Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Parliamentary religion and public accountability

By Brian Morris - posted Tuesday, 18 August 2015


In this 'evidence-based' era, the voting public has a right to know where their elected representatives stand - not merely their Church allegiances but the full extent of their religious beliefs.

In no way does this compromise their constitutional right to faith!

But how many MPs are among the 32% of Australians who continue to assert that "Genesis is the inerrant Word of God"? Do they also accept the story of Noah's Ark as historical fact, and that the Earth is only 6,000 years old? The public, and media, need to know the depth of religious superstition in our federal and state governments.

Advertisement

Why are parliamentarians not questioned closely on personal faith -- particularly at election time? And why should such beliefs deny the wishes of the vast public majority on the entire socio-political agenda?

Religion can dramatically dictate an MPs attitude to a whole raft of contemporary social policy. Voters have every right to know the bold facts of their candidate's religion.

With the public becoming increasingly non-religious the electorate needs factual information to decide on who to choose as their local representative -- and that includes specific knowledge of an MP's supernatural convictions.

It's not just the fiasco of indecision by Labor and Liberal on marriage equality; it extends to voluntary euthanasia, equality for women and a score of other key topics. More than two dozen such issues are canvassed in the new book, 'Sacred to Secular', which also examines how the Scandinavian nations have taken religion out of politics.

The full extent of covert religious influence in Australian politics is a mystery, although the present government is seen as highly Christianised. It surfaces only in those rare moments when parliamentarians are caught off guard, or they become overly brazen.

In March last year The Age reported Tony Abbott's evangelical rant to a group of Tasmanian timber workers that left no doubt about the strength of his Christian zeal.

Advertisement

Senator Eric Abetz also thinks God has a major role to play in politics. He was reported in The Australian as saying only the "intellectually bankrupt" would expect MPs to "leave their religion at the doors of parliament". South Australian Senator Cory Bernardi is another outspoken Christian who attracts much attention, most notably when he linked same-sex marriage with bestiality.

Surely, isn't it time that every parliamentarian was subjected to greater religious scrutiny -- so that the public knows exactly which MPs quietly and surreptitiously decide party policy based on supernatural Christian beliefs.

All members of parliament are currently required to declare their pecuniary interests -- for obvious reasons of probity. Is it too much to ask that they also declare, openly and honestly, the extent of their religious beliefs? And, to be wholly accountable, to then place them on the public record.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. 3
  5. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

23 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Brian Morris is the director of Plain Reason.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Brian Morris

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Photo of Brian Morris
Article Tools
Comment 23 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy