By Jeremy Sollars
A Stanthorpe church pastor is furious at a demand by Queensland Rail that the church dismantle a highway billboard on QR land with a pro-traditional marriage message.
Brendon Dunn, of the Granite Belt Baptist Church, told the Free Times Queensland Rail ordered the billboard “supporting biblical marriage” be torn down after QR received “pressure from gay marriage activists”.
The billboard, on the New England Highway south of Stanthorpe, reads – “Jesus Christ said: God made them male and female – Mark 10:6”, and has a graphic of two wedding bands.
“On Monday (18 September), just 10 days after being erected, the church was notified that it must be removed,” Brendon told the Free Times today, Friday 22 September.
“Queensland Rail, on whose land the billboard stands, has allegedly received complaints about the sign, and cites their policy of not permitting political or religious advertising on their property.
“However, the church has had a bible verse – Genesis 1:1 – on that same location for two and a half years without any issues.
“It is a sad reflection on the state of our nation when the words of Jesus are no longer deemed fit to be displayed in public.
“There is no doubt that if it had a rainbow and a ‘YES’ there would be no problem.
“This is just another example of the same sex marriage bullies silencing and intimidating those who hold opposing views.
“People need to realise that this is not just about dismantling traditional marriage, but utterly eradicating any opinion that does not endorse the radical rainbow agenda.
“Our freedom of belief and expression is already under threat, and will be even more so if we let these intolerant thugs win.”
Brendon said QR had demanded on Monday the message be removed “immediately” but that his bishop had negotiated with QR for time to send a crew of workers from Brisbane to dismantle the sign, which could remain in place for another week or two.
Comment is being sought from Queensland Rail.
