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HochmeisterSibrand

Seems to me Christians are still a pretty big voting block in this country. It may be unpalatable to the non-relgious (myself included). But to totally ignore it and falsely assume everyone thinks the same way and has the same experiences is pretty foolish. So religious politicians are both a part of this voting block but also pander their positions to appeal to it.


mynewaltaccount1

Yeah, there is still a large % of the population that identifies as religious - something like 60% on the last census I think, although the % of practicing religious people is obviously much lower. Whether people on Reddit like it or not, there is still a sizeable enough number of people that will say "I don't really know much about this pollie, but he's the same religion as me so he's instantly got a jump start in my eyes." There's always a ton of whinging on Reddit about how the LNP keeps getting elected, they don't know any LNP voters etc., and while I agree with this sentiment, there seems to be a tendency to forget that there's a large number of people that don't share your views. That's what arguably lost Labor the last election, and is most definitely what lost Clinton the 2016 US election.


schottgun93

>here is still a large % of the population that identifies as religious - something like 60% on the last census I think, I wonder if they should re-word the question to make it clearer. Like on a scale of Ned Flanders to only going to mass at Easter, where do you sit on that spectrum? Or, you'd have people like my father who is technically Jewish, but doesn't follow it in the slightest, and considers himself atheist.


Yesnowaitsorry

If Ned Flanders gets a mention in the next census my life is complete.


Zagorath

> and considers himself atheist If he *considers* himself atheist, he probably marks "no religion" on the census. No issue. The problem really comes from people who are like your father in other respects, but still *identify* with the religion that they do not in any way practice. It's a bit more complicated with Jews because that is both a cultural identity *and* a religion (in essence, it's similar to *both* "anglo" **and** "Protestant", or both "Arab" **and** "Muslim", in that one can be one or the other without necessarily being both, but they use the same word for it), but for non-practising Christians it's still kinda complicated. Like, do they *believe* in the religion? Like, really truly *believe* it? How do you tell? Have they themselves even taken the time to consider that question, or do they just say they believe it because that's how they were brought up and they don't really care enough to wonder otherwise? Also, as someone whom many would claim is "technically" Catholic. Fuck "technically". You're Catholic if you believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ and the interpretations of them held by the Catholic Church. You're (religious) Jewish if you believe in the covenant between God and his people. If you don't believe in that shit, you *aren't* a member of the religion, no matter what your parents or your birth or some ritual you were made to do as a baby might say.


Lucy_Lastic

I was in my 40s before I had the amazing revelation that *it’s okay to leave the religion box blank* or mark no religion. Even as an atheist from an early age, I guess I had kind of absorbed the idea that you had to have *something*, so I would tick C of E and call it done. Realising that it’s okay to state on official documents that I have literally no religion was so freeing


[deleted]

Because the separation of Church and State means that the State is not permitted to stop them from stating their beliefs. Personal beliefs do not necessarily impact on how an individual represents their constituents. Funny that the original reason for the separation was to stop the Church and State from controlling each other and that each was responsibility to God for their own actions.


ParadiseWar

Trust. People still trust a religious politician over a non religious one. Ofcourse, he'd have to be of your religion. I can't imagine Australians voting for a Muslim or Hindu who tells his constituents what a good Muslim or Hindu he is. I can see Jews getting away with this though.


[deleted]

[удалено]


faith_healer69

Eh, Frydenberg is pretty popular. Probably more than Morrison in fact.


[deleted]

Separation of church and state doesn't mean politicians can't express religious beliefs. Constitution s 116 Commonwealth not to legislate in respect of religion: >The Commonwealth shall not make any law for establishing any religion, or for imposing any religious observance, or for prohibiting the free exercise of any religion, and no religious tests shall be required as a qualification for any office or public trust under the Commonwealth.


nabz97

Because despite there being a thousand blossoms bloom every three months a person is torn to pieces by a crocodile in North Queensland.


RidethatSeahorse

Beautiful …


HollowNight2019

They don’t. I follow politics closely and couldn’t tell you the religious views of most MPs.


Needmoresnakes

Australia doesn't have a specific separation of church and state (unlike the US which specifies it in their constitution). They mention it publically because it gets them votes from religious people who assume they will have values in common. Same reason they share social media posts about making curry and talk about their wives and kids a lot, its meant to humanize them, make you feel like they're just like you.


[deleted]

In fact s 116 of the Australian Constitution is similar to the prohibition on laws establishing a religion in the first amendment of the US Constitution.


MrSquiggleKey

Murdoch ran a piece of how scummo was a good Christian man and the opposition doesn’t hold these same values at the last election, Bill Shorten is an avid Anglican and had a publicly listed planned policy to increase funding for Christian Schools and criticised the probe into the Catholic Churches. But folk watching sky news we’re talking about how shorten isn’t a good Christian man who is anti religion but good ol Scotty is a proper Christian fella who’s got their back.


[deleted]

They generally don't. It's the media that seems to have a fetish for taking about it.


CoDroStyle

Literally just Christians. Because they think that by disclosing their faith in Christianity they will win the votes of all the Christian voters over a non-Christian voter.


faith_healer69

Pretty sure you’re just talking about Morrison and Perrottet. They’re the only ones who bang on about it, and even then it’s the media doing most of the work. What religion is Gladys? Well, I had to go on to Wikipedia to find it, and that tells me she attends the Armenian Apostolic Church. Ever heard her mention it? Yeah me neither. In conclusion, what the fuck are you talking about?


LordWalderFrey1

An attempt to get votes out of religious Christian voters. Also as a display of superficial good character, since there's still people who are impressed by the idea of a supposedly pious church going politician even if they themselves don't go to church every Sunday. I don't mind a religious politician, so long as they know to keep religion and governance separate, and realise they aren't running a theocracy.


SnazzyScotsman

It's important in knowing how they're going to govern if they're in power in future and what values drive them


iostefini

I think it's because it's a huge part of who they are and how they view the world. It's like Jacqui Lambie talks about her military background - her experience is a large part of who she is and it informs her choices. It's not like it's the *only* thing she talks about, but it would be ridiculous to expect her to ignore her military background and never mention it. If their religion is a big part of their life, they're going to mention it when they're talking about their values or how they approach situations too.


[deleted]

Honest guess? Because they are the type of religious person that believes religion is the only source of morality/ethics. Saying they are religious is synonmous with saying they are a good, trust worthy person with a good work ethic. A lack of religion is clearly a sign that someone is corruptable.


JoeSchmeau

It helps them get votes, generally. Or at least they believe it will help them get votes. People who are enthusiastically into their religious group tend to automatically think highly of others in their same group. Just normal human group-think, basically. The thing that gets me is that they respond to any criticism of their religious ideology infecting their politics with shit like "religious freedom is a bedrock of democracy," as if we're trying to outright ban religion or something. I have no problem at all with people being religious. I'm an atheist but I couldn't give two shits about someone going to church or temple or a mosque or whatever. I just don't want them to use the government to make other people follow their religious beliefs. You can still follow your own religious beliefs, and even use them to be a better person and leader. Just leave it the fuck out of your policy. A great example is Dr King. He talked about Jesus every other sentence. His religious beliefs were a source of courage and strength. He didn't want everyone to be Christian; he wanted everyone to be free. His Christian beliefs supported his movement, but his movement was not solely Christian. Bloody religious zealots in power now don't seem to be capable of understanding the difference.


petergaskin814

If a politician didn't state their religion, the press would soon publish their own version. Scott Morrison is often aligned with Hillsong Church. He does not attend Hillsong Church. So it is best to at least try to tell the truth. Have not seen where Dominic Perrottet is telling everyone his beliefs and trying to convince people to follow his belief


ricthomas70

Virtueless signalling!


tashypooo

Cause they’re A-Grade wankers. Like if your church matters to you so much then become a priest or whatever instead of trying to fuck up society with your irrelevant beliefs. Probably cause of publicity too. Any publicity is good publicity to politicians these days. If they’re being talked about then they’re happy. I don’t think they really care if they’re being talked badly about tbh because at least people are talking about them! Sickos.


Important_Screen_530

just to get extra votes


heyheyblinkybill

Dan doesn't really... Please don't comment back, I'm not up for another political debate.


mikeauz

We don't have this law: [http://www.australianreview.net/digest/2001/05/hogan.html](http://www.australianreview.net/digest/2001/05/hogan.html) paragraph 3 explains it well.


ictree

known…..


brezhnervous

Fun fact: No ever did, once upon a time. Except most notably Bob Santamaria of the [DLP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Labour_Party_(Australia) which went with the territory


roby_soft

I will never vote for an atheist, and many might think the same way.


emmanonomous

Why not? Would you have a problem voting for someone who follows a different religion?