It is getting hard for us old people to relate to modern trends.
We used to believe that you could say almost anything provided that you didn’t directly harm other people.
Now we are not allowed to say things that may hurt other peoples’ feelings.
I would not complain about being called a sinner (as I am) but now if someone called out a specific sin then they cannot play rugby for Australia. (Qantas won’t allow it)
My parents believed that the Bible was the word of God and tried to “preach the Gospel to every creature”.
Now we are probably allowed to believe the Bible but are not allowed to tell anyone what is in the Bible.
Other people’s feelings may be hurt.
We used to believe that sporting, business and social organisations should not get involved in politics.
Now we are having a referendum to change the basic political framework of Australia. (The Constitution of Australia)
It is one of the most political acts that you can consider.
One case is supported by the Labor party and the Greens.
The opposite case is supported by the Liberal party, the National party and by the LNP in Queensland.
It is not just the supreme political act it is also a question divided on party political lines.
Yet sporting bodies, companies, social organisations and even parts of the legal profession have come out on one side to support the case put by the Labor party and the Greens.
The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, and the Leader of the Opposition, Peter Dutton, have a lot at stake in this matter.
What gives these “non -political” organisations the expertise to tell us to support either person?
And isn’t it strange that if you oppose the proposition that one race be singled out in the constitution you are likely to be called a “rascist”.
Of course the way that the Yes case is being pushed down everyone’s throat will almost certainly have the opposite effect.
The Queensland rugby league team are a remarkable group of people but if they try to tell us how to vote a lot of people are going to wonder what is really happening.
Our best hope is that, as the defeat of the proposal becomes increasingly apparent, the Prime Minister withdraws the referendum and uses parliament to enact the Voice.
If it works, a referendum can come later.
If it doesn’t work then it doesn’t become a permanent part of the constitution.
Old people can still dream!
– Reg Lawler
Dagun
