In short: What they say . . .
“… a blueprint for a more rational, more sane Australia.”
Dr Peter Boghossian, Speaker for the Richard Dawkins Foundation.
“A Secular Australia is a timely and extremely relevant issue.”
Hugh Mackay AO
“… this book is at the vanguard (for a) secular Australia.”
Dr Paul Willis, Science Communicator
“… inspiring, with a vision for a genuinely secular Australia.”
Dr Meredith Doig, President, Rationalist Society of Australia Inc.
“… clearly explains the hold that Christian fundamentalism has over secular society…”
Dr David Zyngier, Faculty of Education, Monash University
“… it sounds an important warning of threats to secular public education.”
Professor Alan Reid AM, School of Education, University of South Australia
Note: This sets out the book’s theme — a broad chapter outline and rationale. The Appendix includes information and methods for taking individual (or group) action on the list of 25 issues identified in Chapter 9 as ‘secular’ topics.
Overview
Why has Australia failed the secular test? How has the nation’s social and political landscape become increasingly dominated by predatory evangelism and corporate Christianity — two corrupted elements of a theology that are incompatible with logic and reason in this modern evidence-based era of the 21st century? And what will it take to resolve this paradox?
Secular Australia remains an illusion despite a 2009 Nielsen poll showing 84% of the population agree that all religion and politics should be separated (chapter 1). It’s a clear public majority — including most Christians — that want to separate Church and State. This is an elementary social objective already achieved by successful European nations that have become fully secular.
And now, breaking with centuries of imposed tradition, non-Christian Australians finally outnumber Christians. An Easter media release from Roy Morgan Research on April 16, 2014 stated; “By Easter next year it could well be the first time that the majority of Australians don’t affiliate with Christianity.”
But the minority position still prevails. It is a strident fundamentalist voice that adamantly claims “we are a Christian nation under God”. It’s a declaration backed by the full weight of conservative authority — a small but highly influential Christian elite; an equally small but powerful Christian lobby; and a neo-liberal government content to acquiesce.
Politicised Church lobbies have ramped up the mantra of a Judeo-Christian tradition, tacitly aided by a media still hamstrung by the long-standing taboo that prohibits close scrutiny of Christianity’s dark side. It perpetuates a “sacred aura” of the Church, allowing it to impede contemporary social policy, based purely on its ancient doctrines.
The rationale for this book is to explain why a fully secular Australia is a social imperative; what tangible benefits can be gained; and how they might be achieved; and we profile the flourishing secular models of Scandinavian nations.
Juxtaposed against these objectives are the corrupted elements of Christianity — how they have become ’embedded’ in society and the harm they do. We look particularly at the growing influence of predatory evangelism and their “sacred mission” to “Christianise” children in schools across the nation — detailed in chapters 2 and 4.
And we probe beyond the facade of ‘corporate Christianity’ — their entrepreneurial interests in private education, private health, and aged care; their wealth in property and assets; and the raft of tax benefits that amount to an estimated $31 billion each year. All are discussed in detail before reaching chapter 9 and the alternatives that are possible with Australia moving progressively to become religion-neutral.
‘Personal and private’ faith is not the issue here — the primary focus is on politicised Christianity. But we do also examine the neuroscience of religious belief, and expose the fabricated foundations of Christian history.
Conclusions are drawn — and a firm and positive case is made — for Australia to finally adopt the successful social vision embodied by the modern secular countries of Norway, Denmark and Sweden. But first, this thought . . .
Imagine Australia becoming fully secular — based on the Scandinavian model . . .
- a nation guided by reason and rationalism, not supernatural deities.
- politicians deciding social policy without relying on religious doctrine.
- minority groups no longer marginalised by religion.
- all education free of evangelists and vested Church interests.
- schoolchildren being taught ethics not ‘Christian morality’.
- science given substantial research grants, facilities — and a portfolio.
- women’s health, abortion and contraception, without God.
- people enjoying all religious festivals — but as cultural events.
- end of life choices for the terminally ill, without Godly moralising.
- freedom to practice religion — but as a personal and private faith.
- no political parties based on single religious denominations.
- all religions taxed equally with secular organisations.
Secular not Sacred:
What is it that has led the progressive and inspirational nations of Europe to become fully secular? Why have they — and the Scandinavian countries in particular — moved on from centuries of domination by archaic religions?
Their desire was not to eliminate religion but simply to move its historically divisive influence from the public and political forum, and reposition it to where it belongs — as a wholly private and personal faith for those who still wish to worship the god of their choice.
To be secular is merely to separate religious control away from the affairs of state — creating a social structure and public policy agenda that is equitable, just, tolerant and inclusive. Secularism is not a belief system, it is the basis for a civilised and cohesive society.
But making a sound case for a secular nation requires the fallacies of religion — and Christianity in particular — to be rigorously examined. The focus here is on Australia’s assortment of disparate Christian denominations and their collective detriment to the community. No religion can claim to be “sacred” and above scrutiny. All are founded on man-made doctrines that demand belief in a supernatural god.
The Royal Commission into Child Sexual Abuse has further eroded dismal church attendances leaving mainstream Christianity in crisis, and ‘top heavy’ with its male bureaucracy. It’s a phenomenon acknowledged by many of the faithful with numerous Christian websites lamenting their fall from grace. However, the vacuum left by traditional churches has been filled by a new evangelism, which we will explain in various chapters.
The key issues:
- predatory evangelism in schools, commerce and politics: chapters 2 and 4.
- corporate and political Christianity dominating social policy: chapters 1 and 3.
- Christianity, faith and religious affiliation; the case against: chapters 5 and 6.
- neuroscience: why religion is all in the mind: chapter 7.
- the Jesus Myth: how the history of Christianity has been fabricated: chapter 8.
- Scandinavian models for a secular Australia: chapter 9.
Christianity, not Islam, is the central issue:
Poised on the threshold of this new millennium, Islamic fundamentalism may currently appear to hold centre stage: planes destroying the World Trade Centre; invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan; the rise of Islamic State and their barbaric YouTube massacres and beheadings; attacks in Australia, Canada and France; and there will no doubt be much more to come.
But it diverts attention away from Christianity’s agenda to subvert secular progress. By comparison, it gives the illusion of Christianity being benign. Much has been written about the callous, cruel and intolerant teachings of Islam but Australia’s 2011 census shows Muslims register just 2.2% of the population. Islam does present as an inflammatory faith but Christianity’s claim to be the sole source of peace and love is not borne out by history.
For almost 2,000 years Christian colonisation and oppressive authority have been every bit as cruel and merciless as the current crop of Islamic fanatics. And while the harm caused by Christianity today may seem less extreme the psychological, political and social damage is incalculable.
This is the critical point of difference. While fundamentalist Islam seeks control by violence, Christian authorities learned long ago how to infiltrate and dominate the political and social bastions of power (chapter 1). We also discuss how the Jesus Myth is now firmly embedded at all levels of society (chapter 2); the harm Christianity continues to inflict (chapter 3); and why the influence of Christian evangelism in education, health, the media, commerce and government (chapter 4) is damaging to Australia’s long-term future.
While ‘traditional’ Christianity is in crisis — with Anglican, Uniting Church and Catholic congregations evaporating — the vacuum has been rapidly filled by the strident and politically motivated Pentecostal churches. It is this US-style evangelism that has become more corrosive and destructive to the political framework and to the social fabric of Australia. Unlike Islamic jihad, Christian fundamentalism is covert; using its influence away from public and media attention.
Driven by their lobby groups, think tanks and devout politicians, Christianity continues to dictate the socio-political agenda. We examine the influx of evangelical organisations and their fundamental aim to Christianise children through schools and extra-curricular activities, and to perpetuate the myths and mindset of a doctrine based on pseudo-science and the supernatural. In this evidence-based era it amounts to intellectual child abuse.
Evangelical campaigns to roll back secular advances in Australia require close public investigation. There needs to be greater exposure and awareness of what is happening and how it can be averted. Chapter 9 draws together the elements needed for a stable solution that is religion-neutral, how that might be achieved, and what individuals and secular organisations can actually do to assist!
The Bottom Line — no proof of Christianity’s origin:
How remarkable it is that in this period of burgeoning scientific discovery and knowledge there remain belief systems that are based entirely on the paranormal. Even more astonishing is that much of Christian theology is founded on fiction — and this is recognised at the highest Church levels. It is known simply as ‘pious fraud’. The facts supporting this assertion are incontrovertible and are extensively covered in chapter 8.
The word ‘faith’ is itself a somewhat nebulous and illusory term. In chapter 5 we analyse the true meaning of ‘faith’ and how the devout use this catch-all expression to evade questions and avoid scrutiny of the tenuous foundations of Christianity.
It was religion that created the taboo for itself — “faith must never be questioned”. It’s high time that prohibition is lifted. The very provenance of Christianity needs to be publicly examined — to openly ask why Australia remains hamstrung by doctrines that impede progress, repudiate science, and repress the advancement of knowledge.
The challenge, too, is to awaken the interest of a traditionally myopic media that is hesitant to play a full investigative role and to enlighten the public on Christianity’s countless contradictions and fabrications.
But cultural norms change. Even during the past 50 years Australia has changed significantly — it was once fashionable to wear expensive furs; asbestos was a material of choice; domestic violence, drink driving and smoking were all deemed ‘acceptable’; and the death penalty has been abolished. Over many millennia the gods of previous cultures also faded into history — and the Jesus Myth will inevitably fade too.
But there will be no cultural or moral void — secular and humanitarian values provide for every human need. This issue is covered extensively in chapter 7 and 9, and with clear evidence of why ethics classes — not ‘Christian morality’ — must be extended to all schools. There is absolutely nothing that religion provides that cannot be delivered equally by a compassionate secular society.
It’s time to embrace a secular 21st century:
Australians need to decide what kind of community they want for their children — one that’s inclusive and open-minded, based on knowledge and reason, or one that is heavily influenced by doctrines from an ancient, divisive, and fictional faith?
There’s a growing public majority that is non-religious — people who live their lives and share with others the basic human expressions of goodwill — hope, compassion, kindness, purpose and happiness. They enjoy life without the fear and guilt that comes with worshipping an imaginary god. Why this is so is explained in chapter 7.
A stable secular society embraces all rational views and beliefs. It’s a concept that should permeate throughout the entire community — and it’s one that the more intellectually advanced nations of the world have already achieved.
This book may challenge ‘moderate’ Christians but there are many who already concede that an unfettered public discussion of religion is long overdue. A central question is the fundamentalist term Christian tradition — a repressive dogma that for two millennia held the power of life and death over entire nations and bred fear in those who dared question Church power. It is this dark religious history that makes Australia an aberration — a ‘new’ modern nation that inherited an archaic doctrine from its colonial master.
Religion thrives in regions of poverty, a fact supported by all current research. In chapters 5 and 9 we review this link between low income, low IQ and religion. This compelling evidence further illustrates why Australia’s subservience to Christianity is so incongruous — and particularly for a nation that has far more in common with the advanced secular countries of Scandinavia.
Clear evidence, and a unique ‘call to action’:
The arguments set out in these chapters do not rely on conjecture. They are grounded in fact and evidence, drawn from a legion of writers and modern thinkers — a plethora of experts, specialists, scholars, historians and theologians. There can be no aspersions cast as to their credentials, their credibility, culture or beliefs; all that matters here is the evidence they have provided.
The author’s background and expertise is in media and public relations and the entire project has been a compelling experience, both in its research and writing. The test has been to include a unique element and to provide interested readers with an opportunity to take concerted action on a variety of social policy topics — outlined in chapter 9 and the Appendix.
Only through open discussion, speaking publicly, and campaigning for change will the negative effects of organised and politicised religion finally give way to the benefits of a progressive secular community.
Many books have been written on the effects of religion but a broadly held view is that the majority are not easily understood by most people. Many either presume that the reader is already fluent in the subject, or the writing style is too academic or narrowly focused. We trust the journalistic style of this book will be more digestible.
By all means challenge the arguments set out in this narrative but do so by identifying precisely what FACTS are believed to be wrong. There is no room in this debate for ‘straw man’ arguments, for half-baked opinion, for attempting to shift the ‘burden of proof’, or tirades against the author simply for confronting Christianity — a faith that is far from benign; which has undue political influence; and has undeserved prestige and privilege.
The objective here is not to ‘convert’ anyone — rather, it is to stimulate the process of critical thought. We trust that others may take up the information and — perhaps in a more ‘distilled’ form — pass it on to those who might use it in the on-going process of evolutionary social change.
For whom is the book written?
Clearly, there will be broad public support, and especially from those who already accept the idea of Australia becoming fully secular. But it’s also designed for ‘opinion leaders’ — those with specific networks in the various fields of science, in education, the arts, government, the media, unions and legal professions.
Many of these people may regard themselves as ‘cultural Christians’ — those who were introduced to religion as a child but who have never practiced that belief (chapter 5). This large group, together with progressive ‘moderate’ Christians hold the key to any nation moving towards a more tolerant and equitable secular future.
Lifting the media taboo is critical to sustaining public debate that openly challenges entrepreneurial Christianity and predatory evangelism that targets children. Despite frequent scandals and indiscretions the Christian religion maintains a hallowed status — a seemingly invincible paragon of virtue.
But there are so many aspects of the entire Christian industry that requires scrutiny — its provenance, the harm inflicted, its wealth and privileged tax status, school education, political influence, lobbyists and think tanks that dominate the entire social policy agenda.
All require unbiased investigation by mainstream print and electronic media — not simply the on-line blogs and social media which appeal primarily to those already aware. It’s the ‘popular’ press, radio and TV that also needs to join the debate; to allow free speech on this protected topic, and to finally conclude, “the emperor has no clothes..!”
There are viable alternatives to any dominant religion. Through these 10 chapters we offer a rational perspective of today’s Christian quagmire; how society might extricate itself and find a new path towards a cooperative, egalitarian and progressive Australia that is religion-neutral.
Plain Reason: promoting science, logic, reason and critical thought