Go Back, You're Going The Wrong Way

At a time when a Morgan Poll reveals that Christianity is moving rapidly towards minority status in Australia, an article in The Age newspaper warns us that Tony Abbott is humping Australia in the opposite direction - towards a theocratic government.

The article questions whether the separation of church and state is under threat. It's a valid question to ask: a 100% religious ministry is about as unrepresentative of the current Australian population as you can get. The  religious right has seized control of the Liberal Party and is imposing itself on a population which is moving the other way. I suppose that's politics for you.

I have strong doubts whether Abbott and his male dominated Christian dominated Ministry can govern properly for all people. Whilst they all have the right to believe in their own particular god, collectively this lack of diversity is counterproductive for the aspirations of a diverse population.

The past excesses of Rome are an illustration of theocratic government and the disgusting things done by religion when it gains too much power. The Vatican is still a theocracy now, one of only two in this world today. The other is Iran. Neither of them are a shining advertisement for good governance. Both have been responsible for horrific crimes - in the name of their god.

The Republican Party in the US is now a mini-theocracy and - wherever they can - their state and federal governments are allowing religious extremists to impose their religion on the populace and suppress alternative views. I hope this is not the direction taken by the right in Australia but it is beginning to look that way.

The population is losing its religion whilst the Government of Australia is strengthening its own.

They are pushing against the tide.