Thanks Tim for the heads up on this. The Australian Democrats have an online survey concerning God and Government (23 questions) and I am keen to flesh some of this out and see where people stand on issues and why. Sometimes just ticking a box doesn't give you enough room to communicate your response. I've lifted a few out...
2. Should religious education be part of the school curriculum?
I actually think it should be included for the secular reasoning that the upcoming generations need to learn tolerance of the existing religious rifts created by their parents. And I can't see that happening where misinformation and misunderstanding reign. Information need not be a dangerous thing. But how that is packaged may need some fine tuning.....perhaps including basic ethics & morality studies to help kids understand their world and their responsibility within it. Without it we are left with the current situation where people default to demanding their rights rather than living out their responsibilities. A shift from selfish to selfless.
18. Do you think that politicians who have strong religious beliefs should try to use the political system to turn their religious beliefs into law?
Its part of the democratic charter to allow free speech. Everyone in parliament has beliefs, some will be rooted in a religious conviction while others won't. It would be anti-democratic to deny some that freedom. If you don't agree with them, then use your democratic vote. Question 19 continues in the same vein asking whether religious leaders/churches/houses of worship should try to influence government decisions on issues? and again the answer for me is the same. While I don't agree with some of the issues they lobby, I have no right to muzzle them either. And certainly there will be other issues that I will agree with. Its all part of the democratic process.
20. In the last 10 years, do you think that political leaders in Australia have used religion for their own political purposes?
Um...Yes! but that's the problem that can't be circumvented.
That's just a few ... your thoughts?
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
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I actually think it should be included for the secular reasoning that the upcoming generations need to learn tolerance of the existing religious rifts created by their parents.
I agree. RE--in the form of comparative religious studies (as opposed to indoctrination) should form part of the school curriculum. It makes as much sense to educate students about the various belief-systems of the world as it does to educate them about the various countries of the world.
But in my ideal curriculum I'd throw in critical thinking and philosophy/ethics, too.
Do you think that politicians who have strong religious beliefs should try to use the political system to turn their religious beliefs into law?
A poser. We don't just live in a democracy--we live in a liberal democracy. Theoretically, Sharia Law is not incompatible with a well-functioning democracy--as long as the presence of Sharia Law reflects the wishes of the majority. That's an extreme case, but it does demonstrate the need to balance the popular will with the rights and interests of individuals and minorities. I guess one of the ways this can be achieved is to have a Bill of Rights.
Broadly I agree with you that there should be no compulsion on politicians with strong religious beliefs not to attempt to ave their beliefs enshrined in law. Those who are concerned about this should by the same token not be dissuaded or compelled against calling such politicians out on their theocratic manouevrings. Loudly. Of course, the fact that a particular law reflects a tenet of a given religion is not sufficient reason for such a law to exist. This, too, should be pointed out. Loudly. Section 116 of the Australian Constitution is always worth pointing out, too.
thanks Aurthur and I can't agree more about the critical thinking too...even if we arrive at different conclusions
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