Discrimination can be a virtue

The NSW Greens “have called for the closing of loopholes in the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act that allow businesses owned by religious groups to discriminate against students, employees and clients if they hold something about them that conflicts with their beliefs”. Currently, the churches have “exemptions” from the provisions of the Anti-Discrimination Act.

Bishop Julian Porteous Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney that argues As Federal and State governments draft anti-discrimination legislation, it’s essential they preserve the distinction between discrimination which is unjust and that which is necessary …he says

“Discrimination is an important quality to have as a mature human being. We discriminate every day in making choices. It is a compliment to be called a discriminating person. Or, at least, it used to be. To be discriminating was regarded as a virtue. It was viewed as a reflection of wisdom and prudence. Making considered judgements about all sorts of things has traditionally been considered the task of a responsible person. Yet now it seems that its meaning has been changed. In our society at the present time, discrimination has come to be seen only in a negative light. Today, a new definition of discrimination is taking hold. Anyone who projects judgements on situations is viewed as being judgemental. Rather than being discriminating, the person is considered discriminatory. How has this happened?”

Read Bishop Porrteous in The Record

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