Author Archive for Australian AtheistPage 2 of 2

Politician’s popularity unaided by his popular faith

Harry Clarke joins Andrew Bolt in bemoaning the anti-Christian menace.

This time it's Catholics, followers of the most popular sect (5 million) of the most popular religion (12.7 million) in Australia, who are being discriminated against:
Sadly, I cannot help thinking that prejudiced views on Tony Abbott's Catholicism have hindered his prospects. We live in a secular society where people like Abbott who seek to live by a decent moral code are regarded suspiciously.
Abbott is not disliked because he lives by "decent moral code". He is unpopular because he tries to enforce, through legislation, an illogical, harmful "moral code" based on belief in a sky fairy.

There is nothing decent about restricting access to emergency contraception. Or fighting embryonic stem cell research, an area of great potential which one day could allow for the development of "replacement nerves and organs to overcome a range of devastating illnesses."

Parliamentary Liberal Party members recognise how secular and socially liberal Australia is. As such, Abbott will never be their leader.

The Sunday Age Faith column II

Ever wondered why some people are rich and others poor.

Rachel Woodlock, in last week's Faith column (no link available), gives us an Islamic view:
...the amount of wealth a person might acquire over their lifetime was already written by the hand of god before birth.
So if you are a citizen of Zimbabwe, fighting hunger and 14,841% inflation, take comfort in the fact there is nothing you can do about it and that Robert Mugabe was sent by Allah to keep you poor.

Nutters Marginalised

In comments broadcast in a BBC1 television documentary, The Blair Years:

Tony Blair has sparked controversy by claiming that religious people who speak about their faith are viewed by society as "nutters".

The former prime minister’s comments came as he admitted for the first time that his faith was "hugely important" in influencing his decisions during his decade in power at No. 10, including going to war with Iraq in 2003.

Andrew Bolt stands up for those persecuted Christians in the West:
The one faith about which politicians mustn’t be open is Christianity...
This is certainly the case in Australia where our new Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has failed to mention his Christianity over many years. The recent election was also devoid of politicians being open about their faith or openly appealing to Christians.

And even if those two previous sentences were proved to be false, Bolt has marshaled damning evidence of the omnipresent anti-Christian hatred in the Anglosphere:
Here’s a particularly foul example of that anti-Christian bigotry. From the BBC, of course.

And if you dare follow the link you find this "particularly foul" exchange:

JEREMY PAXMAN: Does the fact that George Bush and you are both Christians make it easier for you to view these conflicts in terms of good and evil?

TONY BLAIR: I don't think so, no, I think that whether you're a Christian or you're not a Christian you can try perceive what is good and what is, is evil.

JEREMY PAXMAN: You don't pray together for example?

TONY BLAIR: No, we don't pray together Jeremy, no.

JEREMY PAXMAN: Why do you smile?

TONY BLAIR: Because - why do you ask me the question?

JEREMY PAXMAN: Because I'm trying to find out how you feel about it.

TONY BLAIR: Possibly.

JEREMY PAXMAN: Right, would anyone else like to have a question?

That's right, Blair was questioned about his praying habits.

First they came for the communists etc.

Rewards of the hereafter insufficient

Demonstrating an astounding lack of faith in the motivating effects of an eternity in heaven, the Vatican has introduced performance pay for employees of the world’s smallest independent state:

The bonuses, which will apply to the 3,000 people who work in the Vatican, from the highest cardinal to the humblest cleaner, will be awarded on the basis of “dedication, correctness, professionalism and productivity”.

There is no word yet on how the productivity of those charged with communicating with God will be measured. Number of prayers answered perhaps.

Howard wins

If you were thinking about watching the election coverage tomorrow night don't bother.

We already know the result.

Kenneth Copeland, American Christian televangelist who believes Jesus was raped, tells us:
this is no time for that man [John Howard] to be defeated. Well he’s not going to be. Amen. He is Lord to the glory of God the Father. He is Lord to the glory of God the Father. He is Lord over Australia! It has been announced! Amen.
And god has also spoken to Danny Nalliah:
The Lord told me to spend some personal time with Prime Minister John Howard and to prophetically prepare Federal Treasurer Peter Costello as the future Prime Minister of Australia.

... Prime Minister John Howard will be re-elected in the November election (if the Body of Christ unites in prayer and action) and pass the leadership onto Peter Costello sometime after.
And Nalliah isn't some crackpot cult leader. In August he had private meetings with the Prime Minister and Peter Costello. (Which may explain why the Coalition has been campaigning so badly - they know they've already won so what's the point in trying.)

If only Nalliah didn't think gambling places, along with brothels, mosques and temples, were satan's strongholds worthy of destruction. He could make quite a lot of money on the Coalition over at Sportingbet.

Piss off

American Rosemary Hunter must have been in the toilet when god was handing out special powers.

She claims the god-given power make people urinate using her mind. Not only that, Hunter can psychically refill your empty bladder, thereby ensuring the former is always possible.

Unsurprisingly, under controlled conditions at the James Randi Educational Foundation, god abandoned Hunter and she was unable to demonstrate her gift.

If you're just pissing away time this evening, you can watch the entire test here.

Australia Was A Drinking Country

Jim Belshaw argues:

that Australia was a Christian country

How do we know?

The first official buildings built in new settlements after police stations and pubs were churches.

So Australia was a Christian country. In the same way, well actually to a lesser extent than, it was a country of criminals and vigourous drinkers.