Atheism

@littlek,

I mentioned that Australia's new Prime Minister is openly atheist, but didn't get much response. It's a pretty big issue here, apparently a bigger issue than being our first female PM. Apparently it's been fine in the past "not to have an active belief in any particular religion" but Julia Gillards "No, I don't believe in gods and I won't pretend to participate" has certainly stirred up the religious minority in a big way.

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@Eorl,

We here in the colonies have not heard much about that. I have not seen a mention on any American news outlet.

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@Eorl,

I saw that. It is a breakthrough to me. Was she open about this before being elected?

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@Eorl,

Good for her! We can't even have inactive faith in our presidents it seems. At least not lately.

So, you say it's a big deal, how so? What are people saying?

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It's not a big deal in Australia, because Australia is a much more secular society than the U.S. We just tend to be more relaxed about it, as with many issues in the 'culture wars'. I hope it stays that way.

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@jeeprs,

I'll let you and Eorl hash out whether or not it's a big deal.

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@Eorl,

Really?

I've not seen anything.

Are they commenting on their websites or something, or has it reached mainstream media?

I am very disappointed to hear it.

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@ossobuco,

ossobuco wrote:

I saw that. It is a breakthrough to me. Was she open about this before being elected?

It kind of doesn't come up in Australia for politicians...except maybe in the religious minority world.

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@dlowan,

well KRudd (previous PM, since deposed) used to do doorstop interviews on his way out of his Church service on Sundays. That wasn't a big deal, either. Religious, unreligious, whatever. Myself, I am quite a religious person, in my own kind of way, but the fact that others are, or are not, is of no particular concern, right up until they become anti-religious, which is where I begin to argue.

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@jeeprs,

What about when they become anti-irreligious?

I think Rudd would have been the first religious Labor PM in quite a while.

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@dlowan,

Same in Germany. In 1998, when Gerhard Schroeder delivered his first oath of office without the phrase "so help me God", only a few conservative newspaper tried to make an issue of it. But even their conservative readers just yawned, and the issue died not a week later.

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@dlowan,

Quote:

What about when they become anti-irreligious?

got me stumped there.

But I don't much care for what I call the evangatheists.

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@ossobuco,

She wasn't elected. Theoretically, they don't get elected by the people, they are selected by the elected members of the ruling party. In practice their leadership has a strong impact on voting, so the coming election will be our chance to indirectly vote her in or out.

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@dlowan,

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/06/29/2939879.htm

The baby-boomer talkback radio types have their say too.

I think it's great she's so open about it.

1 Reply

@Eorl,

I'm not seeing negative reactions to her atheism where you directed me Eorl?

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@jeeprs,

I kinda hope you're right, it shouldn't be a big deal. I just wonder how Americans view the fact that a country like ours, so similar to the USA in many ways, can have openly atheist leaders.

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@dlowan,

More here:

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/julia-gillard-risks-christian-vote-with-doubts-on-god/story-e6frg6nf-1225885897505

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/07/07/2946990.htm

and at the fringe:
http://catchthefire.com.au/blog/2010/06/30/julia-gillard-and-religious-faith-please-vote-in-polls/

I don't think it'll be an issue for most people, but maybe enough to put in or out of power, especially if you look to the bush vote.

1 Reply

@Eorl,

Eorl wrote:

I kinda hope you're right, it shouldn't be a big deal. I just wonder how Americans view the fact that a country like ours, so similar to the USA in many ways, can have openly atheist leaders.

I view it with envy. Her candor on the topic is ideal.

I don't know what it would take for an Atheist to hold the top level office in the USA... openly. It's politically correct to be a Christian in the USA if you want to serve in this capacity.

A
R
T

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@Eorl,

Gillard made it plain she is not anti-religion. She respects the sincerely held beliefs of others. She said she doesn't want to appear to believe something she really doesn't believe in, that's all. I think it would be a different matter if an elected representative was what I have called an evangatheist. But, as she said, when it comes to faith, it is a personal matter.

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@failures art,

I find that deeply contradictory, in a country where so much stress is put on the separation of church and state, and the role of the individual conscience. Baffling, really.

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