Monday, November 20, 2006

Australian State Eschews Ban On Religious Discrimination Under Christian Pressure

In the Australian state of South Australia, the attorney general has dropped a ban on religious discrimination from a proposed Equal Opportunity Bill that is now before the state's parliament. The Australian yesterday reported that mainstream Christian churches objected to the proposed provision, concerned that it would prevent them from criticizing other religions in their attempts to convert non-believers. Now the draft merely prohibits "discrimination on the ground of religious appearance or dress". Most other Australian states and territories already ban religious discrimination.