Mon, 6. January 2014
Objections to Religion
Since then, we have had a Federal election and a new Government has been formed which is dominated by the religious right of the Liberal Party. I've commented briefly about the new Government's swearing into office using their books of religious fables; and their subsequent striking down of the ACT laws permitting same sex marriage.
I've also commented briefly on the local bigot and her proposed cure for HIV; and about the Christian slogans and symbols on our war memorials.
During this time, I've been thinking over my stance on religion. Whilst ridiculing religious nonsense is important, the promotion of atheism is less important than promoting secularism. I have no objections with people who profess religious beliefs - if they want to believe silly stuff and do silly things on Sundays I suppose that is their right. I do not see the need to convert them.
So, if I do not have any problems with religious people, what do I object to about religion? They fall into these broad categories:
- Religious leaders who promote lies and give people false hope, whilst taking their money;
- Religious leaders who either promote or tolerate violence or hatred;
- Religious leaders who use their position of power to satisfy their own sexual lust;
- Religious belief that religion is above the law;
- Religious hypocrisy;
- Religious demands for unearned respect and a tax-free ride;
- Religious belief that praying is a good substitute for actually doing something;
- Religious diversity - they all contradict each other;
- Religious use of politics as a tool.
- Religious indoctrination of children.
With a new, apparently heavily religious government under Prime Minister Tony Abbott, I think there will be much to worry about as their new programmes are announced.
We can forget Marriage Equality. Abbott told us pre-election that he would have no time to support this vital reform and has actually acted in government to strike it down instead.
The latest ravings of Senator Bernardi, an Abbott confidant and fellow traveller are an indication of what may be in store for us. Women's rights seem likely to be targeted, along with "non-traditional family arrangements" such as step families, same-sex and single families and couples with children born via surrogacy. "I believe that by stripping God and religious principles from our culture (and our politics) we have become a nation which does not know which port it is sailing to," Senator Bernardi writes.
I hope this person never gets a Ministerial position. Implying that only with religion can we adopt high principles is an insult to the growing proportion of the population (at least one in four and possibly approaching one in three) who have no religion.
Religious principles? Have a look at the popes, cardinals and bishops who have shielded from the law those within their church who have committed acts of lust and violence against women and children.
I would say our lack of direction in Australia is due to poor leadership on both sides of politics over recent years and that one thing governments must do is govern for all people. That means governing for people of all religious beliefs and non-beliefs. Only a secular approach of (a) keeping god out of politics; and (b) treating people of all beliefs and non-beliefs equally, can achieve that.