God talks to Australian politicians too
Nov 9th 2004, 9:19 am
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
God talks to Australian politicians too
Chasing votes with Bible in hand
By PAUL STARICK in Canberra
NEWLY re-elected President George W. Bush ended his victory speech
with the traditional closer: "God bless you and may God bless
America."
The faith-based message had particular resonance for the President.
The so-called Religious Right in the U.S. was the linchpin of his
successful campaign for a second term, confirming its rise as a
powerful force.
The new conservatism is underpinned by religion, moral values, tax
cuts and an aggressive foreign policy aimed at "advancing freedom".
During the presidential poll, fundamentalist churches became base
stations for Republican-friendly volunteers campaigning for people to
register to vote.
Exit polls from Wednesday's election showed "moral values" was the top
issue influencing voters, along with such social and religious issues
as gay marriage, gun ownership, and abortion.
Bush voters said they valued his clarity, leadership and religious
faith. Democrat candidate Senator John Kerry scored higher with those
who placed a premium on intelligence, compassion and being an agent of
change.
TV network CNN's analysis of the exit data showed that morality was
cited as the No. 1 concern by 22 per cent of voters – four-fifths of
whom voted for Mr Bush.
Griffith University politics lecturer Dr Paul Williams says the
religious right has always existed but it is now being mobilised.
"Fundamentalist religions do well in troubled times," he says.
The resurgence of religion as a factor in mainstream politics is not
confined to America.
The October 9 federal election here confirmed the rise of Family First
as a national political party.
Family First has captured a Senate seat in Victoria, won by Steve
Fielding.
While Family First insists it is not merely a fundamentalist Christian
party, religion is a powerful motivator for its candidates and, now,
some of its Members of Parliament.
Family First MLC Andrew Evans, who was elected to the South Australian
Parliament in 2002, says his party does not want to pass laws
requiring people to go to church.
"Our motivation is family values, based on Judeo-Christian ethics," he
says.
"We wouldn't want a Muslim government and we wouldn't want a Christian
government.
"It's not the political side to push the message of Christianity, it's
the churches'."
Dr Williams says he suspects this is "a smokescreen", pointing out the
former Democratic Labor Party wanted to be called a party with
Catholics rather than a Catholic party. "Family First is the same.
They're a party of Christians, not a Christian party," he said. Dr
Williams says the party has been successful by adopting a
non-threatening name and stance. "It's a parenthood statement. You're
always going to win with a pro-family policy, whatever that means," he
says.
Family First has reached national prominence after being launched
three years ago at the Adelaide Town Hall.
Former Norwood footballer Michael Aish was the MC, introducing former
Australian squad netballer Andrea Mason, now the party leader.
Mr Evans was one of only two party candidates. He is a former
Assemblies of God pastor, having served for 30 years at the Klemzig
and Paradise congregations.
The Paradise church, with 4000 members, illustrates the rise of a new
style of religion in Australia, fuelling the family values cause.
"The churches that are gathering young people have not changed the
message but they have changed the method, so churches become
interesting and exciting," Mr Evans says.
Mr Evans, however, says young people comprise only about two per cent
of Family First's 1400 members.
He argues the politics of family values sprang up as a response to the
gay lobby, drug lobby and other groups perceived as undermining family
values.
Mr Evans says Family First members previously had been happy to vote
Labor or Liberal, when their MPs adhered to family values. But he
argues some of the major parties' MPs have "just gone along" with the
gay lobby and drug lobby, for example, and "started pushing their
case". The hotbed of new conservatism is in the U.S., where the
American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research is recognised
as its intellectual driving force.
In an article published on the AEI's website in August, Irving Kristol
argues neoconservatism stemmed from "disillusioned liberal
intellectuals in the 1970s".
"Neoconservatism has been an intellectual undercurrent that surfaces
only intermittently," he says. "It has flowered again of late and
President George W. Bush and his administration seem to be at home in
the political environment created by neoconservatism's renaissance."
Kristol argues the most visible policies are characterised by "cutting
tax rates to stimulate steady economic growth" and foreign policy
characterised by the "military superiority of the U.S.".
http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au...,5936,11296545
%255E911,00.html
By PAUL STARICK in Canberra
NEWLY re-elected President George W. Bush ended his victory speech
with the traditional closer: "God bless you and may God bless
America."
The faith-based message had particular resonance for the President.
The so-called Religious Right in the U.S. was the linchpin of his
successful campaign for a second term, confirming its rise as a
powerful force.
The new conservatism is underpinned by religion, moral values, tax
cuts and an aggressive foreign policy aimed at "advancing freedom".
During the presidential poll, fundamentalist churches became base
stations for Republican-friendly volunteers campaigning for people to
register to vote.
Exit polls from Wednesday's election showed "moral values" was the top
issue influencing voters, along with such social and religious issues
as gay marriage, gun ownership, and abortion.
Bush voters said they valued his clarity, leadership and religious
faith. Democrat candidate Senator John Kerry scored higher with those
who placed a premium on intelligence, compassion and being an agent of
change.
TV network CNN's analysis of the exit data showed that morality was
cited as the No. 1 concern by 22 per cent of voters – four-fifths of
whom voted for Mr Bush.
Griffith University politics lecturer Dr Paul Williams says the
religious right has always existed but it is now being mobilised.
"Fundamentalist religions do well in troubled times," he says.
The resurgence of religion as a factor in mainstream politics is not
confined to America.
The October 9 federal election here confirmed the rise of Family First
as a national political party.
Family First has captured a Senate seat in Victoria, won by Steve
Fielding.
While Family First insists it is not merely a fundamentalist Christian
party, religion is a powerful motivator for its candidates and, now,
some of its Members of Parliament.
Family First MLC Andrew Evans, who was elected to the South Australian
Parliament in 2002, says his party does not want to pass laws
requiring people to go to church.
"Our motivation is family values, based on Judeo-Christian ethics," he
says.
"We wouldn't want a Muslim government and we wouldn't want a Christian
government.
"It's not the political side to push the message of Christianity, it's
the churches'."
Dr Williams says he suspects this is "a smokescreen", pointing out the
former Democratic Labor Party wanted to be called a party with
Catholics rather than a Catholic party. "Family First is the same.
They're a party of Christians, not a Christian party," he said. Dr
Williams says the party has been successful by adopting a
non-threatening name and stance. "It's a parenthood statement. You're
always going to win with a pro-family policy, whatever that means," he
says.
Family First has reached national prominence after being launched
three years ago at the Adelaide Town Hall.
Former Norwood footballer Michael Aish was the MC, introducing former
Australian squad netballer Andrea Mason, now the party leader.
Mr Evans was one of only two party candidates. He is a former
Assemblies of God pastor, having served for 30 years at the Klemzig
and Paradise congregations.
The Paradise church, with 4000 members, illustrates the rise of a new
style of religion in Australia, fuelling the family values cause.
"The churches that are gathering young people have not changed the
message but they have changed the method, so churches become
interesting and exciting," Mr Evans says.
Mr Evans, however, says young people comprise only about two per cent
of Family First's 1400 members.
He argues the politics of family values sprang up as a response to the
gay lobby, drug lobby and other groups perceived as undermining family
values.
Mr Evans says Family First members previously had been happy to vote
Labor or Liberal, when their MPs adhered to family values. But he
argues some of the major parties' MPs have "just gone along" with the
gay lobby and drug lobby, for example, and "started pushing their
case". The hotbed of new conservatism is in the U.S., where the
American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research is recognised
as its intellectual driving force.
In an article published on the AEI's website in August, Irving Kristol
argues neoconservatism stemmed from "disillusioned liberal
intellectuals in the 1970s".
"Neoconservatism has been an intellectual undercurrent that surfaces
only intermittently," he says. "It has flowered again of late and
President George W. Bush and his administration seem to be at home in
the political environment created by neoconservatism's renaissance."
Kristol argues the most visible policies are characterised by "cutting
tax rates to stimulate steady economic growth" and foreign policy
characterised by the "military superiority of the U.S.".
http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au...,5936,11296545
%255E911,00.html
Nov 9th 2004, 9:50 am
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: God talks to Australian politicians too
"GDay Oz" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
Chasing votes with Bible in hand
By PAUL STARICK in Canberra
<snip>
Not to mention that Peter Costello, who **** wit Australian voters have
pretty much guarenteed will be our next prime minister, is a fundamentalist
evangelical.
We've already seen what will soon be coming with all these attacks on
abortion rights. We are not only well on our way to becoming the 51st state
of the US, but we will be a southern Bible belt state!!!
news:[email protected]...
Chasing votes with Bible in hand
By PAUL STARICK in Canberra
<snip>
Not to mention that Peter Costello, who **** wit Australian voters have
pretty much guarenteed will be our next prime minister, is a fundamentalist
evangelical.
We've already seen what will soon be coming with all these attacks on
abortion rights. We are not only well on our way to becoming the 51st state
of the US, but we will be a southern Bible belt state!!!
