Two initiatives by the Freedom For Faith (FFF)think tank make it easy for Christians to get involved in the upcoming – not-sure-quite-when – federal election.
“As I write, over 70 churches are planning to hold a candidate forum for their electorate, with more conversations in progress,” Mike Southon, executive director of FFF, reports. “At these forums, candidates will be asked the important questions about religious freedom and other issues of concern to Christians.
FFF have hit the ground running, well prepared for when the election is called – wit candidates’ corflute signs already up in many places.
The first candidate forum will be held at St Nicholas Church, Goulburn on Sunday 23 March, 6:00pm
Goulburn is in the Eden Monaro electorate which is often regarded as a bell-weather seat.
Other forums that are coming up soon include:
- City on a Hill Geelong (Corio and Corangamite) – 1 April, 7pm
- Orange Evangelical Church (Calare) – 2 April, 7:30pm
“We are on track to have forums in half of the nation’s electorates – including almost every marginal seat.” Baptist, Presbyterian, City on a Hill, Apostolic and Anglican churches are hosting events along with some Christian Schools, and in places like Rockhampton, an interchurch committee.
FFF has a handy guide to these fora at https://meetyourcandidates.org.au.
A second initiative is a petition that issues a board call for religious freedom.
Dear Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton,
We the under-signed are calling on you, the Prime Minister, and you the Leader of the Opposition, to publicly commit to protecting:
- The individual rights of religious freedom, expression and conscience, and the right for parents to raise their children in accordance with their faith.
- The positive right for faith-based organisations – including churches, charities and schools – to operate according to their faith. This includes employing staff and volunteers who believe and live out their faith.
If you wish to sign the petition, go to https://freedomforfaith.org.au/petition/