Shorten socks it to the Australian christian lobby :)

The Australian christian lobby is Australia's LGBT arch enemy. They have long been against anything gay and have been very forthright in their comments, comparing gays to pedophilia and all. So radical are their views that PM Gillard cancelled her invite to speak at their function after they said something particularly offensive about gays.

This time it's opposition leader Bill Shorten's turn to be invited into their lions den of gay hate. Surprisingly to many, Shorten accepted, prompting much concern and angst in the community that his appearing at the event would legitimise their extremist views. He did however say that he would be standing up for the LGBT.

He's been accused of being a bit gutless lately. I don't necessarily agree. Have a go at some of the speech he's telling them. Perhaps the christians in the Australian christian lobby might take a gander at what christianity is supposed to be all about:

The Opposition Leader, like Prime Minister Tony Abbott, was educated by Jesuits and considers himself a Christian but it is unusual for him to speak publicly about his faith. 

And in a forthright speech to the group at Canberra's Hyatt Hotel, Mr Shorten will say that he has spent his working life trying to show empathy and compassion and "answer the Christian call to care for the vulnerable, to speak up for the voiceless, to reject hatred and intolerance, to help the poor and to pursue peace". 

No faith has a monopoly on compassion, Mr Shorten says, and no religion "owns" tolerance or charity or love according to extracts from the speech. 

"Australia is full of decent and generous people of good conscience, drawn from all faiths and none. And no faith, no religion, no set of beliefs should ever be used as an instrument of division or exclusion." 

"So when I hear people invoking the scriptures to attack blended families. I cannot stay silent. I do not agree. When I see people hiding behind the bible to insult and demonise people based on their sexuality I cannot stay silent. I do not agree." 

"When I hear people allege that 'God tells them' that marriage equality is the first step on the road to polygamy and bigamy and bestiality, I cannot stay silent. I do not agree." Read more

So there stupid ACL.  Shorten's done a lot better than I would've. I'd have accepted the invite, got up there and said "You can all get fucked. The end". And walk off :)

Full text of speech.