Practice what you preach

This news in the papers astounded me.

Organisations that are run by churches in Victoria are going to be allowed to discriminate against individuals based on their sexuality (homosexuals), marital status and parental status (single mothers)  as a 'compromise' for not discriminated based on age, disability, race, physical features (whatever that may be), and political beliefs.

Before I get into my rant, let me tell you about my religious standing. I was brought up Hindu and I currently consider myself to be agnostic. I have faith but I am not overly religious. But I am fascinated by religion in that how it can sometimes be the bane of humankind (my words) with all the discrimination and the religious conflicts. I don't think any religion is better than the other. There are fanatics in all religions that leave me disgusted and make me think that somewhere god is shaking his or her head and wondering what went wrong.

Anyway, this new ruling in Victoria does have it's critics although the church seems to think it's a fair decision. Here's my question: What gives them the right to judge someone based on sexuality or being a single parent? Who the fuck are these people to judge? I can't recall god saying anything along those lines. I know I've heard from some religious zealots that "It's Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve" and such crap as a justification that god is against homosexuality. But I'm willing to bet (without having read the Bible, Koran, Bhagwad Gita or any other religious scripture) that there is nothing saying that two men or two women in a relationship or an unwed mother is doomed to hell. [I am willing to be corrected here by people who have read any of these...]

The other aspect of this argument is how does one's sexuality or marital status affect the way in which one does their job? Do they think that a gay employee is going to encourage other's to 'become' homosexual? Do they think a single mother is going to influence other women to get pregnant? I mean, for fuck's sake...where is the justification for this form of discimination (or any for that matter!)

I thought religions were about tolerance and acceptance. Isn't that one of the things they try to teach? I remember learning that while growing up in Oman amongst Muslims, Hindus, Christians and Sikhs.

So what the church is doing (and other religions too) is not practising this. They are teaching people to not accept and to not tolerate those that are 'different'. A single mother might not fit the norm of a 'perfect family' but she still cares for her children and still provides for them. A homosexual couple may not be an example of a 'typical family' but they still love each other. What gives the church the right to not employ individuals that are 'different'?

It's a fucking sham.

And then they wonder whey people are losing faith.

Until next time,

Cheers!!!