If you substitute “secular” for “religious” in the above statement, that is precisely what the Rabbi is arguing the NO voters should accept. There are millions of people in this nation who have a genuine concern for where this “marriage equality” push is leading.

He goes on:-
“If we were to revert to an argument that state and religious law should be intertwined, then why not focus our attention to lobbying the government to make the sale of prawns and bacon illegal?”

What nonsense is this! IF he is trying to equate “marriage equality” with Torah commands,then the argument should be exactly the reverse of what he has proclaimed. It SHOULD be that the sale of prawns and bacon IS legal BUT NO-ONE is obligated to buy them. If “marriage equality” is legalised then unless there are stringent exemptions allowing religious freedom to opt out, or disassociate, then the religious communities are at risk of breaking the law by discrimination. And that is the experience of many ALREADY in this nation.

Have another think Rabbi Schneur Reti-Waks. You have over simplified an extremely worrisome proposal.
How would you react if the purchase of prawns and bacon became obligatory???

Did you watch “Australian Story) last night (11 Sep 17) on ABC TV? It was about a male gay couple who foster teenage girls successfully for the last 20 years.

The girls, now young adults, still keep in contact with this foster couple and have “family” reunions on special occasions, like birthdays.

Dysfunctional parents are more likely in my opinion, with heterosexual couples; after all 50% of male/female marriages and defacto relationships end in divorce and unhappy children in many cases.

I have written letters to the press supporting gay marriage along the lines why cant Gays experience the joy and misery of marriage like other Australians were 50% end in divorce and legally all a marriage is is a contract between the couple to cover both concerning money, property and inheritance. My most recent letter was published in the Melbourne Herald Sun on 28 Jun 17.

Yesterday I rang the electorate office of the Melbourne Ports MHR Michael Danby and asked if Mr Danby will be voting Yes in Parliament if the Yes opinion poll vote is Yes and the staff said Yes he would and they had leafleted ready to distribute but were waiting to the outcome of the high court case trying to stop the poll.

The poll will go ahead and postal ballot papers will be distributed to Australians starting on Tuesday 12 Sep 17.

I also rang the electorate offices of Coalition Senators for Victoria and was advised that Sen Hume and Sen Paterson will be voting Yes. Sen Ryan has been ill for sometime and was unavailable for comment while Sen Fifield and Sen McKenzie’s staff were not saying anything.

I did not ring Labor Senators for Victoria as I think that party has a Yes position and Sen Hinch is Yes voter too I understand.