Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has used the Old Testament of the Bible to justify carving out religious texts in his bill solely focused on stopping hate on the basis of race and ethnicity. Source: The Australian.
It comes as the Coalition raises concerns that the exemption could empower radical preachers to use interpretations and translations of the Koran and the Hadith to espouse hatred of Jews.
It was unclear about which section of the Old Testament the Prime Minister was referring to.
This follows concerns from Christian leaders – prior to the draft being unveiled – that the hate speech legislation would cover sexual and gender identity.
For example, the Book of Leviticus in the Old Testament opposes homosexual acts.
Coalition sources were concerned the exemption would allow radical preachers to get away with hate speech by citing religious texts. For example, some English translations of the Koran call Jews and Christians of Mecca at the time “the worst of all beings” for being “wilfully deaf and dumb … in the sight of Allah”.
Mr Albanese went on to say he wanted not just Jewish but all religious leaders to back in his legislation.
“The laws will set a principles-based test for conduct and speech that incites racial hatred towards another person or group,” Mr Albanese said.
“We want to get the broadest possible support for this bill – I don’t know if you’ve read the Old Testament but I refer you to that.”
Asked again about his decision to create the religious texts exemption, Mr Albanese again referred to the Bible.
“The Old Testament and … various religious texts … I encourage you to read the Old Testament and see what’s there and see if you outlaw that, what would occur.
“So we need to be careful – we consulted with faith groups, not just with the Jewish community, we want to make sure there’s the broadest possible support for this legislation but we also want to make sure that there isn’t unintended consequences of the legislation.”
FULL STORY
Anthony Albanese cites Old Testament for hate speech religious text carve-out (By Noah Yim, The Australian)
