Same-sex marriage post shuts down school
The English Language School of a church-run learning institute in Melbourne has been shut down after its head posted on Facebook in favour of same-sex marriage.
Keith Paulusse, described as “a celibate gay man”, told media he had been “completely ostracised and stigmatised” by his Seventh-Day Adventist church.
“Head elder Johnny Wong was dismayed at the robust discussion on my Facebook page,'' Paulusse told The Age.
''The other point the SDA Church did not like was that nearly all the six teachers were gay or lesbian, and not Seventh Day Adventists.''
Church administrators warned Paulusse away from discussing LGBTI issues, suggesting that “Directing your energy to soul winning will be more profitable, e.g. getting Bible students and bringing them step by step to Jesus.”
Marriage equality advocates say the sacking is a violation of free speech.
Australian Marriage Equality campaign director Rodney Croome said it is "unAustralian" to sack staff because of views expressed outside work.
"Expressing a view on a mainstream issue in a social setting should not be the basis for depriving someone of their livelihood," Croome said.
"Australian employees should not be looking over their shoulders every time they disagree with their employers."
Gateway Adventist Centre is a Seventh-Day Adventist ministry consisting of a training centre and church networking several hundred members and alumnis across Asia.
About the Author
Andrew Shaw
Andrew Shaw worked in Melbourne's media scene for 12 years as a news journalist, arts writer and editor, before making a sea change to Brisbane to become editor of Queensland Pride in 2012. He was editor of Melbourne Community Voice for six years, worked in the Media Unit at Monash University and was assistant editor/editor of statewide magazines for secondary school students and teachers respectively.
Comments (13)
Dear DVD, let's establish what a church is, before laying down the law. You say, "why should a Church accept open sin and rebellion against God?" Since when has it been proven the church is part of God?
For the record, I don't believe in the church, because I don't believe in Jesus, because I don't believe in immaculate conception! So, can you come up with something better than self-profaned statements against homosexuality?
Why should a Church accept open sin and rebellion against God? Where is "LOVE" when one tells someone that it's O.K. to live in sin?
This attack on the Church is rooted in a selfish WORLDview, rather than a Biblical based view. Remember, this is a Church....the Bible should apply...and if this is a stumbling block for some...it is one of many. We all make our choices...some follow God, some rebel.
When acts of homosexuality were illegal, and I found the greatness of some church leaders to hold gatherings of support, in well known churches, I was moved, just as I am moved now by your stand. We all have the power to be kind to strangers, even if we do not agree.
It's not religious organisations which discriminate against us, but the government. By definition, the Anti-Discrimination Act, which allows churches, mosques, etc, loopholes in the law, is an Act of Parliament.
Dave, who said I'm stressed? Nor do I think the tax office is boring. If anything, it's exciting! As for the "ugly Beast of discrimination", we only win when all homosexuality is out of the closet.
Dave, talking about tax, here's the latest. The ATO's just issued me an "Overdue payment reminder" for my Penalties. I've now until 14 May to pay. Needless to say, I'll be ignoring the latest advise. They say failure to pay will result in "recovery action", including "legal proceedings" and the issuing of a "garnishee notice to my employer or financial insitution requiring them to make payments".
Dear Stuart,
I to feel livid about paying taxes when there are laws that make my birth a punishment. But I feel I can give the ugly Beast of discrimination, a thousand slow cuts when I am not surrounded by boring tax collectors. I admire your courage, putting yourself on the line for a major Civil Rights movement. But we are winning this great fight of man versus the beast. You are brave, but in this Fog of War, I do not want you to get hurt by the Beast, your life deserves many years without that stress.
Dave, you write and argue extremely well. Of course we're right, as time will tell.
If you take peoples taxes, if you require councils to charge higher rates to others, so you do not have to pay rates, then you are taking a community resource, and you are accountable to all members of the community. If you claim to represent the teaching of the Bible, and declare any acts of homosexuality a sin, then you are accountable to other Christians and the community, the majority who the polls show over and over, do not think homosexuality is a sin and support same-sex marriage. Would I be a hate monger if I declared all 7th Day Adventist a sin? The Church cannot hide from being accountable to the public, and their supporters.
I must advocate on behalf of the wider SDA church, of whom my family are members, and of which I am a former member ( I am now a Unitarian based on belief)
The SDA church in question is known to be a very conservative church. I know for a fact that churches near me not only tolerate Gay people, but actively incorporate them into Church life.
Just a few weeks ago I attended a viewing of a fabulous documentary- Seventh-Gay Adventists, highlighting the journey of 3 gay people and their experience in the Church. One of whom was accepted whole-heartedly into her Church, along with her partner and their daughters. They were even made leaders of the Children's club- Adventurers.
Not all Adventists are this heartless. This has sent shockwaves through our community too. The actions of this one church should in no way be a reflection on the larger SDA community.
PLEASE don't assume the actions of one church are the very same beliefs of the whole bunch of us! To assume such is to show the same ignorance that Mr Wong of Gateway Adventist Centre has shown.
How amazing the 7th Day Adventist, who own WheatBix, are taking hundreds of millions in tax breaks from the wider community, who the polls show support marriage equality, but sack someone for supporting the right of people to marry. Double standards? Money talks I guess! This sacking has been made easier, now the Victorian Liberal Party stripped many workplace protections out of the Equal Opportunity Act for same-sex attracted people.
You take the actions of one conservative church group and assume it reflects on the whole denomination? I don't mean to be impertinent, but isn't that a level of generalisation that we in the LGBTIQ community are fighting to eliminate?
Sorry, what action did the Church do to the Gateway Adventist Centre? Apart from the PR, shutting down a language centre would never effect students or teachers would it?