SACRIFICING PRINCIPLES?
I can remember the case of a man who worked as an eponymous Nissan dealer whom my father saw driving to work one morning in, of all things, a Ford Fairlane. I also can remember the case of a Mazda dealer who owned a Holden Commodore. Unusual? It would seem so, but it is their choice.
When I was watching last night’s Q&A, a man who was a musician asked the Leader of the Opposition in Australia if he, in his role, with Christian principles, should be sanctioned should he decline to perform at a same-sex wedding ceremony. The question that should be asked is, would he be breaking his conscience?
Well, no. Just the same as any baker, cake decorator, chauffeur or any other person, unless they have taken some sort of vow to a mind controlling cult, baking or decorating a cake, driving a limousine or performing a song is just that. They are free to practice their religion, and doing any of the above activities for a same-sex wedding is not a violation of these principles. They may be rewarded for the activity, financially, but are they sacrificing their principles? Well, no.
If a politician runs on a particular platform but receives donations from an organisation that runs contrary to that platform, such as an environmentalist who receives donations from or upon leaving office, takes up a position with a coal mining company, THAT is violating their principles.
Perhaps these Christian bakers, musicians, drivers and the like need to take a leaf out of the Nissan dealer’s book and remember that they are profiting from other people’s desires, not violating their principles.