As an Aussie living in New Zealand, I have been watching the current national conversation back home on religious freedom and the legal definition of marriage from afar.

I've noticed there’s been a lot of talk about rights. Religious rights. LGBT rights. Rainbow rights. Equal marriage rights. Conservative rights. Parents' rights. Children's rights. Civil rights. Priests’ rights. Churches’ rights. Human rights.

Lots of rights.

Here's a thought. Let’s put all of our rights to one side for a moment and think about responsibilities.

The responsibility to be kind.

The responsibility to listen.

The responsibility to love God and your neighbour (if you’re a believer).

The responsibility to love humanity.

The responsibility to pray for understanding, a humble heart, and answers to the tough questions we face (if you’re a believer).

The responsibility to civilly work things out with each other, even if we disagree on some things.

The responsibility to help those with whom we disagree on some things to live according to THEIR core values and beliefs.

If we talk, write and act motivated by personal and shared responsibilities, then, perhaps, we will be more inclined to foster the grace and generosity of spirit required to engage in what some have called "the hard work of citizenship," shoulder-to-shoulder, for the benefit of all.

Sadly, the focus on rights can lead to selfishness. Pushing others away and down, in order to prop oneself up. And the more "my rights" are all I see, the more "I'm right" is all I see.

Thoughtful and respectful words and actions based on responsibilities, however, can help us lift everyone, even those with whom we disagree on some things.

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