Stand Up for Freedom of Religion & Against the City of Stirling!

The Stirling City Council has decided to fine Scarborough Baptist Church $1,000,000 for providing free meals to the needy and homeless and for running a craft group. The church has been operating for over 65 years out of the same location and these activities have been running as outreaches of the church for decades. We believe that the City of Stirling has no right to tell a religious institution what a religious activity is. As a Christian church we believe in the love and grace of God, and we believe that we are called to show love and compassion to those who are in need and to share the good news of Christ's salvation. All of our activities are aimed at meeting needs that are strongly felt within the community but also meeting a need for God within our community. The city has claimed that antisocial behaviour has occurred on the church property but to our knowledge this is not the case; however many remarks have been made about undesirable people attending the church. We are a church who believes that Christ didn't just die for the desirable upper socio economic elite, but that he died for all regardless of race or economic circumstance. The City's decision is one that has huge ramifications for all churches in Western Australia. As part of the advice given by the City, Scarborough Baptist Church is no longer allowed to hold fetes, carol services, Sunday evening meals for the homeless and the list goes on. What right does a council have to limit our religious expression! By signing this petition you indicate that you stand behind freedom of religion and the right to free practice of religion. That Scarborough Baptist Church should be able to continue to operate in the same manner that it has for the last 65 years, and that the City of Stirling should apologise for the exploitation of our religious freedom.