September 2021 Persecution Magazine

Christians Barred from Joining
Political Party in South Australia
In the Australian state of South Australia
(SA), more than 500 Christians were
barred from joining the state’s Liberal Party,
a major center-right political party in the
country.
According to party president Legh
Davis, “An independent investigation
is underway, and the party will not be
accepting membership applications until the
investigation is complete.”
The would-be party members mostly
came from SA’s Pentecostal communities.
Recently, a Christian member of Australia’s
Parliament named Alex Antic was leading an
effort called “Believe in Blue” to encourage
Christians to participate in the political
process. This effort by Antic coincided with
a larger movement of Christians in South
Australia to challenge the status quo in their
state’s politics in light of rapidly changing
social policies.
Supreme Court Rules in Favor of
Christian Adoption Agency
On June 17, the US Supreme Court ruled in favor of a Christian
adoption agency that had its contract with the City of
Philadelphia revoked over its refusal to place children
with same-sex parents. In a 9-0 decision, all of the
justices agreed that Catholic Social Services
should have its contract reinstated and be
allowed to place children with only heterosexual
couples.
Despite the victory, many religious freedom advocates
saw this case, Fulton v. Philadelphia, as an ideal opportunity
for the Court to correct a serious and potentially dangerous
error in American constitutional law, one that makes
religious freedom a second-class right. Those advocates
were, as expressed by Justice Alito in a concurring opinion,
disappointed. “The Court has emitted a wisp of a decision
that leaves religious liberty in a confused and vulnerable
state,” wrote Alito. “Those who count on this court to
stand up for the First Amendment have every right to be
disappointed — as am I.”
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