Posted on 08/25/2018 11:14:55 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Scott Morrison, the Australian treasurer who on Friday became his country's newest prime minister, is reported to be an evangelical Christian who voted against gay marriage.
Morrison won an internal ballot, 45-40, in the Liberal party, forcing moderate Malcolm Turnbull out amid political turmoil in the country. He attends Horizon Church, a Pentecostal megachurch in Sutherland, and lists "church" as one of his interests.
Nick Bryant, a journalist and expert on Australian politics, told CNN that Morrison met his future wife, Jenny, at church when he was 12 years old. Their current church is said to have close ties to the famous Hillsong megachurch.
Notably, Morrison voted against legalizing same-sex marriage in parliament in 2017, despite a national postal survey in November where 61.6 percent of citizens agreed with changing the definition of marriage.
The politician has also vowed to back a new "religious protections" bill to support churches that don't want to offer gay weddings, which is something Christian groups have been calling for since gay marriage was legalized late last year.
Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President Archbishop Denis Hart said that politicians must respect religious believers who do not agree with changing the definition of marriage.
"Parliamentarians must recognize and respect the concerns of the more than 4.8 million Australians who opposed a change to the definition of marriage by putting in place strong conscience and religious freedom protections," Hart said, referring to the 38.4 percent of respondents who voted against the proposed change.
"These protections must ensure that Australians can continue to express their views on marriage, that faith-based schools can continue to teach the traditional understanding of marriage and that organizations can continue to operate in a manner that is consistent with those values."
Christian organizations in Australia have hailed Morrison's ascent to the prime minister.
"[We] trust Scott Morrison will demonstrate the strong leadership required for a new era of political stability," the Australian Christian Lobby tweeted on Friday.
One to watch. I wish I knew more about the internals of Australian politics, but it strikes me that the Aussies may be getting a little closer to the end of their tether on the migration issue. A BTT for comment from people who are more in touch than I am.
Thanks SeekAndFind.
10 PMs in 10 years ,will they make it 11 ,LOL
Oh the horror he supported marriage as did millions. Not very long ago the majority as a matter of fact. The guy they just dumped was ruining the economy with the AGW BS bye bye.
Will add this courageous man to our daily prayer list. We have not missed a day in praying for President Trump and those who support him.
The country supports marriage by quite a margin, I'm a little jealous.
“Nick Bryant, a journalist and expert on Australian politics, told CNN that Morrison met his future wife, Jenny, at church when he was 12 years old.”
Pedophile.
(the Liberal view of the above)
Answered prayer. Australian Christians are already very influential in US and in the world of Christian music. (Hillsong) Founding numerous urban churches and things...
Peter Furler should be happy
I started liking this guy as soon as I read the headline.
All success to him!
No Pooftahs!
A dinky-di Aussie conservative...what a relief!
Weird. I missed this news story from a few weeks ago about Australia getting a new PM. Interesting.
On the one hand, looks like the RINOish Turnbull has been replaced by an actual conservative (and he's ANOTHER "church going social conservative"). Seems Turnbull got a taste of his own medicine after he knifed Tony Abbott on the back, so good on ya, Aussie conservatives!
On the other hand... ANOTHER new prime minister? How long will THIS guy last before the Parliament gets bored and replaces him too... a year?! In an ideal world, they should have just realized the error of their ways and brought back Tony Abbott ala Netenyahu in Israel, and KEPT him around this time for another 8 years or so.
I used to gloat that it was better than the Australia National/Liberal Party was in power now since the Aussie leftists couldn't keep a prime minister for more than a year. That advantage is now gone since the Australia conservatives behave the same way with revolving door/ musical chair prime ministers.
Seems in the last decade, both Australia and Japan can't keep prime ministers for any length of time.
It’s a thing in Australia. I don’t know of any other Westminster system where it happens.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leadership_spill
It sure as hell would here a lot if we had a parliamentary systems.
Election next spring.
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