Cash. “The beauty of my generation is its widespread, gentle disinterest for sexuality… This strength in character, this security of identity, is characteristic of the best leaders, and the Presbyterian Church of Australia has a chance to demonstrate it too. Unfortunately, the current absence of such a positive and healthy outlook is harming both the place of organised religion in the modern world and the safety of adolescents.”
The Presbyterian Church Of Australia has requested the right to exclude students from leadership positions in religious schools based on their sexuality, if they are in a same-sex relationship, or engaging in pre-marital sex. The request was submitted as part of a review of anti-discrimination laws in Australia, with the church stating that such students would not be able to provide appropriate Christian leadership in a Christian school that requires modelling Christian living reports The Guardian.
Opposition By Acting Prime Minister
Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles has opposed the request, stating that leadership qualities should not be tied to sexual orientation. While acknowledging the church’s views, he emphasised the need to prevent discrimination against children. The government has committed to ensuring that religious schools cannot discriminate against students based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, or relationship status.
Presbyterian Church’s Position On Leadership And Christian Living
The Presbyterian Church runs more than 20 schools and preschools across Australia, including prestigious private schools in Sydney and Melbourne. Its submission has been made to an Australian Law Reform Commission review, which will consider how federal anti-discrimination laws apply to religious schools. The church has argued that students in same-sex relationships or engaging in pre-marital sex would not be able to provide appropriate Christian leadership in a Christian school that requires modelling Christian living.
Government’s Pledge Against Discrimination
The government has pledged to prevent discrimination against students based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, or relationship status. The government has also promised to rule out discrimination against staff on the basis of their sexuality or gender while ensuring that religious schools have the power to prefer staff of their own faith when hiring.
Former Deputy Prime Minister’s Opinion
Former Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce stated that schools should have the right to express their views publicly. Speaking to Sky News, Joyce stated that parents have the right to choose schools that align with their values. He further explained that parents invest money in schools because they share the same values and beliefs, hence schools must have the freedom to uphold their beliefs.
He also mentioned that public schools do not pose “those questions”, and there are always alternatives available.
The Australian Law Reform Commission will hand over its final report on April 21.
