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Christian leaders from across Australia have released a powerful manifesto defending biblical values, life, and free speech against growing cultural and legislative pressure.

A coalition of Christian leaders has released a bold declaration affirming biblical truth and defending fundamental freedoms, amid growing concern over laws and cultural forces that threaten to silence faith-based convictions in Australia.

Titled “A Christian Manifesto,” the document was made public in July 2025 by Dr Barry Manuel, pastor of Healinglife Church in Adelaide, with support from pastors, ministry leaders and Christian advocates across multiple denominations and states. The manifesto calls on believers to uphold essential Christian teachings on life, family, marriage, sex and freedom, “no matter what laws are made to oppose them.”

“This manifesto is a statement by Christian leaders declaring essential Christian beliefs that must be upheld, taught, and practised,” Dr Manuel wrote. He plans to meet with his federal MP, a current government minister, and request that the Prime Minister receive a copy.

“Jesus Christ is God, the second person of the Holy Trinity… He is alive and accessible to each one of us personally,” the manifesto declares. “Christians are committed to faithfully obey Jesus, their Saviour and Lord.”

The document affirms the sacredness of life, grounded in the Christian conviction that every human being is made in the image and likeness of God. “Fundamental rights to life, religion, and freedom of speech are prior to the existence of the ‘State’,” it reads.

The manifesto draws a firm line on the issue of sexuality, proclaiming that “God made human beings as male and female. The two sexes are biologically determined.” It defends marriage as a divinely instituted covenant between one man and one woman, designed for the conception and nurturing of children.

On abortion, the signatories state plainly: “Since every human being has the right to life, the child in the mother’s womb must enjoy the protection of the law. There is no human right to an abortion because there is no human right to end the life of another innocent human being.”

Challenging Government Overreach

The manifesto also warns of increasing government interference in religious belief and speech, insisting that “the State has no authority to unreasonably restrict these rights and freedoms.” According to the signatories, the State must be subject to God’s law and should protect the God-given rights of its citizens.

One area of concern is the redefinition of freedom. The document stresses that freedom is not “license,” but must be exercised in service of life and truth. The document condemns both suicide and euthanasia, stating, “We are not free to kill either ourselves… or another innocent human being.”

The authors also defend the right of individuals to seek help in areas of moral struggle, including same-sex attraction. “Persons are free to seek prayer and counselling… if they of their own volition choose that,” the statement reads. This presents a direct challenge to legislation in an increasing number of Australian jurisdictions that criminalises prayer-based support for individuals seeking to leave homosexual lifestyles.

“Freedom is to be exercised in the service of life and truth,” the document asserts, offering a definition of liberty grounded in moral responsibility rather than mere personal autonomy.

The manifesto also addresses growing concerns around compelled participation in non-Christian religious practices, particularly in public ceremonies. It states that no one “must be compelled to be involved in the religious practices of sub-groups within the State,” identifying smoking ceremonies as religious rituals into which citizens should not be coerced.

Defending Religious Speech

The manifesto’s authors express alarm at the rise of speech restrictions targeting Christian beliefs. “It is perverse to describe the Christian Gospel of love and redemption as hate speech,” they write, warning against government efforts to classify Christian moral teaching as offensive or punishable.

They remind readers that the Australian Constitution forbids the restriction of the free exercise of religion, a clause increasingly invoked by believers concerned about laws that limit faith-based speech on unpopular topics.

“Disagreeing with a religion’s teaching is no justification for the State to depict and punish the promotion of Christian moral teachings as hate speech.”

The manifesto is currently endorsed by more than a dozen pastors and Christian leaders across South Australia, Queensland, and beyond, including Dave Pellowe, Founder of Church and State; Pastor Ray Ledger, SA State Coordinator of Full Gospel Churches of Australia; Pastor Dr Brendan Kirby of Hope Church, Klemzig; and this author.

Dr Manuel has encouraged readers to contact him directly at this email address to add their names to the list of signatories. He hopes the document will reach more members of parliament and serve as a clear voice for Christian Australians in the national conversation.

Read “A Christian Manifesto” here.

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