Julia Gillard has actually come out and said that she is an Atheist (Shriek!).
We thought she probably was - but very few Atheists in that sort of leadership position are so forthcoming - or are even asked the question.
We thought she probably was - but very few Atheists in that sort of leadership position are so forthcoming - or are even asked the question.
From the Sydney Morning Herald - concerning amongst other things an interview with Jon Faine:
“FAINE: Do you believe in God?
PM: No, I don't Jon, I'm not a religious person....but during my adult life I've, you know, found a different path,'' she declared. ''I'm, of course, a great respecter of religious beliefs but they're not my beliefs.''
Even for a so-called secular society such as Australia this is fairly radical.
This could not happen in the USA where it is impossible to gain high office - or indeed many elected offices at all - without being demonstrably a believer.
As I mentioned somewhere recently, even the Dog Catchers in some southern states will need to profess their devotion. Perhaps an election slogan ‘Ah ketch dawgs fo’ Jaysus’.
Now there is no way of ever knowing how much of what these people say is true and probably atheists and agnostics in politics are as numerous as they are in the general population.
I imagine that god does not talk to most of them like he did to George W Bush - and look what sound advice George was given for efforts in asking for guidance.
‘Eye Rak? Ah don’t know where that is lord but ah will hammer the shee-it out of it if that is what you want.’
It says something about a society that you have to lie just to be eligible to be elected. But that’s America. They are different there. Just like Austrians are here - and the Australians are over there (or under there).
