This Christmas appears likely to be a gloomy one for the congregation of GKI Yasmin, writes Stuart Ranfurlie, a freelance journalist in Jakarta.
Politics and religion
Gillard’s not our first atheist
Julia Gillard will not be hurt by revealing she is an atheist. Of the 12 prime ministers preceding her, Kevin Rudd alone was overtly Christian, writes press gallery veteran Rob Chalmers.
How religion is stealing our democracy
Religious politicians has overtaken our state and federal parliaments and we should be worried. Mainly because they’re conservative Christians who aren’t leaving room for any other religions, writes Ross Fitzgerald.
Angels, witches and life after death: what do Australians believe in?
Possum Comitatus looks at a new Nielsen poll on Australians’ belief in religion and paranormal phenomena — and how they correspond to our political convictions.
How the religious vote
In Australia, Catholics still support the ALP heavily, while Anglicans still support the Coalition heavily over the ALP. Religion is a remarkably good indicator of voting habits for a society that’s not overtly religious, says Possum.
Iran: theocracy is incompatible with democracy
The separation of church and state is vital for a functioning democracy and upholding human rights, writes Michael Lind.
Never mind the markets, capitalism has a crisis of faith
The trillion dollar packages haven’t worked, or the bank guarantees, but a suspension of disbelief might, an act of faith that the system can work again, writes Bernard Keane.
