An online survey being conducted by the Australian Democrats. It covers a range of issues concerning the relationship between Church and State. You can find the survey at:

http://www.democrats.org.au/survey2/survey/GodGovt_v2/

God and Government: tell us what you think!

We are interested in your thoughts on what the relationship between religion and government should be. Please take a few moments to answer the questions below. Remember that there’s no right, wrong or ideal response.

1. Currently some churches run commercial businesses as part of their operations. These businesses benefit from the tax breaks that churches are entitled to. Should the commercial businesses run by churches get the same tax breaks as the charitable parts of the church operation?

Yes No Unsure

2. A basic level of religious education (RE) is taught in public schools in Australia. It takes place within school hours under the jurisdiction of the school. Although it is not compulsory most schools have an opt out system, which means that unless parents specifically notify the school that they do not wish their child to be involved then their child will have to attend the RE classes. Should religious education be part of the school curriculum?

Yes No Unsure

3. If yes, should it be compulsory? Yes No Unsure

4. Should it be opt in or opt out?

Opt In Opt Out Unsure

5. Should RE be linked to a particular religious faith or should it be more about comparing differing religious beliefs?

One faith Comparative Unsure

6. Should classes in ethics be taught as an alternative to RE? Yes No Unsure

7. Intelligent design is the idea that the complexity of the universe and living things is best explained as the result of the actions of an intelligent supernatural being, rather than a result of a scientific process such as evolution. Recently politicians have started to argue that this idea should be taught in science classes rather than in religious education. Should intelligent design be taught in schools as an alternative to evolution?

Yes No Unsure

8. If yes, should it be taught in science classes or religious education classes?

Science classes Religious education classes Unsure

9. Currently some public schools in states and territories have publicly funded school chaplains. These chaplains come from a variety of religious backgrounds and provide spiritual support as well as generally play a role in student welfare. Generally they are not required to have any specific qualifications or experience. Should taxpayers money be used to fund school chaplains?

Yes No Unsure

10. Should funding for school chaplains be redirected towards funding for professional counsellors?

Yes No Unsure

11. Should school chaplains be subject to minimum educational qualifications regarding youth work?

Yes No Unsure

12. Currently some religious groups/individual that receive government funding refuse to provide some services based on their own religious beliefs, For example, catholic run hospitals will not perform vasectomies or abortions and some chemists will not stock or supply condoms or the contraceptive pill. There are also government funded pregnancy counselling services that will not refer for abortion and do not make this clear in their advertising. Should hospitals that receive government funding be obliged to provide vasectomies?

Yes No Unsure

13. Should hospitals that receive government funding be obliged to provide abortion services? Yes No Unsure

14. Should pharmacists that receive government funding be obliged to provide contraception? Yes No Unsure

15. Should pregnancy counselling helplines which receive government money have to refer for abortion if women ask for a referral? Yes No Unsure

16. Should pregnancy counselling helplines which receive government money and DO NOT refer for abortion have to make this explicit in their advertising? Yes No Unsure

17. In which of the following areas do you think government policy has been influenced by religious beliefs asylum seekers gambling welfare drug and alcohol use sex education contraception euthanasia stem cell research gay marriage same sex relationships adoption abortion war industrial relations

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? Yes No Depends Unsure

19. Do you think that religious leaders/churches/houses of worship should try to influence government decisions on issues? Yes No Depends Unsure

20. In the last 10 years, do you think that political leaders in Australia have used religion for their own political purposes? Yes No Unsure

21. Would you be in favour of legal moves to formalize a separation of church and state in Australia? Yes No Unsure

22. Should pregnancy counselling helplines which receive government money have to discuss all three options for an unplanned pregnancy – adoption, parenting and abortion? Yes No Unsure

23. Any further comments?

(July 2006)

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Meanwhile in the UK:

http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/content/article_060724redeeming.shtml

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Shalom! Rowland Croucher

“I would not give a fig for the simplicity this side of complexity, but I would give my life for the simplicity on the other side of complexity” (Oliver Wendell Holmes)

http://jmm.org.au/ – 17,600 articles; 4000 jokes/funnies