Your Handy Neighbourhood Guide to Bigots and Homophobes

Want to know where the bigots and homophobes are in your local area?

Well, thanks to the efforts of the Australian Christian Lobby, we now have a handy guide. Aren’t those folks at the ACL just peachy?

If you want to know who doesn’t give a flying fuck about high rates of gay youth suicide. If you want to know who fails to support the concept that all Australians should have equal rights. Or, if you just want to know whether making a donation to your local church is likely to result in a national boycott of your organisation [a la Gloria Jean's Coffee or America's Chick-Fil-A], look no further! Here’s a list of 19 of Australia’s denominational leaders and 267 other church leaders who have urged the Parliament to protect the Marriage Act so that marriage and all the benefits which flow from it are only available to couples of different genders:

• Pastor Wayne Alcorn, National President, AUSTRALIAN CHRISTIAN CHURCHES
• The Most Reverend Peter Jensen, Archbishop of the Diocese of Sydney, ANGLICAN CHURCH OF AUSTRALIA
• Pastor Tim Jack, National Leader, APOSTOLIC CHURCH AUSTRALIA
• Pastor David McDonald, National Chairman, CHRISTIAN OUTREACH CENTRE AUSTRALIA
• His Eminence Cardinal George Pell AC, Archbishop of Sydney, CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY
• Pastor Mark Connor, Senior Minister, CITYLIFE CHURCH
• Reverend Dr Margaret Court, Senior Pastor, VICTORY LIFE CENTRE INCORPORATED
• Very Rev Dr Michael Protopopov OAM, Australian & New Zealand Diocese, RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OUTSIDE RUSSIA
• Pastor Bill Vasilakis, National Chairman, CRC CHURCHES INTERNATIONAL
• The Right Reverend David Jones, Moderator General, PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF AUSTRALIA
• His Grace Bishop Suriel, Diocese of Melbourne & Affiliated Regions, COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH
• Very Reverend Father Tadros El-Bakhoumi, Diocese of Sydney & Affiliation Regions, COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH
• Commissioner James Condon, Territorial Commander, THE SALVATION ARMY EASTERN TERRITORY
• Commissioner Raymond Finger, Territorial Commander, THE SALVATION ARMY SOUTHERN TERRITORY
• Pastor Ken Vogel, General Secretary, Australian Union Conference, SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
• Pastor Graham Nelson, Senior Minister, LIFE MINISTRY CENTRE
• The Most Reverend Denis Hart, President, AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC BISHOPS CONFERENCE
• Reverend Keith Jobberns, National Ministries Director, AUSTRALIAN BAPTIST MINISTRIES, BAPTIST UNION OF AUSTRALIA

Church Leaders:

• Reverend Father Abram Abdelmalek, Parish Priest, HEAD OF THE COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH OF WA
• Pastor Gloria J Alcock, NORTHERN HIGHLANDS CHRISTIAN OUTREACH CHURCH
• Senior Elder Barry K Alcock, NORTHERN HIGHLANDS CHRISTIAN OUTREACH CHURCH
• Pastor Andrew Allinson, Associate Pastor, NORTH PINE BAPTIST CHURCH, MURRUMBA DOWNS
• Pastor Faamanuia Aloalii, HOSANNA LOGAN CITY CHURCH
• Pastor Ruta Aloalii, HOSANNA LOGAN CITY CHURCH
• Pastor David Alston, LIVING HOPE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP, A FOURSQUARE GOSPEL CHURCH
• Pastor Craig Anderson, Senior Pastor, PLENTY VALLEY CHURCH
• Reverend Matthew Anstey, GOLD COAST CHRISTIAN FAMILY
• Pastor Keith Applegate, KENMORE BAPTIST CHURCH
• Pastor Andrew Appleton, LOGAN CITY BAPTIST CHURCH
• Reverend Father Matthew Attia, ST GEORGE CHURCH KENSINGTON, NSW
• Pastor Ray Baker, CROSSWATER CHURCH
• Anne Baker, CROSSWATER CHURCH
• Reverend Father Paula Elkomos Balamon, POPE SHENOUDA COPTIC CENTRE, LONG POINT NSW
• Reverend Peter Barber, ST ANDREWS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH TOWNSVILLE (PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF AUSTRALIAN IN QLD)
• Pastor Russell Barker, ROCKY CAPE FAMILY CHURCH, APOSTOLIC CHURCH AUSTRALIA
• Pastors John and Jenny Barnes, HOUSE OF THE ROCK CHURCH, GISBORNE
• Reverend Father Arsanious Barsoum, THE APOSTLE & ST ABANOUB CHURCH, BLACKTOWN NSW
• Reverend Father Youhanna Bastawrous, ST MARY & ST MERCURIOUS CHURCH, RHODES NSW
• Reverend Jay Beatty, CHUWAR BAPTIST CHURCH
• Pastor Barry Benz, GATTON CHURCH OF CHRIST
• Pastors Brian and Annette Bernays, C3 CHURCH TAMWORTH
• Pastor Lorenzo Berry, HERVEY BAY & MARYBOROUGH SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCHES
• Reverend Stuart Bonnington, SCOTS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, FREMANTLE
• Pastors Paul and Trischa Botha, ONE CHURCH PERTH, MERRIWA WA
• Reverend Noel Bowditch, Rector, THE ANGLICAN PARISH OF BURNIE
• Pastors Mark and Rina Bowhay, CHRISTIAN OUTREACH CENTRE
• Father Anastasios Bozikis, GREEK ORTHODOX COMMUNITY OF ST GEORGE, BRISBANE
• Pastor B.E. Bramblet, FELLOWSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH QLD
• Reverend Andrew J Bray, Immediate Past Moderator PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF VICTORIA & Interim Moderator, PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH GEELONG
• Captain Dale Brooks, Corps Officer, Northside Corps, THE SALVATION ARMY AUSTRALIA EASTERN TERRITORY
• Pastors Roger and Linda Brown, MORNING STAR MINISTRIES, QLD
• Pastor Philip Brown, PORT CITY CHURCH
• Elder Ken Bruce, COC BASSENDEAN
• Reverend Tony Burgum, FERNTREE GULLY BAPTIST CHURCH
• Reverend Philip Burns, BENDIGO PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
• Pastor Gordon Busse, CALOUNDRA CITYLIFE BAPTIST CHURCH
• Pastor Cameron Butcher, UNITED PENTECOSTAL CHURCH, BALLARAT
• Reverend David Butterfield, JIMBOOMBA BAPTIST CHURCH
• Pastor Murray Campbell, Lead Pastor, MENTONE BAPTIST CHURCH
• Pastor Mike Cardy, LIGHTHOUSE COMMUNITY CHURCH, LANCELIN
• Reverend Greg Carle, KANGAROO FLAT BAPTIST CHURCH, VIC
• Pastor Bruce Chant, Executive Pastor, ONE CHURCH PERTH, MERRIWA WA
• Pastor Geoff Charles, SPRINGWOOD CHURCH OF CHRIST
• Pastors Charmayne and Steven Chinnery, SIGNS MINISTRIES
• Pastor Steve Christian, TOOWOOMBA NORTH CHURCH OF CHRIST
• Pastor Malcolm Clard, MERREDIN CHURCH OF CHRIST
• Pastor Josh Cocks, BEAUDESERT BAPTIST CHURCH
• Pastor Greg Coleman, Associate Pastor, DESTINY CHURCH, CABOOLTURE
• Pastor Dean Comeford, GYMPIE COMMUNITY CHURCH
• Reverend Kerry Connell, Executive Pastor, SOUTH BANK BAPTIS CHURCH
• Pastor Peter Constantine, RIVERCITY FAMILY CHURCH
• Pastor Ken Conwell, BEENLEIGH & DISTRICT BAPTIST CHURCH, QLD
• Pastor Tim Cooper, LIFEHOUSE CHURCH, MAITLAND
• Pastor Andrew Corbett, LAGANA CHRISTIAN CHURCH
• Pastor Dermot Cottuli, Tasmanian State President, AUSTRALIAN CHRISTIAN CHURCHES (ACC)
• Reverend Warren Crank, NORTHREACH BAPTIST CHURCH, TOWNSVILLE
• Pastor Mike Cronin, Australian Missions Director, CRC CHURCH INTERNATIONAL
• Pastor Daron Crothers, C2C Minister, LIFESTREAMS CHRISTIAN CHURCH, SOUTH PERTH
• Pastor Greg Cumming, KING’S CHRISTIAN CENTRE, GOLD COAST
• Pastor Shayne Cunningham, COASTWIDE CHURCH, GOLD COAST
• Pastor Millin Curtis, CONNECT CHURCH CABOOLTURE, CHRISTIAN OUTREACH CENTRE
• Pastors Nigel and Margaret Darch, THE LIFE CENTRE CHURCH, BROADBEACH, GOLD COAST, QLD
• Pastor Paul Dare, MUNDUBBERA BAPTIST CHURCH
• Reverend Michael Dasey, GUNGAHLIN ANGLICAN CHURCH
• Thomas Davenport, National Leader, DADS IN FAMILIES FOUNDATION
• Reverend Dr Max Davidson, MALYON COLLEGE
• Pastor Fred Davis, ACACIA RIDGE CHURCH OF CHRIST
• Pastor Kevan Denny, SUNNYBANK CHURCH OF CHRIST
• Reverend Father Mina Diskoros, ST. ABRAM CHURCH MACQUARIE FIELDS, NSW
• Reverend Bruce Docker, ANNERLEY CHURCH OF CHRIST
• Pastor Chris Downes SILVERDALE CHURCH OF CHRIST
• Reverend Jonathan Downs, Assistant Pastor, CALVARY CHAPEL UNITED PENTECOSTAL CHURCH, CANBERRA ACT
• Pastor John W Downs, General Superintendent, UNITED PENTECOSTAL CHURCH OF AUSTRALIA
• Reverend Dr Mark Durie, Vicar, ST MARY’S ANGLICAN CHURCH, CAULFIELD VIC
• Reverend Tim Dyer, KILSYTH SOUTH BAPTIST CHURCH
• Pastor Bill Eckersley, DALBY BAPTIST CHURCH
• Pastor Barry Edwards, LONGREACH BAPTIST CHURCH
• Very Reverend Father Augustinos El-Antony, ST. ABU NOFER CHURCH, BLACKTOWN NSW
• Reverend Father Misael El-Antony, ST. MARY & ST. SIDHOM BESHAY CHURCH, DURAL NSW
• Reverend Father Stephanos El-Antony, ST. MOSES THE MIGHTY & ST’S MAXIMOUS & DOMADIOS CHURCH, GOULBURN NSW
• Reverend Father Moussa El-Antony, ST. MINA & ST. JOSEPH CHURCH, COOPERS PLAINS QLD
• Reverend Rowan Evans, Associate Pastor, CITY TABERNACLE BAPTIST, QLD
• Pastor Karl Faase, GYMEA BAPTIST CHURCH
• Reverend Christian Fandrich, REDEEMER EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, TOOWOOMBA
• Pastor George Ferguson, WATER OF LIFE CHRISTIAN CHURCH, MOUNT ISA QLD
• Reverend Geoff Findlay, WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, BELCONNEN
• Pastor Dom Fiocco, WODEN VALLEY BIBLE CHURCH
• Reverend Peter Francis, CITY TABERNACLE BAPTIST, QLD
• Pastor Peter Frogley, GINNINDERRA CHRISTIAN CHURCH, ACT
• Pastors Steve and Grace Fuhrmann, GOOD NEWS CHURCH, BUNBURY
• Reverend Father Hanna Gad, ST. DEMIANA & ST. ATHANSIOS CHURCH, PUNCHBOWL NSW
• Reverend Father Basilios Gad, ST. PAUL & ST. REWAIS CHURCH, COLAROY NSW
• Reverend Dr Chris Ganter, ROCKHAMPTON BAPTIST TABERNACLE
• Pastor Steven Gellatly, MURGON DISTRICT BAPTIST CHURCH
• Pastor Larry Gibb, CHURCH OF CHRIST, KALGOORLIE WA
• Pastors Paul and Robyn Glazbrook, COVENANT FAMILY CHURCH, SA
• Pastor Garth Grant, MONTMORENCY COMMUNITY CHURCH
• Reverend Father Abdelmessieh Guirgis, ST. MARY & ST. BAKHOMIOS CHURCH, KIRRAWEE NSW
• Reverend Geoff Haase, CHRISTIAN LIFE CENTRE
• Very Reverend Father Pavlos Hanna, ST. ABANOUB CHURCH, BLACKTOWN NSW
• Pastor David Helyar, State President, AUSTRALIAN CHRISTIAN CHURCH, ASSEMBLIES OF GOD IN SA
• Pastor Barry Henderson, TOWNSVILLE PENTECOSTAL CHURCH INC.
• Pastor Damien Heres, DREAMBUILDERS CHURCH, SMITHTON
• Pastor V.L. Hinds, TAMAR VALLEY CHRISTIAN CHURCH
• Reverend Paul Horton, HERITAGE OF FAITH CHRISTIAN CHURCH, GOLD COAST
• Reverend Tracy Horton, HERITAGE OF FAITH CHRISTIAN CHURCH, GOLD COAST
• Pastor Patrick Humberston, CORNERSTONE CHURCH
• Reverend Matt Hunt, CROSSLIFE BAPTIST CHURCH, HELENSVALE QLD
• Pastor John Hunt, State President, AUSTRALIAN CHRISTIAN CHURCH THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD, QLD/NT
• Reverend Father Athanasios Ibrahim, ST. MARY & ST. COSMAN & DEMIAN CHURCH, HARRIS PARK NSW
• Pastor Adrian Iles, AGNES WATER BAPTIST CHURCH
• Dr Paul Inglis, UNITING CHURCH COMMUNITY MINISTER, QLD
• Reverend Rob Isaachsen, Founder, TRANSFORMING MELBOURNE
• Reverend Father Jonathan Ishak, ST. MARK CHURCH, ARNCLIFFE NSW
• Very Reverend Father Rafael Iskander, ST. GEORGE CHURCH, KENSINGTON NSW
• Pastor Paul Jackson, PARK RIDGE BAPTIST CHURCH
• Pastor Lance Jackson JP, GLEN INNES PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
• Pastor Debra Jenkins, APOSTOLIC PENTECOSTAL FAITH CHURCH
• Pastor Royree Jensen, RIVER OF LIFE CITY CHURCH
• Pastor Stephen Jobe, M CITY CHURCH, MARYBOROUGH QLD
• Pastor Roy John Johnston, NCCC
• Reverend Kim L Jones, LIBERTY FAMILY CHURCH, GOSFORD NSW
• Elder Norman Kalagayan, JESUS IS LORD CHURCH, CANBERRA
• Very Reverend Father Antonios Kaldas, ARCHANGEL MICHAEL & ST. BISHOY CHURCH, MT. DRUITT NSW
• Reverend Charles Kennedy, ULVERSTONE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
• Peter Kentley, Convenor, RIVER OF LIFE CONFERENCE
• Very Reverend Father Macros Khela, ST. GEORGE CHURCH, KENSINGTON NSW
• Rueben Kositsin, SLAVIC EVANGELICAL FULL GOSPEL CHURCH OF TASMANIA
• Pastor Candance Lahr, ONE CHURCH PERTH, MERRIWA WA
• Reverend Grant Lawry, CANTERBURY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
• Reverend Clinton Le Page, DONVALE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
• Reverend Murray Lean, CITY NORTH BAPTIST CHURCH
• Dr Morris Lee, GATEWAY BAPTIST CHURCH
• Reverend Gary Lockyer, KNOX COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH
• Reverend Dr David Loder, General Superintendent, QUEENSLAND BAPTISTS
• Reverend Albert Loder, BUNDABERG BAPTIST CHURCH
• Reverend Dr David Logan, ARMIDALE COMMUNITY CHURCH
• Pastor Wayne Lyons, HIGH STREET CHURCH, QUEANBEYAN
• The Ven Peter MacPherson, Archdeacon of Box Hill, Senior Minister, ST. ALFRED’S BLACKBURN NORTH
• Very Reverend Father Yacoub Magdy, ST. MARK CHURCH, ARNCLIFFE NSW
• Reverend Father David Mahrous, VIRGIN MARY CHURCH, CALAMVALE QLD
• Pastor Slawomir Malarek, EDENS LANDING SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
• Reverend Allan Male, CHURCH OF CHRIST, BOONDALL QLD
• Very Reverend Father Luke Malik, ST. MARY & ST. MARINA CHURCH, PENRITH NSW
• Reverend Father Shenouda Mansour, ST. ANTHONY & ST. PAUL CHURCH, GUILDFORD NSW
• Pastor Eric Marquez, JESUS IS LORD, CANBERRA
• Pastor Ed Marshall, MOORE PARK BAPTIST CHURCH
• Pastor Jenny Marshall, MOORE PARK BAPTIST CHURCH
• Reverend Russell Matthews, Associate Pastor, WINDSOR ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH
• Colonel Wayne Maxwell, Chief Secretary, THE SALVATION ARMY, AUSTRALIAN EASTERN TERRITORY
• Reverend Dr Edgar Mayer, LIVING GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH, TOOWOOMBA
• Pastor David McAllan, ECHUCA COMMUNITY CHURCH
• Pastor Stuart McClelland, President, FULL GOSPEL CHURCHES OF AUSTRALIA
• Pastor Garry McDonald, METRO CHURCH
• Reverend Ian McIver, CALOUNDRA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF AUSTRALIA
• Pastor John McMartin, State President, AUSTRALIAN CHRISTIAN CHURCHES
• THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD IN NSW
• Lewis C McMaster, Director, EMMANUEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS & MINISTRIES INC.
• Pastor Tim McMenamin, SANCTUARY PARK CHURCH OF CHRIST, NAMBOUR
• Pastor Sandy McMillan, ST. AIDAN’S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, WAGGA WAGGA
• Reverend Frank Meijer, FAITHPOINT, SHELLHARBOUR NSW
• Very Reverend Father Michael Michael, ST. MARY & ST. MINA CHURCH, BEXLEY NSW
• Pastors Gary and Gloria Middleton, HOLYROUND MINISTRIES, WA
• Alexander Minchenko, SLAVIC PENTECOSTAL CHURCH, SYNDEY NSW
• Pastor Don Modarelli, NORTHERN BEACHES PENTECOSTAL CHURCH, BEACON HILL NSW
• Pastor Duncan Moody, NORTH PINE BAPTIST CHURCH, MURRUMBA DOWNS
• Pastor Rod Morris, ST. STEPHEN’S ANGLICAN CHURCH, GREYTHORN NORTH BALWYN
• Reverend Vivian Morse, WYNYARD BAPTIST CHURCH, TASMANIA
• Pastor Lyall Muller, GLADSTONE CHURCH OF CHRIST
• Reverend Gary Mulquiney, KAMBAH ANGLICAN CHURCH
• Reverend Father Augustinos Nada, ST. MARK CHURCH, ARNCLIFFE NSW
• Reverend Father George Nakhil, ST. DEMIANA & ST. ATHANASIOUS CHURCH, PUNCHBOWL NSW
• Leonid Nehoroshev, SLAVIC PENTECOSTAL CHURCH, GOLD COAST QLD
• Dr Haydn Nelson, RIVERVIEW CHURCH, PERTH
• Pastor Larry Nelson, GOSPEL BAPTIST CHURCH, WANNEROO WA
• Reverend Doug Newman, ST. PAUL’S, SPENCE ACT
• Pastor Wayne Nichols, HARVEST CHRISTIAN CENTRE & GRACE CHRISTIAN CENTRE
• Pastor Jenny Nixon, KINGAROY CHURCH OF CHRIST
• Pastor Steve Nixon, KINGAROY CHURCH OF CHRIST
• Pastor Rob Nyhuis, SOUTH EASTERN CHRISTIAN CENTRE
• Pastor Jonathan Oastler, CITILIFE CHURCH TOOWOOMBA (CHRISTIAN OUTREACH CENTRE)
• Reverend David O’Brien, WAVERLEY BAPTIST CHURCH, VIC
• Pastor Maurie O’Connell, HOUSE OF GOD CHURCH, JERRABOMBERRA
• Pastor Eddie Olsen, TUMUT VALLEY CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
• Pastors Tim and Sharon O’Neill, Senior Leaders, NEW DIRECTIONS, LAUNCESTON TAS
• Pastor Mark Oommen, VICTORY LIFE CHURCH, BROOME
• Pastor Phil Oster, GINNINDERRA CHRISTIAN CHURCH, ACT
• Pastor David Palmer, BELIEVE CHURCH, QLD
• Reverend Neil Pattemore, FAIRFIELD CHRISTIAN FAMILY
• Pastor Ruth Peckman, TOOWOOMBA COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH
• Minister Greg Peisley, PITT TOWN ANGLICAN COMMUNITY CHURCH
• Pastor Geoff Pengilly, NORTH BELCONNEN BAPTIST
• Pastor Randy Perkins, NORTHPOINTE BAPTIST CHURCH, GUNGAHLIN ACT
• Reverend Stewart Pieper, GLADSTONE BAPTIST CHURCH
• Pastor Peter Pilt, Senior Pastor, COC, NOWRA NSW
• Pastor Andy Pitt, ONE CHURCH PERTH, MERRIWA WA
• Pastor Matt Prater, NEW HOPE BRISBANE
• Pastor Stuart Quarterman, Campus Pastor, CROSSLIFE BAPTIST CHURCH, HELENSVALE QLD
• Father Peter B Quin, ST. IGNATIUS PARISH, TOOWONG
• Very Reverend Father Georgious Ramandious, ST. GORGE & PRINCE TADROS CHURCH, LIVERPOOL NSW
• Reverend Dr Andrew Reid, Lead Pastor, HOLY TRINITY ANGLICAN CHURCH, VIC
• Reverend Steve Roberts, ALBION PARK ANGLICAN CHURCH
• Reverend Brian Robertson, CORAL COAST CHRISTIAN CHURCH, A BAPTIST CHURCH FAMILY
• Reverend David Rock, CHURCH BY THE BAY, PORTARLINGTON
• Pastor Steve Rodda, HORNSBY BAPTIST CHURCH
• Reverend Bob Rogers, STAFFORD HEIGHTS BAPTIST CHURCH, QLD
• Pastor Len Rossow, GENESIS CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES
• Pastor Moa Sailor, UNITED PENTECOSTAL CHURCH, BEULAH CHURCH
• Very Reverend Father Tadros Samaan, ST. ANTHONY & ST. PAUL CHURCH, GUILFORD NSW
• Reverend Ashley Saunders, IPSWICH BAPTIST CHURCH
• Pastor Richard Schoenmaker, MT EVELYN CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH
• Pastor Darryl Schwarz, SPIRIT SONG CHURCH, HORSHAM VIC
• Reverend Father James Sculy, THE FOUR INCORPOREAL CREATURES CHURCH, NINGI QLD
• Reverend Craig Semple, PHILLIP ISLAND BAPTIST CHURCH
• Reverend Graeme R Semple, MOOLAP BAPTIST CHURCH
• Pastor Ian Shelton, TOOWOOMBA CITY CHURCH
• Pastor Malcolm Shooter, DUBBO CHRISTIAN OUTREACH CENTRE & GILGANDRA CHRISTIAN OUTREACH CENTRE
• Reverend Ian Slack, HERITAGE OF FAITH CHRISTIAN CHURCH, GOLD COAST
• Reverend Diane Slack, HERITAGE OF FAITH CHRISTIAN CHURCH, GOLD COAST
• Pastor Gifford Smith, WITHCOTT CHURCH OF CHRIST
• Very Reverend Father Moussa Soliman, ST. ABRAM CHURCH, PEAKHURST NSW
• Pastor Victor Soo, REACH COMMUNITY CHURCH
• Pastor Treverendor Springate, CHRISTIAN VICTORY CENTRE, WARWICK QLD
• Pastor Jenny Spyve, RIVERS COMMUNITY CHURCH
• Pastor Sean Stanton, CANBERRA CHRISTIAN LIFE CENTRE, ACT
• Pastor Dale Stephenson, CROSSWAY BAPTIST CHURCH
• Reverend Keith Stevenson, HERVEY BAY BAPTIST CHURCH
• Pastor Don Stewart, BUNDAMBA & SPRINGFIELD OASIS CHURCH OF CHRIST
• Pastor Ron Stocks, CALOUNDRA CHURCH OF CHRIST
• Reverend Peter Sweetman, BRIDGEMAN BAPTIST COMMUNITY CHURCH
• Gregory Tarasenko, SLAVIC PENTECOSTAL CHURCH, ORANGE NSW
• Pastor Carneliu Telegaru, RISING SUN INTERNATIONAL, CHURCHES OF CHRIST IN QLD
• Reverend Stephen Thomas, STANLEY RIVER VALLEY COMMUNITY CHURCH
• Reverend Peter M Thompson, VISION CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
• Church Elder Bruce Thomson, TUGGERANONG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, ACT
• Reverend Peter Tuchyna, UNITED PENTECOSTAL CHURCH OF AUSTRALIA INC. IN ACT
• Pastor Richard Utber, NOWRA BAPTIST CHURCH
• Reverend Russell van Delden, ARUNDEL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
• Reverend Nico Van deVenter, HERITAGE OF FAITH CHRISTIAN CHURCH, GOLD COAST
• Reverend Marcel Van deVenter, HERITAGE OF FAITH CHRISTIAN CHURCH, GOLD COAST
• Ivan Vinaev, SLAVIC PENTECOSTAL CHURCH, ADELAIDE SA
• Pastor Trevor B Vinnell, SOUTHLAKES CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP INC.
• Pastor Glen Vonhoff, CHURCH OF CHRIST, MURGON
• Very Reverend Father Samuel Wadie, ST. MARY CHURCH, BEXLEY NSW
• Reverend Father Mattaous Wahba, ST. MINA & ST. ANTHONY CHURCH, HELENSVALE QLD
• Pastor Myles Waldron, MACKAY CHURCH OF CHRIST
• Reverend Neil Walthew, Rector, ST. PETER’S ANGLICAN CHURCH, WANNEROO
• Pastor Simon Ward, ARANA HILLS CHURCH OF CHRIST
• Pastor Keith Ware, BYFORD BAPTIST CHURCH
• Pastor Neil Warner, THE CHURCH OF CHRIST, BURLEIGH HEADS, GOLD COAST QLD
• Pastor John Warwick, WA ACC STATE PRESIDENT
• Reverend Father Yastos Wasef, ST. MARY & ST. JOHN CHURCH, WAGGA WAGGA NSW
• Martin Weatherston, Authorised Marriage Celebrant, ZEBULUN HOME FELLOWSHIPS, WA
• Reverend John Westendrop, Moderator, CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCHES OF AUSTRALIA
• Reverend Geoff Westlake, CHEERS NEIGHBOURS NETWORK
• Pastor Graham Wheat, COOMERA CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY
• Pastor Rodney Whitford, WESTERN PORT CHRISTIAN FAMILY CHURCH, TYABB VIC
• Pastor Bruce Wilding, WONDAI BAPTIST CHURCH
• Pastor Nathanael Wood, SEAVIEW CHURCH
• Pastor Anthony Woodward, CANNON HILL BAPTIST CHURCH
• Pastor Martin Woodward, SOUTHERNLIFE CHURCH INC. NSW
• David Worboys, Warden, ST. MARTIN’S ANGLICAN CHURCH, NSW
• Pastor David Wright, CAIRNS FAMILY CHURCH, CRC CHURCHES INTERNATIONAL
• Hank Wurtz, HATERITE (CS: ??? Hutterite, surely!) CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY, DETENTION RIVER TAS
• Very Reverend Father Bishoy Yassa, ST. MARY & ST. ABU SEFEIN CHURCH, CONCORD NSW
• Reverend Father Gabriel Yassa, ARCHANGEL MICHAEL CHURCH, MT. DRUITT NSW
• Pastor Li Fang Zhou, CHINESE METHODIST CHURCH IN CANBERRA

These, ladies and gentlemen, are the modern day equivalent of the racist bigots who quoted scripture to oppose civil rights and inter-race marriage during the 1950s and 60s. These are the 21st century equivalent of the clergy who opposed women’s rights and suffrage. These are the equivalents of the nineteenth century men of the cloth who spouted scripture in defence of slavery.

Discrimination has always been easily defended by resorting to scripture and God knows the church has rarely taken the lead in attending to the marginalisation and suffering of minorities.

As American suffragette, Elizabeth Cady Stanton said:

“From the inauguration of the movement for woman’s emancipation the Bible has been used to hold her in the ‘divinely ordained sphere’ prescribed in the Old and New Testaments.

The canon and civil law; church and state; priests and legislators; all political parties and religious denominations have alike taught that woman was made after man, of man, and for man, an inferior being, subject to man.”

In 1823, Richard Furman, slave holder and leader of the South Carolina Baptist Convention, advised South Carolina’s governor with all the self-righteousness of the signatories above:

“The right of holding slaves is clearly established by the Holy Scriptures, both by precept and example.”

During the fight for Civil Rights, a group of eighty ministers in Arkansas put together a statement similar to that now touted by the ACL. This one, however read:

” … [w]e believe that the best interests of all races are served by segregation …We resent the implication by certain liberal ministers that it is un-Christian to oppose integration. We believe that integration is contrary to the will of God … is based on a false theory of the ‘universal fatherhood of God and the universal brotherhood of man.’ We believe that integration is not only un-Christian, but that it violates all sound sociological principles and is not supported by Scripture or by biological facts.”

Such despicable views and all promoted by exactly the same kind of self-righteous, Bible thumping, jack-asses who are now braying about protecting ‘traditional’ marriage.

Thank God we didn’t listen to the misogynists of the church when it came to women’s liberation.

Thank God we didn’t listen to the racist Bible-bashing bigots who argued against the end of slavery and racial segregation.

What kind of world would we live in today if these narrow-minded numpties had had their way?

And thank God the above list of homophobes and bigots is not representative of the majority of Australians or even the majority of Christians.

Such list-making only serves to preserve for history those who stand in the way of progress, those who oppose equality, those who favour exclusion rather than inclusion, and those who stand for hate instead of love. We have seen it historically, and, here again, we see the same pitiful palaver played out again before our eyes.

Let us hope that lily-livered, weak-kneed, morally bankrupt politicians will not be swayed by this shameful document for there are many wonderful Christians and churches out there who DO support equality and same-sex marriage. Yes! There are many Christians who put compassion and caring above dogma. That (at least according to the Bible) is what Jesus did. Isn’t emulating Jesus supposed to be the whole damn point of Christianity?

Still, I guess the ACL and their homophobic friends have done us all a favour. Until now, it’s been rather difficult to tell who are the ‘good’ Christians and who are the self-righteous, fundamentalist, uncaring bigots. The ACL just made it a lot easier to identify them.

And, as for those caring Christians, they deserve a lot more recognition. Here are some of them:

The Victorian Council of Churches, while not necessarily giving blanket support for same-sex marriage has certainly distanced itself from the obsessive homophobia of the Australian Christian Lobby and their ilk.

In Queensland recently, a new group has been formed to counter the ACL’s regressive policies. Headed by the The Very Reverend Peter Catt, the Dean of St John’s Cathedral, A Progressive Christian Voice (Australia).

Blackwood Uniting Church minister, Leanne Jenski (with her partner, Rev. Susan Wickham) formed the Christians For Gay Marriage lobby group noting, “Be assured there are many Christians out there who stand in solidarity with us.”

Also to be lauded is Christians 4 Equality. Among others, this group includes broadcaster, Exodus Foundation founder and Ashfield Uniting Church minister Bill Crews and Rowland Croucher of John Mark Ministries, one of the most influential Baptists in Australia.

Standing against the ACL’s homophobic position on gay marriage, Crews wrote:

“Today in Australia we all live in a secular non-discriminatory society. Gay couples should be as free to marry as any other human couple. If people wish to be married within a religious or spiritual institution’s framework then they should accept the rites and rules of that institution. However it is the state that legitimises all marriages.”

Similarly, Croucher says:

“How can I, a heterosexual who’s been very happily married for 50 years, tell anyone else they don’t have the right to form a loving, committed, lifelong union and enjoy the fruits of marriage as I have done? Marriage is not a club to be restricted to some – like the Gospel, it is a blessing to be shared.”

Other Christians 4 Equality clergy who have taken an opposite view to the ACL’s view on marriage are Lilydale Baptist Church pastor Matt Glover, Uniting Canberra minister Roger Munson, Fr Dave Smith of Holy Trinity Church at Dulwich Hill, Anglican priest Chris Bedding and Tasmanian Uniting Church minister David Hunnerup.

More clergy who support same sex marriage are listed below. These were signatories to a letter calling on Australians to show their support for marriage equality by making submissions to the Senate Inquiry and the House Representatives inquiry into same-sex marriage:

1. Rev Penny Jones, Anglican Priest, Queensland
2. Rev Leigh Neighbour, Metropolitan Community Church, Brisbane
3. Bishop-elect Timothy Mansfield, Apostolic Johannite Church Sydney,
4. Rev Bill Crews, Uniting Church Sydney
5. Rev Michael Hercock, Baptist Minister Sydney
6. Rev Dr Paul Walton, Uniting Church Minister, Queensland
7. Fr Rod Bower, Anglican Priest, Gosford NSW
8. Rev Chris Bedding, Anglican Priest, Perth
9. Rev Steve Thompson, Uniting Church Minister, South Australia
10. Rabbi Shoshana Kaminsky, Adelaide
11. Rev Eileen Ray, Uniting Church Minister, Victoria
12. Rev Shane Andersen DD, Senior Pastor, Outreach Ministries Church Fellowship, Sydney
13. Rev Natasha Darke, Anglican Priest, Adelaide
14. Rev Julie Leaves, Anglican Priest, Brisbane
15. Rev Canon Dr Nigel Leaves, St John’s Anglican Cathedral, Brisbane
16. Pastor Karl Hand, Metropolitan Community Church, Sydney
17. Rev Dr Rowland Croucher, Baptist Minister, Victoria
18. Rev John Clapton, Anglican Priest, Perth
19. Rev Boris Kleiner, Church Of the First Creation, Queensland
20. Rev Roger Munson, St James Uniting Church, Canberra
21. Rev Dr Jonathan Inkpin, Anglican Rector of the Parish of St Luke, Toowoomba
22. Rev Susan Pickering, Uniting Church Minister, Brisbane
23. Rev Jonathan Chambers, Senior Anglican Chaplain, Victoria
24. Rev Dr Ian Mavor OAM, Uniting Church Minister, Queensland
25. Fr Thomas Leslie, Anglican Priest, Victoria
26. Rev Dr Avril Hannah-Jones, Uniting Church Minister, Victoria
27. Rev Dr Craig de Vos, Uniting Church Minister, South Australia
28. Rev Tony Johnson, Uniting Church Minister, Victoria
29. Rev Canon John Fowler, Anglican Priest, Victoria
30. Rev Andrew Prior, Uniting Church, South Australia
31. Rev Joan Riley, Anglican Priest, South Australia
32. Rev Judy Redman, Uniting Church Minister, New South Wales
33. Rev Murray Fysh, Uniting Church Minister, Queensland
34. Rev Andrew Eaton, Anglican Priest, Victoria.
35. Rev Dennis Webster, Anglican Priest, Victoria.
36. Rev Josie Nottle, Uniting Church Minister, Queensland.
37. Rabbi Jeffrey Kamins, Senior Rabbi, New South Wales.
38. Rev Tracey Gracey, Anglican Priest, South Australia.
39. Rev John Maddern, Uniting Church, Past Moderator, South Australia.
40. Rev Peter Weeks, Uniting Church Minister, Victoria.
41. Fr Stephen Clark, Anglican Parish Priest, Blackwood, SA
42. Rev Bruce Stocks, Anglican Priest, Adelaide SA
43. Rev Caro Field, Uniting Church Minister, Victoria.
44. Rev Dr Geoffrey D Scott, Uniting Church Minister (ret.), South Australia.
45. Rev Bill Harris, Deacon, Uniting Church, South Australia.
46. Rabbi Jonathan Keren-Black, Victoria.
47. Rev Christine Garner, Uniting Church Minister (ret.), South Australia.
48. Rev Dr Michael Godfrey, Anglican Priest, Northern Territory.
49. Rev Leanne Jane Jenski, Uniting Church minister, South Australia.
50. Rev Susan Wickham, Uniting Church minister, South Australia.
51. Rev Brendan Byrne, Uniting Church minister, Victoria.
52. Rabbi Paul Jacobson, New South Wales.
53. Rev Andrew Mintern, Anglican Priest, South Australia.
54. Rev Sandy Brodine, Uniting Church minister, Victoria.
55. Rabbi Jacki Ninio, New South Wales.
56. Rev Lucas Taylor, Church of Christ minister, Victoria.
57. Rev Mark J Dunn, Uniting Church minister, Victoria.
58. Rev Dr Christopher Page, Baptist minister, Victoria.
59. Wilma Davidson, Clerk, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), ACT.
60. Pastor Nathan Nettleton, Baptist minister, Victoria.
61. Rev Narelle Oliver-Braddock, Priest, United Ecumenical Catholic Church, Queensland.
62. Roy Freeman, Melbourne. (Jewish Community Supporting Marriage Equality)
63. Rev Ian Hunter, Uniting Church minister, South Australia.
64. Prof Emeritus Rev Gary D Bouma, Anglican Priest, Victoria.
65. Shaku Jo’on Gregg Heathcote, Shin Buddhist priest, New South Wales.
66. Rev Matt Glover, Baptist Minister, Victoria.
67. Rev Michaela Tiller, Uniting Church minister, South Australia.
68. Rev Peter McDonald, Uniting Church minister, South Australia.
69. Rev Don Catford, Uniting Church minister (past Moderator), South Australia.
70. Rev David Hunnerup, Uniting Church minister, Tasmania.
71. Rev Tony Duncan, Uniting Church minister, Tasmania.
72. Rev Colin Gurteen, Uniting Church minister, Tasmania.
73. Ms Ann Hamblin, Correspondent, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), WA.
74. Ms Jennifer Hole, Correspondent, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), WA.
75. Rev Ojitha Goonetilleke, Uniting Church minister, Victoria.
76. Rev Dr Richard Mallaby, Baptist minister, Victoria.
77. Rev Nigel Eynon, Universal Life Church minister, Queensland.

The Unitarians, Quakers and Metropolitan Community Church at Granville NSW also support same-sex marriage at a denominational level in Australia, while the Council of Progressive Rabbis of Australia, Asia and New Zealand put their support for marriage equality on the record in June 2011.

I would be more than happy to add to this list if my readers can make further suggestions – I am sure that there are many more churches and clergy who support marriage equality.

The point is this. The ACL’s list is not representative of Australian Christianity – it is representative of Australian bigotry.

In fact, statistics show that the majority of Australian Christians do support marriage equality – and politicians would do well to remember that.

Chrys Stevenson

* I have highlighted representatives of the Salvation Army in the list above. Readers may care to note that the Salvation Army has a shameful record of homophobia and this list confirms it is still rife in the Australian chapter of the organisation. You may wish to reconsider where you direct your charitable donations.

Local councils and businesses may also wish to make good use of the list above. As Gloria Jean’s Coffee found to its detriment, donating to homophobic hate groups is very, very bad for business. In the case of Gloria Jean’s it resulted in a nationwide boycott, a great deal of very unpleasant media and a harrowing blow to the organisation’s reputation – both with customers and franchisees.

If you’re a local business person or perhaps, sit on a local council, the ACL’s list may just have saved you a great deal of trouble. Next time a church asks if you can donate something for their local fete, fundraising drive, etc, it might be a very good idea to refer to the ACL’s handy neighbourhood guide to bigots and homophobes before risking your company’s or council’s reputation by supporting them.