A deeply troubling development has emerged from New South Wales.

According to reports, a branch of the Labor Party is seeking to strip a Christian Church of its charitable status.

The church has described the move as a “political witch hunt”.

 Whether you agree with the Plymouth Brethren on every issue is not the point.

 The real question is this:

Should governments or political parties have the power to punish churches because they disagree with their beliefs, values, or public engagement?

 If this can happen to one Christian church, it can happen to any Christian church.

 Today it is the Plymouth Brethren. 

Tomorrow it could be your church. Or your Christian school. Or your ministry. Or your denomination.

 This goes to the heart of religious freedom in Australia. 

 For generations, churches have enjoyed charitable status because they provide genuine public benefit through worship, community service, education, counselling, charitable works, support for families, and countless other activities.

 Charitable status is not a gift from politicians.

 It is recognition of the important contribution churches make to Australian society.

 Yet increasingly we are seeing attempts to marginalise, silence and punish Christians who refuse to conform to the latest political fashions. This has been documented in the recently released  Australian Christian Freedom Index has shown increasing hostility to Christians. 

Across Australia, believers are facing growing pressure to remain silent on issues such as marriage, family, gender ideology, parental rights and the sanctity of human life.

Now some activists appear willing to weaponise the tax and charity system against churches themselves.

 This should concern every Christian.

 Because once governments begin deciding which religious beliefs are acceptable, freedom of religion becomes little more than a slogan.

 At FamilyVoice Australia, we believe every Australian should be free to live, preach and practise their faith without fear of political retaliation.

 That is why we are launching a petition calling on the Australian and NSW Governments to protect religious liberty and reject any attempt to punish churches for their beliefs.

 Will you add your name today?

 SIGN THE PETITION: PROTECT RELIGIOUS LIBERTY 

We are calling on Australian and NSW government to:

• Protect the charitable status of churches and faith-based organisations.
• Defend freedom of religion, freedom of speech and freedom of association.
• Reject politically motivated attacks on Christian organisations.
• Ensure Australians remain free to live out their faith without government intimidation.

 Every signature sends a message.

 Every signature demonstrates that Christians will not quietly surrender their freedoms.

 The threats to religious liberty are growing. But so is the opportunity for Christians to stand together and shine the light of Jesus Christ brightly!

 Please sign the petition today and share it with your family, friends and church community.

 Together, we can defend the freedoms that generations of Australians have enjoyed.