Christian lawyer for marriage equality
Sydney criminal lawyer Andrew Tiedt recently stirred up controversy on the ABC’s The Drum website when he wrote an article about why he, a Christian who believes sex between people of the same sex is sinful, supports same-sex marriage.
“I believe in the Bible and what it says,” Tiedt wrote in ‘Legalise gay marriage, what’s the harm?’.
“Consequently, I believe that homosexual sex is sinful. While we’re on the topic, I also believe the following things are sinful: gossip, deceitfulness, hatred, and prejudice. But you notice something about all the sins in the above paragraph. Every single one of them is 100 percent legal.
“Pre-marital sex is legal, and so it should be. So is pre-marital cohabitation, open marriages, and that sex toy you keep locked in the bottom drawer. People can get divorced, they can remarry, they can cohabit before being married, and they can legally have all manner of relationships outside marriage.
“And yet, for some reason, we have this position where homosexual couples cannot get married.”
Tiedt told the Star Observer he wrote the article in the back of a taxi after being inspired by a screening of ABC TV’s Q and A.
“Multiple conversations with friends and being in the audience of Q&A the night Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) managing director Jim Wallace and former NSW premier Kristina Keneally spoke about gay marriage was what prompted me to write the article,” Tiedt said.
He said the ACL was entitled to its views but he disagreed with its notion that Christian values should form the basis of society’s laws.
“Only 2 percent of Christians regularly attend church and that is not a reasonable basis for our laws,” he said. “They’re our beliefs and not anyone else’s.”
Tiedt said he was pleasantly surprised by the comments posted in response to the article.
“Many people have disagreed with me but many more have politely agreed,” he said.
Asked when he thought same-sex marriage would be a reality in Australia, Tiedt said, “I don’t think this term but definitely under the next Labor Government — which sadly might not be for another 10 years.”
Much kudos to this man, I don’t care about his belief system one bit and the fact that he calls gay sex sinful, pretty much goes hand in hand with his belief… what I commend it that he is willing to put his own belief system aside for the greater good and understands that his beliefs shouldn’t be made laws. THAT is something worth being proud about
What absolute arrogance and complete hubris for heterosexuals to believe that they hold power over gay people to ‘grant’ or ‘deny’ them a fucking thing.
Don’t you just love secular morality! Good to see.
How can anyone trust a lawyer that still believes in fairytales?
I must give credit where credit is due. As a gay man, I obviously disagree with him that being gay is sinful, but I applaud his recognition that religion should not be the basis of civil law in a pluralistic society. If all Christians would take this position, tolerance would prevail.
Absolutely right. I commend this gentleman for acknowledging that the belief system we base our laws on is not necessary. We have many faiths in this country, so why does one sect get to make the rules? Although I am sorry that he believes that gay sex is sinful, he is right in the fact that it is his personal belief, and not something he should impose on anyone else. His comment that many things are considered sinful but are legal, and that hetrosexuals have many situations outside of marriage so why not let gay people get married was an inciteful wonderful relief to hear someone with some brains on the matter. Congratulations Mr Tiedt.
Good to see that he is principled and willing to set aside his own personal feelings for the betterment of society and equal rights. Though I disagree with his views on the sinfulness of gay marriage, I commend him for realising that personal feelings are not a good basis for law. Good work Mr. Tiedt!