I am surprised that fundamentalists offer this as a Christian value. Australia is not a Christian nation, but rather a secular democracy, so the prayers that would be offered would have to cover all religions, and surely making such a compromise is more detrimental than not having prayers at all, and instead leaving it up to each politician to exercise their own private faith in seeking God's wisdom?Prayers to open Parliament each day:
In other words, teach a whitewashed view of Australian history, that makes out as though missionaries and the effect of the Christian Church on Australian history and the Australian nation have been all positive. Surely "truth" is a Christian value?Teach Australia's Christian heritage and history in all schools.
I'm not sure what to make of this one. Australia is not a Christian nation, and not even all Christians agree on this one, so surely we can't enforce this value on everyone. that said, I do think that marriage is important and desirable, and there should be additional financial and other benefits that result from being a married couple (or a long-term (and by that i don't mean a year or two) de-facto couple ).Promotion and support of marriage over de-facto cohabitation
This is a bizarre thing to call a Christian value. I haven't yet seen the commandment in the Bible: "Thou shalt attend pre-marriage counselling." Is it a good thing? undoubtedly. Is it a Christian value? not necessarily.Provide free pre-marriage education/voucher for couples
Again, how is this a Christian value? Are my values non-Christian if I don't support this?Income splitting for married couples with dependent children
A Christian value? No. A good thing? yes.Family impact statement tabled publicly in Parliament before vote
How can this possibly be construed as a Christian value? surely recognising the equal rights of all is a good and Christian thing to do?Keep our freedom, oppose a Bill or Charter of Rights
Surely every person has the right to be protected from public vilification? Again, how can this possibly be construed as a Christian value? I am sure there are many Australian Christians who would support such anti-vilification laws.Preserve free speech. Oppose religious/sexuality vilification laws.
And then gives the Liberals a tick? I suppose what "greater" means is all subjectiveSupport greater care of God's environment
I think the reason poverty is not on the list is because it's obvious all parties are against poverty and there are different views on how best to tackle it.GodsoldierClintus said:I notice there's nothing on poverty on that list - of that 64% how many are actually Christians? Or is it the old, my grandparents go to church once a year, I'm a Christian
I don't see how it does any harm. It's a great tradition that asks for God's blessing before making decisions that affect the lives of many people, and reminds politicians that they have a higher authority to answer to.norbie said:Typicall example: prayers in parliament.
it's all lip-service, does the true Christian Church more damage then good.
All the more reason to keep prayers in parliament!Howard &. Co they are all 'so good Christian' - but their decision making is all against Jesus teaching.
Christianity and Politics do mix. I am a Christian in this country and I have a right to vote, and I will vote for a party that reflects my beliefs.
Christians for to long have been taught that we don't have a voice.
I have never heard of anyone wanting a Christian political party in power. The idea is absurd due to our two-party system. Sounds like you are making a strawman here.misfitforfaith said:Monarchist
That post was directed at me right! Those that would want christian political party in power are moving into dangerous territory.
No the west is fighting the war on terror to defeat terrorism. There are Islamic governments around the world that are allied with western countries and are also fighting the war on terror.I mean the western world expects Muslims for example to keep their religion out of politics and infact is the west not fighting a so called "war on terror" for that very reason.
Another strawman. No one here has expressed any sort of desire for a theocracy.Yet you think it would be just fine for christians to a have some kind of theocracy hmm very double standards indeed not the kind of thing that would give any western nation a leg to stand when dealing with Islam.
A strong economy with low unemployment is widely regarded as the best thing to offer "lower class people or disadvantaged people", allowing those who want to work find a job. However incentives do need to exist for people on all income levels to increase productivity and add to economic growth.And none of these parties have anything to offer lower class people or disadvantage people of which iam probly one they cater to business types very middle policies for a very upwardly mobile AOG movement no doubt they would be happy to direct all there policies to the coalition without reservation which is what they are based around after all they are in the pockets of people like Pastor Houston!.
Just like the Greens preference deals with Labor?CDP or FF have about as much chance of getting near political power as the dems or greens have which is pretty much a fat chance. The best they can muster is right wing version of the dems trying balance power via lobbying and preference deals with the conservatives which what they already do.
Theres that T word again.You can wish or you want for theocracy in Australia mate but hell would have to freeze over first. I would also like to add that many of those you consider christian leaders or politicians don't have have crystal clean lives themselves.
A "simple naive forum". Nice one.I mean President GWB is christian politician and kills several hundred iraqis every week. I would also like to add that i am obviously fairly new posting here so i hope this wont be too heavy for this simple naive forum
I would recommend that you go easy on the kooky conspiracy theory books. I mean devil worshipping politicians? Pull the other one.however i have read many sources on conspiracy,paranormal and occult it seems some of your favored christian fundie leaders have been leading double lives worshiping no other than Lucifer himself and i can prove it! I will post links from net later if you wish.
Over generalisation, innacurate one at that. Perhaps you just haven't been looking at the right threads or right areas of the forums. Are you implying that everyone here is simple and niave by extension because I don't know how else to interpret what you said.I would also like to add that i am obviously fairly new posting here so i hope this wont be too heavy for this simple naive forum
*Groans* in my experience a reliable source on conspiracy, paranormal or occult is an oxymoron. I'd like your links since I want to test my predictive abilities (I predict they will be poorly referenced, poorly argued sites by random nobodies who think they are important because they have a random idea and a website...)however i have read many sources on conspiracy,paranormal and occult
*Groans again* While you're at it could you prove the moon-landing hoax, elvis still lives, Roswell, 9/11 was done by the CIA, etc, etc....it seems some of your favored christian fundie leaders have been leading double lives worshiping no other than Lucifer himself and i can prove it!
You are not all there are you mate?Over generalisation, innacurate one at that. Perhaps you just haven't been looking at the right threads or right areas of the forums. Are you implying that everyone here is simple and niave by extension because I don't know how else to interpret what you said.
*Groans* in my experience a reliable source on conspiracy, paranormal or occult is an oxymoron. I'd like your links since I want to test my predictive abilities (I predict they will be poorly referenced, poorly argued sites by random nobodies who think they are important because they have a random idea and a website...)
*Groans again* While you're at it could you prove the moon-landing hoax, elvis still lives, Roswell, 9/11 was done by the CIA, etc, etc....
On the topic of chrisiian parties, what is it with some (I am fully aware it is not all or even most) chrisitans and their desire to enforce their religious views on others. Particularly when that view means restriciting someones rights for no other reason than the bible says its bad (i.e. it doesn't affect anyone else, kind of like if an islamic country banned anyone from eating pork). It just seems weird.
Charming...You are not all there are you mate?
Thats what I propose (within reason, i.e. you can't do something that will harm others)Everybody has a free will to do as they choose.
I think we should be making Australia a place were even if you are the minority it is safe. The litmus test is, if situations were reversed would you like it? To take an example from the list in the OP such as prayer before parliament begins, would the parties promoting it be so happy if it were a Muslim prayer, a Hindu prayer, or something like that. I think not therefore I don't see why we should start with one - remember demographics change and those who are in the majority one day might not be the next so don't set bad precedents that can come back to haunt you.That is a God given right, we as Christians know and understand that right.
We have that right too, to make this country as accommodating to our beliefs as you do to yours. Not tricky is it.
Wow I must have some really cool latent superpowers since this is the second time you have accussed me of being able to stop people voting for what they want. All I was aware of was me writing, debating, discussing, which is what people do in a democracy.If that is what we want to vote for, why cant we?
And those restricitions shouldn't be an abuse of the power of those with power lest you find the roles reversed one day. Groups shouldn't get unnecessary privlidges or restrictions, people should be restricted equally and for reasons that you would agree with if reversed (so if you restrict something just because of the Bible that is bad since you would fight it if it were the Koran - which is hypocritical). Which I think is one reason why some chrisitans don't support it either. That and forcing religion into places often backfires and just breeds resentment which would interfere with the whole spreading of the gospel aims. If you want people to act the way you want talk to them, don't try to pass laws forcing them.Try comprehend this. Everybody's rights are restricted to accommodate the acceptable public view.
Inflict? This is the open area for people of all religions (including none), if you hate atheists and non-christains morals so much go back to the christian only section. I make no appology for not hiding my morals from you and fortunately the vast majority of Christians here and in the real world don't ask me too.Why do you atheists inflict your morals here on us.
lol, do you have a persecution complex? I was not posting this as a direct attack on you, I hadn't even noticed you had posted in this thread. If I wanted to sook I wouldn't be here anyway, I'd be at IIDB and complaining to fellow atheists.Getting sick of your sooking about my views.
*looks around* Nope, can't see any homosexuals forcing their views on anyone. *looks through thread* nope, can't even tell if a homosexual has even expressed a view in this thread (not that anyone could tell unless someone specifically stated their orientation in their posts). Why did you say this then?Why are Homosexuals forcing there views on me.
Enough already.