This Is Our Time to Stand

You did not sign this petition because you hate anyone.

You signed it because you love Jesus Christ.

You signed it because you believe Christianity deserves the same respect as every other faith in Australia.

This campaign has never been about removing LGBTQ spaces. It has never been about denying anyone their rights. It has always been about defending what we hold sacred.

Over the past few weeks we have witnessed a performer dressed as a pig distributing hot chips while referring to them as the Body of Christ. We have seen "Unholy Water" sold as alcohol. We have seen men dressed as nuns, lesbian nuns portrayed as entertainment, an LGBTQ version of the Last Supper, and Christian crosses placed beneath the heels of shoes to be walked upon.

For Christians, these are not jokes.

They are sacred.

Yet when thousands of Christians peacefully object, we are mocked, vilified and labelled homophobic, transphobic, far-right and extremists simply for having a voice.

That is not equality.

That is not democracy.

That is CHRISTPHOBIA.

We are not asking for special treatment.

We are asking for the same respect that every other faith rightly expects.

The campaign against Christianity is not slowing down.

Supporters of Divine Playhouse are organising a protest this Saturday in Hyde Park. They are actively searching for a new venue to continue these performances. They are also encouraging one-star reviews against Revelop, the company that made a commercial decision regarding its property.

Our response must be different.

Do not respond with hatred.

Do not respond with abuse.

Do not respond with intimidation.

We are Christians.

Stand beside Revelop by showing them encouragement, respect and gratitude. If you have had a genuine experience with them, consider leaving an honest review or sending them a message of support.         Revelop google review

Let them know they are not standing alone.

We must also continue writing respectfully to our Members of Parliament.

We must continue writing to our bishops, asking them to lead us.

We must continue praying.

We must continue speaking the truth with charity.

We are all sinners.

None of us stands above another. Christ calls us to love even those who persecute us and to pray for those who mock us. That does not mean remaining silent. It means responding with courage, humility and love.

In last Sunday's Gospel reading, Jesus spoke of the wheat and the weeds growing together until the harvest. He did not tell us to become the weeds. He called us to remain faithful.

Read it here  - Sunday reading

That is our calling today.

We may not have the support of much of the media.

We may not have the support of politicians.

We are still waiting for many of our Church leaders to publicly stand beside the thousands of faithful Catholics who have peacefully defended their faith.

But we have each other.

And above all, we have Christ.

So let us continue.

Keep praying.

Keep writing.

Keep witnessing.

Keep standing peacefully for the truth.

Not because we hate those who oppose us, but because we love the One they are mocking.