Faith, Love and Australia

The Conservative Case for Same-Sex Marriage

By Paul Ritchie

A provocative and deeply personal argument that marriage equality represents the fulfilment of conservative values, not their rejection.

Book Details

Author: Paul Ritchie
Format: Paperback
Publication date: 1 August 2016
Pages: 240
ISBN: 9781925501131
Publisher: Connor Court Publishing
RRP: $29.95
Categories: Australian Politics, Marriage, Social Issues, Conservatism, LGBTQ+ Studies

Synopsis

Can support for same-sex marriage be grounded in conservative principles?

In Faith, Love and Australia, Paul Ritchie presents a thoughtful and deeply personal case that marriage equality strengthens, rather than undermines, the institutions conservatives value most. Drawing upon ideas of commitment, responsibility, family, freedom and social stability, he argues that allowing same-sex couples to marry affirms the enduring importance of marriage in Australian life.

Ritchie writes from an unusual and compelling perspective. As chief speechwriter to Prime Minister Tony Abbott, he worked at the centre of conservative Australian politics during one of the nation’s most divisive public debates. Yet he concluded that the conservative commitment to family, individual dignity and lasting relationships offered powerful reasons to support reform.

Published before Australia legalised same-sex marriage, this book captures a critical moment in the nation’s political and social history. It challenges assumptions about what conservatives must believe and demonstrates how political traditions can respond to changing circumstances without abandoning their central values.

Clear, humane and intellectually engaging, Faith, Love and Australia will appeal to readers interested in marriage, religion, conservatism, Australian politics and the debate that transformed the nation. It remains an important contribution to understanding how social change can emerge from within a political tradition.

About the Author

Paul Ritchie served as chief speechwriter to Prime Minister Tony Abbott. He has undertaken postgraduate study at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and the Australian Graduate School of Management. He is also the author of Stay on Message.

Recommended Website Tagline

The unexpected conservative argument that helped redefine Australia’s debate over marriage equality.

Alternative Sales Hook

Written from inside conservative politics, this is the compelling case that marriage equality strengthens families, freedom and the institution of marriage itself.

Search Keywords

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