Australia pastor case 'canary in the coal mine' for American Christian freedoms: TPUSA leader

Lucas Miles, vice president of faith at Turning Point USA, told Fox News Digital he contacted the White House Faith Office and several administration officials regarding what he described as a politically motivated investigation into the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church. "We've reached out to the faith office, we've reached out to several members of the administration to make sure that they're aware of this," Miles said. "We're hoping to see some response and action soon."

Parliamentary Hearing Questions

The controversy arose during an Oct. 16 parliamentary hearing examining allegations of coordinated political activity by church members during Australia's 2025 federal election. Independent MP Monique Ryan questioned the church's global leader, Bruce Hales, about whether members considered him an "elect vessel" or a direct messenger from God. She also asked whether members sought his guidance on marriage, housing, pets, clothing and facial hair.

Liberal MP Ben Small objected to the questioning, calling it "patently ridiculous" and "so far off the terms of reference for this inquiry." Another lawmaker interjected that hairstyles had no bearing on electoral matters, while the committee chair allowed the questioning to continue.

Church Denies Involvement

Hales denied directing, funding or coordinating political campaigning during the 2025 election, maintaining that church members acted independently. "I had no involvement whatsoever in relation to any members who volunteered or took part in any aspect of the 2025 federal election," Hales told the committee.

Lawmakers questioned whether a sermon in which Hales said Australia needed to be "happy again, smiling again" influenced members' political activities, citing subsequent campaign messaging that echoed his words. His son, Gareth, acknowledged encouraging people already involved in campaigning but denied directing an organized church campaign.

The committee is also examining allegations of intimidation and coordinated campaigning during the election. Church leaders have denied organizing or condoning improper conduct. Hales said he did not support harassment or intimidation and maintained that individual members should be accountable for their own actions.

Broader Religious Freedom Concerns

The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, which traces its roots back roughly 200 years, says its roughly 55,000 members worldwide follow a "Doctrine of Separation," distancing themselves from certain secular activities and practices they believe conflict with biblical teachings. The church rejects descriptions of the denomination as a cult, maintaining that its members freely practice their faith and contribute to their communities through businesses and charitable initiatives.

Miles argued that the line of questioning illustrates a broader threat to religious freedom. "The troubling shift from election oversight to religious scrutiny gives every appearance of a politically motivated witch hunt," he said. "In a free society, government has every right to investigate violations of election law, but it has no business putting Christian doctrine on trial."

Miles wants Trump to apply diplomatic pressure on Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and urge an end to the inquiry. "What I would like to see, first of all, is some pressure applied, whether that be through diplomatic channels or through the president himself," Miles told Fox News Digital. He emphasized that Christians should be free to participate in politics without their churches automatically being held responsible for their individual choices.

Miles warned that the controversy could establish a troubling precedent for American churches. "If this can happen in Australia, if it can happen places like England and Canada, it certainly can happen America if we don't stay alert," he said. He urged Trump to pursue what he called "faith-based diplomacy" to defend religious liberty abroad, stating: "Religious liberty means nothing if it only protects those whose beliefs the government approves of."