Christians boycotted, bullied and bankrupted but no evidence of religious persecution
Little evidence. Primrose Riordan, The Australian, December 14:
Former Liberal MP … Philip Ruddock said there is “very little” hard evidence of discrimination based on religion in Australia.
Little evidence? Andrew Burrell, The Australian, December 2:
The Chinese government tried to block Falun Gong practitioners from taking part in Perth’s popular Christmas Pageant on Saturday night, the spiritual movement claims.
Little evidence? Joe Kelly, The Australian, November 16:
Christians are being run out of business, hounded by boycotts and bullied by activists, for adhering to their faith … (an) international wedding magazine that chose not to feature gay couples) shut down after becoming the target of an intimidation campaign … (A) Christian wedding photographer … was taken to the West Australian Equal Opportunity Commission after he agreed to photograph the children of a same-sex couple but disclosed a conflict of belief, in case they felt more comfortable hiring someone else … Martyn Iles … of the Australian Christian Lobby and a lawyer … said the two cases were “just the tip of the iceberg” … “We have had to assist in some 50 matters where people have come under legal persecution simply for what they believe,” he said.
A sign of things to come? Antonia Hoyle, Daily Mail, July 14:
Christian doctor (in UK) fired for saying people cannot “choose their gender” reveals he spoke out because he “could not live with himself” if he didn’t and claims colleagues are too frightened to back him up.
Little evidence? Frank Chung, news.com.au, September 19 last year:
A small business owner … sacked a staff member who (is a children’s party entertainer after she) came out in support of the “no” campaign in the same-sex marriage postal plebiscite …
Little evidence? Ean Higgins, The Australian, March 28 last year:
(A) gay rights activist … (is) demanding Macquarie University force one of its lecturers to renounce a Christian educational organisation (Lachlan Macquarie Institute) … Australian Christian Lobby and LMI had been granted official permission to keep their board members’ names secret … after … threats from gay activists forced IBM executive Mark Allaby to quit the LMI board.
Little evidence? Frank Chung, news.com.au, March 15 last year:
Coopers … (brewery was subjected to a) #BoycottCoopers push on social media … (because of its) involvement in an ad created by the Bible Society debating same-sex marriage.
Little evidence? Lily Mayers, ABC News, September 4 last year:
A Sydney doctor who became the subject of a petition … to be deregistered after appearing in a same-sex marriage No campaign ad … has been physically threatened.
Problem is neoliberal tests. NSW Liberal Education Minister Rob Stokes, The Sydney Morning Herald, December 14:
The problem that education systems around the country face today is … (that we are) hypnotised by the neoliberal fixation with quantification … (A test such as) PISA borrows from neoliberal economics … to quantify the value of … (an) education system.
Problem is rioting. Michael Koziol, the Herald, December 1:
Liberal MPs have attacked the “rioting” students who took a day off school to protest (against) the government’s climate change policies … “Given some of the creative spelling on display at yesterday’s (Queensland Teachers Union)-endorsed muck-up day, perhaps these children’s teachers and parents might like to refocus their attention on the three Rs, of which rioting is not one …” Senator (James) McGrath said.