The problem with homosexuality - Double lives and lying to Christians

While Ms. Beattie enjoyed her job, she knew being a lesbian didn't exactly fit the religious ethos of her workplace. She also knew that the longer she stayed, the harder it would get. She also lied on her application.

The turning point came soon after she became pregnant through IVF with her lesbian partner. Sadly, she miscarried; that's when she decided it was time to leave. So instead of repenting of her sin and deception and seeking grace from her Christian employer instead she chose to continue to live her immoral lifestyle and leave. 

"I couldn't turn to anyone because I knew there would be questions: What support did I have at home? Do I have a husband? That's when I realised I couldn't conceal it anymore. The whole thing really ground me down, actually. It's hard to go to work and not be able to talk about your partner, or what you're doing on the weekends. I'm a very open person, so I was embarrassed telling my friends I had to live like that. In the end, I left, because I really didn't want to keep facing that every day."

Scripture is clear that homosexuality is a sin but God's grace and forgiveness is available for those who repent, turn from their sin and enbrace Christ. 

But not all embrace Christ. Like the rich young rules - he valued his wealth above Christ. Like this woman, the Holy Spirit was convicting her of her sin, making her uncomfortable but chose to walk away and continue in her sin of lesbianis. The Apostle Paul uses lesbianism as a prime example in Romans 1 to display the depth and depravity of sin. Then he speaks next of male homosexual sex. Paul concludes that God hands them over to the full force of their sin. God lifts his hand off the person, grace is removed and they suffer the consequences of their desires. This is sad and is clearly seen in these stories. 

While Ms Beattie enjoyed her job, she knew being a lesbian didn't exactly fit the Christian based workplace. She also knew that the longer she stayed, the harder it would get. She would refuse to attend Christian events, support Christian lifestyle and morals. She chose to live a lie. 

It's the kind of conflict others have confronted many times before as they tried to find a job – or keep one – in a faith-based school, welfare agency or organisation. They lie about their immoral relationship, sexuality etc - thinking it is okay to lie about sin.

Religious bodies in Victoria have long held the legal right to refuse staff on the basis of sexuality, gender or marital status if it doesn't align with their Christian foundation truths as outlined by scripture and God. Now, the question being debated in State Parliament is this: should the law change?

Under proposed reforms introduced by the Andrews government, the ability of Christian-based organisations to discriminate would be weakened through the reinstatement of an "inherent requirement" test. 

But why is only one group being targeted? Why is one group - Christians being discriminated against? Because they are the only group that oppose the immoral homosexual, safe schools agenda of the Andrews government. Thousands of complaints from the media, parents about the rainbow ideology in schools - have been lodged with the Andrews government. But it took one complaint from one parent about scripture in school and the Andrews government banned the Bible.

Christian churches, ministries, aged care homes, schools, hospitals would still be able to discriminate against prospective employees, but only in limited circumstances in which they can prove religious beliefs are an inherent requirement of a job. For example, a gay person wanting to be a school gardener would be better protected by the proposed legislation, but a lesbian wanting to teach religious studies at a Christian school might not.

But as Martin Luther said in the 1500 Reformation, when the Catholic church stated that only priest could serve God, Martin said the milkmaid to the carpenter could use their skills for the glory of God as does every teacher, plumber, gardener at a Christian school - they see it as a ministry as unto God. 

Why is the State determining theology - what is Christian activity and what is not? Since when was the State an expert of faith? It isn't!

Faith leaders have condemned the plan, branding it as yet another attack on religious freedom. Some also make notable comparisons: that you wouldn't expect Labor to employ Liberal staffers, or a conservation group to employ a climate-change denier.

"If parents choose a faith-based education, be it Muslim or Christian, they have a right to expect that staff at that school will be advocates and role models for the religious faith of the organisation," Australian Christian Lobby spokesman Dan Flynn said.

However, others, such as the Greens and the Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby, say the proposals don't go far enough. "Religious exceptions are damaging people's lives," said Greens MP Sam Hibbins, who is seeking amendments to wind back the law even further.

"It's clear LGBTI employees at faith-based schools and organisations need to be protected by law from discrimination. If Labor's vote matches their rhetoric, they will support the Greens' amendments to strengthen their bill."

To that end, Mr Hibbins has an interesting point. With same-sex adoption, Safe Schools and a $15 million Pride Centre among Labor's many LGBTI policies, Premier Andrews has crafted an image as a progressive warrior, repeatedly citing the mantra that when it comes to gay rights, "equality is not negotiable". What a fool!