Apart from having little or no knowledge of religion, the new crop of Islamic State recruits come primed for violence with a different set of skills, honed through criminal activity.
The last census revealed that just over 60% of Australians identified as Christian, but only one in seven of those attended church regularly.
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The tradition of republicanism offered us civil religion, a foundation of belief that could counter any politics or policy that demands sacrifice in this world to be compensated in some “beyond”.
While some conservatives worry about the Safe Schools program ‘turning’ kids gay, they in turn seem determined to turn queer kids straight.
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The review of the Safe Schools program is yet another example of the misguided conservative anxiety that talking about homosexuality can “turn” children gay.
The Crusades evoke a romantic image of medieval knights, chivalry, romance and religious high-mindedness.
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How far back in history does one have to go to find the roots of the so-called Islamic State? The first article in our series on the genesis of the terrorist outfit considers some fundamentals.
With moralistic gods watching, it’s easier to be fair and cooperative.
Olivier
For human groups to grow from small, intimate communities to the huge interconnected societies we know now, people needed to be willing to cooperate with strangers. Religion might have played a big role.
Protesters gather outside the recent Anglican church meeting.
Gareth Fuller/PA
The Anglican church has been criticised for standing against gay marriage, but it has taken a positive step on an issue that many activists see as more important.
Anglican Dean of Brisbane Peter Catt is one of several Australian church leaders to promise sanctuary to asylum seekers.
AAP/Dan Peled
In offering to open church buildings across Australia as places of sanctuary for asylum seekers, church leaders are appealing to an ancient notion of how we should treat people in need of protection.
The Heritage Foundation has had a profound effect on defence spending and military action in the US.
Reuters/Jason Reed
Even many Americans don’t know much about organisations like the Alliance Defending Freedom and the Heritage Foundation. But these groups play a critical role in advancing conservative policies.
Director of the Wesley Centre for Theology, Ethics, and Public Policy & Associate Professor, New Testament, Pilgrim Theological College, University of Divinity