Good neighbours

I do the shopping for a 94 year old woman. She was telling me how they got some new neighbours in the street. One of the other residents informed her "I think they might be lesbians." My friend replied sternly "We don't care what they are, as long as they're good neighbours".

"Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others."
Philippians 2:4

Are we being good neighbours if we don't see those in the LBGTQI community as our equal? Are we being good neighbours if we think we have the right to cast a vote in order to give them our permission to marry? Perhaps we need to think about whether we are being particularly neighbourly in our campaigns to defend or vilify what is not a personal issue for many of us.

"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor" Romans 12:10

Women didn't have the vote. America had slaves. We learnt the error of our ways and changed the tradition. Perhaps we need to do the same with marriage. If Centrelink can see them as a couple to minimise money paid to them, surely the Government can recognise their union too?

"In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 7:2

We are sitting on the wrong side of history, and as we look at the riots unfolding in America, do we really want our 'religious protections' to unleash the same here? The laws the government are looking to put in place under the guise of protections will quickly be used against Jews and Muslims too. And possibly the converse where the Muslim businesses can refuse to serve me, an uncovered non Muslim woman, should they wish, under the protection of their religion, because surely what is good for the goose is also good for the gander?

Perhaps the right thing for our government to do is to see people as people and afford them equality, and allow the religions to operate in their places of worship, but in the secular world of business and daily life, follow the tenants of loving thy neighbour?

For the record, my 94 year old friend has great neighbours.

As a postscript, after writing this, I was alerted to Father Rod's post on FB where he states more eloquently than me "In the mean time the most effective way to stand up for our own rights is to stand up for the rights of others. None of us are free until all of us are free. 

Perhaps the real debate should be around how we live as loving neighbors in unity and diversity.

Even though you may not personally believe in same sex marriage, I believe that one of the over arching themes of the gospels is justice, and all justice is social. 

Marriage Equality is an issue of justice and we can all support this issue without denying our personal faith."

Lastly, you don't have to agree with me but I will delete any comments that are rude to me, other commenters, the LBGTQI community or the Liberal Party MPs so play nice please.
Linking with #MummyMondays and #OpenSlather