Twenty years ago, Anglicans in Australia and England independently passed legislation to allow for the ordination of women as priests. Now the Anglican Church of Australia has just appointed its fourth…
A recent case has meant some reform of Special Religious Instruction in Victoria, but there’s more to be done.
Religious instruction image from www.shutterstock.com
Last month, a Victorian tribunal found that the state department of education did not discriminate against children opting out of Special Religious Instruction (SRI) classes. The plaintiffs – parents who…
Mitt Romney stands to become the first Mormon President, but his religion has barely rated a mention in the campaign.
EPA/Win McNamee
There is a long and dishonourable tradition of religious prejudice in American presidential elections. Catholics running for office have borne the brunt. Democratic candidate Al Smith was subjected to…
Egyptian Muslim preacher Ahmed Mohamed Abdullah stands accused of blasphemy charges after burning a copy of the Bible during last month’s protests by Muslims against a film depicting the Prophet Muhammad.
EPA/Khaled Elfiqi
In the wake of the violence sparked around the world by the anti-Islam video entitled Innocence of Muslims, the debate about the need for anti-blasphemy laws has re-emerged. The Organisation of Islamic…
Cory Bernardi making his now infamous comments on gay marriage in the Australian Senate last night.
ABC News
South Australian Senator Cory Bernardi’s comments about gay marriage have caused an uproar. Today he was forced to step down from his position as parliamentary secretary to Tony Abbott. But are they representative…
It’s not often I find myself agreeing with Archbishop Peter Jensen. But his latest foray into the public space was right about at least one thing: it’s time for a serious, grown-up discussion about the…
Should children be exposed to religion in school?
www.shutterstock.com
In the small print in my Qantas in flight magazine I noticed that Qantas is now raising money for Mission Australia. Mission Australia runs a number of useful and worthwhile programs for the disadvantaged…
A good knowledge of the different religions should be part of a National Curriculum.
Flickr/Jake Wasdin
After last week’s High Court challenge verdict on funding chaplains in schools, religious education is back in the headlines. The role of religion in Australian schools has been vigorously debated for…
The Perth CBD showing the corner of William Street and Hay Street.
(AAP/Tony McDonough)
AUSTRALIA BY NUMBERS: The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released the first batch of its census data. We’ve asked some of the country’s top demographers and statisticians to crunch the numbers on…
All religions, including Islam can influence the legal decisions of individuals.
In March this year the ACT Supreme Court overturned a will made by an elderly Muslim lady called Mariem Omari. Her daughter contested the estate and the court found that because Omari signed the will while…
There will be an increase in Muslim students in both government and independent schools over the coming years.
AAP/Alan Porritt
AUSTRALIA BY NUMBERS: The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released the first batch of its census data. We’ve asked some of the country’s top demographers and statisticians to crunch the numbers on…
More than 21 million people were counted in the 2011 Census.
Australian Bureau of Statistics
AUSTRALIA BY NUMBERS: The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released the first batch of its 2011 census data. We’ve asked some of the country’s top demographers and statisticians to crunch the numbers…
The High Court landmark decision in the school chaplaincy case is an opportunity for reform.
Flickr/petelawley
The historic majority Australian High Court ruling that the National School Chaplaincy Program (NSCP) is “invalid” is a gift to the argument for secular public education. Secular statutes (for example…
For the first time Mandarin has become the most widely spoken non-English language, as the number of Australians born overseas continues to rise.
AAP/Sergio Dionisio
One in four Australians was born overseas, almost half have at least one parent who migrated here, and more are speaking Asian languages than European for the first time, according to census data for 2011…
The Pope’s decision to allow Anglicans into the Catholic Church may be the first step on the way to a unified church.
EPA/Alessandro Di Meo
In his first message on becoming Pope, Benedict XVI said the impelling duty of the successor of Peter was “to work tirelessly to rebuild the full and visible unity of all Christ’s followers”. “Concrete…
Questions of cuckoldry and fidelity have always existed – and comfort has come from religious customs.
More Good Foundation
Religious leaders and holy texts share deep preoccupations with sex and reproduction. From Islamic purdah to Jewish menstrual purity laws, to Vatican neuroses about everything from contraception to masturbating…
Romney’s faith leaves him open to political attacks.
EPA/Kamil Krzsczynski
Five months before the American presidential election, one thing is clear: Obama wants this to be a referendum on venture capitalism. Last week the Obama camp sharpened its attack on the business record…
Director of the Wesley Centre for Theology, Ethics, and Public Policy & Associate Professor, New Testament, Pilgrim Theological College, University of Divinity