Comments on: separation of church and state: PM catches the fire, government already burning http://www.intelligentdesign.com.au/blog/2007/01/21/separation-of-church-and-state-pm-catches-the-fire-government-already-ablaze/ a blog about things Tue, 02 Aug 2011 06:31:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: religious fundamentalists reach a new low with bushfire comments at a roll of the dice http://www.intelligentdesign.com.au/blog/2007/01/21/separation-of-church-and-state-pm-catches-the-fire-government-already-ablaze/comment-page-1/#comment-77286 religious fundamentalists reach a new low with bushfire comments at a roll of the dice Tue, 10 Feb 2009 03:54:12 +0000 http://www.intelligentdesign.com.au/blog/2007/01/21/separation-of-church-and-state-pm-catches-the-fire-government-already-ablaze/#comment-77286 [...] the Fire may be a familiar name.  That’s because they are the same fundos who received a personalised message from John Howard when he was frantically selling himself to every right wing group of wackos who might conceivably [...] [...] the Fire may be a familiar name.  That’s because they are the same fundos who received a personalised message from John Howard when he was frantically selling himself to every right wing group of wackos who might conceivably [...]

]]> By: Paul http://www.intelligentdesign.com.au/blog/2007/01/21/separation-of-church-and-state-pm-catches-the-fire-government-already-ablaze/comment-page-1/#comment-27 Paul Wed, 24 Jan 2007 03:35:06 +0000 http://www.intelligentdesign.com.au/blog/2007/01/21/separation-of-church-and-state-pm-catches-the-fire-government-already-ablaze/#comment-27 Well, personally I think someone in public life has to have the guts to stand up for the secular state, and to strongly and clearly enunciate the value of separation of church and state. As mentioned above this isn't exactly constitutionally enshrined in Australia. Funnily enough, Rudd seems to appreciate the idea more than some (read his article in The Monthly about the role of the church in a modern democracy if you get the chance, it's very interesting), but the ALP's flirtations with Hillsong et al are still a great worry. I tend to think that as a country we suffer now for the fact that we have never suffered in the past from serious oppression, be it religious or otherwise (I refer to the predominantly white majority in this remark). Without a revolution or civil war of our own we tend to undervalue the importance of certain mechanisms designed to keep government in check - such as transparency, accountability, and in this case the separation of the church from the state. We are somewhat unique in this respect - let's hope we don't have to go through something terrible as a necessary step in our development as a nation. Well, personally I think someone in public life has to have the guts to stand up for the secular state, and to strongly and clearly enunciate the value of separation of church and state. As mentioned above this isn’t exactly constitutionally enshrined in Australia. Funnily enough, Rudd seems to appreciate the idea more than some (read his article in The Monthly about the role of the church in a modern democracy if you get the chance, it’s very interesting), but the ALP’s flirtations with Hillsong et al are still a great worry.

I tend to think that as a country we suffer now for the fact that we have never suffered in the past from serious oppression, be it religious or otherwise (I refer to the predominantly white majority in this remark). Without a revolution or civil war of our own we tend to undervalue the importance of certain mechanisms designed to keep government in check – such as transparency, accountability, and in this case the separation of the church from the state. We are somewhat unique in this respect – let’s hope we don’t have to go through something terrible as a necessary step in our development as a nation.

]]> By: erin http://www.intelligentdesign.com.au/blog/2007/01/21/separation-of-church-and-state-pm-catches-the-fire-government-already-ablaze/comment-page-1/#comment-26 erin Wed, 24 Jan 2007 03:15:27 +0000 http://www.intelligentdesign.com.au/blog/2007/01/21/separation-of-church-and-state-pm-catches-the-fire-government-already-ablaze/#comment-26 very good. i enjoyed reading your thoughts and agree that the information you have presented here is a cause for real concern. i have my own thoughts on religious 'zealots' and their ability to cross over into political institutions, but this is your rant, not mine ;) so whats the answer? since politics is at the best of times driven by ideology, what is the solution to this problem? better yet, IS there a solution? very good. i enjoyed reading your thoughts and agree that the information you have presented here is a cause for real concern. i have my own thoughts on religious ‘zealots’ and their ability to cross over into political institutions, but this is your rant, not mine ;)

so whats the answer? since politics is at the best of times driven by ideology, what is the solution to this problem? better yet, IS there a solution?

]]> By: church and state update: Pyne added to health portfolio at a roll of the dice http://www.intelligentdesign.com.au/blog/2007/01/21/separation-of-church-and-state-pm-catches-the-fire-government-already-ablaze/comment-page-1/#comment-24 church and state update: Pyne added to health portfolio at a roll of the dice Wed, 24 Jan 2007 00:42:05 +0000 http://www.intelligentdesign.com.au/blog/2007/01/21/separation-of-church-and-state-pm-catches-the-fire-government-already-ablaze/#comment-24 [...] Further to this post about the increasing influence of religious groups on the Government, yesterday’s cabinet reshuffle has promoted MP Christopher Pyne to the newly created position of assistant minister for health. [...] [...] Further to this post about the increasing influence of religious groups on the Government, yesterday’s cabinet reshuffle has promoted MP Christopher Pyne to the newly created position of assistant minister for health. [...]

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