Posted: 1:00 pm on 14th April 2012
When Cardinal George Pell and Professor Richard Dawkins faced off on ABC’s Q&A last Monday, they did so in front of an audience that seemed quite relaxed with the idea of discussing religion in the public square. Dawkins correctly emphasised the importance of empirical research as the basis for scientific knowledge. But he was tetchy and misjudged his audience. He cited jet lag. But Aussies know about long haul flights…
Posted: 8:00 am on 14th March 2012
I am in favour of legalising gay marriage. This is my personal view, not the corporate view of the CIS. It is a view which many of my colleagues do not share. Despite this conviction, I do not think Bob Katter’s anti-gay marriage ads should be censored. There are many legitimate arguments against gay marriage (including the freedom of religious ministers to choose not to perform them). Gay marriage is…
Posted: 8:00 am on 27th February 2012
The season of Lent began this week. Some Christians will mark the six-week period of preparation for Easter with prayer and fasting. Others will take this opportunity to renew their commitment to what they consider important moral causes. One moral cause spruiked this year has been the call by leaders of Christian churches in the United Kingdom for repentance and a ‘change of direction’ to fight the dangers of climate…
Posted: 9:48 am on 24th February 2012
In a free society, the state has no business with marriage. Marriage is essentially a contract between two persons to cohabit, almost always with the expectation of a long-lasting relationship and most often with the hope of procreating and nurturing children to adulthood. In almost all societies, the marriage contract has also been sanctified by culture and religion. Marriage as a consensual union existed before the state and continues as…
Posted: 8:00 am on 29th December 2011
Research Fellow Jessica Brown discusses religious influence in politics with Zimbabwean politician, human rights lawyer, and pro-democracy activist, David Coltart. Senator Coltart is a committed and active Christian, and was a founding member of the Movement for Democratic Change, now in uneasy but determined coalition with long-reigning President Robert Mugabe. In 2009, Coltart was appointed Zimbabwe’s Minister for Education, Sports, Art and Culture.
