Church in Australia receives firebombing threat over billboard opposing same-sex marriage

An evangelical church in Brisbane, Australia has received numerous threats, including one that urged people to set the building on fire, after it displayed a billboard declaring, "God designed marriage between a man and a woman."

The Bellbowrie Community Church put up the billboard in early September amid the postal referendum on the legalization of same-sex marriage in Australia.

Senior pastor John Gill said that the church, which had 150 parishioners, had received serious threats on Facebook over the display

"On Facebook, a lot of the stuff has been quite vicious at times. I mean quite physically threatening. That's been scary for some in the church," he told Daily Mail Australia.

"One of the comments I saw, for example, was a suggestion that people bring petrol down and set the church on fire," he continued.

The pastor said that the incident highlights the threats to religious freedom in the country if same-sex marriage becomes legal, adding that other churches were worried about displaying Biblical messages on billboards.

"At the moment, we know we have that freedom but certainly down the track, we have serious concerns about whether we'd continue to have that freedom or not," he said.

Brisbane resident Patrick Wood argued that the display defending traditional marriage contradicts another sign that said: "All people are welcome and respected here."

"Their house, their hypocritical rules. Same sign, same day, opposite sides. I won't forget their marriage equality stance," he wrote.

However, a teacher from the New South Wales Central Coast contended that both signs are consistent with biblical teachings.

"This is not a contradiction. It is perfectly in order and reflects our Christian ethos: acceptance of individuals regardless while upholding the sanctity of marriage and simultaneously rejecting SSM with its ramifications," he said.

Gill had told Quest Community News that his congregation is free to vote in the plebiscite however they choose.

Over the weekend, the billboard was reportedly tampered with to say: "God designed marriage between a man and a man."

The referendum began earlier this month and is expected to end on Nov. 7. Last week, the Australian parliament passed an emergency legislation to strengthen the country's restriction on hate speech as the vote progresses.

Until the voting ends in November, those who are found guilty of intimidation, or threats to cause harm on the basis of the sexual orientation, gender identity, intersex status — people who are born with genetic, hormonal or physical sex characteristics that are not typically male or female — or the religious convictions of someone will be subject to fines of AU$12,500 (over US$10,000) and a court injunction, according to Reuters.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has stated that gay marriage will be discarded as an election issue if the postal survey resulted in a majority "no" vote.

However, opposition Leader Bill Shorten vowed to introduce a same-sex marriage bill to the Parliament if Labor wins the next election, regardless of the outcome of the postal survey.

Turnbull, who is a known supporter of same-sex marriage, noted that there are two bills that will provide religious protections in the event of a "yes" vote. Marriage celebrants, for example, would be allowed to opt-out of marrying same-sex couples if they wish.