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You never think it’s going to be you.

Whether you are open or quiet about your faith, you don’t expect to be in the firing line because of your commonly held Christian beliefs.

But now I have joined the 42% of Christians in Australia that have experienced hostility, threats or harassment for expressing a Christian worldview.

I certainly wasn’t expecting to be chatting to my manager at work about a call they’d gotten the day before. The person on the line had found out where I work, and complained about my anti-abortion pro-life stance, requesting that I be sacked. My managers were frankly shocked that it had even happened, and when speaking to me said they had no problem with me, that what I do outside of work is my business, and that I’m respectful to everyone at work.

Considering what company I’m working for, I’m a little surprised that it didn’t go further. But there have been many Christians before me that haven’t been so blessed.

Christians Facing Hostility

Need I mention Dr Jereth Kok, who’s medical license was suspended by the Medical Board of Australia, because someone complained about posts he had made on a private social media account, not even a public one. He had to re-train in a new industry because his court case lasted over seven years — and was subsequently lost.

Or Lyle Shelton, who said that drag queens were not good role models for children referring to a drag queen story time event at a public library. And the case despite being dismissed in 2023, has dragged on to this day, and Lyle continues to fight for freedom of speech.

And there are so many more cases I could mention that are currently going, or a decision has been made upon, where people are sued for stating or defending biological reality, or for just stating beliefs, not attacking anyone, not being violent or threatening anyone. Just stating your deeply held Christian beliefs could send you bankrupt or to prison, if not for people like the Human Rights Law Alliance that have defended many Christians and non-Christians alike for the right to freedom of speech.

Shocking Report from the Australian Christian Freedom Index

But here’s the kicker, this is much more common than most people think. Earlier this year, the Australian Christian Freedom Index was published, surveying almost 11,000 Christians in Australia. The attack on their freedoms is shocking:

• 92% said it is riskier to affirm Christian beliefs than five years ago
• 73% felt pressured to keep their beliefs private in public, online, or at work
• 42% experienced hostility, threats or harassment for expressing a Christian worldview
• 25% were denied opportunities in work, volunteering or leadership because of their beliefs

This is not high profile Christians, proclaiming truth on social media, or speaking at conferences, or shouting in parliament. This is the rank and file, faithful soldiers, who have families, who have bills, who have responsibilities.

These people have been silenced by those who disagree with them, because offence is now considered violence. Truth is considered to be lies, and that’s why now more than ever we must not stay silent.

“Over a quarter of a century, at least 74 Acts affecting Christian belief and practice have passed into law, with nearly half in the last five years alone.” (ACFI, p. 46)

A Call to the Church

My brothers and sisters in Christ, this is my call to the Church in Australia. The Church cannot remain silent anymore, it must not compromise, it must not back down, it must speak truth in the public square without fear, in spite of the consequences. It must prepare its congregants with the realities of preaching the gospel, and saying common truths that we take for granted.

The Church must return to being the conscience of the state, instead of being inhibited by it. If Australia is to turn back to God, it will not be due to Christians that are timid, or go along with the cultural zeitgeist. But it will be because of those who will not back down, not lose heart, those who stand with giants of the faith like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego (Daniel 3:16–18):

“Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king.

“But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.’”

There is only one King, one God, one Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, of whom we are called to be his ambassadors on earth; whose kingdom is not of this world, but it surely is for this world. My prayer is that Christians would rise up, that they would not cower under pressure, that they would speak the truth of the gospel in season and out of season.

Before last week, I was part of the 92% and 73%, but now I have joined the 42%, and I wonder how much longer it will be before I join the 25%, and how much longer it will be before many more join me.

While we can still speak, let us speak. May we become public Christians, not eyesores of a bygone era.

If you liked this article you might enjoy this podcast with Dave Pellowe:

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Originally published on the YCFC Truth Prevails Substack.

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