Media going to extremes

Antony Ault (Letters, “Christians not being given a fair go”, September 9-15) raises for me an important point about how the media reports the views of Christians on issues being debated or considered in the public domain. I think the reporting by the media on many important issues is lazy and sloppy because they seek comment from groups (usually only one group) that purport to represent the Christian view. These groups tend to present an ultra-conservative view, which as a Christian I do not wish to be associated with. I have a large number of friends who come from different church backgrounds and who, like me, despair at the views put forward as the official Christian view. The question of same-sex marriage is a good example. I disagree strongly with the view put forward by Antony Ault. His case for a “No” vote, like some others putting a “Christian” viewpoint, is based on passages from the Old Testament, which are interesting but irrelevant. If the argument is based on Old Testament teaching then all of the Old Testament must be given equal weight.

For example the Old Testament indicates that it’s an abomination to eat shellfish or to be in the presence of a menstruating woman. How ridiculous. The teaching of Jesus (the basis of the Christian religion) is contained in the New Testament. Jesus was clear that we should not discriminate against any person or any group. This is a matter of the right to marry. I and the people from my parish will be voting “Yes”.

– Doug Limbrick, Phillip, ACT