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# Rationalist Society of Australia

Promoting Reason since 1906

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## Posts

- [Submission to the Productivity Commission on philanthropy](https://rationalist.com.au/submission-to-the-productivity-commission-on-philanthropy/) - This is our submission to the Productivity Commission's inquiry on philanthropy. The submission process closed in May. You can find out more about the inquiry here. May 2023 This is a formal submission by the Rationalist Society of Australia – Australia’s oldest freethought organisation promoting reason, evidence-based policy and secularism – into the Productivity Commission’s
- [Media release: Religionists give to their own, shows new volume in ‘Religiosity in Australia’ series](https://rationalist.com.au/media-release-religionists-give-to-their-own-new-religiosity-in-australia-shows/) - Religious people engage in higher levels of volunteerism and charitable donations than the non-religious but say it is more for their personal benefit and that of their congregations rather than benefiting others, the latest report into religiosity in Australia reveals. The Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) has today published the new volume in Neil Francis’
- [Charity arrangements fail to meet community expectations, RSA tells inquiry](https://rationalist.com.au/charity-arrangements-fail-to-meet-community-expectations-rsa-tells-inquiry/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has urged the Productivity Commission to recommend the federal government take action on religious exemptions that undermine the integrity of the charities system. In a submission to the Productivity Commission’s inquiry on philanthropy last month, the RSA called for the removal of the ‘advancement of religion’ as a charitable purpose.
- [Religious endorsement needed to “confirm faith” of school chaplains in new program](https://rationalist.com.au/religious-endorsement-needed-to-confirm-faith-of-school-chaplains-in-new-program/) - The federal education department says religious endorsement is still required for some workers employed in the new National Student Wellbeing Program to “confirm their faith”. This is despite the federal government's own guidelines saying the new program is not a religious program and the federal education department acknowledging that a worker's religion has no bearing
- [Prayer issue shows parliament has ‘long way to go’ on inclusion, says NSW upper house member](https://rationalist.com.au/prayer-issue-shows-parliament-has-long-way-to-go-on-inclusion-says-nsw-upper-house-member/) - A new member of the New South Wales upper house who has Jewish heritage has questioned the practice of reciting Christian prayers to open each parliamentary day and suggested the parliament must become more inclusive. In her first speech to the Legislative Council late last month, Dr Amanda Cohn revealed that her paternal grandparents had
- [Submission: Boroondara council should embrace genuinely secular governance](https://rationalist.com.au/submission-boroondara-council-should-embrace-genuinely-secular-governance/) - This is our submission to the Boroondara City Council in Victoria, as part of the council's public consultation on its Governance Rules and the practice of opening meetings with prayers. Submissions close Tuesday 20 June. I’m making this submission regarding Rule 18A at Boroondara City Council on behalf of the Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA),
- [RSA questions minister on Army chaplains’ ‘crusader’ emblem](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-questions-minister-on-army-chaplains-crusader-emblem/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has questioned the Albanese government’s Defence ministers about the appropriateness of some Army personnel wearing ‘crusader’ emblems as part of their formal uniform. In a letter to Defence Minister Richard Marles and Defence Personnel and Veterans Affairs Minister Matt Keogh last month, RSA president Meredith Doig raised concerns about the
- [Principals call for option to move RI outside class hours in QLD public schools](https://rationalist.com.au/principals-call-for-ri-to-move-outside-class-hours-in-qld-public-schools/) - Declining participation rates in Religious Instruction classes and the overcrowding of the curriculum in Queensland public schools necessitates reform of RI, the head of the state’s peak body for principals says. On Friday, Pat Murphy (pictured), the president of Queensland Association of State School Principals (QASSP), told ABC Brisbane that his association had long advocated for
- [Department that organises Christian-centric commemorations claims Anzac Day "most important secular occasion"](https://rationalist.com.au/department-that-organises-christian-centric-commemorations-claims-anzac-day-most-important-secular-occasion/) - The Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) promotes Anzac Day as the nation’s “most important secular occasion” even though it, simultaneously, organises commemorations dominated by Christianity. A flyer about the history of Anzac Day, developed by DVA and made available for public use through its online Anzac Portal, includes the claim about the day being Australia’s
- [ACT Legislative Assembly encourages WA committee to "consider" removing daily Christian prayers](https://rationalist.com.au/act-legislative-assembly-encourages-wa-parliamentary-committee-to-consider-removing-daily-christian-prayers/) - The Australian Capital Territory’s Legislative Assembly has encouraged a West Australian inquiry into parliamentary procedures to “consider” whether the practice of observing daily Christian prayers “needs to be updated”. In a submission to the West Australian Legislative Assembly’s committee examining the Standing Orders, Tom Duncan, the Clerk of the ACT Legislative Assembly, posed the question
- [Australian Army removes chaplains' controversial 'Crusader' emblem](https://rationalist.com.au/australian-army-removes-chaplains-controversial-crusader-emblem/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia welcomes the Australian Army’s removal of a controversial Christian ‘Crusader’ emblem from the uniform of its chaplaincy branch, but says much more secular reform is needed in the military. The Royal Australian Army Chaplains Department has replaced its longstanding Christian and Jewish badges with a newly designed single badge, and
- [RSA tells Victorian Labor MPs of disappointment over capitulation to religious lobbyists on prayers issue](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-tells-victorian-labor-mps-of-disappointment-over-capitulation-to-religious-lobbyists-on-prayers-issue/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has expressed its disappointment to Victorian Labor MPs for their government's apparent capitulation to the demands of religious lobbyists in continuing to impose daily acts of Christian worship in parliament. In a letter to every Labor MP in the state’s parliament, sent early this month, the RSA said it was
- [Christian schools teaching "God’s great creation" and "Noah’s flood" as part of science classes](https://rationalist.com.au/christian-schools-teaching-gods-great-creation-and-noahs-flood-as-part-of-science-classes/) - Queensland-based Christian schools receiving millions of dollars from taxpayers are teaching religious myths, including "God’s great creation" and "Noah’s flood", as part of science classes, it can be revealed. The Rationalist Society of Australia has discovered that at least two schools from the Open Brethren’s Christian Community Ministries (CCM) network are teaching religious stories in
- [Labor MP claims "widespread support" among colleagues for replacing WA parliament's daily Christian prayers](https://rationalist.com.au/labor-mp-claims-widespread-support-among-colleagues-for-replacing-wa-parliaments-daily-christian-prayers/) - A West Australian Labor MP says there is “widespread support” among his colleagues in the state parliament for replacing the institution's daily Christian prayers with a more inclusive practice. In a submission made to a committee inquiry examining the Legislative Assembly’s Standing Orders, Dave Kelly, the member for Bassendean and a former minister in the
- [Queensland regulator investigating complaints about the teaching of religious stories in science classes](https://rationalist.com.au/queensland-regulator-investigating-complaints-about-the-teaching-of-religious-stories-in-science-classes/) - Queensland’s regulator of non-state schools is investigating two Christian schools following a complaint by the Rationalist Society of Australia about the teaching of religious stories in science classes. In a letter, the Non-State Schools Accreditation Board (NSSAB) has confirmed it is examining the concerns raised by the RSA in February. The RSA submitted complaints with
- [RSA supports call for NSW to remove block against non-religious chaplains working in prisons](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-supports-call-for-nsw-to-remove-block-against-non-religious-chaplains-working-in-prisons/) - Inmates who have non-religious worldviews face discriminatory treatment in New South Wales prisons because the state’s corrective system requires visiting chaplains to be from religious backgrounds. A member of a humanist organisation has been blocked from becoming a humanist chaplain in the prison system due to the requirement that they be from an endorsed organisation
- [RSA seeks answers from ABS on decision to continue using biased question](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-seeks-answers-from-abs-on-decision-to-continue-using-biased-question/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has sought answers from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on why it has decided to again use the biased Census religion question in the knowledge that it produces flawed data. In a letter to Chief Statistician David Gruen (pictured) yesterday, RSA Executive Director Si Gladman expressed disappointment that the
- [ABS to decide religion question, not the government, says chief statistician](https://rationalist.com.au/abs-to-decide-religion-question-not-the-government-says-chief-statistician/) - The chief statistician of the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has told the Senate that the decision on the final wording of the religion question for the next Census in 2026 will be one made by him. At Senate estimates last week, Dr David Gruen confirmed that he and the ABS, and “not the government”,
- [Liberal politician cites need for comparable data in push to block changes to Census religion question](https://rationalist.com.au/liberal-politician-cites-need-for-comparable-data-in-push-to-block-changes-to-census-religion-question/) - A Liberal politician calling on the federal government to block proposed changes removing the inherent bias from the Census religion question says it is vital that data can be comparable over a long time period. In the South Australian Parliament last month, upper house member Jing Lee (pictured) also warned that those wanting to “highlight
- [Consultations with religious groups and testing to inform decision on Census religion question, says ABS](https://rationalist.com.au/consultations-with-religious-groups-and-testing-to-inform-decision-on-census-religion-question-says-abs/) - Consultations with religious groups will help to inform whether the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reformulates the religion question at the 2026 Census, a Senate estimates hearing has heard. Yesterday, head statistician Dr David Gruen (pictured) told estimates that the ABS would make a decision on the religion question later in the year “on the
- [Liberal politician adds voice to Catholic Church crusade against change to Census question](https://rationalist.com.au/liberal-politician-adds-voice-to-catholic-church-crusade-against-change-to-census-question/) - A Liberal Party politician is backing the Catholic Church’s crusade for the Albanese government to block proposed changes to the Census religion question. South Australian upper house member Jing Lee (pictured) has placed a motion on the Notice Paper calling on the federal government to reject the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ (ABS) proposal to change
- [RSA backs call for the ABS to fix problems with Census question](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-backs-call-for-the-abs-to-fix-problems-with-census-question/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia is urging its members and supporters to support the call for the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) to fix the problems with the religion question in the Census. The ABS is currently reviewing the religion question, with a public consultation period open for submissions until 18 November. As one of
- [Real ‘no religion’ figure well above what Census says, RSA Webinar told](https://rationalist.com.au/real-no-religion-figure-well-above-what-census-says-rsa-webinar-told/) - Research that suggests over half of all Australians are already not religious adds weight to the need for the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) to redesign the Census religion question, the latest RSA Webinar has heard. At Wednesday’s webinar, social scientist and RSA Fellow Neil Francis (pictured) argued that the new Census figure for ‘no
- [Census result should inform resource allocation, says RSA](https://rationalist.com.au/census-result-should-inform-resource-allocation-says-rsa/) - The surge in people identifying as having no religion in the national census should lead to public resources being more equitably allocated between non-religious and religious Australians, says the Rationalist Society of Australia. Following release of the census data this week, RSA president Meredith Doig told ABC radio that many Australians were fed up with
- [Census21 campaign leader Michael Dove praises ABS for making privacy and confidentiality a focus](https://rationalist.com.au/census21-campaign-leader-michael-dove-praises-abs-for-making-privacy-and-confidentiality-a-focus/) - More people who are living in conservative religious households and who are fearful of revealing their non-religious identity to family members will be able to confidentially mark 'No Religion' on this year's census. In his RSA Webinar presentation on Wednesday, Michael Dove, leader of the Census - Not Religious? Mark 'No Religion' campaign, praised the
- [War Memorial set to again impose religion in Anzac Day service, ignoring feedback from non-religious veterans](https://rationalist.com.au/war-memorial-set-to-again-impose-religion-in-anzac-day-service-ignoring-feedback-from-non-religious-veterans/) - The nation’s most important site of commemoration will ignore the concerns of non-religious veterans and again impose religious worship on attendees and viewers of next month’s Anzac Day Dawn Service. In a letter to the Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA), the Australian War Memorial has confirmed that it has not made any changes to the
- [Calls grow for WA parliament to remove daily acts of religious worship](https://rationalist.com.au/calls-grow-for-wa-parliament-to-remove-daily-acts-of-religious-worship/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has urged a West Australian committee to modernise parliamentary practices and replace the daily Christian prayers with something that better reflects the state’s increasingly non-religious and religiously diverse population. In a submission to the Procedure and Privileges Committee’s inquiry into the Legislative Assembly Standing Orders, the RSA noted that ‘no
- [New parliamentary friendship group to promote chaplaincy as WA school communities call for change](https://rationalist.com.au/new-parliamentary-friendship-group-to-promote-chaplaincy-as-wa-school-communities-call-for-change/) - Religious lobbyists and their supporters in the West Australian parliament are pushing back against the growing calls for the state government to stop funding chaplains in public schools, with the establishment of a new friendship group in the parliament to promote “the benefits of school chaplains”. Members of parliament have set up the Parliamentary Friends
- [RSA questions education minister over teaching of religious stories in science classes](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-questions-education-minister-over-teaching-of-religious-stories-in-science-classes/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has asked the federal education minister whether his department will be investigating to determine the extent of the problem of taxpayer-funded religious schools teaching religious stories as science. In a letter to Minister Jason Clare (pictured) earlier this month, the RSA said it was “alarmed” to discover several examples of
- [Christian school teaching creationism myth as part of science classes, website shows](https://rationalist.com.au/christian-school-teaching-creationism-myth-as-part-of-science-classes/) - A Christian school that receives millions of dollars in taxpayers’ money says it gives its science students “different perspectives”, including the creationist perspective, in relation to human evolution. In articles published on its public website, West Australian-based Rehoboth Christian College blends religious myths with science in discussions about student activities and excursions as part of
- [Non-religious people “significantly less likely” to vote for the Liberal Party, review finds](https://rationalist.com.au/non-religious-people-significantly-less-likely-to-vote-for-the-liberal-party-review-finds/) - Non-religious Australians were “significantly less likely” to vote for the Liberal Party at the 2025 federal election, according to analysis in the party’s internal review of its disastrous election campaign. The 60-page Review of the 2025 Federal Election document, tabled in the parliament on Tuesday, highlights “clear divides” in voting intentions based on religious affiliation.
- [RSA urges Albanese govt against further privileging religion through a faith advisory body](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-urges-albanese-govt-against-further-privileging-religion-through-a-faith-advisory-body/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has urged the Albanese government against further privileging the voices of religious communities through the establishment of a national faith advisory body, this week raising discrimination and constitutional concerns about the idea with the nation’s first law-officer. In a letter to Attorney-General Michelle Rowland, the RSA argued that the establishment
- [Exclusive: Albanese government expresses interest in setting up privileged faith advisory body](https://rationalist.com.au/exclusive-albanese-government-expresses-interest-in-setting-up-privileged-faith-advisory-body/) - Federal government ministers have expressed interest in establishing a faith affairs advisory body that would give religious clerics privileged access to government ministers and influence in the policy-making process. Email correspondence between Attorney-General Michelle Rowland and an Anglican Church leader — and which was tabled in the federal parliament this week — reveals the Albanese
- [Non-religious councillors walk out over Oberon’s prayers](https://rationalist.com.au/non-religious-councillors-walk-out-over-oberons-prayers/) - Two elected representatives at a New South Wales council have walked out of a meeting instead of standing with their colleagues to observe Christian prayers, marking a defining moment in their push to remove acts of religious worship from local government. During Tuesday’s general meeting at Oberon Council, councillors Ian Tucker (pictured) and Katie Graham
- [Non-religious councillors to “remove themselves” if they don’t want to participate in prayers](https://rationalist.com.au/non-religious-councillors-to-remove-themselves-if-they-dont-want-to-join-meeting-prayers/) - Non-religious councillors will now have to excuse themselves from the meeting chamber if they don’t want to be subjected to forced acts of religious worship at Oberon Council in New South Wales. The council this week rejected the pleas of non-religious councillors to stop imposing religion, with a majority deciding to keep prayers as part
- [NSW government won't intervene to prevent discrimination against non-religious councillors](https://rationalist.com.au/nsw-government-wont-intervene-to-prevent-discrimination-against-non-religious-councillors/) - The New South Wales government will not intervene to prevent discrimination against non-religious elected representatives of local governments, despite concerns that the practice of imposing religious worship is unlawful and undermines social cohesion. The state’s Office of Local Government has told the Rationalist Society of Australia that “ultimately” it was a “matter for each council
- [Pressed on prayers issue, NSW faith advisory body to weigh up rights for non-religious people](https://rationalist.com.au/pressed-on-prayers-issue-nsw-faith-advisory-body-to-weigh-up-right-for-non-religious-people/) - A controversial advisory body of religious clerics appointed by the New South Wales government will this week decide whether to speak up for the fundamental rights of non-religious people to freedom of thought, conscience and religion in responding to community concerns about the imposition of prayers in local governments. The chair of the NSW Faith
- [Exclusive: ABS knew religion question “may lead respondents to a particular response”, documents reveal](https://rationalist.com.au/exclusive-abs-knew-religion-question-may-lead-respondents-to-a-particular-response-documents-reveal/) - Executives of the Australian Bureau of Statistics were aware that the biased Census question about religious affiliation “may lead respondents to a particular response” when they opted to re-use it for the 2026 Census, it has been revealed. A document obtained under freedom of information (FOI) laws by the Rationalist Society of Australia had redacted
- [Exclusive: ABS criticised biased Census religion question, rejected church’s concerns about change](https://rationalist.com.au/exclusive-abs-criticised-biased-census-religion-question-rejected-churchs-concerns-about-change/) - The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) will ask Australians completing next year's Census to answer a religion question that it criticised and made a compelling case against in a private briefing with the Albanese government, documents obtained under freedom of information laws show. The Rationalist Society of Australia can reveal that, in a four-page briefing
- [Exclusive: Albanese govt’s delays torpedoed critical test of new Census religion question, analysis shows](https://rationalist.com.au/exclusive-albanese-govts-delays-torpedoed-critical-test-of-new-census-religion-question-analysis-shows/) - The Albanese government missed deadlines and delayed responding to an “urgent” request from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, leading to the cancellation of a major test that was to be critical in determining whether the agency adopted a newly formulated religion question for the 2026 Census. The Rationalist Society of Australia can reveal that the
- [RSA calls for Special Rapporteur visit as Universal Periodic Review overlooks discrimination against non-religious people](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-calls-for-special-rapporteur-visit-as-universal-periodic-review-overlooks-discrimination-against-non-religious-people/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia is urging the United Nations Special Rapporteur on religion and belief to visit Australia to conduct an investigation of the discriminatory treatment of non-religious people in government institutions and programs, following Australia’s appearance at the Universal Period Review (UPR) this week. On Monday in Geneva, as part of the fourth
- [Religious charities could face regulatory action over coercive control, regulator tells RSA](https://rationalist.com.au/religious-charities-could-face-regulatory-action-over-coercive-control-regulator-tells-rsa/) - Religious charities found to have engaged in illegal activity under any new state laws targeting coercive control and harmful activity in cults and high-demand groups could face regulatory action and have their charitable status revoked, the nation’s charities regulator has confirmed. In a letter to the Rationalist Society of Australia, the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits
- [Religious beliefs should be no excuse for hate crimes, says RSA](https://rationalist.com.au/religious-beliefs-should-be-no-excuse-for-hate-crimes-says-rsa/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia is calling on the federal parliament to reconsider the inclusion of religious exemptions in any new hate speech laws. The Albanese government’s Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026 – which is expected to be debated when parliament resumes this coming week – contains a religious exemption for the proposed
- [Australia must address discrimination at home to credibly advocate religion and belief rights abroad, RSA tells foreign minister](https://rationalist.com.au/australia-must-address-discrimination-at-home-to-credibly-advocate-religion-and-belief-rights-abroad-rsa-tells-foreign-minister/) - Australia cannot credibly advocate for religion and belief rights internationally while different levels of government continue to discriminate against non-religious people at home, the Rationalist Society of Australia has told the foreign minister. In a letter to Senator Penny Wong, the RSA said the Australian government must address the discriminatory and unfair treatment against non-religious
- [RSA questions Defence Force chief over absence of secular and non-religious frontline wellbeing support](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-questions-defence-force-chief-over-absence-of-secular-and-non-religious-frontline-wellbeing-support/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has questioned a military chief on when the Australian Defence Force will finally provide all non-religious Defence personnel with the option of accessing secular and non-religious frontline wellbeing support. In a letter last month, the RSA told Chief of Personnel, Lieutenant General Natasha Fox (pictured), that it was “deeply concerned”
- [Attorney-General claims govt "committed" to human rights obligations, but no detail on removing discrimination against non-religious](https://rationalist.com.au/attorney-general-claims-govt-committed-to-human-rights-obligations-but-no-detail-on-removing-discrimination-against-non-religious/) - Australia’s Attorney-General has failed to outline what actions the Albanese government will take to address the ongoing discriminatory treatment of non-religious people in government institutions and programs that is at odds with the country's international human rights commitments. In a letter to the Rationalist Society of Australia last month, Michelle Rowland said the government was
- [RSA raises human rights concerns about imposition of prayers with federal parliament's presiding officers](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-raises-human-rights-concerns-about-imposition-of-prayers-with-federal-parliaments-presiding-officers/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has asked the presiding officers of the federal parliament whether they will consider the human rights impact of imposing daily acts of Christian worship. In a letter to Milton Dick, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Sue Lines, President of the Senate, the RSA said the practice of observing
- [Coalition of groups highlights discrimination of non-religious people in submission to UN Human Rights Council](https://rationalist.com.au/coalition-of-groups-highlights-discrimination-of-non-religious-people-in-submission-to-un-human-rights-council/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has spearheaded an effort by non-religious, ex-religious and pro-secular groups to urge the United Nations Human Rights Council to address the discriminatory and unfair treatment of non-religious Australians in government institutions and programs. The RSA led a coalition of groups in making a submission this month to the Human Rights
- [Speaker Dick deflects questions over human rights concerns](https://rationalist.com.au/speaker-dick-deflects-questions-over-human-rights-concerns/) - The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Milton Dick, has deflected questions about the human rights implications of the institution’s practice of imposing daily acts of Christian worship. In a letter to the Rationalist Society of Australia last month, Mr Dick said he did not have the power to change the Standing Orders – which
- [ABS chief rejects claim Census religion question is discriminatory for assuming every Australian has a religion](https://rationalist.com.au/abs-chief-rejects-claim-census-religion-question-is-discriminatory-for-assuming-every-australian-has-a-religion/) - The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has rejected concerns that the continued use of a coercive and biased religion question in the Census is discriminatory and breaches the country’s international human rights commitments. In a letter to the Rationalist Society of Australia last month, the head of the ABS, Dr David Gruen, said his agency
- [Coalition of groups questions Attorney-General over Australia’s treatment of non-religious people](https://rationalist.com.au/coalition-of-groups-questions-attorney-general-over-australias-treatment-of-non-religious-people/) - A coalition of non-religious, ex-religious and pro-secular groups is seeking answers from the Albanese government on how it will address ongoing discrimination against non-religious Australians in government institutions and programs. In a letter to the Attorney-General, Michelle Rowland (pictured), the Rationalist Society of Australia and seven other organisations have detailed a number of examples of
- [Liberal Party “saved the Lord’s Prayer” in state parliament, says Victorian MP](https://rationalist.com.au/liberal-party-saved-the-lords-prayer-in-state-parliament-says-victorian-mp/) - A senior Victorian Liberal member of parliament has boasted that his party “saved the Lord’s Prayer” from being removed from the state parliament. In a speech to the parliament earlier this month, Evan Mulholland (pictured) gave credit to the Liberal Party for the Labor government’s failure to deliver on its 2021 commitment to replace the parliament’s
- [RSA questions Opposition Leader over Liberal MP's call for immigrants to support 'faith' as an 'Australian value'](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-questions-opposition-leader-over-liberal-mps-call-for-immigrants-to-support-faith-as-an-australian-value/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia is seeking a commitment from the federal Opposition Leader, Sussan Ley, that her party will not push to introduce any religious criteria or test for immigrants entering Australia. In a letter to Ms Ley, the RSA said it was “deeply alarmed” by comments from Liberal MP Andrew Hastie that he
- [RSA outlines legal concerns over prayers in Oberon council meetings](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-outlines-legal-concerns-over-prayers-in-oberon-council-meetings/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has called on a New South Wales council to remove acts of religious worship from its formal meetings and has warned that deciding not to could expose council to legal risks. In a submission to Oberon Council, as part of a public consultation process, the RSA outlined a number of legal
- [Charities regulator needs power to act during elections, RSA tells parliamentary inquiry](https://rationalist.com.au/charities-regulator-needs-power-to-act-during-elections-rsa-tells-parliamentary-inquiry/) - The national charities regulator needs enforcement powers to take action against charities that “step over the line”, especially during election campaign periods, the Rationalist Society of Australia has told a parliamentary inquiry. In a submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters’ inquiry into the 2025 federal election, the RSA raised concerns about the
- [RSA calls on Victorian Liberals to be clear on scripture policy](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-calls-on-victorian-liberals-to-be-clear-on-scripture-policy/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia is seeking clarity from the Victorian Liberal Party on whether it is planning to return religious indoctrination to class time in public schools if it wins the state election next year. RSA Executive Director Si Gladman has written to new Opposition Leader Jess Wilson (pictured) this week, having not received
- [Councillor claims observing prayers in meetings “not about pushing religion”, as Oberon keeps prayers](https://rationalist.com.au/councillor-claims-observing-prayers-in-meetings-not-about-pushing-religion-as-oberon-keeps-prayers/) - Councillors who chose to have acts of Christian worship retained in formal government meetings over the option of holding prayers in private have argued that the decision was about “returning spirituality in the community” but “not about pushing any religion”. At the October meeting of Oberon Council, located in the Central Tablelands region of New
- [Charities regulator confirms allegations raised with it over coercive control](https://rationalist.com.au/charities-regulator-confirms-allegations-raised-with-it-over-coercive-control/) - Members of the public have raised concerns about issues of coercive control in religious charities with the national charities regulator, a parliamentary inquiry examining cults and fringe organised groups has heard. Appearing at the Victorian Legislative Assembly’s Legal and Social Issues Committee inquiry on Monday, Sue Woodward, the head of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits
- [Charities regulator tells cult inquiry religious charities' "reduced" obligations “significantly impacts” its work](https://rationalist.com.au/charities-regulator-tells-cult-inquiry-of-significant-impact-on-its-work-due-to-religious-charities-reduced-obligations/) - The nation’s charities regulator has told a parliamentary inquiry into cult groups that some religious charities’ exemptions to reporting requirements and governance standards “significantly impacts” its ability to act when public concerns are raised about charities. In a submission provided to the Victorian Parliament’s inquiry in August, the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) also
- [RSA questions WA government about schools wellbeing pilot program](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-questions-wa-government-about-schools-wellbeing-pilot-program/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia is seeking answers from the West Australian government on the status of the pilot program that allows a government school to directly hire a wellbeing support worker instead of outsourcing to a religious agency. In a letter to Minister for Education Sabine Winton (pictured) early last month, the RSA asked
- [Australia's Attorney-General says Jesus’ “principles and values” underpin her role](https://rationalist.com.au/australias-attorney-general-says-jesus-principles-and-values-underpin-her-role/) - The Albanese government’s new attorney-general has told a Christian gathering that the “principles and values that Jesus lived by” underpin her role. Speaking at the Christian annual prayer breakfast in the Great Hall at Parliament House on Monday, attended by many members of parliament, Michelle Rowland said “our values and faith” guide the decisions of
- [RSA calls for transparency over the work of privileged NSW faith advisory body](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-calls-for-transparency-over-the-work-of-privileged-nsw-faith-advisory-body/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has called on the New South Wales government to publicly release the minutes of its Faith Affairs Council in a timely manner to ensure transparency over the advisory body’s activities. RSA Executive Director Si Gladman made the request in a letter to the Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper (pictured) last
- [Faith Affairs Council declines to act on instances of religious-based discrimination](https://rationalist.com.au/faith-affairs-council-declines-to-act-on-instances-of-religious-based-discrimination/) - Faith leaders in New South Wales have turned down opportunities to advocate for the removal of religious-based discrimination in government bodies, including in the case of an atheist leader blocked from serving on an advisory committee. The New South Wales Faith Affairs Council has rejected a request to advocate to the government for the overturning
- [Councillors push back against Christian activists’ attempts to re-introduce prayers](https://rationalist.com.au/councillors-push-back-against-christian-activists-attempts-to-re-introduce-prayers/) - Councillors at two local governments in Victoria have emphatically pushed back against attempts to reinstate Christian acts of worship in government meetings, successfully arguing that religion should not be privileged. Christian activists appeared at council meetings at the Bass Coast Shire and the Moyne Shire Council in early October and late September respectively, pressuring the
- [Redrafting of WA equal opportunity laws “continuing as matter of priority”, says Attorney-General](https://rationalist.com.au/redrafting-of-wa-equal-opportunity-laws-continuing-as-matter-of-priority-says-attorney-general/) - The West Australian government has confirmed it remains committed to reforming the state’s equal opportunity laws following questions from the Rationalist Society of Australia about the lack of action on religious exemptions. In a letter to the RSA this week, Attorney-General Tony Buti (pictured) said that drafting work on a new Equal Opportunity Act was
- [Government still "considering" recommendations regarding charities sector, says Treasurer](https://rationalist.com.au/government-still-considering-recommendations-regarding-charities-sector-says-treasurer/) - The Albanese government says it “continues to consider” the recommendations of an independent research and advisory body regarding reforms to the charities sector, including to religious charities, almost a year and a half since receiving them. In a response to questions in the Senate on why the government was taking so long to respond to
- [WA education department "considering" RSA's feedback over use of “values education” propaganda line](https://rationalist.com.au/wa-education-department-considering-rsas-feedback-over-use-of-values-education-propaganda-line/) - A state education department that regurgitates the propaganda line that independent and faith schools provide “values education”, while not mentioning the values of public education, says it aims to provide “impartial information”. Late last month, the West Australian Department of Education responded to the Rationalist Society of Australia's letter that raised concerns about content that
- [RSA questions WA government over department's use of “values education” propaganda line](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-questions-western-australia-over-use-of-values-education-propaganda-line/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has questioned the West Australian government over why its education department's website features the propaganda line that independent and religious schools teach “values education” while not mentioning the public system’s superior secular values. The state’s Department of Education, in presenting the different schooling options on its website, says that the
- [Shoebridge questions government over delay in responding to proposed charities reforms](https://rationalist.com.au/shoebridge-questions-government-over-delay-in-responding-to-proposed-charities-reforms/) - The Albanese government is facing questioning on why it is yet to respond to recommendations for reforms to the charities sector, including to religious charities, about 16 months after receiving them. Greens Senator David Shoebridge has placed questions on notice in the federal parliament asking the government about when it intends to respond to the
- [Albanese government not budging on Christian prayers in parliament](https://rationalist.com.au/albanese-government-not-budging-on-christian-prayers-in-parliament/) - The Albanese government has rejected a request for it to remove daily acts of Christian worship from the houses of the national parliament. In a letter to the Rationalist Society of Australia this week, Patrick Gorman MP, the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, said that the government acknowledged parliament needed to “represent a diverse
- [RSA highlights discrimination against non-religious people in mounting case for protections in NSW](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-highlights-discrimination-against-non-religious-people-in-mounting-case-for-protections-in-nsw/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has highlighted examples of discrimination against non-religious people in New South Wales as part of a submission that expressed support for new protections in the state’s anti-discrimination laws. In a submission to the NSW Law Reform Commission, as part of a review of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW), the RSA
- [Christianity "must not be forgotten" in New South Wales, says Premier Minns](https://rationalist.com.au/christianity-must-not-be-forgotten-in-new-south-wales-says-premier-minns/) - Premier Chris Minns has argued that Christianity “must not be forgotten” in New South Wales as he launched a new coalition of Christian leaders that has pledged to “renew the relevance” of the faith across the state. The Labor leader was among the political leaders and 50 Christian community leaders at the launch of the
- [Secular advocates back WA public school communities' call for secular wellbeing officers and rejection of outsourcing](https://rationalist.com.au/secular-advocates-back-wa-public-school-communities-call-for-secular-wellbeing-officers-and-rejection-of-outsourcing/) - Advocates for secular public education are stepping up the pressure on the West Australian government to put an end to the funding of religious chaplains in public schools after school communities made their voices clear on the issue. Last weekend, delegates attending the annual conference of the peak body representing parents and carers of public
- [Moyne council becomes the latest to remove prayers from meetings](https://rationalist.com.au/moyne-council-becomes-the-latest-to-remove-prayers-from-meetings/) - The Moyne Shire Council in Victoria has become the latest local government to do away with acts of religious worship as part of formal meetings, after councillors stood firm today against an attempt to keep prayers. At a meeting this afternoon, councillors voted 4-2 against a motion that proposed rescinding a July decision by council
- [Councillor now pushing for Victorian local government to repeal decision that removed prayers from meetings](https://rationalist.com.au/councillor-now-pushing-for-victorian-local-government-to-repeal-decision-that-removed-prayers-from-meetings/) - A Victorian councillor who believes Christianity “built Australia” and “built democracy” is pushing for his local government to repeal its decision to remove prayers from formal meetings. For tomorrow’s meeting of the Moyne Shire Council, Jim Doukas (pictured) has put forward a motion to rescind the council’s 4-3 vote in July that removed prayers. The
- [WA school communities' push for secular wellbeing workers poses threat to outsourcing of chaplaincy](https://rationalist.com.au/wa-school-communities-push-for-secular-wellbeing-workers-poses-threat-to-outsourcing-of-chaplaincy/) - Public school communities across Western Australia could send a clear message to the state government this weekend that they want wellbeing support roles to be secular and directly employed through the state's education department. Delegates attending the annual conference of the peak body representing parents of public school students, the Western Australian Council of State
- [Neil Francis: ‘Religiosity in Australia’ report can improve our national conversations](https://rationalist.com.au/neil-francis-religiosity-in-australia-report-can-improve-our-national-conversations/) - RSA Fellow Neil Francis is hopeful that his groundbreaking report on religion and religiosity in Australia will help improve the quality of national conversations about faith and social, economic and political issues. The Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) has published Neil’s comprehensive Religiosity in Australia: Part 1: Personal faith according to the numbers report, which
- [RSA welcomes change as Tassie upper house drops the Lord’s Prayer](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-welcomes-change-as-tassie-upper-house-drops-the-lords-prayer/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia welcomes the decision of the Tasmanian Parliament’s upper house to remove the Lord’s Prayer from its formal proceedings, but is calling for further secular reform. On the opening day of the new parliamentary term, the President of the Legislative Council, Craig Farrell, today announced that he would no longer include
- [Liberal MP calls for state funding of Christian scripture group](https://rationalist.com.au/liberal-mp-calls-for-state-funding-of-christian-scripture-group/) - A Liberal member of the Victorian Parliament has called for state government funding to boost the activities of Christian missionary agency Korus Connect, which delivers scripture classes to a rapidly declining number of school students. In a speech to parliament last week, Ann-Marie Hermans MLC (pictured) said Korus Connect required “continued financial support” to help
- [RSA calls on Victoria to lead in addressing destructive cults, introduce coercive control laws](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-calls-on-victoria-to-lead-in-addressing-destructive-cults-introduce-coercive-control-laws/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has urged Victoria to become a leader in addressing harmful and abusive practices in destructive cults and called for it to expand coercive control laws to also apply to group-based contexts. In a submission to a state parliamentary committee inquiry into recruitment methods and impacts of cults and organised fringe
- [Submission to the Victorian Legislative Assembly's Legal and Social Issues Committee inquiry on cults](https://rationalist.com.au/submission-to-the-victorian-legislative-assemblys-legal-and-social-issues-committee-inquiry-on-cults/) - This is our submission to the Victorian Legislative Assembly Legal and Social Issues Committee’s ‘Inquiry into the recruitment methods and impacts of cults and organised fringe groups’. Find out more about the inquiry here. 31 July 2025 Dear Chair and committee members, This is a submission by the Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) to the
- ['Inadequate' reporting process masking discrimination in federally funded school chaplaincy roles, says RSA](https://rationalist.com.au/inadequate-reporting-process-masking-discrimination-in-federally-funded-school-chaplaincy-roles-says-rsa/) - The federal education department is masking ongoing religious-based discrimination in chaplaincy roles in the National Student Wellbeing Program (NSWP) through inadequate reporting processes, says the Rationalist Society of Australia. Documents obtained under freedom of information (FOI) laws show that the states and territories are required to simply mark ‘Yes’ or ‘No’, or ‘Y’ or ‘N’,
- [South Australian Attorney-General Kyam Maher "considering" suggestion to abolish sacrilege laws](https://rationalist.com.au/south-australian-attorney-general-kyam-maher-considering-suggestion-to-abolish-sacrilege-laws/) - South Australia’s attorney-general, Kyam Maher, has pledged to “consider” calls for the state to abolish sacrilege laws, but is yet to commit to action. In a letter to the Rationalist Society of Australia last month, Mr Maher said that he would consider the suggestion previously put forward by the RSA for the state government to
- [Allan government silent on its failure to deliver promise to remove Christian prayers from parliament](https://rationalist.com.au/allan-government-silent-on-its-failure-to-deliver-promise-to-remove-christian-prayers-from-parliament/) - The Victorian government has remained silent on its failure so far to deliver its long-overdue promise of removing daily acts of Christian worship from the state parliament. Asked in May to provide an update to the parliament on the progress being made in developing a replacement for the Lord’s Prayer, the Allan government has, more
- [RSA advocates for anti-discrimination reforms to protect non-religious people in New South Wales](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-advocates-for-anti-discrimination-reforms-to-protect-non-religious-people-in-new-south-wales/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has called for strong protections for non-religious people under any proposed reforms to anti-discrimination laws in New South Wales. Last month, in a meeting with the New South Wales Law Reform Commission, the RSA said any recommendation to protect religious people from discrimination should also equally protect non-religious people from
- [RSA calls on new Labor MPs and senators to support change on parliamentary prayers](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-calls-on-new-labor-mps-and-senators-to-support-change-on-parliamentary-prayers/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has urged all new federal Labor MPs and senators to advocate for change on the parliamentary prayer issue, telling them that it was a matter of fundamental human rights. In a letter to the 27 incoming members of parliament, RSA Executive Director Si Gladman said, unless the Standing Orders were
- [Council that imposes Christian worship now bringing back Christmas nativity scene to promote inclusion](https://rationalist.com.au/council-that-imposes-christian-worship-now-bringing-back-christmas-nativity-scene-to-promote-inclusion/) - Councillors at a Queensland council that only invites Christian preachers to deliver minutes-long sermons at the opening of its meetings say they are re-introducing a nativity scene to the city’s Christmas celebrations to be inclusive and to respect multiculturalism. The Redland City Council this week voted to bring back a nativity scene to the council’s
- [Victorian MP seeks assurance proposed laws won’t infringe peaceful protests outside places of worship](https://rationalist.com.au/mp-seeks-assurance-proposed-laws-wont-infringe-peaceful-protests-outside-places-of-worship/) - The Legalise Cannabis Party is urging the Victorian government to protect the right of people to protest peacefully outside places of worship, warning that proposed laws to introduce ‘safe access zones’ represent “government overreach”. In a speech to parliament last month, Rachel Payne called on Premier Jacinta Allan to provide an assurance that the government’s
- [RSA seeks confirmation on when non-religious Defence personnel can access secular frontline support](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-seeks-confirmation-on-when-non-religious-defence-personnel-can-access-secular-frontline-support/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has again asked the Albanese government for confirmation on when non-religious Defence personnel will be able to access non-religious frontline wellbeing support. In a letter to Minister of Defence Personnel Matt Keogh (pictured), RSA Executive Director Si Gladman said it was time for the government to get on with the
- [RSA urges Greens' leader to push for removal of prayers early in the new term of parliament](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-urges-greens-leader-to-push-for-removal-of-prayers-early-in-the-new-term-of-parliament/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has called on the new leader of the Australian Greens to push for removal of daily acts of Christian worship, or replacement with more appropriate practices, in the term of the new federal parliament. In a letter to Senator Larissa Waters last month, RSA Executive Director Si Gladman urged the
- [Religious groups had “strong desire” to keep Census religion question, says ABS](https://rationalist.com.au/religious-groups-had-strong-desire-to-keep-census-religion-question-says-abs/) - The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has defended its decision to continue using a biased question on religious affiliation in the Census, saying that providing religious organisations with comparable data was “a significant enough consideration” to keep the question. In a letter to the Rationalist Society of Australia, the Australian Statistician, Dr David Gruen, said
- [Scripture programs lead to religious-based bullying, RSA tells inquiry](https://rationalist.com.au/scripture-programs-lead-to-religious-based-bullying-rsa-tells-inquiry/) - The intrusion of scripture programs into public schools is contributing to religious-based bullying, the Rationalist Society of Australia has told an inquiry. In a submission to the federal education department’s Anti-Bullying Rapid Review last week, the RSA urged governments to examine how scripture programs – such as the Special Religious Education (SRE) program in New
- [Submission to the Anti-Bullying Rapid Review](https://rationalist.com.au/submission-to-the-anti-bullying-rapid-review/) - This is our submission to the Anti-Bullying Rapid Review. Find out more about the inquiry here. 27 June 2025 This is a submission on behalf of the Rationalist Society of Australia to the Anti-Bullying Rapid Review. We are Australia’s oldest freethought organisation that promotes reason, secularism and evidence-based policy. We wish to bring to your
- [Make the Dawn Service more meaningful for all Australians, non-religious delegation tells War Memorial](https://rationalist.com.au/make-the-dawn-service-more-meaningful-for-all-australians-non-religious-delegation-tells-war-memorial/) - Anzac Day Dawn Services should be more meaningful for all Australians instead of resembling Christian church services, non-religious veterans and pro-secular advocates have told staff of the Australian War Memorial. The Rationalist Society of Australia and three non-religious veterans met with two representatives of the War Memorial on Wednesday to discuss the dominance of the
- [NSW government celebrates ‘social cohesion’ with award for program that divides children by religion](https://rationalist.com.au/nsw-government-celebrates-social-cohesion-with-award-for-program-that-divides-children-by-religion/) - The New South Wales government is awarding public schools for “building social cohesion” where they segregate children according to the religion of their parents as part of the scripture program. Late last year, education minister Prue Car presented Northbourne Public School with a 'Building Social Cohesion Award' for its wide range of religious offerings –
- [War Memorial opens door for discussions with non-religious veterans and RSA about Dawn Services](https://rationalist.com.au/war-memorial-opens-door-for-discussions-with-non-religious-veterans-and-rsa-about-dawn-services/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia welcomes the Australian War Memorial’s decision to meet with non-religious veterans and pro-secular advocates to discuss the domination of Anzac Day Dawn Services by Christianity. The Canberra-based War Memorial has provided an opportunity for the RSA and non-religious veterans to soon meet with its staff following another request from the
- [Government-funded chaplains in faith schools appear to be performing religious activities](https://rationalist.com.au/government-funded-chaplains-in-faith-schools-appear-to-be-performing-religious-activities/) - The chaplaincy and pastoral care capabilities of many faith-based schools that receive millions of public funding under the National Student Wellbeing Program (NSWP) appear to be performing religious activities as part of their role. The Rationalist Society of Australia has found that the websites of numerous religious schools receiving federal funding for the NSWP say
- [RSA warns treasurers against repeat of World Youth Day funding controversy](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-warns-treasurers-against-repeat-of-world-youth-day-funding-controversy/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has warned the federal government and New South Wales government that taxpayers have little appetite for funding private evangelising activities of faith groups, with an upcoming Catholic event raising the prospects of a repeat of the World Youth Day controversy. In letters to the federal and state treasurers on Friday,
- [RSA warns Queensland over religious-based discrimination in funding of school chaplains](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-warns-queensland-over-religious-based-discrimination-in-funding-of-school-chaplains/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has warned the Queensland government that its decision to fund religious chaplains to operate in its public schools will breach the state’s own anti-discrimination laws. In a letter to Attorney-General Deb Frecklington today, RSA Executive Director Si Gladman said the funding of chaplains would contravene provisions against discrimination on the
- [Allan govt “running out of excuses” over prayer commitment, says MP](https://rationalist.com.au/allan-govt-running-out-of-excuses-over-prayer-commitment-says-mp/) - A member of Victoria’s upper house says the Allan government is “running out of excuses” for having not delivered on its promise of four years ago to replace parliament’s daily prayer ritual with a more inclusive practice. In a speech to the Legislative Council last week, Georgie Purcell (pictured) asked the government to provide an
- [Exclusive: Independent tribunal finds “strong demand” for Navy’s “complementary” non-religious pastoral care alternative](https://rationalist.com.au/exclusive-independent-tribunal-finds-strong-demand-for-navys-complementary-non-religious-pastoral-care-alternative/) - The introduction of secular wellbeing support workers into the Royal Australian Navy has delivered a “complementary non-religious alternative” helping to meet the mental health and wellbeing needs of personnel, says the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal (DFRT). In a formal statement published late last month, the DFRT – an independent authority – said it was “apparent
- [WA Labor has support to remove prayers from state's upper house](https://rationalist.com.au/wa-labor-has-support-to-remove-prayers-from-states-upper-house/) - The West Australian Parliament’s upper house would be able to remove the practice of imposing daily Christian prayers that appeal to the “creator of the universe” if the Labor Party’s representatives in the chamber decided to support the proposal. The Rationalist Society of Australia understands that enough members of minor parties and the crossbench would
- [RSA raises concerns about election activities of religious charities with independents and minor parties, calls for reforms](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-raises-concerns-about-election-activities-of-religious-charities-with-independents-and-minor-parties-calls-for-reforms/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has urged independent members of parliament and minor parties to pursue reforms that stop charities from engaging in election activities that directly support candidates or parties. In a letter today to independent MPs and minor parties elected to the House of Representatives, the RSA raised concerns about the widely reported
- [RSA calls on Prime Minister Albanese to support removing parliament prayers and advocate for church-state separation](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-calls-on-prime-minister-albanese-to-support-removing-parliament-prayers-and-advocate-for-church-state-separation/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to advocate for separation of church and state in the new term of parliament and has suggested that he start with the removal from parliament of daily acts of Christian worship. In a letter yesterday, the RSA told Mr Albanese that religious privilege
- [WA government trials direct employment option for student wellbeing program](https://rationalist.com.au/wa-government-trials-direct-employment-option-for-student-wellbeing-program/) - The West Australian government has given the green light to a public school to directly hire a wellbeing officer under the National Student Wellbeing Program in a move that advocates hope could lead to the full removal of religious-based discrimination from the program in the state. In a speech to the state parliament late last
- ['Most' charities acted appropriately during federal election, regulator tells RSA](https://rationalist.com.au/most-charities-acted-appropriately-during-federal-election-regulator-tells-rsa/) - The national charities regulator has confirmed that “most” charities acted appropriately during the federal election campaign, but secrecy provisions prevent it from disclosing whether any investigations are underway. In a letter to the Rationalist Society of Australia, the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) said it was not able to advise whether it had taken
- [Christian lobby views cult inquiry as a threat to religious freedom](https://rationalist.com.au/christian-lobby-views-cult-inquiry-as-a-threat-to-religious-freedom/) - The Australian Christian Lobby has warned that a Victorian parliamentary committee inquiry into cults and their coercive practices could impact the “Christian church” and restrict freedom of religion. In some of the first public comments by a religious group in response to the establishment of the inquiry, Michelle Pearse, Managing Director of the ACL, told
- [RSA raises concerns with charities regulator over election-related activities of religious charities](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-raises-concerns-with-charities-regulator-over-election-related-activities-of-religious-charities/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has raised concerns with the nation’s charities regulator about election-related activities of religious charities that have received widespread media attention this week. In a letter to the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) today, the RSA asked the regulator whether it would examine the political commentary of Catholic education authorities
- [It’s time for the federal parliament to enact broad secular reform](https://rationalist.com.au/its-time-for-the-federal-parliament-to-enact-broad-secular-reform/) - A federal parliament controlled by a Labor majority, plus progressive independents and minor party representation, has a historic opportunity to pursue long-overdue secular reform for Australia. Despite the fundamental demographic changes that have occurred in recent decades – with increasing religious diversity and the number of non-religious people poised to overtake Christians at next year’s
- [Liberal Party's pledge to "invest in chaplaincy" threatens the choice of secular roles](https://rationalist.com.au/liberal-partys-pledge-to-invest-in-chaplaincy-threatens-the-choice-of-secular-roles/) - The Liberal Party appears to want to return to the Howard-era model of using federal funding for religious chaplains in schools while not providing school communities the option of a secular wellbeing worker. As part of its education plan to ‘“return Australia to a top 10 education nation”, as outlined in its website, the party
- [Port Stephens councillors insist on reciting prayers during formal meetings instead of in private](https://rationalist.com.au/port-stephens-councillors-insist-on-reciting-prayers-during-formal-meetings-instead-of-in-private/) - A council in New South Wales has mandated the observance of prayers during formal government meetings after a majority of councillors rejected a proposal for prayers to instead be held during their own private time. In March, the Port Stephens council voted in support of imposing prayers at the opening of council meetings. The decision
- [RSA calls on War Memorial and other Anzac commemoration organisers to meet with non-religious veterans](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-calls-on-war-memorial-and-other-anzac-commemoration-organisers-to-meet-with-non-religious-veterans/) - Organisers of Anzac Dawn Services should meet with non-religious veterans and community groups to understand how the imposition of Christian acts of worship as part of the commemorations alienates many people, the Rationalist Society of Australia has said. In commemorating Anzac Day yesterday, the Australian War Memorial in Canberra and organisers in a number of
- [NSW education department investigating caste-based discrimination in SRE classes](https://rationalist.com.au/nsw-education-department-investigating-caste-based-discrimination-in-sre-classes/) - The New South Wales’ Department of Education has confirmed it is investigating complaints of caste-based discrimination being taught in the Hindu Special Religious Education program in the state’s public schools. In a letter to the Rationalist Society of Australia last month (see below), a spokesperson confirmed that the department had met with community representatives who
- [RSA raises human rights concerns with ABS about biased Census question](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-raises-human-rights-concerns-with-abs-about-biased-census-question/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has asked the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) whether it weighed the human rights impact in deciding not to accurately count the nation’s non-religious population in the next Census. In a letter to the head of the ABS, Dr David Gruen (pictured), the RSA argued that the continued use of
- [War Memorial turns down request for meeting about Christian dominance of Anzac Day service](https://rationalist.com.au/war-memorial-turns-down-request-for-meeting-about-christian-dominance-of-anzac-day-service/) - The Australian War Memorial has decided not to meet with secular and non-religious community leaders and veterans to hear their concerns about the domination of the Anzac Day Dawn Service by Christianity. Early last month, the Rationalist Society of Australia wrote to the Director of the War Memorial, Matt Anderson, seeking an opportunity for secular
- [Pursue reform of charities system in the next parliament, RSA urges independents and minority parties](https://rationalist.com.au/pursue-reform-of-charities-system-in-the-next-parliament-rsa-urges-independents-and-minority-parties/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has urged independent parliamentarians and minor parties to pursue reform of Australia’s charities system during the next term of parliament in order to restore public confidence and improve accountability and transparency. In a letter to independent and minority parties in the House of Representatives this week, the RSA outlined three
- [RSA calls on re-elected WA government to support removing prayers from parliament](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-calls-on-re-elected-wa-government-to-support-removing-prayers-from-parliament/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has called on the re-elected West Australian government to use the opening of the new term of parliament to remove acts of Christian worship that commit elected representatives to “advancing the glory” of a creationist god. In a letter to Premier Roger Cook (pictured) and his new attorney-general, Tony Buti,
- [NSW Labor government backs Liberal-National MPs in praise of scripture program](https://rationalist.com.au/nsw-labor-government-backs-liberal-national-mps-in-praise-of-scripture-program/) - The Minns government has joined with Liberal and National MPs in praising the religious indoctrination program that segregates children in New South Wales’ public schools, as some speakers in a parliamentary debate also attacked the Victorian government’s policy on scripture. In the New South Wales Legislative Council last week, Liberal Party member Rachel Merton –
- [Catholic teens leading scripture classes in New South Wales’ public schools](https://rationalist.com.au/catholic-teens-leading-scripture-classes-in-new-south-wales-public-schools/) - Teenage missionaries are among the instructors taking over classrooms from professional teachers to deliver religious indoctrination classes in New South Wales’ public schools. The Rationalist Society of Australia has discovered that teens of around 15 and 16 years of age are providing scripture instruction under the state’s controversial Special Religious Education (SRE) program. The state’s
- [Education minister says SRE caste discrimination controversy not brought to her attention](https://rationalist.com.au/education-minister-says-sre-caste-discrimination-controversy-not-brought-to-her-attention/) - The New South Wales education minister has suggested she was unaware of allegations of caste being taught in Hindu scripture classes in public schools, despite the Rationalist Society of Australia having directly raised the matter with her. Appearing at a budget estimates hearing in parliament this week, Prue Car (pictured) faced questions about claims that
- [War Memorial staff suggested reduction of religious elements in Dawn Service, documents show](https://rationalist.com.au/war-memorial-staff-suggested-reduction-of-religious-elements-in-dawn-service-documents-show/) - The Australian War Memorial suggested reducing the religious content in the Anzac Day Dawn Service to address concerns about the length of the event impacting TV broadcasting, and not to address public concerns about religious dominance, documents reveal. Documents obtained by the Rationalist Society of Australia under freedom of information laws detail discussions between War
- [War Memorial confirms RSL to continue running Dawn Service despite imposition of Christianity](https://rationalist.com.au/war-memorial-confirms-rsl-to-continue-running-dawn-service-despite-imposition-of-christianity/) - The nation’s war memorial has confirmed it will continue to hand over responsibility of the Anzac Day Dawn Service to a veterans organisation that imposes worship in one religious tradition as part of the commemoration. In a letter to the Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) just before Christmas, a spokesperson for the Australian War Memorial
- [Queensland government won’t act against Christian worship in councils](https://rationalist.com.au/queensland-government-wont-act-against-christian-worship-in-councils/) - The Queensland government will continue to stand by and allow local governments to engage in the likely unlawful and discriminatory practice of imposing Christian worship in formal government meetings. In the letter to the Rationalist Society of Australia (see below), the office of the state’s minister for local government, Ann Leahy, said the government would
- [Victorian government considering “safe access zones” around places of worship](https://rationalist.com.au/victorian-government-considering-safe-access-zones-around-places-of-worship/) - The Victorian government has acknowledged the Rationalist Society of Australia’s concerns about the need to ensure protections for legitimate protests outside places of worship. In a letter last week, a spokesperson for the state Department of Justice and Community Safety said it would consult with stakeholders over the government’s planned laws impacting protests outside places
- [Tasmania has 'no plan' to extend coercive control laws to cover religious cults](https://rationalist.com.au/tasmania-has-no-plan-to-extend-coercive-control-laws-to-cover-religious-cults/) - Another state has indicated it has no plans to broaden coercive control laws to protect people from harmful religious cults, despite pleas from cult survivors for action. In a letter to the Rationalist Society of Australia this month, Tasmanian Attorney-General Guy Barnett (pictured) recognised that some of the reported behaviours of cults were “very concerning”,
- [Defence adds ‘God’ to definition of 'spirituality' at behest of religious clerics](https://rationalist.com.au/defence-adds-god-to-definition-of-spirituality-at-behest-of-religious-clerics/) - A taxpayer-funded committee of religious clerics has successfully pushed the Australian Defence Force to adopt a definition of ‘spirituality’ that has been altered to include a reference to ‘God’. Army chaplain Darren Cronshaw, writing in the 2024 edition of the Australian Army Chaplaincy Journal, revealed, in his footnotes, that the Religious Advisory Committee to the
- [Defiant councillors block attempt to impose prayers in local government meetings](https://rationalist.com.au/defiant-councillors-block-attempt-to-impose-prayers-in-local-government-meetings/) - Pro-secular councillors have successfully blocked an attempt by colleagues to have Christian prayers reinstated in the formal meetings at a New South Wales local government. Last week, five councillors voted against a motion that sought to impose prayers at Wingecarribee Shire Council, located in the state’s Southern Highlands and including towns such as Mittagong and
- [Christian lobbyists pushing for Trump-style ‘faith offices’ in Australian governments](https://rationalist.com.au/christian-lobbyists-pushing-for-trump-style-faith-offices-in-australian-governments/) - Christian lobbyists will urge Australian governments to set up “faith offices” based on the one being established by the Trump Administration. Speaking on Christian radio program 20Twenty this week, Greg Bondar, of Christian Voice Australia, praised President Donald Trump’s announcement of a White House Faith Office and welcomed the idea of the body having a
- [Non-religious AFL players deserve same opportunity to talk about their worldview, RSA tells league](https://rationalist.com.au/non-religious-afl-players-deserve-same-opportunity-to-talk-about-their-worldview-rsa-tells-league/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has urged the Australian Football League to ensure non-religious footballers have the same opportunity as their religious colleagues to speak about their worldview on the league’s own media channels. The RSA has written to the AFL following the publication of an article on the afl.com.au website last week – titled
- [Defence Force failing to meet wellbeing needs of non-religious personnel, RSA tells committee](https://rationalist.com.au/defence-force-failing-to-meet-wellbeing-needs-of-non-religious-personnel-rsa-tells-committee/) - The Australian Defence Force is failing to meet the wellbeing needs of its non-religious service personnel, the Rationalist Society of Australia has told a federal parliament committee. In a submission to an inquiry of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, RSA Executive Director Si Gladman said it was possible that thousands
- [Submission to Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade](https://rationalist.com.au/submission-to-joint-standing-committee-on-foreign-affairs-defence-and-trade/) - This is our submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade’s ‘Inquiry into the Department of Defence Annual Report 2023-24’. Find out more about the inquiry here. 3 February 2025 This is a submission by the Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) to the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and
- [Western Australia won’t act on coercive control in damaging cults](https://rationalist.com.au/western-australia-wont-act-on-coercive-control-in-damaging-cults/) - The West Australian government has “no intention” of expanding coercive control laws to apply to harmful religious cults. In a letter to the Rationalist Society of Australia this week, the state’s attorney-general, John Quigley (pictured), said the Cook government’s focus was on criminalising coercive control within the context of family and domestic violence. Meanwhile, the
- [RSA questions DFAT over top diplomat's exaggerated claims about faith in Australia](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-questions-dfat-over-top-diplomats-exaggerated-claims-about-faith-in-australia/) - The foreign ministry has defended Australia’s focus on religion in its bilateral relationship with Papua New Guinea but has not responded to criticism that a top diplomat exaggerated claims about the importance of faith to Australians. In late December, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), writing on behalf of Minister Penny Wong (pictured),
- [Queensland education minister confirms new funding will allow choice over chaplaincy](https://rationalist.com.au/queensland-education-minister-confirms-new-funding-will-allow-choice-over-chaplaincy/) - Any new funding to boost student wellbeing in Queensland’s public schools will not be used exclusively for religious-based chaplaincy, the state’s newly appointed education minister has confirmed. In a letter to the Rationalist Society of Australia earlier this month, education minister John-Paul Langbroek (pictured) said that additional state government funding towards the National Student Wellbeing
- [South Australian government gives no guarantee on abolishing blasphemy, sacrilege](https://rationalist.com.au/south-australian-government-gives-no-guarantee-on-abolishing-blasphemy-sacrilege/) - The South Australian government will “consider” the Rationalist Society of Australia’s call for it to abolish blasphemy and sacrilege laws. In a letter last week, the state’s Attorney-General, Kyam Maher, told RSA Executive Director Si Gladman that he appreciated hearing the RSA’s views on the issue. However, Mr Maher gave no guarantee that his government
- [RSA calls on South Australia to abolish blasphemy, sacrilege laws](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-calls-on-south-australia-to-abolish-blasphemy-sacrilege-laws/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has urged South Australia to follow Tasmania’s lead and abolish blasphemy and sacrilege laws. Following Tasmania’s decision to remove blasphemy from its law books last year, the RSA’s Executive Director Si Gladman has written to South Australian Attorney-General Kyam Maher, calling on his government to act. Mr Gladman told Mr
- [RSA calls on Opposition Leader to support removing religious indoctrination from schools](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-calls-on-opposition-leader-to-support-removing-religious-indoctrination-from-schools/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has called on the Leader of the Opposition, Peter Dutton, to support the removal of religious indoctrination, including scripture programs, from Australian classrooms. The RSA wrote to Mr Dutton this week after he declared that, if elected to government this year, the Coalition would demand “education not indoctrination” in schools.
- [No answer yet on when government will respond to proposed reform of religious charities](https://rationalist.com.au/no-answer-yet-on-when-government-will-respond-to-proposed-reform-of-religious-charities/) - The Department of the Treasury has dodged a question in the Senate on when the Albanese government will provide a response to the Productivity Commission's recommendation for reform of Basic Religious Charities (BRCs). In a written question submitted in November, Greens senator David Shoebridge asked directly for an answer on when the government would respond
- [RSA calls on states to protect peaceful protests outside places of worship](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-calls-on-states-to-protect-peaceful-protests-outside-places-of-worship/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has called on state governments to drop their plans to ban peaceful protests outside places of worship. In a letter to the premiers and attorneys-general of New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland, RSA Executive Director Si Gladman said that any attempt to prevent peaceful protests outside places of worship would
- [Non-religious students encouraged to use New South Wales' new ‘religious intolerance’ helpline](https://rationalist.com.au/non-religious-students-encouraged-to-use-religious-intolerance-helpline/) - Non-religious students who are bullied because they do not participate in the Special Religious Education (SRE) program in New South Wales’ public schools can report these incidents to the Religious Intolerance Helpline. In a letter to the Rationalist Society of Australia, the state’s education department has confirmed that all members of school communities who experience
- [Exclusive: Air Force review calls for recruitment overhaul to protect against theology problems](https://rationalist.com.au/exclusive-air-force-review-calls-for-recruitment-overhaul-to-protect-against-theology-problems/) - An investigation into the scandal-plagued Air Force chaplaincy branch has called for an overhaul of hiring processes to prevent further recruitment of staff whose theological views conflict with Defence values, it can be revealed. The Executive Summary of the Air Force Chaplaincy Review – an inquiry sparked by allegations of abuse and bullying among chaplains
- [Tasmanian government considering abolishing of blasphemy laws](https://rationalist.com.au/tasmanian-government-considering-abolishing-of-blasphemy-laws/) - The Tasmanian government is considering reforms to remove blasphemy offences from the state’s law books. In a letter to the Rationalist Society of Australia, Attorney-General Elise Archer has pledged to consider “what, if any, legislative reform may be necessary in relation to the existing blasphemy offence provisions” in the state. Earlier this year, RSA president
- [Tasmania abolishes blasphemy laws in response to Rationalist Society's advocacy](https://rationalist.com.au/tasmania-abolishes-blasphemy-laws-in-response-to-rationalist-societys-advocacy/) - The Tasmanian government has abolished blasphemy offences following advocacy from the Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA). In late October, the state parliament passed the Justice and Related Legislation (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2024, which introduced numerous amendments, including clauses to remove blasphemy provisions from two existing acts of parliament. Section 119 of the Criminal Code Act
- [Follow New Zealand’s lead on examining religious commercial enterprises, RSA urges Albanese government](https://rationalist.com.au/follow-new-zealands-lead-on-examining-religious-commercial-enterprises-says-rsa/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia is urging the Albanese government to follow New Zealand’s lead and examine the tax concessions of commercial enterprises owned by religious charities. In a letter to finance minister Katy Gallagher last month, RSA Executive Director Si Gladman said the tax concessions for religious-owned commercial enterprises, such as cereal maker Sanitarium,
- [RSA asks government why damaging cults allowed to benefit from ‘advancing religion’](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-asks-government-why-damaging-cults-allowed-to-benefit-from-advancing-religion/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia is seeking answers from the federal government on why the charities of damaging religious cults are allowed to continue benefiting from their charitable status of ‘advancing religion’. In a letter to the assistant minister for charities, Dr Andrew Leigh, earlier this month, the RSA noted that many of the high-demand
- [New Queensland Speaker says prayer ritual a matter for MPs](https://rationalist.com.au/new-queensland-speaker-says-prayer-ritual-a-matter-for-mps/) - The new Speaker of Queensland’s Legislative Assembly says a decision over whether to retain the practice of opening daily procedures with Christian prayers is one for serving members to make. In a letter to the Rationalist Society of Australia earlier this month (see below), Speaker Patrick Weir said that the parliament “as a whole would
- [RSA calls on states and territories to address coercive control in cults](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-calls-on-states-and-territories-to-address-coercive-control-in-cults/) - New laws are needed to effectively address coercive control practices within religious cults and high-demand religious groups, the Rationalist Society of Australia has told state and territory attorneys-general. In a letter this week, the RSA urged each state and territory to prioritise the introduction of coercive control laws that would effectively deal with coercive, harmful
- [RSL suggests Australians can attend “numerous alternative services” instead of national war memorial's Dawn Service](https://rationalist.com.au/rsl-suggests-australians-can-attend-numerous-alternative-services-instead-of-national-war-memorials-dawn-service/) - A branch of the Returned & Services League (RSL) has suggested “numerous alternative services” are available to Australians who feel excluded and discriminated against by its Christianity-dominated Anzac Day Dawn Service at the national war memorial. In a letter submitted to the Australian Capital Territory’s Human Rights Commission as part of a discrimination resolution process
- [Sydney council set to debate prayer issue](https://rationalist.com.au/sydney-council-set-to-debate-prayer-issue/) - The City of Sydney will consider a proposal to review its practice of opening formal council meetings with prayers. At Monday's general council meeting at Sydney Town Hall, Councillor Matthew Thompson will present a motion requesting that council undertake a process of community engagement to understand views on the practice of reciting prayers. The motion
- [Queensland council now faces question of whether to include non-Christians in prayer ritual](https://rationalist.com.au/queensland-council-now-faces-question-of-whether-to-include-non-christians-in-prayer-ritual/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has asked a Queensland council whether it will now invite non-Christian leaders to recite prayers in its meetings after an influential councillor declared he is open to the idea. Today, RSA Executive Director Si Gladman wrote to Mackay Regional Council’s mayor, Greg Williamson (pictured), seeking a confirmation from the council
- [Christensen welcomes opening Mackay’s prayer ritual to other faiths](https://rationalist.com.au/christensen-welcomes-opening-mackays-prayer-ritual-to-other-faiths/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia’s advocacy for secular reform of Mackay Regional Council meetings could open the door for members of minority faiths to also participate in the opening prayer ritual, but non-religious people may continue to be excluded. Speaking on ABC radio on Tuesday, George Christensen (pictured), the former conservative Nationals MP and now
- [National human rights body won’t investigate discrimination against non-religious Australians](https://rationalist.com.au/national-human-rights-body-wont-investigate-discrimination-against-non-religious-australians/) - The Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has turned down a request for it to look into “unjustifiable discrimination” against non-religious Australians in public institutions and in the public sphere. In a letter to the AHRC last month, the Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) highlighted a number of examples of discrimination against non-religious people and asked
- [‘No religion’ continues to surge in Australian Defence Force](https://rationalist.com.au/no-religion-continues-to-surge-in-australian-defence-force/) - Christian affiliation has continued to plummet in the Australian Defence Force as the proportion of service personnel identifying as not religious has surged, according to official Defence data released today. More than six out of 10 personnel in the permanent Defence Force now identify as not religious, yet Defence continues to deny most of them
- [RSA calls for War Memorial to take full control of Dawn Service after closure of complaint case](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-calls-for-war-memorial-to-take-full-control-of-dawn-service-after-closure-of-complaint-case/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia is urging the nation’s war memorial to take full control of commemoration services after a veterans organisation that hosts the Anzac Day service withdrew from a resolution process regarding a religious discrimination complaint. In June, RSA Executive Director Si Gladman submitted a complaint to the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Human
- [RSA seeks answers about new Queensland government’s plan to “expand school chaplaincy”](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-seeks-answers-about-new-queensland-governments-plan-to-expand-school-chaplaincy/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia is seeking confirmation from the new Queensland government over whether it will use taxpayers’ money to fund religious-based discrimination by inserting chaplains into public schools. In a letter to Premier David Crisafulli (pictured) and education minister John-Paul Langbroek, RSA Executive Director Si Gladman raised concerns about the government’s plan to
- [RSA calls on Queensland council to stop imposing Christianity](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-calls-on-queensland-council-to-stop-imposing-christianity/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia is calling on the Mackay Regional Council in Queensland to stop imposing Christian worship on councillors, staff and members of the public in attendance at its formal meetings. The council, which boasts of fostering diversity and inclusion in its community, has not answered questions on why only Christian ministers recite
- [Christian SRE providers under "real and rising pressure" in New South Wales as public opposition mounts](https://rationalist.com.au/christian-sre-providers-under-real-and-rising-pressure-in-new-south-wales-as-public-opposition-mounts/) - Christian providers of Special Religious Education (SRE) in New South Wales claim to be under “real and rising pressure", as political opposition increases and school communities seek reform of the increasingly unpopular program. As part of yet another fundraising push, Youthworks is sounding the alarm that “SRE is under pressure in schools across our state”.
- [Dutton praises faith leaders for pushing back on school building funds proposal](https://rationalist.com.au/dutton-praises-faith-leaders-for-pushing-back-on-school-building-funds-proposal/) - Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has praised faith leaders for working to successfully “push back” against a proposal to remove tax deductibility for school building funds – a mechanism that delivers further public subsidisation of mostly religious and wealthy private schools. In a speech to the Christian Prayer Breakfast in Canberra last week, Mr Dutton said
- [After 20 years, Meredith Doig says farewell to Rationalist Society of Australia](https://rationalist.com.au/after-20-years-meredith-doig-says-farewell-to-rationalist-society-of-australia/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia’s mission of standing up for evidence-based policy and countering the influence of religion on public policy is more important than ever, says retiring president Meredith Doig. After 20 years of involvement in the RSA – including five years as secretary and the last 13 years as president – Dr Doig
- [Audit Office turns down request to examine use of public funds at Exclusive Brethren schools](https://rationalist.com.au/audit-office-turns-down-request-to-examine-use-of-public-funds-at-exclusive-brethren-schools/) - The nation’s top audit institution has turned down a request to investigate the use of public funds allocated towards the Exclusive Brethren’s OneSchool Global schools. In a letter to Senator David Shoebridge, and published on its website, the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) said it would not include an audit of OneSchool Global schools as
- [Mackay council's mayor defends prayer practice in face of discrimination concerns](https://rationalist.com.au/mackay-councils-mayor-defends-prayer-practice-in-face-of-discrimination-concerns/) - A mayor whose council appears to give only Christian community leaders the opportunity to open its meetings with prayers says the current practice does not favour or exclude any group. In a letter to the Rationalist Society of Australia in September, Greg Williamson, the mayor of Mackay Regional Council in Queensland, defended his council’s meeting
- ["Traditions move slowly", says War Memorial in response to Dawn Service complaints](https://rationalist.com.au/traditions-move-slowly-says-war-memorial-in-response-to-dawn-service-complaints/) - The Australian War Memorial (AWM) says it will consider complaints about the religious dominance of its Anzac Day Dawn Service when it comes to planning for next year’s event. However, the head of the AWM, Matt Anderson, has told the Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) that “traditions move slowly”. In early May, RSA Executive Director
- [WA government targets 2025 for tackling religious exemptions to equal opportunity laws](https://rationalist.com.au/wa-government-targets-2025-for-tackling-religious-exemptions-to-equal-opportunity-laws/) - A re-elected Labor government in Western Australia would aim to introduce legislation next year to remove religious exemptions to equal opportunity laws. In a letter to the Rationalist Society of Australia last week, John Quigley (pictured), the state’s Attorney-General, reaffirmed the Cook government’s commitment to “reforming and narrowing the religious exemptions” that apply for religious
- [Minns government fails to respond to claims about teaching of caste in Hindu scripture classes](https://rationalist.com.au/minns-government-fails-to-respond-to-claims-about-teaching-of-caste-in-hindu-scripture-classes/) - The Minns government appears to have turned a blind eye to claims that the discriminatory caste system is being taught in New South Wales public schools as part of Hindu religious classes. The state’s education minister, Prue Car (pictured), and education department have failed to respond to the Rationalist Society of Australia’s question about whether
- [RSA calls for examination of church businesses' impact on competition](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-calls-for-examination-of-church-businesses-impact-on-competition/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has called on federal and state governments to examine the impact on business competition of tax concessions for church-owned commercial enterprises. In a submission to a public consultation on ‘Revitalising National Competition Policy’, the RSA said tax concessions for commercial enterprises with charity status for ‘advancing religion’ was unfair to
- [Public schools choosing secular wellbeing roles over religious chaplaincy in New South Wales](https://rationalist.com.au/public-schools-choosing-secular-wellbeing-roles-over-religious-chaplaincy-in-new-south-wales/) - New South Wales’ public schools are opting for secular wellbeing officers more than religious chaplains under the Albanese government’s National Student Wellbeing Program. According to data provided to the Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) by the state’s Department of Education, as of April this year 57 per cent of 233 schools that had engaged a
- [Media Release: Measuring political bias](https://rationalist.com.au/measuring-political-bias/) - Media Release 26 August 2013 One area of the political debate that does not receive much attention during election campaigns is the question of religious influence on party policy. This is a gap. Australians clearly prefer a separation between church and state. According to a Herald/Nielsen poll conducted in the lead up to the 2010 federal
- [RSA submission urges education review to commit to secular education](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-submission-urges-education-review-to-commit-to-secular-education/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has called for Australian governments to expressly commit to secular government education and take measures to stop enabling religious missionary activities in public schools. In a submission to the federal government’s Review to Inform a Better and Fairer Education System, the RSA outlined how, for some time, Australian governments had
- [Taxing the truth: why we must not let Abbott's dogmas lie](https://rationalist.com.au/taxing-the-truth-why-we-must-not-let-abbotts-dogmas-lie/) - By Ian Robinson, President Emeritus of the RSA. Opposition Leader Tony Abbott constantly accuses the Prime Minister of 'lying' when she made a commitment before the last election not to introduce a tax on carbon. But who's the liar here? Who's fibbing? Perhaps the finger should be pointed at Tony Abbott, not Julia Gillard.
- [It's Advance Australia Fair, Not Fair-Skinned](https://rationalist.com.au/its-advance-australia-fair-not-fair-skinned/) - Best enjoy the light and colour that diversity transmits. A hand-written sign with the words "we don't yell to sell" hangs off a meat hook above the counter of a butcher's stall at the Queen Victoria Market. Beneath it a laconic butcher goes about his business dissecting meat and calmly arranging the 'cuts' in the
- [Submission to 'Revitalising National Competition Policy' consultation](https://rationalist.com.au/submission-to-revitalising-national-competition-policy-consultation/) - This is our submission to the public consultation for the joint state/territory and federal governments’ Revitalising National Competition Policy initiative. You can find out more about the consultation here. 3 October 2024 This is a submission by the Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) to the public consultation of the joint state/territory and federal governments’ Revitalising National
- [Hindu SRE classes teaching caste system in NSW public schools, claims report](https://rationalist.com.au/hindu-sre-classes-teaching-caste-system-in-nsw-public-schools-claims-report/) - The seating arrangement for children attending Hindu scripture classes in New South Wales public schools is based on caste hierarchical order, according to claims made by members of the Hindu community. A report produced by the Federation of Ethnic Communities Council of Australia (FECCA) earlier this year reveals a “vehement objection” to the way Hindu
- [NSW education minister remains committed to Special Religious Education program](https://rationalist.com.au/nsw-education-minister-remains-committed-to-special-religious-education-program/) - The New South Wales government has re-confirmed that it is committed to allowing the controversial Special Religious Education (SRE) program to continue taking up precious learning time in public schools. At the budget estimates hearing in August, education minister and Deputy Premier Prue Car told the Legislative Council's Education and Early Learning Committee that the
- [RSA calls on Western Australia to remove religious exemptions to equal opportunity laws](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-calls-on-western-australia-to-remove-religious-exemptions-to-equal-opportunity-laws/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has called on the West Australian government to show leadership and remove broad-based exemptions for religious bodies and religious schools to the state’s equal opportunity laws. In a letter to the state’s Attorney General, John Quigley, last week, the RSA urged the government to prioritise addressing the exemptions that allow
- [Australian taxpayers cough up $100k for Pope Francis’ PNG flights](https://rationalist.com.au/australian-taxpayers-cough-up-100k-for-pope-francis-png-flights/) - The Australian government has spent almost $100,000 on ferrying Pope Francis around Papua New Guinea to attend religious services earlier this month. In the letter to the Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA), Air Marshal Robert Chipman, Vice Chief of the Defence Force, revealed that the Defence Force’s support for flying Pope Francis from Port Moresby
- [Tasmanian Labor leader’s view on prayer practice “out of touch” with public, says RSA](https://rationalist.com.au/tasmanian-labor-leaders-view-on-prayer-practice-out-of-touch-with-public-says-rsa/) - The required observation of Christian prayers as part of the Tasmanian Parliament’s daily proceedings is “reflective of the expectations of the broader community”, the state’s Opposition Leader has told the Rationalist Society of Australia. In a letter (see below), Dean Winter, who became leader of the Labor Party following the party’s loss at the March
- [Tasmanian Parliament has “utmost respect for tradition”, Premier tells RSA](https://rationalist.com.au/tasmanian-parliament-has-utmost-respect-for-tradition-premier-tells-rsa/) - The Tasmanian Parliament makes decisions with the “utmost respect for tradition”, the state’s Premier has told the Rationalist Society of Australia in response to calls for replacing the parliament’s daily Christian prayers. In a letter to the RSA (see below), Liberal leader Jeremy Rockliff explained the process for changing the Standing Orders – the rules
- [Pro-secular groups urge Albanese govt to remove Basic Religious Charities category](https://rationalist.com.au/pro-secular-groups-urge-albanese-govt-to-remove-basic-religious-charities-category/) - Pro-secular organisations have called on the Albanese government to increase transparency and accountability in the charities sector by removing the special exemptions given to religious charities designated as ‘Basic Religious Charities’ (BRCs). The Rationalist Society of Australia this week co-signed a letter with Atheist Foundation of Australia, Humanists Victoria, National Secular Lobby and Humanists Australia
- [Royal Commission’s report “lets down” non-religious Defence members](https://rationalist.com.au/royal-commissions-report-lets-down-non-religious-defence-members/) - The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide has let down Australia’s non-religious service personnel in failing to call for modernisation of Defence’s religious-based frontline wellbeing support capability, says the Rationalist Society of Australia. Following the release of the Royal Commission’s final report on Tuesday, RSA Executive Director Si Gladman said he was extremely disappointed
- [Many Victorian Labor MPs supported push to keep prayers in parliament, says Liberal MP](https://rationalist.com.au/many-victorian-labor-mps-supported-push-to-keep-prayers-in-parliament-says-liberal-mp/) - A number of Victorian Labor MPs supported the Liberal Party campaign to keep Christian prayers as part of the daily proceedings in parliament, according to a member of the state’s upper house. Speaking in parliament on 15 August, Liberal MP Evan Mulholland (pictured) – who spearheaded a petition for the Legislative Council to continue imposing
- [Simms calls on Malinauskas to show leadership and remove South Australia's religious exemptions to discrimination laws](https://rationalist.com.au/simms-calls-on-malinauskas-to-show-leadership-and-remove-south-australias-religious-exemptions-to-discrimination-laws/) - A member of the South Australian upper house has called on Premier Peter Malinauskas to show “real leadership” and end religious-based discrimination against LGBTIQ people in faith-based institutions. Last week, Greens member Robert Simms introduced his Equal Opportunity (Religious Bodies) Amendment Bill into the Legislative Council, proposing to remove exemptions provided to religious bodies such
- [Scripture Union video promotes proselytising in New South Wales public school](https://rationalist.com.au/scripture-union-video-promotes-proselytising-in-new-south-wales-public-school/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia is seeking answers from New South Wales education minister Prue Car about a Christian group's promotion of proselytising in a public school. In June, Scripture Union published a video on its social media in which two senior students talk about how they urge other students, including non-Christians, to take part
- [RSA questions Albanese government over cost of supporting Pope's visit to Papua New Guinea](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-questions-albanese-government-over-cost-of-supporting-popes-visit-to-papua-new-guinea/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia is seeking answers from the Albanese government over how much it will cost Australian taxpayers to ferry Pope Francis around Papua New Guinea (PNG). According to a PNG media report, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) will fly Pope Francis between Port Moresby and Vanimo in PNG on 8 September so
- [RSA calls for committee process for Tasmanian MPs to consider parliament's prayer practice](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-calls-for-committee-process-for-tasmanian-mps-to-consider-parliament-prayer-practice/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has called on members of the Tasmanian Parliament to examine, through a committee process, the appropriateness of observing exclusively Christian prayers each day. In a letter to all members of the state's House of Assembly and Legislative Council (read letter below), RSA Executive Director Si Gladman told MPs that now
- [War Memorial raises concerns about religious dominance of Anzac Day with veterans group](https://rationalist.com.au/war-memorial-raises-concerns-about-religious-dominance-of-anzac-day-with-veterans-group/) - The Australian War Memorial (AWM) has raised our concerns about the Christian dominance of Anzac Day Dawn Services with the veterans group that runs the event. In a letter last week, the AMW’s director, Matt Anderson, told the Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) that the topic was discussed at the formal debrief meeting with the
- [RSA urges South Australian government to act on religious exemptions](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-urges-south-australian-government-to-act-on-religious-exemptions/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has urged the South Australian government to “do the right thing” by the LGBTIQ community and remove religious exemptions to the state's equal opportunity laws. In a letter to the state’s Attorney-General, Kyam Maher (pictured), the RSA’s Executive Director Si Gladman said the Albanese government’s decision to abandon its proposal
- [RSA seeks explanation from QLD government over human rights implications of prayer rituals](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-seeks-explanation-from-qld-government-over-human-rights-implications-of-prayer-rituals/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has asked the Miles government to explain its position on whether the recital of Christian prayers in Queensland local government meetings is a breach of anti-discrimination and human rights laws. RSA Executive Director Si Gladman wrote to Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath (pictured) after another elected representative raised questions about the human
- [Recognise ex-religious and non-religious communities, and act on prayer issue, RSA tells multicultural minister](https://rationalist.com.au/recognise-ex-religious-and-non-religious-communities-and-act-on-prayer-issue-rsa-tells-multicultural-minister/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has urged the Albanese government to heed the findings of a new report about multiculturalism and help foster inclusion by addressing parliament’s discriminatory practices, and recognising the growing non-religious and ex-religious communities. The Towards Fairness – a multicultural Australia for all report, released in July as part of the Multicultural
- [Religious lobbyists demand Albanese government recognise faith charities as "special"](https://rationalist.com.au/religious-lobbyists-demand-albanese-government-recognise-faith-charities-as-special/) - Religious lobbyists are demanding that the Albanese government continue to recognise faith-based charities as “special” and give them “due respect” among all charities in Australia’s charities sector. In an interview on Christian radio, prominent lobbyist Murray Norman has revealed that faith-based groups have been engaging with the government in an effort to “push back” against
- ['Spirituality' requirements could disadvantage applicants for secular pastoral care roles, RSA tells Navy](https://rationalist.com.au/spirituality-requirements-could-disadvantage-applicants-for-secular-pastoral-care-roles-rsa-tells-navy/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) has raised concerns with the Royal Australian Navy that its requirement for secular wellbeing support roles to demonstrate spirituality could unfairly block non-religious and non-spiritual applicants. In a letter to Navy Headquarters, the RSA's Executive Director Si Gladman has sought an explanation from Navy on its understanding of the
- [RSA seeks confirmation from Allan govt over its commitment to replace prayers](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-seeks-confirmation-from-allan-govt-over-its-commitment-to-replace-prayers/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has sought confirmation from the Allan government on whether it will deliver its promise to replace parliamentary prayers with something more reflective of the Victorian community. Executive Director Si Gladman today wrote to Premier Jacinta Allan (pictured) and Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes after Ms Symes appeared to back down from the
- [Victorian Attorney-General appears to back down from commitment to remove prayer](https://rationalist.com.au/victorian-attorney-general-appears-to-back-down-from-commitment-to-remove-prayer/) - Conservative Christian lobbyists are celebrating after the Victorian Attorney-General signalled that she will be backing down from her commitment to replace the state parliament's daily Christian prayers with something more inclusive and reflective of the community. In a debate on the prayer issue in parliament on Wednesday evening, she accused the Liberal Party of using
- [RSA calls on Andrew Leigh to remove Basic Religious Charities, ‘advancement of religion’](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-calls-on-andrew-leigh-to-remove-basic-religious-charities-advancement-of-religion/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has asked the minister responsible for the charities sector to implement the Productivity Commission’s recommendation to remove Basic Religious Charities (BRCs) in order to restore public confidence in the nation’s charities system. In a letter to Andrew Leigh (see letter below), the RSA’s Executive Director Si Gladman expressed support for
- [Productivity Commission rejects constitutional concerns over religious charities](https://rationalist.com.au/productivity-commission-rejects-constitutional-concerns-over-religious-charities/) - The Productivity Commission has rejected claims that the removal of the Basis Religious Charities (BRCs) category from Australia’s charities laws would infringe on the constitutional guarantee of free exercise of religion. In its report on philanthropy, released on Thursday, the Productivity Commission expressed its belief that removing BRCs and related exemptions “would, on its face,
- [Royal Australian Navy requires applicants for secular wellbeing roles to have "spirituality"](https://rationalist.com.au/royal-australian-navy-requires-applicants-for-secular-wellbeing-roles-to-have-spirituality/) - The Royal Australian Navy is requiring that applicants for its secular wellbeing roles have a “strong spiritual connection” and demonstrate how their spirituality informs their life. An advertisement on the Australian Defence Force Careers website asks applicants for the position of Wellbeing Officer to: "Articulate and illustrate (with examples) how they attend to and nurture
- [Productivity Commission stands firm in calling for reform of religious charities](https://rationalist.com.au/productivity-commission-stands-firm-in-calling-for-reform-of-religious-charities/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) is urging the Albanese government to support the Productivity Commission’s call for the removal of ‘Basic Religious Charities’ (BRCs) from the charities system. The Productivity Commission has stared down pressure from religious groups and the Liberal-National opposition to recommend the removal of BRCs in order to "enhance regulatory consistency
- [House Speaker Milton Dick set to headline dominionist Christian event](https://rationalist.com.au/house-speaker-milton-dick-set-to-headline-dominionist-christian-event/) - Milton Dick, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, will appear as a guest speaker at an event promoting the Seven Mountains Mandate ideology that calls for Christians to conquer the key spheres of influence in society. Mr Dick appears in promotional materials for the ROAR Leaders Summit, which will discuss topics including “what God
- [More local governments pursuing Seven Mountains Mandate, says Gold Coast council's spiritual advisor](https://rationalist.com.au/more-local-governments-pursuing-seven-mountains-mandate-says-gold-coast-councils-spiritual-advisor/) - The ratepayer-funded ‘spiritual advisor’ at the Gold Coast City Council has revealed other Australian mayors and local governments are also pursuing the Christian fundamentalist Seven Mountains Mandate. In a live-streamed interview on Facebook in April, Pastor Sue Baynes, the council advisor to Mayor Tom Tate, said mayors at other councils were replicating the “model” she
- [Joint letter to Victorian members of parliament regarding prayers](https://rationalist.com.au/joint-letter-to-victorian-members-of-parliament-regarding-prayers/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has joined with a number of pro-secular organisations today in sending a letter (see below) to all members of the Victorian Parliament to urge them to support replacing daily Christian prayers with a practice that is secular and better reflective of the diversity of the Victorian community. The other groups
- [Miles government still “holding the line” for missionaries on Religious Instruction program](https://rationalist.com.au/miles-government-still-holding-the-line-for-missionaries-on-religious-instruction-program/) - The Miles government is continuing to ignore the demands of Labor voters, Labor MPs and public education sector stakeholders by not committing to reform the Religious Instruction (RI) program. In responses to inquiries this year, the Queensland government has reiterated that it has no plans to reform RI by requiring the classes be held outside
- [Law Reform Commission head "surprised" by religious schools' claims over exemptions issue](https://rationalist.com.au/law-reform-commission-head-surprised-by-religious-schools-claims-over-exemptions-issue/) - Religious schools failed to provide evidence of how their operations in jurisdictions without exemptions to anti-discrimination laws have been negatively affected, the head of the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) has said. In an interview on ABC Radio program Law Report (listen from 17:20 mark) earlier this week, the ALRC’s president, Justice Mordecai Bromberg, said
- [RSA raises concern with minister over controversies engulfing Defence chaplaincy](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-raises-concern-with-minister-over-controversies-engulfing-defence-chaplaincy/) - The Australia public and military personnel are losing confidence in the Defence Force’s religious chaplaincy capability following a number of controversies, the Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) has told the government. In the latest public controversy involving Defence chaplains, widows grieving the loss of their partners in an Army helicopter crash have made allegations of
- [Catholic Church demands answers from Minns government over equality bill](https://rationalist.com.au/catholic-church-demands-answers-from-minns-government-over-equality-bill/) - The Catholic Church has used its membership on the new New South Wales Faith Affairs Council to demand answers from the state government as to why it has allowed equality legislation to progress in parliament. Documents obtained by the Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) under freedom of information laws show that Monica Doumit, Director of
- [NSW education minister assigns ‘homework’ for students not participating in scripture](https://rationalist.com.au/nsw-education-minister-assigns-homework-for-students-not-participating-in-scripture/) - New South Wales education minister Prue Car has labelled “homework” as a “meaningful activity” for students to do at school when religious scripture classes interrupt their normal learning time. Minister Car (pictured) has defended the Special Religious Education (SRE) program in a formal response to a 1500-strong petition on the state parliament’s website that called
- [Letter to Courier-Mail](https://rationalist.com.au/letter-to-courier-mail/) - This is a letter to the Editor of the Courier-Mail in response to that media outlet's editorial about Anzac Day Dawn Services, Editor's view: Anzac services at dawn are as relevant as ever. The letter was sent on 13 June 2024. Dear Editor, In your editorial on Anzac Day (Anzac services at dawn are as
- [Crisafulli assures creationist Christians he won’t “restrict” home-schooling](https://rationalist.com.au/crisafulli-assures-creationist-christians-he-wont-restrict-home-schooling/) - Queensland’s Opposition Leader David Crisafulli has given a commitment to US-based Answers in Genesis in support of home-schooling just weeks after the organisation launched a curriculum teaching kindergarten kids “dinosaurs were present on the ark”. In an email to supporters in late May, Answers in Genesis’ chief executive officer Martyn Iles revealed that Mr Crisafulli’s
- [RSA questions Pesutto on conscience vote over prayers](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-questions-pesutto-on-conscience-vote-over-prayers/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has sought confirmation from the Victorian Opposition Leader, John Pesutto, on whether Liberal Party members of parliament will be forced to support keeping Christian worship in parliament. RSA Executive Director Si Gladman wrote to Mr Pesutto (see letter below) today to ask whether Liberal MPs would have a free vote,
- [RSA calls for Queensland Opposition Leader to commit to Religious Instruction reform](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-calls-for-queensland-opposition-leader-to-commit-to-religious-instruction-reform/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has called on Queensland Opposition Leader David Crisafulli to commit to moving the Religious Instruction (RI) program to outside school hours if elected to government later this year. In a letter to Mr Crisafulli (see below), RSA’s Executive Director Si Gladman said RI was a major disruption for public school
- [Letter to Crikey](https://rationalist.com.au/letter-to-crikey/) - This letter was sent to Crikey on 6 June 2024. Dear Editor, I’m writing on behalf of the Rationalist Society of Australia to ask that Crikey correct an inaccurate headline to an article published in late May. The heading to the article, 'Religious privilege: Showdown looming between atheists and church groups over census question', is
- [Liberal senator grills Productivity Commission over religious charity recommendations](https://rationalist.com.au/liberal-senator-grills-productivity-commission-over-religious-charity-recommendations/) - A Liberal senator has grilled the Productivity Commission on whether it addressed the concerns of faith groups and revised its recommendations relating to reforms in the charity sector. At Senate estimates on Tuesday, Dean Smith told officials from the Productivity Commission that he was seeking “a level of satisfaction” that the body had responded to
- [Scripture lobbyist advocates education policies on new faith advisory body](https://rationalist.com.au/scripture-lobbyist-advocates-education-policies-on-new-faith-advisory/) - A prominent lobbyist for scripture in New South Wales' public schools is leading efforts to influence education policies through his position on the state government’s Faith Affairs Council. Documents obtained by the Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) under freedom of information laws show that Murray Norman (pictured) put himself forward to head the Education Working
- [Victorian Liberal Party joins with religious clerics in demanding prayers stay](https://rationalist.com.au/victorian-liberal-party-joins-with-religious-clerics-in-demanding-prayers-stay/) - The Liberal Party of Victoria has joined forces with religious clerics in demanding that the Victorian Parliament continue to impose exclusionary Christian worship, including on non-religious people and non-Christians. Liberal upper house member Evan Mulholland (pictured) has placed a motion on the Notice Paper in support of faith leaders who wrote to all members of
- [Australia not doing enough on ‘untouched subject’ of persecution of atheists, ex-Muslims](https://rationalist.com.au/australia-not-doing-enough-on-untouched-subject-of-persecution-of-atheists-ex-muslims/) - Countries like Australia are not doing enough to protect atheists and ex-Muslims facing persecution around the world, the latest RSA Webinar has heard. At Wednesday’s webinar, Tonoy Emroz Alam (pictured), president of Atheist Alliance International (AAI), said the plight of ex-Muslims and atheists facing violence and punishment for blasphemy was an “untouched subject” by the
- [Faith advisory body commits to "secular democracy" with space for "all faiths and none”](https://rationalist.com.au/faith-advisory-body-commits-to-secular-democracy-with-space-for-all-faiths-and-none/) - A state government faith advisory body that excluded non-religious voices from its membership has declared its support for secular democracy that “makes space for people of all faiths and none”, documents obtained under freedom of information laws reveal. The Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) has obtained documents from Multiculturalism NSW detailing the initial meetings of
- [Faith leaders demand Victorian Parliament continues to impose Christian prayers](https://rationalist.com.au/faith-leaders-demand-victorian-parliament-continues-to-impose-christian-prayers/) - Religious leaders in Victoria are demanding that the state parliament continue to impose Christian prayers at the opening of each sitting day, claiming that “a majority of Victorians…believe in God or a Higher Power other than themselves”. In a letter circulated on social media and dated 10 May 2024, Catholic Archbishop Peter Comensoli and Anglican
- [RSA calls for equal protection of non-religious, ex-religious people in NSW](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-calls-for-equal-protection-of-non-religious-ex-religious-in-nsw/) - Vilification laws in New South Wales should be strengthened to treat non-religious and ex-religious people equally with religious people, the Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) has told the state’s Law Reform Commission. In a submission to the review of section 93Z of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), addressing serious racial and religious vilification, the RSA
- [Submission to the New South Wales Law Reform Commission](https://rationalist.com.au/submission-to-the-new-south-wales-law-reform-commission/) - This is our submission to the New South Wales Law Reform Commission's review the effectiveness of section 93Z of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW). The submission process closed on 19 April 2024. You can find out more about the inquiry here. 19 April 2024 This is a submission by the Rationalist Society of Australia to
- [New option of cultural leave for non-religious public servants](https://rationalist.com.au/new-option-of-cultural-leave-for-non-religious-public-servants/) - Non-religious public servants could soon be able to take paid leave to commemorate important cultural days that reflect their beliefs, such as Charles Darwin Day, Atheist Day or World Humanist Day. The newly implemented Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) Enterprise Agreement 2024-27 has introduced a provision for up to three days of paid leave per
- [Christian dominance of Anzac Day services a “betrayal” of Army culture](https://rationalist.com.au/christian-dominance-of-anzac-day-services-a-betrayal-of-army-culture/) - The Australian Defence Force and other authorities that host Anzac Day services must pursue secular reform of the commemorations or risk alienating many currently serving and former Defence personnel, a veteran has told The Secular Agenda podcast. In an interview for the newly released episode, Sam Proctor (pictured) spoke about his submission to the Royal
- [QLD education department claims not to know of discrimination in chaplaincy roles](https://rationalist.com.au/qld-education-department-claims-not-to-know-of-discrimination-in-chaplaincy-roles/) - The Queensland education department claims to be unaware about breaches of the state’s discrimination laws in federally funded school chaplaincy roles, despite having been told on a number of occasions in recent years. In a letter sent to a Queensland resident who inquired about the religious-based discrimination in the appointment of chaplains to schools, the
- [Religious exemptions may be impacting public trust and confidence, says the charities regulator](https://rationalist.com.au/religious-exemptions-may-be-impacting-public-trust-and-confidence-says-the-charities-regulator/) - The national charities regulator has conceded that special exemptions given to a category of religious charities may be impacting public trust and confidence in the charities system. In a submission, the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) also said the “reduced transparency” around Basic Religious Charities (BRCs) was slowing down the regulator’s compliance work. ACNC
- [Redland council’s new mayor wants change on Christian sermons in meetings](https://rationalist.com.au/redland-councils-new-mayor-wants-change-on-christian-sermons-in-meetings/) - The Redland City Council’s practice of opening its meetings with several minutes of Christian sermon and prayer may be about to come to an end, with the Queensland council’s new mayor vowing to pursue reform. Mayor Jos Mitchell (pictured), who was elected to the role in March, has told the Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA)
- [RSA urges NSW education minister to listen to petition supporters on SRE](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-urges-nsw-education-minister-to-listen-to-petition-supporters-on-sre/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has urged New South Wales education minister Prue Car to listen to the concerns of public school parents and move the state’s optional scripture and ethics program to outside normal learning time. A petition on the NSW Parliament website calling for reform of the Special Religious Education (SRE) and Special
- [Religious dominance of Anzac Day events risks putting off many Australians, RSA tells veterans group](https://rationalist.com.au/religious-dominance-of-anzac-day-events-risks-putting-off-many-australians-rsa-tells-veterans-group/) - The continued dominance of Christianity in Anzac Day Dawn Services and commemorations risks putting off many Australians, veterans and soldiers, the Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) has told the nation’s peak veterans group. In a letter to the Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL) and some of its state branches, the RSA said Anzac
- [RSA warns Senate committee about Christian dominionist movements](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-warns-senate-committee-about-christian-dominionist-movements/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has told a Senate inquiry into right-wing extremism that Christian dominionist movements that support the Seven Mountains Mandate are a threat to Australian democracy, and separation of church and state. In a submission to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee's inquiry into ‘Right-wing extremist movements in Australia’, the RSA
- [Submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee](https://rationalist.com.au/submission-to-the-senate-legal-and-constitutional-affairs-references-committee/) - This is our submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee’s inquiry into ‘Right-wing extremist movements in Australia’. The submission process closed on 5 April 2024. You can find out more about the inquiry here. 5 April 2024 This is a submission by the Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) to the Senate Legal
- [Major political parties unlikely to act on religious charity loopholes, RSA Webinar told](https://rationalist.com.au/major-political-parties-unlikely-to-act-on-religious-charity-loopholes-rsa-webinar-told/) - The major political parties appear unlikely to pursue much-needed reform in the charities sector due to their desire not to upset religious lobbyists and religious organisations, the latest RSA Webinar has heard. At Wednesday’s webinar, David Hardaker, investigative journalist and author of the new book, Mine is the Kingdom, spoke about how charities had been
- [RSA urges supporters to back new bill allowing teleheath for assisted dying](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-urges-supporters-to-back-new-bill-allowing-teleheath-for-assisted-dying/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia is urging its members and supporters to take action in support of proposed laws that deal with the “telehealth problem” preventing access to timely voluntary assisted dying across the country. Earlier this year, Independent MP Kate Chaney introduced a private member’s bill into the House of Representatives, proposing a change
- [Make Anzac Day services secular and welcoming for all, RSA tells government](https://rationalist.com.au/make-anzac-day-services-secular-and-welcoming-for-all-rsa-tells-government/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has called on the Albanese government to ensure that Christianity does not again dominate the Anzac Day Dawn Service at the nation's war memorial. In a letter this week (read below), the RSA's Si Gladman told veterans affairs minister Matt Keogh (pictured) that important national remembrance commemorations, such as Anzac
- [Labor senator’s “suicide” claim an insult to terminally ill patients and families](https://rationalist.com.au/labor-senators-suicide-claim-an-insult-to-terminally-ill-patients-and-families/) - A Labor senator’s claim that voluntary assisted dying is “state-sanctioned suicide” is an insult to terminally ill Australians who have accessed the end-of-life option and their families, says the Rationalist Society of Australia. In a speech to the Senate on the Restoring Territory Rights Bill 2022 this week, Senator Deborah O’Neill (pictured) – a Catholic
- [RSA urges Labor MPs to act on discrimination against non-religious people](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-urges-labor-mps-to-act-on-discrimination-against-non-religious-people/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has asked Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s Labor colleagues in the House of Representatives to address continuing discrimination against non-religious Australians. In a letter to all Labor MPs early this week (see letter below), the RSA outlined examples of religious-based discrimination against non-religious people in government institutions and programs. Examples include:
- [Reform on radar after Air Force review finds ‘conflict’ between faith-based values and Defence values](https://rationalist.com.au/reform-on-radar-after-air-force-review-finds-conflict-between-faith-based-values-and-defence-values/) - The Air Force is developing a proposal to introduce non-religious wellbeing officers into its pastoral care and chaplaincy capability, the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide has heard. At Wednesday’s hearing, Chief of the Air Force, Air Marshal Robert Chipman, said a review found there was an “unhealthy mix of theological beliefs” in the
- [Councils taking note of human rights implications of prayer rituals](https://rationalist.com.au/councils-taking-note-of-human-rights-implications-of-prayer-rituals/) - The imposition of religious prayers as part of local government meetings contravenes Victoria's human rights law, according to legal advice provided to one local council. In a sign that local governments are increasingly accepting that the recital of prayers in formal meetings is legally problematic, the Pyrenees Shire Council, in western Victoria, has removed Christian
- [RSA calls for election commitment to replace parliament’s prayers in least religious state](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-calls-for-election-commitment-to-replace-parliaments-prayers-in-least-religious-state/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has sought a commitment from the four largest parties contesting the Tasmanian election to replace prayer rituals with a more appropriate and secular practice in the new parliament. In letters to Liberal leader Jeremy Rockliff (pictured), Labor leader Rebecca White (pictured), the Greens, and the Jacqui Lambie Network, the RSA
- [RSA seeks meeting with government to discuss discrimination against non-religious Australians](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-seeks-meeting-with-government-to-discuss-discrimination-against-non-religious-australians/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia is seeking a meeting with Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus to discuss how the Albanese government will address religious-based discrimination against non-religious Australians in government institutions and programs. With the government promising to introduce a Religious Discrimination Bill this year, RSA president Meredith Doig wrote to Mr Dreyfus (pictured) in February to
- [Victorian Opposition will “fiercely oppose” attempt to remove Christian prayers](https://rationalist.com.au/victorian-opposition-will-fiercely-oppose-attempt-to-remove-christian-prayers/) - The Victorian Opposition has vowed to “fiercely oppose” any attempt to remove daily Christian prayer rituals from the state parliament. In a speech to parliament last month, Liberal Party MP and shadow cabinet member Evan Mulholland argued that the reading of Christian prayers, including the Lord’s Prayer, “is consistent with Victoria’s diverse community”. “We believe
- [New optimism for disestablishment of church in UK, RSA webinar told](https://rationalist.com.au/new-optimism-for-disestablishment-of-church-in-uk-rsa-webinar-told/) - Increased public scrutiny over church-state relations in the United Kingdom is providing hope for disestablishment of the state church, the latest RSA Webinar has heard. At Wednesday’s webinar, guest speaker Stephen Evans outlined how recent developments had helped to “perfectly illustrate” many of the problems with religious privilege in the UK. Evans, the Chief Executive
- [GPs, psychologists who impose religion on LGBTIQ patients still operating, says Labor MP](https://rationalist.com.au/gps-psychologists-who-impose-religion-on-lgbtiq-patients-still-operating-says-labor-mp/) - Doctors and psychologists who treat LGBTIQ patients with prayers and scripture continue to operate in South Australia, a Labor member of parliament has claimed. In a speech to the state’s Legislative Council earlier this month, Ian Hunter stepped up calls for his own government to outlaw “predatory conversion practices” He revealed the personal story of
- [Conversion bans must apply in religious settings, RSA tells Tasmanian inquiry](https://rationalist.com.au/conversion-bans-must-apply-in-religious-settings-rsa-tells-tasmanian-inquiry/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has urged the Tasmanian government to expand its proposed laws on conversion practices to also apply to religious settings. In a submission to the consultation draft for the Justice Miscellaneous (Conversion Practices) Bill 2024 last week, the RSA raised concerns that the proposed legislation did “not get the balance right”.
- [Submission to the consultation draft  of the Justice Miscellaneous (Conversion Practices) Bill 2024 ](https://rationalist.com.au/submission-to-the-consultation-draft-of-the-justice-miscellaneous-conversion-practices-bill-2024/) - This is our submission to the Tasmanian Department of Justice's consultation into the draft Justice Miscellaneous (Conversion Practices) Bill 2024. Find out more about the consultation process here. This is a submission by the Rationalist Society of Australia – Australia’s oldest freethought organisation promoting reason, evidence-based policy and secularism – to the consultation draft
- [Atheist leader calls for transparency over work of NSW Faith Affairs Council](https://rationalist.com.au/atheist-leader-calls-for-transparency-over-work-of-nsw-faith-affairs-council/) - The atheist community leader blocked from a position on the New South Wales Faith Affairs Council is calling for transparency of the body’s deliberations and recommendations to the government. In an interview for the latest episode of The Secular Agenda podcast, Steve Marton (pictured), president of Sydney Atheists, said the government should provide full transparency
- [One-third of members in Victoria’s upper house boycotting prayer ritual](https://rationalist.com.au/one-third-of-members-in-victorias-upper-house-boycotting-prayer-ritual/) - One-third of the total number of lawmakers in the Victorian Parliament's upper house are boycotting the Christian prayer ritual at the start of each day. A member of the Legislative Council has told the Rationalist Society of Australia that about one-third of their colleagues – or about 13 of the 40-member chamber – wait outside
- [RSA urges Productivity Commission to reconsider position on ‘advancing religion’](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-urges-productivity-commission-to-reconsider-position-on-advancing-religion/) - The federal government should extend equal treatment to organisations promoting non-religious worldviews and create a new charitable purpose for them in order to remove religious-based discrimination from the charities sector, the Rationalist Society of Australia has told the Productivity Commission. In a new submission to the Productivity Commission this week, RSA president Dr Meredith Doig
- [Submission to the Productivity Commission’s draft report](https://rationalist.com.au/submission-to-the-productivity-commissions-draft-report/) - This is our submission to the Productivity Commission’s draft report in its inquiry on philanthropy. The submission process closes on Friday 9 February. You can make a submission or a short comment to the inquiry here. You can read our previous submission here. This is a formal submission by the Rationalist Society of Australia
- [RSA tells Labor MPs to act on Victorian Parliament’s exclusionary prayer practice](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-tells-labor-mps-to-act-on-victorian-parliaments-exclusionary-prayer-practice/) - In a push to encourage the Victorian government to deliver on its promise of removing Christian prayers from parliament, the Rationalist Society of Australia has reminded all state Labor politicians of their party’s commitments to providing all people with an opportunity to “participate fully in society”, and supporting diversity and inclusion. The RSA has sent
- [RSA urges Victorian Premier to deliver on promise to remove prayers](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-urges-victorian-premier-to-deliver-on-promise-to-remove-prayers/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia is urging secular-minded Victorians to join in calling on the Victorian government to deliver on its promise to remove Christian prayers from the state parliament’s daily proceedings. With Christian lobbyists currently targeting Premier Jacinta Allan with a letter-bomb campaign, the RSA is encouraging its Victorian-based members and supporters to write
- [Atheist leader’s cameo in human rights campaign video follows NSW government’s decision to block him from new body](https://rationalist.com.au/atheist-leaders-cameo-in-human-rights-campaign-video-follows-nsw-governments-decision-to-block-him-from-new-body/) - An atheist leader has featured in a national campaign video vouching for the right to freedom not to have a religion as a human right just days after being blocked from a New South Wales government committee due to his beliefs. In a cameo role in a new video for the Australian Human Rights Commission, Sydney
- [Minns government rejects atheist’s application, privileges religious voice](https://rationalist.com.au/minns-government-rejects-atheists-application-privileges-religious-voice/) - The Minns government will privilege the voice of religious communities and discriminate on the ground of belief in refusing to allow a non-religious person on the state’s new Faith Affairs Council. Earlier today, an official informed the president of Sydney Atheists, Steve Marton, that the government had rejected his nomination to represent the state’s non-religious
- [Exclusive: NSW government to exclude 'religious counselling' from gay conversion laws, says faith leader](https://rationalist.com.au/exclusive-nsw-government-to-exclude-religious-counselling-from-gay-conversion-laws-says-faith-leader/) - The New South Wales government has given religious communities a guarantee that its proposed conversion therapy laws will not impact “religious counselling”, according to a member of the state’s new Faith Affairs Council. In a letter posted on Facebook and dated 3 November 2023 (see below), Shia leader Ali Alsamail, of the Ahl Albait Islamic
- [NSW Labor’s promise to privilege religious voice will further marginalise non-religious, says RSA](https://rationalist.com.au/nsw-labors-promise-to-privilege-religious-voice-will-further-marginalise-non-religious-says-rsa/) - The New South Wales Labor Party’s proposal to establish a Faith Affairs Council would privilege the voices of religious clerics even further in policy making and marginalise the voices of non-religious citizens, the Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) has warned. Labor leader Chris Minns told a gathering of faith leaders in November that he would
- [NSW multiculturalism minister promises “diversity of viewpoints” on faith advisory body](https://rationalist.com.au/nsw-multicultural-minister-promises-diversity-on-faith-advisory-council/) - The New South Wales government has pledged to ensure “a diversity of viewpoints” will be represented on its new Faith Advisory Council. In a letter to the Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) (see letter below), multiculturalism minister Steve Kamper has sought to allay concerns that the new body – which was an election commitment –
- [NSW minister responds to RSA’s concerns by stressing all citizens have equal opportunity to participate](https://rationalist.com.au/nsw-minister-responds-to-rsas-concerns-by-stressing-all-citizens-have-equal-opportunity-to-participate/) - New South Wales’ multiculturalism minister has asserted that all citizens have opportunities to participate in all aspects of public life, but has been unable to detail how the Perrottet government would provide non-religious groups with equal access to policy-making as religious organisations. In response to concerns raised by the Rationalist Society of Australia about the
- [Minns says he “trusts” religious organisations as he promotes Labor’s faith council](https://rationalist.com.au/minns-says-he-trusts-religious-organisations-as-he-promotes-labors-faith-council/) - New South Wales Labor leader Chris Minns has told faith leaders that he “trusts” their organisations while outlining the advantages of his party’s proposed faith advisory council in a speech last week. At a town hall-style event in Parramatta last Monday, Mr Minns said Labor’s proposed Faith Affairs Council would be better than the Perrottet
- [NSW government requires religious credentials for members of advisory body](https://rationalist.com.au/nsw-government-requires-religious-credentials-for-members-of-advisory-body/) - The New South Wales Labor government appears to have excluded non-religious citizens on the grounds of belief from a new advisory body that will influence government policy on a wide range of matters. Although multicultural minister Steve Kamper previously told the Rationalist Society of Australia that he would ensure that “a diversity of viewpoints” were
- [One Nation calls on Minns government to deliver faith advisory body](https://rationalist.com.au/one-nation-calls-on-minns-government-to-deliver-faith-advisory-body/) - Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Party is pressuring the Minns New South Wales government to deliver on its pre-election promise to set up an advisory council of religious clerics to act as a “solutions warehouse” for faith communities. In the state's Legislative Council in late June, One Nation MLC Tania Mihailuk accused the Labor government of
- [Atheist group seeks position on NSW religious affairs council](https://rationalist.com.au/atheist-group-seeks-position-on-nsw-religious-affairs-council/) - An atheist group has nominated for a position on the New South Wales government’s new Faith Affairs Council. The application by Sydney Atheists last week could test the Minns government’s commitment to multiculturalism and diversity, with the group’s president, Steve Marton (pictured), arguing in his application that it would be an “injustice” to exclude the
- [New religious lobby group pressures Minns government over gay conversion laws](https://rationalist.com.au/new-religious-lobby-group-pressures-minns-government-over-gay-conversion-laws/) - A powerful multi-faith lobby group launched by New South Wales Premier Chris Minns last month will urge the state’s new Faith Affairs Council to advocate against gay conversion laws that would affect the freedom of religious communities to practise their faith. When asked on Christian radio last month what his community-based lobby Faith NSW would
- [Premier and government ministers back establishment of new faith lobby group in New South Wales](https://rationalist.com.au/premier-and-government-ministers-back-establishment-of-new-faith-lobby-group-in-new-south-wales/) - New South Wales Premier Chris Minns and senior members of his government have thrown their support behind the establishment of a new religious lobby that has evolved out of an existing group whose work focused on entrenching scripture classes in public schools. Earlier this month, the Premier and cabinet colleagues including Jihad Dib and Steve
- [Atheist head vies for remaining positions as male religious clerics dominate faith advisory body](https://rationalist.com.au/atheist-head-vies-for-remaining-positions-as-religious-clerics-dominate-faith-advisory-body/) - Twenty people, including the head of an atheist community group, are vying for the final four places on the New South Wales Faith Affairs Council, which is set to be dominated by male religious clerics. The head of Multicultural NSW, Joseph La Posta, revealed at a budget estimates hearing last week that 11 of the
- [Atheist leader warns of ‘extreme’ views of clerics on religious advisory body](https://rationalist.com.au/atheist-leader-warns-of-extreme-views-of-clerics-on-religious-advisory-body/) - The atheist community leader blocked from a position on the New South Wales Faith Affairs Council due to his beliefs has warned that the religious leaders elected to the body hold views at odds with most religious people. In an interview on 2GB Radio on 3 December, Steve Marton said that most nominally religious people
- [Independent MPs urged to support recommendations for transparency and accountability in charities sector](https://rationalist.com.au/independent-mps-urged-to-support-recommendations-for-transparency-and-accountability-in-charities-sector/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has urged Independent members of the federal parliament to support recommendations aimed at enhancing “public transparency and accountability” of religious charities. In a letter to all Independents this month, the RSA called on them to advocate in support of the Productivity Commission’s recommendation for the removal of the concept of
- [Productivity Commission calls for removal of ‘Basic Religious Charities’ category](https://rationalist.com.au/productivity-commission-calls-for-removal-of-basic-religious-charities-category/) - Pressure will mount on the Albanese government to remove the privileges that apply to religious charities following recommendations from the nation’s Productivity Commission. In a draft report released last week, the Productivity Commission called for the removal of the concept of ‘Basic Religious Charities’ (BRCs) in order to enhance “public transparency and accountability” in the
- [RSA urges new Queensland Premier to act on Religious Instruction](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-urges-new-queensland-premier-to-act-on-religious-instruction/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has called on the newly installed Queensland Premier and his education ministers to move Religious Instruction (RI) classes to outside school hours. In a letter to Premier Steven Miles (see below), education minister Di Farmer and assistant minister Corrine McMillan, RSA president Meredith Doig said the RI program was a
- [RSA urges religious clerics to advocate expanding NSW faith body to add atheist leader](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-urges-religious-clerics-to-advocate-expanding-nsw-faith-body/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has asked the newly appointed New South Wales Faith Affairs Council to advocate for the Minns government to overturn what has been described as religious-based discrimination against an atheist community leader. In December, the RSA wrote to all religious clerics of the 19-member body to urge them to call on
- [Document raises questions over Army regiment's participation in church service](https://rationalist.com.au/document-raises-questions-over-army-regiments-participation-in-church-service/) - The Australian Army has questions to answer about the lawfulness of its religious activities after it appears the Army required all members of a regiment to take part in a religious service. Documents obtained by the Rationalist Society of Australia under Freedom of Information (FOI) laws show that the administrative instructions for the 1st Armoured
- [Army’s religious parade highlights need for secular reform](https://rationalist.com.au/armys-religious-parade-highlights-need-for-secular-reform/) - The dominant role of Christianity in an Army parade in Adelaide this month highlights the urgent need for secular cultural reform and modernisation of the military, says the Rationalist Society of Australia. A number of male priests led Army personnel from 1st Armoured Regiment and military equipment, including tanks, through the streets of Adelaide on
- [Labor MP calls for ban on conversion practices in South Australia](https://rationalist.com.au/labor-mp-calls-for-ban-on-conversion-practices-in-south-australia/) - A state Labor member in South Australia is calling on his own government to ban “insidious” gay conversion practices in the state. Upper house member Ian Hunter told the parliament late last year that South Australia needed to “move in step with the other states” and territories, such as Victoria, the ACT and Queensland, to
- [South Australian government “not considering” religious exemptions issue](https://rationalist.com.au/south-australian-government-not-considering-religious-exemptions-issue/) - The South Australia government appears to have walked away from proposals to amend the state’s Equal Opportunity Act to remove exemptions for religious bodies. Last month, Attorney-General Kyam Maher (pictured) told the parliament that the Malinauskas government was not currently considering the issue. As the Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) reported in April, Mr Maher
- [Victorian council ignores concerns about prayer ritual, backs ‘tradition’](https://rationalist.com.au/victorian-council-ignores-concerns-about-prayer-ritual-backs-tradition/) - A rural Victorian council will continue to require observance of Christian worship in its meetings despite pleas from one councillor for the local government to make its practices more inclusive and welcoming, and stop giving preferential treatment to one religion. At the Rural City of Wangaratta meeting last week, a number of councillors defended the
- [UK Armed Forces introduce secular pastoral care roles, as Australian personnel go without](https://rationalist.com.au/uk-armed-forces-introduce-secular-pastoral-care-roles-as-australian-personnel-go-without/) - The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence has officially announced the introduction of new non-religious pastoral care roles into the Armed Forces in an effort to “further bolster the support given” to the growing cohort of non-religious service personnel. In a press release, the Ministry of Defence said the new roles would begin in 2024 and
- [Media release: Report contradicts religious claims of moral superiority](https://rationalist.com.au/media-release-report-contradicts-religious-claims-of-moral-superiority/) - Religious claims of moral superiority over non-religious people do not stack up, the latest report into religiosity in Australia reveals. The Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) has today published the latest volume of social researcher and RSA Fellow Neil Francis’ landmark Religiosity in Australia research series, with Part 5 – Religion, morality and ethics –
- [Perth council says it does “not compel” participation in Christian prayers](https://rationalist.com.au/perth-council-says-it-does-not-compel-participation-in-christian-prayers/) - The City of Perth council will continue imposing acts of Christian worship at its council meetings after ignoring concerns from the Rationalist Society of Australia about the practice being exclusionary to most of its residents. In a letter to Mayor Basil Zempilas and his fellow councillors in November (see below), RSA president Dr Meredith Doig
- [Poll shows support for ACT model of pastoral care in schools, opposition to religious hiring](https://rationalist.com.au/poll-shows-support-for-act-model-for-pastoral-care-in-schools-opposition-to-religious-hiring/) - Most Australians back the Australian Capital Territory government’s model of hiring school pastoral support workers directly instead of through third-party providers that require religious credentials of applicants, new polling has shown. Research conducted jointly by the Australia Institute and the Rationalist Society of Australia reveals that 56 per cent of people support their state or
- [Defence’s Pentecostal representative urges church mobilisation through military chaplaincy](https://rationalist.com.au/defences-pentecostal-representative-urges-church-mobilisation-through-military-chaplaincy/) - Military chaplaincy is an opportunity for Christians to “touch people” who have no connections to churches, says the Australian Christian Church (ACC) representative to Defence’s taxpayer-funded committee of religious clerics. Speaking in an ACC video promoting the role of the church’s chaplains in Defence, Pastor Ralph Estherby urges Pentecostal Christians to mobilise and “go outside
- [Defence chaplains’ ‘cognitive biases’ under question at Royal Commission](https://rationalist.com.au/defence-chaplains-cognitive-biases-under-question-at-royal-commission/) - The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide is continuing to probe the role of religious chaplains in the Defence Force’s wellbeing support architecture, with questions raised this month about cognitive biases of padres. At the hearing in Perth, Counsel Assisting Peter Singleton asked Brigadier Nicholas Foxall, Commander of the 1st Brigade in the Northern
- [RSA raises concerns over military chaplains’ ‘incompatible’ views](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-raises-concerns-over-military-chaplains-incompatible-views/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has sought answers from Australia’s Defence ministers about publicly expressed views of a number of Defence Force chaplains, including views claiming same-sex marriage as “bereft of the fullness” and “often quite harmful”, and non-religious people suffering from being “self-deceiving”. In a letter sent to Defence minister Richard Marles and Defence
- [Defence’s ‘go-slow’ approach on reforming chaplaincy to impact personnel, says RSA](https://rationalist.com.au/defences-go-slow-approach-on-reforming-chaplaincy-to-impact-personnel-says-rsa/) - The Defence Force’s ‘go-slow’ approach in considering reform of its religious-based chaplaincy model continues to ignore the wellbeing and pastoral care needs of many service personnel, says the Rationalist Society of Australia. In a letter to the RSA, the Chief of Staff for Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Matt Keogh said the Army
- [Christian fellowship group’s ‘operation’ in Defence seeks to counter 'Satan's' desire for secular reform of chaplaincy](https://rationalist.com.au/christian-fellowship-groups-operation-in-defence-seeks-to-counter-satans-desire-for-secular-reform-of-chaplaincy/) - A Christian fellowship group which counts high-ranking military personnel among its members has been conducting an “operation” within the Australian Defence Force to counter "Satan", who is described as seeking to "secularise the roles of chaplains". The Rationalist Society of Australia has discovered a strategic plan on the website of the Military Christian Fellowship (MCF)
- [Petition calls for reform of SRE in New South Wales’ public schools](https://rationalist.com.au/petition-calls-for-reform-of-sre-in-new-south-wales-public-schools/) - The parent behind a new petition calling for reform of the Special Religious Education (SRE) program in New South Wales’ public schools is hopeful it will generate enough support to force a more substantial response than he has been receiving from the government. In an interview for the latest episode on our The Secular Agenda
- [Exclusive: Defence review reveals “strong demand” for Navy’s non-religious pastoral care](https://rationalist.com.au/exclusive-defence-review-reveals-strong-demand-for-navys-non-religious-pastoral-care/) - An official Defence review into the new non-religious pastoral care positions in the Navy’s chaplaincy branch has revealed strong demand for the capability and underscored the need for further secularisation of pastoral care in the military. The Rationalist Society of Australia has obtained the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal (DFRT) ‘interim review’ of the implementation of
- [Burnie council rejects pleas of non-religious councillors on prayer issue](https://rationalist.com.au/burnie-council-rejects-pleas-of-non-religious-councillors-on-prayer-issue/) - A Tasmanian council that represents a majority non-religious population has ignored the pleas of two councillors who wanted council to remove Christian prayers from its formal meetings. Late last month, Burnie City Council voted 5-2 to reject a motion to remove prayers after the council’s General Manager warned that a decision not to include a
- [RSA seeks details from Victorian government on plan to replace parliament prayers](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-seeks-details-from-victorian-government-on-plan-to-replace-parliament-prayers/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has written to the Victorian Attorney-General to ask when the government will deliver on its commitment to replace daily prayer rituals in parliament with a more appropriate practice. Although Jaclyn Symes MLC re-affirmed the government’s pre-election commitment to finding a “purpose-built” model for Victoria in a speech to parliament earlier
- [Army and Air Force left behind as other nations pursue secular reform](https://rationalist.com.au/army-and-air-force-left-behind-as-other-nations-pursue-secular-reform/) - Australia’s Army and Air Force could soon become outliers in not providing a secular pastoral care option for their non-religious personnel, with the United Kingdom likely to become the latest country to pursue reform of its military chaplaincy capability. In an answer to a question in the UK's House of Lords in July, Annabel Goldie,
- [Religious chaplains can create ‘safe place’ for LGBTIQ students, says education department](https://rationalist.com.au/religious-chaplains-can-create-safe-place-for-lgbtiq-students-says-education-department/) - The federal education department says it expects religious chaplains to be able to help “create a safe place” for students who want to discuss gender identity and sexual orientation in public schools. At Senate estimates last week, Greens Senator Penny Allman-Payne (pictured) asked officials what actions the department had taken to provide support for students
- [NSW government rules out changes to SRE](https://rationalist.com.au/nsw-government-rules-out-changes-to-sre/) - New South Wales education minister Prue Car has ruled out any changes to the Special Religious Education (SRE) program, meaning children will continue to be segregated along religious lines and lose precious learning time in the state’s public schools. At a budget estimates hearing this week, Minister Car – also the Deputy Premier – confirmed
- [Mechanism for constitutional change ‘broken’, RSA webinar told](https://rationalist.com.au/mechanism-for-constitutional-change-broken-rsa-webinar-told/) - The mechanism for changing Australia’s “frozen” Constitution is broken and needs to be fixed, the latest RSA Webinar has heard. At Wednesday’s webinar, guest speaker Dr Benjamin T. Jones said Australia had reached the “nadir” in its constitutional history, with reform now almost impossible, due to the double majority required by Section 128 of the
- [RSA calls for apology over Defence’s treatment of secular reformer](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-calls-for-apology-over-defences-treatment-of-secular-reformer/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has asked the federal government and the Australian Defence Force to unreservedly apologise to Collin Acton for the unfair treatment that ended his distinguished Navy career. In a letter to Defence minister Richard Marles and Defence Personnel minister Matt Keogh last week, RSA president Meredith Doig detailed the evidence showing
- [Councillor Victor Franco triumphs in three-year push to remove prayers](https://rationalist.com.au/councillor-victor-franco-triumphs-in-three-year-push-to-remove-prayers/) - Non-religious councillor Victor Franco has triumphed in his three-year effort to remove prayer rituals from formal meetings at the Boroondara City Council in Victoria, with a number of conservative councillors begrudgingly joining him in voting to support the reform. At last night’s meeting, the council voted 9-1 in favour of complete removal of the opening
- [Overwhelming majority supports Boroondara proposal to remove prayers from meetings](https://rationalist.com.au/overwhelming-majority-supports-boroondara-proposal-to-remove-prayers-from-meetings/) - The Boroondara community in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs has sent a clear message that it wants prayers removed from local government meetings, with more than 80 per cent of public submissions supporting the proposal. A report published on the Boroondara City Council’s website yesterday ahead of Monday’s council meeting reveals that, of 326 submissions received as
- [Human rights commission’s intervention sparks chaplaincy changes at Ambulance Victoria](https://rationalist.com.au/human-rights-commissions-intervention-sparks-chaplaincy-changes-at-ambulance-victoria/) - The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) has instructed Ambulance Victoria to reform its hiring policy for chaplaincy roles following advocacy by the Rationalist Society of Australia. Late last month, VEOHRC requested that Ambulance Victoria remove the current requirement that applicants be accredited for religious ministry and also asked that it include a
- [Frankston Council preaches inclusion and diversity, but enforces prayer ritual](https://rationalist.com.au/frankston-council-preaches-inclusion-and-diversity-but-enforces-prayer-ritual/) - The Frankston City Council will continue to mandate prayers at the opening of its meetings even though the majority of its residents are not religious and despite the council embarking on a new strategy to promote inclusion, social cohesion and respect for diversity. The councillors who spearheaded the push for reviewing the place of prayers
- [Religious beliefs "not a consideration" for workers in new student wellbeing program, says ACT government](https://rationalist.com.au/religious-beliefs-not-a-consideration-for-workers-in-new-student-wellbeing-program-says-act-government/) - The ACT government has assured the Rationalist Society of Australia that no religious-based discrimination will take place in the employment of workers to public schools under the National Student Wellbeing Program (NSWP). In a letter from the ACT Education Directorate, Angela Spence, the Executive Group Manager for Services Design and Delivery, said the secular nature
- [Submission to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide – Submission No. 2](https://rationalist.com.au/submission-to-the-royal-commission-into-defence-and-veteran-suicide-submission-no-2/) - Dear Commissioners, This is a formal submission by the Rationalist Society of Australia, which is Australia’s oldest freethought organisation promoting secularism, evidence-based policy and reason. It is our second submission to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. In our first submission, submitted in April last year, we raised concerns about Defence’s reliance on
- [Investigation exonerates former top Navy chaplain and advocate of secular reform](https://rationalist.com.au/investigation-exonerates-former-top-navy-chaplain-and-advocate-of-secular-reform/) - A Defence investigation sparked by complaints from a taxpayer-funded committee of religious clerics has exonerated a former top Navy chaplain who has been leading the push for secular reform of the military’s wellbeing support capability. In a document prepared for the Chief of the Defence Force mid last year, Deputy Chief of Navy Chris Smith
- [Committee's Pentecostal representative refers to Defence personnel as “sheep” to bring to “fold”](https://rationalist.com.au/committees-pentecostal-representative-refers-to-defence-personnel-as-sheep-to-bring-to-fold/) - The Pentecostal representative on the taxpayer-funded committee of religious clerics that oversees the Defence Force’s chaplaincy capability has described military personnel as “sheep” to be brought into the “fold” . In a sermon to Eastcoast Church in July – and which was published on YouTube – Pastor Ralph Estherby (pictured) preached on verse John 10:16-17,
- [Surge in non-religious Australia unsettling for some media, webinar told](https://rationalist.com.au/surge-in-non-religious-australia-unsettling-for-some-media-webinar-told/) - Significant sections of the Australian media are responding to the rapid rise in non-religious identification with concern, defensiveness and fear, the latest RSA Webinar has heard. At Wednesday’s webinar, guest speaker, Dr Rebecca Banham shared insights from her project analysing the media’s response to the 2021 Census results, in which the proportion of Australian society
- [ACT Chief Minister notes ‘religious element’ on question of banning circumcision](https://rationalist.com.au/act-chief-minister-notes-religious-element-on-question-of-banning-circumcision/) - The Chief Minister of the ACT, Andrew Barr, has told the Rationalist Society of Australia that outlawing circumcision on infant boys would require a “fundamentally different” consideration of human rights, bodily autonomy and religious freedoms. In a letter to the RSA (see letter below), Mr Barr acknowledged the “religious element” of parental beliefs on the
- [Opposition spokesperson spruiks Defence recruiting plan targeting migrants with stronger belief in God](https://rationalist.com.au/opposition-spokesperson-spruiks-defence-recruiting-plan-targeting-migrants-with-stronger-belief-in-god/) - The federal opposition’s spokesperson for Defence personnel, Luke Howarth, has suggested tapping into migrants who have “stronger faith in God” as part of a plan to drive recruitment for the Defence Force. In a speech to the Defence Reserve Association’s national conference last month – a recording of which was published on YouTube earlier this
- [South Australian Labor MP pledges action on prayer](https://rationalist.com.au/south-australian-labor-mp-pledges-action-on-prayer/) - A Labor member of the South Australian parliament has pledged to support the removal of Christian worship practices from the parliament when the matter is raised for debate. In a boost for an anticipated debate on the issue – expected in the state’s upper house in the current term of parliament – the Labor member
- [Education minister backs advocacy group for religious school chaplains](https://rationalist.com.au/education-minister-backs-advocacy-group-for-religious-school-chaplains/) - The Albanese government’s education minister Jason Clare has backed the establishment of a new ‘friendship group’ that will promote religious-based chaplaincy and the interests of third-party providers that discriminate against non-Christians when hiring for youth worker jobs in public schools. Earlier this week, Mr Clare joined forces with Liberal politicians – including some who previously
- [Federal Labor MPs help set up group to advance school chaplaincy](https://rationalist.com.au/federal-labor-mps-help-set-up-group-to-advance-school-chaplaincy/) - A number of Christian federal Labor MPs have helped to establish a parliamentary ‘friendship group’ to advocate for religious-based chaplaincy in schools, despite the Albanese government’s re-introduction of secular wellbeing officers. Photos posted to social media yesterday show that Labor MPs Shayne Neumann, David Smith and Milton Dick, the Speaker of the House of Representatives,
- [New report: Religious discrimination remains a feature of  National Student Wellbeing Program](https://rationalist.com.au/new-report-religious-discrimination-remains-a-feature-of-national-student-wellbeing-program/) - Religious discrimination against youth workers in Australian public schools is a systemic feature of the operation of the new National Student Wellbeing Program (NSWP), according to a new report from the Rationalist Society of Australia. The report – titled Religious discrimination in the recruitment of National Student Wellbeing Program (NSWP) workers in Australian public schools
- [Concern over chaplains’ religious identities raises “broad tension” for Air Force](https://rationalist.com.au/concern-over-chaplains-religious-identities-raises-broad-tension-for-air-force/) - A review into the scandal-plagued Air Force Chaplaincy Branch has identified a “broad tension” in being able to reconcile the religious identities of chaplains with the “unified values” of Defence members. Freedom of Information (FOI) documents obtained by the Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) have revealed some observations made by the inquiry into the Air
- [Minister Keogh says Army troops “not compelled” to join religious services](https://rationalist.com.au/minister-keogh-says-army-troops-not-compelled-to-join-religious-services/) - Army troops were not compelled to participate in a religious service in which a commanding officer led his unit in prayers and asked them to "dedicate ourselves" to "the honour and service of God", the Defence Personnel minister’s office has said. In a letter to the Rationalist Society of Australia (see letter below), Matt Keogh’s
- [Insights into different audiences’ rejection of science can inform policy communication, webinar told](https://rationalist.com.au/insights-into-different-audiences-rejection-of-science-can-inform-policy-communication-webinar-told/) - Understanding differences in social and personal motivations, and drivers of hesitancy and risk perception, can help policy makers tailor effective messaging for population sub-groups on issues such as climate change and vaccine uptake, the latest RSA Webinar has heard. At Wednesday’s webinar, guest speaker Dr Lucy Richardson shared findings from her research about science denialism
- [Labor state MP warns of religious groups’ threat to abortion access in WA](https://rationalist.com.au/labor-state-mp-warns-of-religious-groups-threat-to-abortion-access-in-wa/) - A Labor MP in the West Australian parliament has warned his state to “never be complacent” about the threat posed by American-inspired religious groups to women’s abortion rights. In a speech on the state government’s Abortion Legislation Reform Bill this month, Dave Kelly – who stood down from cabinet as a minister earlier this year
- [South Australian Premier has “no intentions” to address prayer issue](https://rationalist.com.au/south-australian-premier-has-no-intentions-to-address-prayer-issue/) - South Australian Labor Premier Peter Malinauskas' office has told the Rationalist Society of Australia that the government has no intention of changing the state parliament’s procedures that mandate daily Christian worship. In a letter received last week, the Premier's office told the RSA that Mr Malinauskas was focused on delivering his policy agenda and “setting
- [Adelaide mayor champions separation of church and state in inspiring speech](https://rationalist.com.au/adelaide-mayor-champions-separation-of-church-and-state-in-inspiring-speech/) - Adelaide’s mayor has launched an inspiring defence of separation of church and state in a speech that heralded the replacement of prayers with a secular and more inclusive practice to open council meetings. During a committee meeting of councillors last week, Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith said separation of church and state was a “long-standing tradition”
- [Labor Party set to ditch support for “secular” public education](https://rationalist.com.au/labor-party-set-to-ditch-support-for-secular-public-education/) - Anthony Albanese’s Labor Party is set to formally ditch its support for “secular” public education, having disregarded concerns raised by members during the consultation process on the party’s key policy document. A revised version of the party’s National Platform has not re-incorporated the party’s previously express commitment to “universal, free and secular” public education. This
- [Labor Party re-inserts commitment to ‘secular’ education](https://rationalist.com.au/labor-party-re-inserts-commitment-to-secular-education/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia welcomes the Labor Party’s decision to re-insert the reference to ‘secular’ public education into its national policy document. At the party’s National Conference in Brisbane today, the party amended its proposed paragraph on public education to add the word ‘secular’. Paragraph 76 of the National Platform now reads: “Public schools
- [Voluntary assisted dying bill an historic opportunity](https://rationalist.com.au/voluntary-assisted-dying-bill-offers-historic-opportunity-for-victorians/) - By Tosca Lloyd, in the Sydney Morning Herald This week, Victorian MPs will consider legislation that will accord a small number of people the choice to limit intolerable and untreatable suffering in the final weeks or months of their life. And this is key: the only people who would be able to access this choice
- [2018: drawing a line against prejudice, privilege and power](https://rationalist.com.au/2018-a-year-that-draws-a-line-against-prejudice-privilege-and-power/) - By Tosca Lloyd, in The Age On Wednesday, Fairfax reported that submissions made to the inquiry into "religious freedoms", chaired by Philip Ruddock, would potentially be undisclosed. This would be concerning, and fuels public sentiment that the scales are already tipped regarding the inquiry's outcome. The whole process needs transparency. The public needs to scrutinise
- [Religious freedom must not be a green light to discriminate](https://rationalist.com.au/religious-freedom-must-not-be-a-green-light-to-discriminate/) - By Hugh Harris, in the Sydney Morning Herald As it ponders the role of religious freedom in Australia, the Religious Freedom Review headed by Philip Ruddock would do well to reflect on the real-life scenarios where belief collides with the rights of individuals. Should independent schools be able to expel students with gay parents? Should
- [Secular groups call for review of 'blatantly discriminatory' school chaplains program](https://rationalist.com.au/secular-groups-call-for-review-of-blatantly-discriminatory-school-chaplains-program/) - By The Guardian A group of humanist societies has demanded that the Australian Human Rights Commission review the $60m-a-year school chaplains program, claiming it harms freedom of religion. The secular and atheist groups wrote to the AHRC president, Rosalind Croucher, requesting a review on the basis that only religious people can be hired for the
- [Western civilisation: A primer for willing readers](https://rationalist.com.au/western-civilisation-a-primer-for-willing-readers/) - By Paul Monk, in The Australian The recent stand-off between the Ramsay Centre for Western Civilisation and our most prestigious universities, over the idea of a bachelor of arts in Western civilisation being introduced on their campuses, is a disturbing symptom of the state of higher education in this country. It is to be hoped
- [Confucius Institutes say you must stick with Xi Jinping](https://rationalist.com.au/confucius-institutes-say-you-must-stick-with-xi-jinping/) - By Paul Monk, in The Australian Last December, the federal government put four bills before parliament framed to head off foreign interference in this country’s institutions. The primary concern was, and remains, China — more precisely, the intelligence organs of the Chinese Communist Party. This past week, a striking illustration of why such measures have
- [The five rules for civil engagement](https://rationalist.com.au/the-five-rules-for-civil-engagement/) - By Paul Monk, in The Australian There seems to be an extraordinary amount of confusion around these days regarding freedom of speech in our universities and more generally. But civil society and constitutional government ­require freedom of speech. And freedom of speech requires sound meta-rules regarding the way it is conducted. Suppress freedom of speech
- [Cancer, and the science of a very human war](https://rationalist.com.au/cancer-and-the-science-of-a-very-human-war/) - at a time when anti-vaxxers and other anti-scientific lobbyists are insisting they know better than sound science, the immunotherapy breakthrough should be heralded as a stunning vindication of what real science is capable of doing
- [Reinvent democracy or face its sure decline](https://rationalist.com.au/reinvent-democracy-or-face-its-sure-decline/) - By Paul Monk, in The Australian Today is federal election day. I assume almost everyone reading this piece will be voting. In Australia, such voting is compulsory. In the US its voluntary. Opinions differ about which system is better. But suppose someone were to say to you, You have a moral obligation to not vote.
- [11 ways to fix the much-maligned Religious Discrimination Bill](https://rationalist.com.au/11-ways-to-fix-the-much-maligned-religious-discrimination-bill/) - By Meredith Doig, in The Big Smoke Many groups are opposed to Christian Porter’s bill, particularly LGBTI groups, but also many freethought groups — atheists, sceptics, agnostics, humanists, rationalists, secularists. If the bill simply added ‘religion’ to the set of anti-discrimination grounds, that would be no bad thing. After all, the Australian government is obliged
- [Aussie Freethought Groups Fight Religious Discrimination Bill](https://rationalist.com.au/dontdivideus-aussie-freethought-groups-fight-religious-discrimination-bill/) - By The Friendly Atheist In the wake of public consultations around Australia’s shockingly ill-considered religious discrimination bill, groups of concerned Australian secularists have joined forces to keep the bill from becoming the law of the land. The coalition includes national organizations like the Rationalist Society of Australia, the Atheist Foundation of Australia, the Council of Australian Humanist Societies,
- [RSA urges South Australian Premier and parliament to lead on prayer issue](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-urges-south-australian-premier-and-parliament-to-lead-on-prayer-issue/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) has today urged the South Australian Premier and the state parliament to "lead the way" in making the state’s institutions more inclusive and reflective of modern society by removing exclusionary prayer rituals. In a letter (see below) to Premier Peter Malinauskas, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Dan Cregan and
- [Providing schools choice of wellbeing officer a ‘great improvement’, says Labor MP](https://rationalist.com.au/providing-schools-choice-of-wellbeing-officer-a-great-improvement-says-labor-mp/) - A federal Labor MP has labelled the decision to expand the school chaplaincy program to give schools a choice of a secular student wellbeing officer as “one of the great improvements” by the Albanese government. In a speech to the Federation Chamber – the House of Representatives’ second chamber – yesterday, Graham Perrett said the
- [QLD schools pressuring parents and carers to accept religious chaplains](https://rationalist.com.au/qld-schools-pressuring-parents-and-carers-to-accept-religious-chaplains/) - A number of Queensland public schools are pressuring parents and carers to accept the continuation of religious-based chaplaincy instead of providing them with a choice of secular wellbeing officers. The Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) has viewed a number of communication materials provided to parents and carers as part of what was supposed to be
- [Minns government dodges responsibility over teaching of creationism in NSW public schools](https://rationalist.com.au/minns-government-dodges-responsibility-over-teaching-of-creationism-in-nsw-public-schools/) - The New South Wales government appears to have wiped its hands of any responsibility over the teaching of anti-science content in the state’s public schools as part of the Special Religious Education. In response to concerns about the teaching of creationism in public school classrooms, education minister Prue Car has told the Rationalist Society of
- [Non-religious councillors told to “suck it up” and observe prayer ritual](https://rationalist.com.au/non-religious-councillors-told-to-suck-it-up-and-observe-prayer-ritual/) - The councillor who successfully pushed to have prayer rituals re-imposed as part of formal meetings at the Nillumbik Shire Council in Victoria has told his dissenting colleagues to “suck it up”. At last night’s council meeting, Councillor Peter Perkins (pictured) won the support of three other colleagues for a motion to rescind the council’s previous
- [Councillors seek to re-impose religious worship at Nillumbik meetings](https://rationalist.com.au/councillors-seek-to-re-impose-religious-worship-at-nillumbik-meetings/) - Christian councillors at the Nillumbik Shire Council in Victoria will this week seek to re-impose religious worship as part of formal council meetings, even though most residents in the local government area identify as not religious. Councillor Peter Perkins (pictured) has placed on the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting a motion to rescind the council’s previous
- [QLD education department misrepresents nature of school chaplaincy role in survey](https://rationalist.com.au/qld-education-department-misrepresents-nature-of-school-chaplaincy-role-in-survey/) - The Queensland education department appears to have misrepresented the nature of school chaplaincy roles under the new federally funded National Student Wellbeing Program (NSWP). In the preamble to a survey sent to a school community and questioning respondents on whether they would prefer a chaplain or a student wellbeing officer, the department differentiated the kind
- [RSA urges ACT government to extend 'fundamental principle' to protect infant boys](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-urges-act-government-to-extend-fundamental-principle-to-protect-infant-boys/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has called on the ACT government to protect non-consenting infant boys from irreversible and usually medically unnecessary circumcision. In a letter to Chief Minister Andrew Barr and his government’s health minister Rachel Stephen-Smith, the RSA welcomed the ACT’s new laws to protect the rights of intersex children from being subjected
- [Councillor’s push to insert Christianity into Indigenous acknowledgement almost succeeds](https://rationalist.com.au/councillors-push-to-insert-christianity-into-indigenous-acknowledgement-almost-succeeds/) - A Queensland councillor who nearly succeeded in having references to God inserted into his council’s Acknowledgement of Country admitted that he consulted with only one Aboriginal person about the proposal. At the Fraser Coast Regional Council’s budget meeting on 28 June, Councillor Phil Truscott (pictured) moved an amendment to the 2023-28 Corporate Plan to insert
- [LNP politician credits Labor's Speaker for keeping prayers in parliament](https://rationalist.com.au/lnp-politician-credits-labors-speaker-for-keeping-prayers-in-parliament/) - A Liberal National Party member of parliament has credited the Speaker of the House of Representatives for the retention of exclusively Christian worship at the opening of the chamber every day under the Albanese government. In an interview on Christian radio this week, Terry Young (pictured), the member for Longman in Queensland, said that he
- [Senior Army chaplain critiques colleagues' response to call for non-religious representation](https://rationalist.com.au/senior-army-chaplain-critiques-colleagues-response-to-call-for-non-religious-representation/) - An Anglican priest and senior member of the Australian Army’s chaplaincy branch has critiqued the institution’s defensive response to public calls for the introduction of non-religious pastoral support. In an article in the 2022 edition of the Australian Army Chaplaincy Journal – published online last month – Chaplain Sarah Gibson, the Army’s Director of Chaplaincy
- [QLD Local Government Association rejects call to seek legal advice on prayer issue](https://rationalist.com.au/qld-local-government-association-rejects-call-to-seek-legal-advice-on-prayer-issue/) - The Queensland Local Government Association (LGAQ) has rejected suggestions that the inclusion of prayer rituals as part of council meetings could expose councils to claims of unlawful discrimination or breaches of human rights. In a letter to the Rationalist Society of Australia in May, LGAQ chief executive officer Alison Smith said the association would not
- [Q&A with Rodney Syme: ‘A sense of vindication for years of struggle’](https://rationalist.com.au/qa-with-rodney-syme-a-sense-of-vindication-for-years-of-struggle/) - Bearing witness to so much progress in the voluntary assisted dying (VAD) policy space in recent years has delivered “a sense of vindication” for veteran advocate Rodney Syme and many like him. For more than 30 years, the Melbourne-based urologist has campaigned to give terminally ill patients the right to die with dignity. Recently, he
- [Labor policy platform sends mixed signals on religious schools’ exemptions](https://rationalist.com.au/labor-policy-platform-sends-mixed-signals-on-religious-schools-exemptions/) - In speeches to parliament in late 2018, federal Labor members appeared just as surprised and angered as the public upon realising that religious schools could, through exemptions to anti-discrimination laws, expel students for their sexual orientation or gender identity. Senators Penny Wong, Kristina Keneally and Jenny McAllister all said it was time for the exemptions
- [Religious freedom is not under ‘frontal attack’, says former Prime Minister John Howard](https://rationalist.com.au/religious-freedom-is-not-under-frontal-attack-says-former-prime-minister-john-howard/) - Former Prime Minister John Howard has rejected suggestions that religious freedom is under attack in Australia, warning that such claims risk “losing credibility” as religious groups push for the proposed Religious Discrimination Bill. In a webinar interview with FamilyVoice Australia earlier this week, Mr Howard acknowledged that the outcome of the same-sex marriage plebiscite
- [‘Compromise’ draft of Religious Discrimination Bill is ready, says government MP](https://rationalist.com.au/compromise-draft-of-religious-discrimination-bill-is-ready-says-government-mp/) - The divisive Religious Discrimination Bill could soon be making a comeback to the national political debate, with one senior government backbencher signalling that a ‘compromise’ bill was ready to be presented to parliament. In a webinar interview with the conservative FamilyVoice Australia group on 8 February, Kevin Andrews said he was hopeful that the newly
- [Taking a calculator to morality.](https://rationalist.com.au/taking-a-calculator-to-morality/) - Some, like Barney Zwartz (Senior Fellow of the Centre for Public Christianity), are of the opinion that there can be no basis for morality without religion. For example, in the web site he says that the claim in the Humanist Manifesto that morals can be developed from science is another fantasy. Philosopher Sam Harris hopes
- [A Shott in the Dark](https://rationalist.com.au/a-shott-in-the-dark/) - Recently, a reader wrote to the RSA asking for a critique of the following passage from an essay, by the British historian and philosopher Michael Oakeshott (1901-90), called ‘On Being Conservative’: To be conservative, then, is to prefer the familiar to the unknown, to prefer the tried to the untried, the actual to the possible,
- [Letter to the Editor: It's Time to Stand Up](https://rationalist.com.au/letter-to-the-editor-cancel-culture/) - The Editor The Age It's Time to Stand Up It is ironic that the conservatives who responded to the much-discussed letter from 150 public intellectuals on the importance of civilised debate in a liberal democracy (‘‘Libs laud ‘pushback on cancel culture’’’, The Sunday Age, 12/7) focused wholly on criticising extreme left ‘‘cancel culture’’. If they had
- [Blatant untruths for political ends](https://rationalist.com.au/blatant-untruths-for-political-ends/) - Judy Dent's husband, Bob Dent, was the first person to take advantage of the Northern Territory's Rights of the Terminally Ill Act, in 1996. Three others were able to follow his lead before the Federal Government intervened and overturned the Act in 1997. (Emphases added.) Professor David Kissane AC Chair of Palliative Medicine Research University
- [Submission: Religious Discrimination bill](https://rationalist.com.au/submission-religious-discrimination-bill/) - In August 2019, the federal Attorney-General Christian Porter released a package of bills collectively known as the Religious Freedom Bills: Religious Discrimination Bill Religious Discrimination (Consequential Amendments) Bill Human Rights Legislation Amendment (Freedom of Religion) Bill. These bills follow the federal government's response to the Ruddock Inquiry into Religious Freedom in Australia. In October 2019,
- [Should RSA tolerate climate change deniers?](https://rationalist.com.au/should-rsa-tolerate-climate-change-deniers/) - In September 2019, the university-backed news website, The Conversation, decided it would no longer tolerate climate change denial comments on their site. They argued “Climate change deniers, and those shamelessly peddling pseudoscience and misinformation, are perpetuating ideas that will ultimately destroy the planet. We believe conversations are integral to sharing knowledge, but those who are
- [We Should be Promoting Truth, not Protecting Myth](https://rationalist.com.au/we-should-be-promoting-truth-not-protecting-myth/) - Last week the Government introduced draft legislation that aims “to eliminate discrimination against persons on the ground of religious belief or activity”. It is ironic that the same Government that is pursuing “Witness K” and his lawyer through the courts for telling the truth is now proposing to give legal protection to those who wish
- [Blasphemy Laws](https://rationalist.com.au/blasphemy-laws/) - Rationality Rules is a video channel produced by UK-based Stephen Woodford. In this episode, Stephen takes a swipe at countries that purport to be 'free' but who still have laws on their books outlawing the ancient crime of blasphemy. Our new correspondent, Brendan Liveris, reports from his base in Berlin. In this video, Rationality Rules
- [Media release: Hillsong a global business empire](https://rationalist.com.au/media-release-hillsong-a-global-business-empire/) - Hillsong Church becoming a separate official denomination in its own right and withdrawing from the Australian Christian Churches should be a matter of concern for the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission (ACNC), says the Rationalist Society of Australia. Hillsong Senior Pastor Brian Houston says the decision to withdraw from Australian Christian Churches is based on
- [Majority support separating government and religion](https://rationalist.com.au/majority-support-separating-government-and-religion/) - Source: 53% of Australians approve of constitutional amendment to separate government and religion – Dr Adrian Beaumont The NSW Rationalists commissioned YouGov Galaxy, which also does Newspoll, for a poll question about separation of government and religion. The survey was conducted from August 30 to September 3 from a national sample of 1,027. The question
- [Five principles of freedom of religion](https://rationalist.com.au/five-principles-of-freedom-of-religion/) - We would do well to remind ourselves that religious belief often has been the subject of serious contention in the past. Reas­onable and civilised people differ widely in their opinions on the subject, and generating social wisdom on it is a non-trivial ­challenge. Religion has played a profound role in the development of human civilisation
- [Flying Spaghetti Monster to the rescue](https://rationalist.com.au/flying-spaghetti-monster-to-the-rescue/) - RSA President Dr Meredith Doig plays with Tom Ballard on the ABC's comedy channel. 
- [Women v. Religion: The Case Against Faith … and for Freedom](https://rationalist.com.au/women-v-religion-the-case-against-faith-and-for-freedom/) - Book Review, written by Teresa Roberts With a bold title like Women v. Religion: The Case Against Faith… and for Freedom, Karen L. Garst has once again provided an opportunity for women who have suffered at the hands of religious doctrines to speak out. Her first book, Women Beyond Belief: Discovering Life without Religion, showcased
- [Case Study of Proselytising by the comment tab](https://rationalist.com.au/a-course-on-humanism-a-case-study-of-proselytising-by-the-comment-tab/) - Introducing Humanism: Non-Religious Approaches to Life Humanists UK A review by RSA Member Deb Campbell. This course was a curious experience. On the positive side: It was free; The subject obviously interested many people, as there were more than 400 comments left by students as they answered questions and queried others each week; It
- [Religious Freedom Champions Should Be Careful](https://rationalist.com.au/champions-of-religious-freedom-should-be-careful-what-they-pray-for/) - Religious liberty should not become a Trojan horse for perpetuating certain views. Source: Huffington Post Australia Hugh Harris By invoking a supposed threat to religious freedom, the scare campaign against same-sex marriage illuminates a common misunderstanding of what the term means -- highlighting how it has become a proxy for religious privilege, used to shield
- [Warning: Scripture replaced by new type of theism](https://rationalist.com.au/warning-scripture-replaced-by-new-type-of-theism/) - Source: Warning Scripture replaced by new type of Theism - » The Australian Independent Media Network “Morality cannot be derived from myths,” writes Hugh Harris as he illustrates the problems with promoting unverifiable beliefs. But what do we replace them with? Placating the Reverend Fred Nile and the various religious lobbies is no easy task, but
- [Jacqui Lambie Gets Everyday Aussies. The Turnbull Government Does Not.](https://rationalist.com.au/jacqui-lambie-gets-everyday-aussies-the-turnbull-government-does-not/) - Lambie's words were the opposite of what we have come to expect from politicians. They were honest, heartfelt, compassionate, and mostly true. Source: Jacqui Lambie Gets Everyday Aussies. The Turnbull Government Does Not. On the verge of tears, an impassioned Jacqui Lambie, independent senator for Tasmania, recently spoke out against the Turnbull government's planned welfare
- [Let Ayaan Hirsi Ali speak on Islam](https://rationalist.com.au/let-ayaan-hirsi-ali-speak-on-islam/) - Attempts are being made to stop Somali-born Ayaan Hirsi Ali airing her views critical of Islam in Australia. As an atheist who suffered through a religious upbringing in an Islamic community, she speaks with authority about what Islam involves for women in third-world countries. It is important that we hear her views and engage with
- [Submission: Inquiry into Drug Law Reform](https://rationalist.com.au/inquiry-into-drug-law-reform/) - Inquiry terms of reference The Law Reform, Road and Community Safety Committee of the Victorian Parliament is to inquire into: The effectiveness of laws, procedures and regulations relating to illicit and synthetic drugs and the misuse of prescription medication in minimising drug-related health, social and economic harm; and The practice of other Australian states and territories and
- [Enforce company tax, don't browbeat welfare recipients](https://rationalist.com.au/enforce-company-tax-dont-browbeat-centrelink-welfare-recipients/) - Tackling global tax avoidance requires long-term vision, but it's what Australia needs, writes former RSA board member Chris Fotinopoulos. Source: Enforce company tax, don't browbeat Centrelink welfare recipients - Crikey Whenever politicians call for budget repair, ask how they plan to stem the billions that flow out of the country through tax-minimisation schemes favoured by certain
- [The danger of being swamped by confident idiots](https://rationalist.com.au/the-danger-of-being-swamped-by-confident-idiots/) - The Trump phenomenon and the influence of One Nation on local politics highlight how irrational beliefs seem to be shaping world events to a disturbing degree, writes Hugh Harris. Source: The danger of being swamped by confident idiots - The AIM Network Five years ago, who’d have thought Donald Trump could become the leader of
- [Scientology Personality Test Postscript - Brisbane](https://rationalist.com.au/scientology-personality-test-postscript-brisbane/) - Rationalist board member Hugh Harris continues his search for meaning ... Source: Scientology Personality Test Postscript - Brisbane - Rational Razor After my disastrous personality test in Scientology’s Castlereagh St headquarters, I decided to try again in Brisbane. Would I get the same dire result? Is the test calibrated to generally produce a negative result?
- [Scientology says I have no real reason to live](https://rationalist.com.au/scientologys-personality-test-said-i-have-no-real-reason-to-live/) - Unlike psychologists, psychiatrists and other medical practitioners who offer treatments for mental illness, Scientology escapes regulation because it offers services as a religion. Despite the efforts of Senator Nick Xenophon, who unsuccessfully attempted to link Scientology’s tax free status to providing services which are beneficial to the public in 2010, there is currently no regulation
- [In defence of Santa](https://rationalist.com.au/in-defence-of-santa-the-australian-independent-media-network/) - By now, the elves are wrapping the toys. The reindeers are running test flights. Santa is busy double-checking Xmas lists, and plotting the logistics of the world’s greatest overnight delivery. But a new UK board game, Santa vs Jesus, has blighted the festive season with unwelcome sectarian dissension ... Source: In defence of Santa -
- [Let's encourage religious devotion in the public realm](https://rationalist.com.au/lets-encourage-religious-devotion-in-the-public-realm/) - Australian suburban shopping centres are places where people from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds are free to peruse, shop and dream without being snubbed by those who do not identify with them. Source: Let's encourage religious devotion in the public realm Suburban shopping centres throughout Australia are places where people from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds
- [Permission to josh Muslims would aid understanding, tolerance](https://rationalist.com.au/permission-to-josh-muslims-would-aid-understanding-tolerance/) - The debate about section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act finds its most troubling and sensitive reference point when it comes to Muslim objections to the criticism or mocking of Islam. Source: Permission to josh Muslims would aid understanding, tolerance The debate about section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act finds its most troubling and
- [The Passing of Desmond Ball](https://rationalist.com.au/the-passing-of-desmond-ball/) - As with many of those who die of cancer, the death of Desmond Ball this week did not come as a surprise to those who knew him. He had been ill for quite some time. Still, when it occurs, the death of someone we have known and esteemed always gives us pause. So it is
- [Muslims in the West must reject al-Azhar imam’s apostasy views](https://rationalist.com.au/muslims-in-the-west-must-reject-al-azhar-imams-apostasy-views/) - About six weeks ago, in a televised address during Ramadan, the leading Muslim cleric in Egypt, Ahmed al-Tayeb, grand imam of al-Azhar University in Cairo, who is hailed as one of the leading “moderate” teachers in the Islamic world, denounced apostasy from Islam as “grand treason”. Source: West must object Islamic curbs About six weeks
- [Trying To Silence Unwelcome Views Only Perpetuates Them](https://rationalist.com.au/trying-to-silence-unwelcome-views-only-perpetuates-them/) - Give bigots their right to speak. Source: Trying To Silence Unwelcome Views Only Perpetuates Them If parliament legislates for free speech, it can do the same for marriage equality. The Coalition went to the last election promising not to bring either matter before parliament, and so, if it proceeds with legislating changes to Section 18C
- [Fearing men in schools will do more harm than good](https://rationalist.com.au/fearing-men-in-schools-will-do-more-harm-than-good/) - RSA board member Chris Fotinopoulos urges our finest, gifted men to enter teaching. "Our boys need you more than ever." Source: Fearing men in schools will do more harm than good When we hurt our boys, we hurt our men. And it is a hurt that is felt by all. The fallout from the Royal
- [Are we asking the wrong questions on Dying With Dignity?](https://rationalist.com.au/are-we-asking-the-wrong-questions-on-dying-with-dignity/) - Television producer and performer Andrew Denton has provided us all with some useful and important information about voluntary euthanasia in his podcast series and book, and has asked some interesting questions. Unfortunately they are not the questions about dying with dignity that actually need to be answered. Andrew is proposing a bureaucratic, literally tortuous process
- [Free Speech and 18C: A Rationalist’s Perspective](https://rationalist.com.au/free-speech-and-18c-a-rationalists-perspective-on-a-way-forward/) - With conservatives and libertarians leading yet another campaign to degrade racial discrimination protections, Dr Meredith Doig weighs in with an alternative. Source: Free Speech and 18C: A Rationalist’s Perspective On A Way Forward - New Matilda Freedom of speech is back on the agenda in the new federal parliament, but in all the breathless hoo-ha
- [Abortion from a woman's perspective](https://rationalist.com.au/abortion-from-a-womans-perspective/) - I’VE had two abortions in my life and known many other women who’ve had abortions. None has regretted them; none has led to depression or adverse mental health effects. Source: Outdated abortion laws must catch up My first abortion happened because, as a young woman in the 1970s when sex education was accidental rather than
- [Waleed Aly must step up on Muslim free speech at Voltaire Award](https://rationalist.com.au/waleed-aly-must-step-up-on-muslim-free-speech-at-voltaire-award/) - On July 23, Waleed Aly will be presented with the Voltaire Award for free speech from Liberty Victoria. It would be rather charming were he to give a speech on that occasion reflecting on Voltaire’s play Mahomet, which depicted Islam as based on false miracles, personal ambition and ruthless fanaticism. Source: Waleed Aly must step
- [On abortion, even God more permissive than our laws](https://rationalist.com.au/on-abortion-even-god-more-permissive-than-our-laws/) - FOUR in five Queenslanders, according to a 2009 Auspoll survey, want to change the archaic 1899 state law which makes terminating a pregnancy a crime. Source: On abortion, even God more permissive than our laws FOUR in five Queenslanders, according to a 2009 Auspoll survey, want to change the archaic 1899 state law which makes
- [Just Not On Census Night ...](https://rationalist.com.au/my-neighbour-can-say-there-are-20-gods-or-none-just-not-on-census-night/) - In our democracy, religion does pick the pocket of taxpayers. Source: My Neighbour Can Say There Are 20 Gods Or None, Just Not On Census Night Until recently, I was ambivalent about the welcoming smiles of faith. I've always admired the famous quote from U.S. Founding Father Thomas Jefferson: "It does me no injury for
- [The Census cares what you believe](https://rationalist.com.au/religious-freedom-doesnt-care-what-you-believe-but-the-census-does/) - Tuesday’s national census can help restore religious freedom, particular if Australians who have ‘no religion’ tick the correct box, writes RSA board member Hugh Harris. Source: Religious Freedom Doesn’t Care What You Believe, But The Census Does - New Matilda Tuesday’s national census can help restore religious freedom, particular if Australians who have ‘no religion’
- [Hugh Harris takes on Rev. Michael Jensen](https://rationalist.com.au/hugh-harris-takes-on-rev-michael-jensen/) - For the many Australians who once identified as Christians but have 'lapsed' in their churchgoing, the Census provides a chance for honest reassessment and mature reflection. Source: On Line Opinion For some, the August 9 Census question on religion looms like pale death over the cherished idea of Australia's Christian nationhood. In 2011 the combined
- [We should see Islam as a religious, not a racial issue](https://rationalist.com.au/we-should-see-islam-as-a-religious-not-a-racial-issue/) - In the wake of the atrocity in Nice, television presenter Sonia Kruger, like many of us, felt emotionally convulsed. She called for a halt to Muslim immigration. For this she was almost instantly denounced as a “racist”. Source: We should see Islam as a religious, not a racial issue In the wake of the atrocity
- [Connect religious instruction says vampires fake but Bible is fact](https://rationalist.com.au/connect-religious-instruction-says-vampires-fake-but-bible-is-fact/) - Connect religious instruction outlines the contest for kid's souls. Source: Connect religious instruction says vampires fake but Bible is fact "These books are about vampires", begins the Connect religious instruction lesson for seven to nine year old children, introducing the well-known Twilight series of vampire novels, well known for their blend of eroticism and horror. Recommended
- [Why I’m Running For The Australian Sex Party](https://rationalist.com.au/why-im-running-for-the-australian-sex-party/) - I'm standing for the Senate in the upcoming Federal election; not for one of the major parties, but for the Australian Sex Party. Does the name offend you, or make you snigger? Source: Meredith Doig: Why I’m Running For The Australian Sex Party - New Matilda I am standing for the Senate in the upcoming
- [Hunting Little Souls: The Vampires of Religious Instruction](https://rationalist.com.au/hunting-little-souls-the-vampires-of-religious-instruction-new-matilda/) - The religious right have had plenty of say on Safe Schools. Their response is strangely muted when it comes to religious instruction that teaches kids about sex and vampires. Source: Hunting Little Souls: The Vampires of Religious Instruction - New Matilda The religious right have had plenty of say on Safe Schools. Their response is strangely muted
- [Media Release: Christians now in minority in Australia](https://rationalist.com.au/christians-in-minority-in-australia-according-to-a-new-poll/) - A new poll shows that 45% of Australians now say they are not religious and less than half say they are Christian. Rationalist Society of Australia Inc. Media Release 25 May 2016 The survey foreshadows a seismic shift away from Christianity towards non-belief. The poll, commissioned by the Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA), surveyed over
- [The social cost of religious freedom](https://rationalist.com.au/the-social-cost-of-religious-freedom/) - Conservative religious groups need to respect views on sexuality that run counter to their own, just as they demand the right to live by their own principles, argues Chris Fotinopoulos. Source: The social cost of religious freedom Australia affirms its commitment to religious freedom by affording religious organisations exemptions from anti-discrimination laws. In light of
- [Horrifying Scripture classes planned for Qld schools](https://rationalist.com.au/the-horrifying-religious-instruction-classes-planned-for-qld-schools-2/) - This semester's planned religious instruction classes ask 10-year-old's to act out a beheading. Source: The horrifying religious instruction classes planned for Qld schools This semester's planned religious instruction classes ask 10-year-olds to act out a beheading. Connect's Upper Primary C1 teaching resource, which is widely used in Queensland, describes how Grade 5 and 6 children
- [The Church and its weakening grip over Telstra and taxes](https://rationalist.com.au/the-church-and-its-weakening-grip-over-telstra-and-taxes/) - Whether it's pressuring Telstra over same-sex marriage or receiving tax breaks, organised religion has enjoyed a fair amount of power. Polling suggests that could be about to change, writes Hugh Harris. Source: The Church and its weakening grip over Telstra and taxes News that Telstra has apparently bowed to pressure from the Catholic Church and
- [Australians against giving religions tax free status](https://rationalist.com.au/australians-against-giving-religions-tax-free-status/) - A new poll by market research firm Ipsos has found that only 19.5 per cent of Australians are in favour of religious organizations having tax free status. The study asked if ‘churches and other basic religious organisations should continue to have tax-exempt status to advance religion?’ The answer was overwhelmingly in the negative. Dr Meredith Doig,
- [Media Release: Australians oppose religions' tax free status](https://rationalist.com.au/media-release-australians-against-giving-religions-tax-free-status/) - A poll by market research firm Ipsos has found that only 19.5 per cent of Australians are in favour of religious organizations having tax free status. The study asked if ‘churches and other basic religious organisations should continue to have tax-exempt status to advance religion?’ The answer was overwhelmingly in the negative. Dr Meredith Doig, president
- [Queensland law should reflect public support for abortion](https://rationalist.com.au/queensland-law-should-reflect-public-support-for-abortion/) - Queensland law should reflect public support for abortion. Source: Queensland law should reflect public support for abortion Nearly one in three women has an abortion at some time in their life. It's hard to believe but terminating a pregnancy remains a criminal offence in Queensland. Consider some other way this glaring contradiction could be reconciled
- [Religion continues its free ride without our blessing ](https://rationalist.com.au/religion-continues-its-free-ride-without-our-blessing/) - The majority of Australians say church and state should be separate, yet religion continues to be privileged in our society at taxpayer expense. Source: Religion continues its free ride without our blessing - The Drum (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) The majority of Australians say church and state should be separate, yet religion continues to be privileged
- [The Resurrection of Jesus: Explaining the Historical Facts](https://rationalist.com.au/the-resurrection-of-jesus-explaining-the-historical-facts/) - Christianity stands or falls on the historical events surrounding the first Easter. If there was no resurrection then the Christian message is false. What best explains what happened on that first Easter morning? Was there a resurrection? Hallucinations? A mistake? The following are notes from James Fodor (President Melbourne University Secular Society) who debated this topic with
- [Religious Instruction in Queensland schools is discriminatory](https://rationalist.com.au/religious-instruction-in-queensland-schools-is-discriminatory/) - When I found out my eight-year-old had been taught at school that there's no God, I was shocked. Source: Religious Instruction in Queensland schools is discriminatory When I found out my eight-year-old had been taught at school that there's no God, I was shocked. Well, actually, it's the opposite: I'm an atheist and in Religious
- [Duty and Courage](https://rationalist.com.au/duty-and-courage/) - The Editor, The Age Dear Sir, Progress in human affairs has always been achieved by the courageous. Think Martin Luther King, the suffragettes, our own Eddie Mabo. The Medical Board of Australia may be doing their duty, telling Dr Rodney Syme to not do anything "with the primary purpose ending a person's life" (Medical Board
- [John Howard’s Christian Right Feels Silenced, And They’re Telling Anyone Who’ll Listen](https://rationalist.com.au/john-howards-christian-right-feels-silenced-and-theyre-telling-anyone-wholl-listen/) - Hugh Harris takes up the former Prime Minister’s latest intervention into the debate around religion and politics. Source: John Howard’s Christian Right Feels Silenced, And They’re Telling Anyone Who’ll Listen - New Matilda “People are too scared to speak”, claims ex-Prime Minister John Howard amidst a mood of growing resentment towards the Coalition’s Christian Right.
- [Census change: Is Australia losing its religion?](https://rationalist.com.au/census-change-is-australia-losing-its-religion/) - Next year's Census has a very subtle edit that may completely change the way Australia sees itself and have drastic consequences for the way government money is spent on welfare and education. Source: Census change: Is Australia losing its religion? Next year's census has a very subtle edit that may completely change the way Australia
- [The war over "no religion" on the 2016 Australian Census](https://rationalist.com.au/the-war-over-no-religion-on-the-2016-australian-census/) - Next year's census has been reformatted. Some think it will provide a more accurate snapshot of Australia’s religious make-up; others reckon it will unfairly skew the results. Source: The war over "no religion" on the 2016 Australian Census - Religion and Ethics Report - ABC Radio National (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) For the very first time
- [Business leader in new position as Sex Party candidate](https://rationalist.com.au/business-leader-in-new-position-as-sex-party-candidate/) - Meredith Doig has extensive experience on corporate boards, university councils and federal government advisory groups. All of which makes her a most unlikely candidate for the Sex Party in the coming federal election. Source: Business leader in new position as Sex Party candidate At first glance, Meredith Doig seems a most unlikely candidate for the
- [Billboards ridiculing aspects of Christianity and Islam rejected](https://rationalist.com.au/billboards-ridiculing-aspects-of-christianity-and-islam-rejected/) - BILLBOARDS ridiculing Christian communion wafers and asking if people can flush the Koran down the toilet have been rejected by a major Australian outdoor advertising company. Source: Billboards ridiculing aspects of Christianity and Islam rejected | HeraldSun BILLBOARDS ridiculing Christian communion wafers and asking if people can flush the Koran down the toilet have been
- [Progressive voters flock to Sex Party](https://rationalist.com.au/progressive-voters-flock-to-sex-party/) - RATIONALIST Society of Australia president Meredith Doig has her sights set on attracting progressive voters at the Polwarth by-election. Source: Progressive voters flock to Sex Party | The Standard RATIONALIST Society of Australia president Meredith Doig has her sights set on attracting progressive voters at the Polwarth by-election. The Melbourne-based corporate executive will run as
- [Religion in Schools - Sunday Nights - (ABC)](https://rationalist.com.au/the-issue-religion-in-schools-sunday-nights-nlr-abc/) - Controversy over special religious education or instruction in schools is boiling over again. Are kids getting the right kind of guidance? Source: The Issue: Religion in Schools - Sunday Nights NLR - (ABC) Tonight a discussion that has been simmering on and off around Australia for years and in recent months has boiled over again
- [Slurs Are A Poor Counterfeit For Reason](https://rationalist.com.au/slurs-are-a-poor-counterfeit-for-reason-hugh-harris/) - There's a subtle but crucial difference between respecting the beliefs of others, and respecting their right to hold those beliefs. It's the latter which is important. The former is cultural relativism -- something apparently abhorred by Cory Bernardi. In the current charged atmosphere fuelled by cultural issues such as same-sex marriage, it's unsurprising to see
- [Confessions of a state school traitor](https://rationalist.com.au/confessions-of-a-state-school-traitor/) - Teachers are abandoning their state school because the state school sector has abandoned them. I know, because I am one of them. As a state schoolteacher for more than 25 years, I understand a parent's apprehension in placing their most valuable possession in a school that does not have sufficient resources and specialised programs to
- [Let Them Stay](https://rationalist.com.au/let-them-stay/) - 9 February 2016 The Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP Parliament House CANBERRA ACT 2600 Dear Prime Minister As you are aware, many states stand ready and able to provide support for the children and their families who were recently brought to Australia from Nauru, so that they may call Australia home. Your response to
- [No More Tax Loopholes: It’s Time For Faith Groups And Religions To Render Unto Caesar](https://rationalist.com.au/no-more-tax-loopholes-its-time-for-faith-groups-and-religions-to-render-unto-caesar/) - The perk of ‘tax-free status’ should be reserved for charities which provide unambiguous benefits, writes Hugh Harris in New Matilda. Jesus was quite clear on the question of tax. Noting the Roman coin bearing the emperor’s graven image, he advised the Jews to render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s. Fast forward to contemporary
- [Only the ghosts of Christmas past know why advancing religion is still tax free](https://rationalist.com.au/only-the-ghosts-of-christmas-past-know-why-advancing-religion-is-still-tax-free/) - Jesus was quite clear on the question of tax, famously advising the Jews to render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s. Fast forward to contemporary Australia and there’s precious little rendering going on. In fact successive Federal governments have seemed determined to render unto God the things rendered unto them by the voting public.
- [Religious Freedom Protects Same-Sex Couples Too](https://rationalist.com.au/religious-freedom-protects-same-sex-couples-too/) - Balancing freedom is no mean feat, but it doesn’t come about by prioritising religious beliefs over others, writes RSA board member Hugh Harris. Source: Religious Freedom Protects Same-Sex Couples Too - New Matilda The sleight of hand placing religious freedom at the centre of the same-sex marriage debate disguises its real purpose. A wave of
- [Enlightenment - that is what Islam truly needs](https://rationalist.com.au/enlightenment-that-is-what-islam-truly-needs/) - The kind of reformation that Islam needs is one that frees it from the medieval traditions and muddled histories that plague it. Source: Enlightenment - that is what Islam truly needs Last Friday, in these pages, Waleed Aly excoriated both Tony Abbott and that embarrassing buffoon running rogue in the US Republican primaries, Donald Trump.
- [The right to die at home](https://rationalist.com.au/the-right-to-die-at-home/) - RSA board member Chris Fotinopoulos reflects on where we might want to die. Source: The right to die at home | The Saturday Paper I was driving my father-in-law to hospital for his dialysis treatment when he stepped out of the car and began to make his way home on foot. He had had enough
- [Victoria leads the way ...](https://rationalist.com.au/victoria-leads-the-way/) - Education Minister James Merlino has issued a Ministerial Direction (MD 145) to implement the Victorian Government's policy of removing Special Religious Instruction from classtime. The new Direction gives school principals full authority to decide whether or not to offer SRI at their (primary) schools (tick). In doing so they must take into account the views of the
- ["Damn you to hell, Kevin Andrews"](https://rationalist.com.au/damn-you-to-hell-kevin-andrews/) - John Baylis of Darwin suffered from motor neuron disease, a progressive condition involving degeneration and wasting of the muscles. He died of it on 5 March 2015. Marshall Perron was the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory government which introduced the Rights of the Terminally Ill Act 1995. Kevin Andrews was the Minister responsible for overturning
- [RSA supports women's right to choose](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-supports-womens-right-to-choose/) - The RSA has joined with 40 other organistions supporting a continuation of women's right to freely and safely choose an abortion in Victoria. In the face of a challenge to Victoria's existing abortion laws by MLC Dr Rachel Carling-Jenkins, the organisations have written an Open Letter to the Premier and the Minister for Health. Dr
- [Maori ritual and Christian indoctrination in New Zealand](https://rationalist.com.au/maori-ritual-and-christian-indoctrination-in-new-zealand/) - I am a life member, past president, and now Trustee of the New Zealand Association of Rationalists and Humanists in Auckland. I am a member of The Maori Women's Welfare League. I am a Justice of the Peace. MyIwi (tribal heritage) is Ngapuhi, Ngati Hako, and Ngati Tamatera. I believe that there should be no
- [Freedom of Belief and Gay Marriage](https://rationalist.com.au/four-ways-to-cater-for-freedom-of-belief-in-legalizing-gay-marriage-2/) - This article is based on arguments presented in the Rationalist Society of Australia submission to the Australian Human Rights Commission Religious Freedom Roundtable. Traversing winding roads and gravel tracks to a country wedding we’ve become hopelessly lost. Ah, here’s a service station. Let’s stop and ask directions. We’ve no doubt the attendant will help us.
- [Palliative Care: Rhetoric and Reality](https://rationalist.com.au/palliative-care-rhetoric-and-reality/) - THE following address was given by Dr Rodney Syme, Vice President of Dying With Dignity Victoria, to the 2015 Annual General Meeting of the Rationalist Society of Australia. Although I am nearly 80 years old and retired from surgery, I am still practising medicine. For over 25 years I have been counselling people about their
- [Euthanasia ban is an attack on human dignity](https://rationalist.com.au/euthanasia-ban-is-an-attack-on-human-dignity/) - Chris Fotinopoulos believes dignified dying requires fewer restrictions on individual autonomy in end of life care. Australia’s persistent anti-euthanasia stance is unfair, cruel and insensitive. It provides limited means to adults of sound mind to die on their own terms. The current law on euthanasia restricts control and choice for certain terminally ill patients. It does
- [Submission: Religious Freedom Roundtable](https://rationalist.com.au/religious-freedom/) - Submission to the Australian Human Rights Commission Religious Freedom Roundtable 25 September 2015 Introduction The Rational Society of Australia (RSA) is the oldest freethought group in Australia, promoting reason since 1906. Members and supporters hold that all significant beliefs and actions should be based on reason and evidence, that the natural world is the
- [God forbidden: a win for secularism in state schools](https://rationalist.com.au/god-forbidden-a-win-for-secularism-in-victorias-state-schools-crikey/) - The Victorian state government has shown the foresight and courage to rid schools of an insidious evangelical influence, writes RSA board member Chris Fotinopoulos. Source: God forbidden: a win for secularism in Victoria’s state schools - Crikey The Victorian state government recently announced that it would replace special religious education with a new curriculum that teaches
- ["The Process" - a new play about asylum-seeker processing](https://rationalist.com.au/the-process-a-new-play-about-asylum-seeker-processing/) - Among other things, RSA's President Emeritus Ian Robinson is a philosopher and playwright, and his new play, The Process, is touring Australia. Here's a review by Ron Cerabona, arts reporter for the Canberra Times: Ian Robinson has sent invitations to politicians on both sides of politics to his play The Process. Whether any of them will
- [Media Release: Census moves to reduce religious bias](https://rationalist.com.au/abs-moves-to-redress-perception-of-religious-bias/) - MEDIA RELEASE 26 August 2015 ABS moves to redress perception of religious bias "Australia's status as a secular country has moved a step closer with the 2016 Census question on 'Religious Affiliation' being substantially changed -- to reflect more accurately those citizens who have No Religion." The comment has been made by Dr Meredith Doig,
- [Submission: End of Life Choices](https://rationalist.com.au/end-of-life-choices/) - Submission to the Victorian Parliament’s Legal and Social Issues Committee on End of Life Choices The Rationalist Society of Australia Inc. seeks to promote a pluralistic, multicultural and secular Australia. Government policies and laws should be based on evidence, reason and compassion, not religious beliefs. Everyone should be free to follow their own religious or
- [Victorian Government takes the lead on religion in schools](https://rationalist.com.au/victorian-government-takes-the-lead-on-religion-in-schools/) - The Rationalist Society today applauds the Victorian Government’s announcement that it will introduce new curriculum to teach Victorian students about rationalism and secular humanism, and the world’s five major religions. RSA President Dr Meredith Doig said, “In our globalising world, this makes sense. Our children need to learn about a range of belief systems, religious
- [A tale of two cutting cultures](https://rationalist.com.au/a-tale-of-two-cutting-cultures/) - President Obama recently toured Kenya and gave a powerful speech in which he labelled female genital mutilation a bad tradition that has no place in the 21st century. This remains a controversial thing to say in Kenya, where more than a quarter of women aged 15 to 49 are living with mutilated genitals, and Obama
- [Eric Abetz and the Case for Same-Sex Marriage](https://rationalist.com.au/eric-abetz-and-the-case-for-same-sex-marriage/) - Not once in his flawed jeremiad The fight for same-sex marriage in Australia is far from over does Eric Abetz refer to the rights of gay and lesbian people. It’s almost as if they don’t exist at all. But by his use of “Bizarro” world logic he actually makes the argument for the LGBT Community. Notwithstanding, most
- [Time to think with our head](https://rationalist.com.au/time-to-think-with-our-head/) - IN 1999 the Australian people rejected a constitutional amendment to establish a Republic. The continuing debate about replacing the hereditary British Monarch as our Head of State is desultory. The issue could become urgent if our present Queen came to the end of her reign. It would be much better to be prepared rather than
- [Religious instruction has no place in the education state](https://rationalist.com.au/religious-instruction-has-no-place-in-the-education-state/) - The promise from our new Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews, to make Victoria the "education state" is both welcome and timely. But one aspect of education that is increasingly worrying parents is the place of Special Religious Instruction (SRI) in Victorian government schools: 42 per cent have withdrawn their children from SRI over the last 12
- [Badmouthing god: blasphemy and freedom of expression](https://rationalist.com.au/badmouthing-god-blasphemy-and-freedom-of-expression/) - THE trouble with freedom of expression is that it applies to our enemies as well as our friends. We have to grant it to those we despise as well as those we admire. It applies equally to the most despicable expressions of the human psyche and to the loftiest and most elevated. [The following article was first published in the Australian Rationalist, no
- [On Secular Humanism being a Religion](https://rationalist.com.au/on-secular-humanism-being-a-religion/) - IN 2006, the Rationalist Society joined with the Council of Australian Humanist Societies and the Australian National Secular Association to sponsor a National Conference on "Separating Church and State: Keeping God out of Government". The Conference was publicised to a wide range of interested groups, including religious groups. The Publicity Officer (PR) received the following email from
- [Let us proclaim and defend Western values](https://rationalist.com.au/let-us-proclaim-and-defend-western-values/) - IN the face of the Charlie Hebdo murders, by religious fanatics, let us proclaim and defend the best of Western civilization's values: We, the people of Australia, hereby affirm our common values. They are based not on a single culture or tradition but are founded in all of the cultures that make up modern Australia. We
- [Letter: on Terrorism and Freedom](https://rationalist.com.au/letter-on-terrorism-and-freedom/) - In his seminal essay "Religion and Respect" Cambridge Professor of Philosophy Simon Blackburn ventures a secular definition of the sacred: "To regard something as sacred is to see it as marking a boundary to what may be done. Something is regarded as sacred when it is not to be sacrificed to other things, not to
- [Religious tax privileges](https://rationalist.com.au/religious-tax-privileges-as-concessions/) - IN 2004 the Rationalist Society of Australia commissioned Victoria University Graduate School of Business to investigate religious tax privileges. Their findings indicated religious organisations enjoy tax benefits of some 2 to 3% of total assets. Rationalist Society spokesman at the time, Peter Dumble, said the studies showed a need for much greater disclosure and transparency
- [Blasphemy, Insult and Freedom of Speech (a reaction)](https://rationalist.com.au/blasphemy-insult-and-freedom-of-speech-a-reaction/) - Graeme Lindenmayer is a member of the RSA and retired engineer with a continuing interest in science, philosophy and religion. Here he reacts to the article on "Blasphemy, Insult and Freedom of Speech". Three things made it very difficult for the issues in this debate to be discussed in any depth: [list type="bullet"] the topic was
- [Blasphemy, Insult and Freedom of Speech](https://rationalist.com.au/blasphemy-insult-and-freedom-of-speech/) - The IQ2 video here - "God and his Prophets Should be Protected from Insult" - pits two extremely articulate speakers - Uthman Badar and Julian Burnside - against two other equally convincing speakers - Yassmin Abdel-Magied and Tom Keneally. It goes for an hour and a half but it's well worth the effort. Below we republish a
- [The truth about Jesus](https://rationalist.com.au/the-truth-about-jesus/) - Sifting through what little evidence there is about the origins of Christianity... The truth about Jesus is that we just don’t know what the truth about Jesus is. There are of course a number of accounts of his life and words, and some of the deeds described and the sayings quoted may well have occurred
- [Finding common ground between faith and freethought ... ?](https://rationalist.com.au/finding-common-ground-between-faith-and-freethought/) - Over the past year or so, a number of us within the freethought movement have reached out to the "interfaith" community, challenging them to think beyond the confines of faith and begin talking with those of us who follow no faith. As a result, RSA President Meredith Doig was invited to join a panel at
- [Political candidates reject Special Religious Instruction](https://rationalist.com.au/candidates-in-victorian-election-reject-special-religious-instruction/) - ONE area of the political debate that has not received much attention in the Victorian state election campaign so far is the place of religion in state schools. The Rationalist Society of Australia, in conjunction with Fairness in Religions in School and the Secular Coalition of Australia, conducted a survey inviting all Victorian Upper and Lower
- [Religion, the State and the Law](https://rationalist.com.au/religion-the-state-and-the-law/) - CHURCH leaders have often expressed views on matters that many people would regard as 'political', that is, as matter of public policy and not church doctrine. There is nothing wrong with this as a general principle, of course, and members of the church may find those comments helpful in forming their own view on
- [Same difference? A comparison of the 'Establishment Clause' in the Australian and United States constitutions](https://rationalist.com.au/same-difference-a-comparison-of-the-establishment-clause-in-the-australian-and-united-states-constitutions/) - This article was first presented by Professor Helen Irving at the "Separating Church and State: Keeping God out of Government" national conference in Melbourne, June 2006. The conference was organised by the Australian National Secular Alliance, the Council of Australian Humanist Societies and the Rationalist Society of Australia. THE First Amendment of the United States Constitution
- [Atheistic Morality](https://rationalist.com.au/atheistic-morality/) - Introduction Here I conclude my critique of the major arguments raised by John Lennox at the "Cosmic Chemistry?" public lecture and the "Faith has its Reasons" conferences held several months ago. In this sixth and final part of the series, I discuss the claim made by Lennox that no sensible grounding of morality can be
- [How an approach to science helps define the political centre](https://rationalist.com.au/how-an-approach-to-science-helps-define-the-political-centre/) - There was a bit of talk over the last election cycle, expressed in the usual language of political left and right, about returning the pendulum to the “sensible centre”. Sounds a good idea, but what does it mean to be politically central? And where does science fit in? It has always been a goal of
- [Want to try practical philosophy?](https://rationalist.com.au/want-to-try-practical-philosophy-for-a-week-try-out-the-new-stoicism/) - The fastest growing trend in applied philosophy might just be "New Stoicism". What is this? New Stoicism is based on the most popular philosophy of ancient Rome -- but it's also influenced modern psychological practices like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Listen to Scientia Salon's Massimo Pigliucci's explanation of A day in the life of a practising Stoic. A
- [No Atheist should stand alone in the streets!](https://rationalist.com.au/no-atheist-should-stand-alone-in-the-streets/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia warmly welcomes the Association of Atheism of Turkey to the international community of freethinking. Among their goals is to ensure "No atheist should stand alone in the streets." And we think we had it tough... The Association of Atheism is, historically speaking, legally the first of its kind not only
- [Liberals betray education by funding religious proselytising](https://rationalist.com.au/napthine-liberals-betray-education-by-increasing-funding-of-religious-proselytising-in-schools/) - IN Victoria, the Napthine Liberals’ decision to increase funding of ACCESS Ministries to $2 million from $135,000 ignores growing concerns about religious proselytising in government schools, according to Dr Meredith Doig, President of the Rationalist Society of Australia. She says many parents and schools are deciding not to have their children subjected to what amounts
- [Submission: Rights and Responsibilities](https://rationalist.com.au/submission-to-the-australian-human-rights-commission-on-rights-and-responsibilities-2014/) - The Rationalist Society (RSA) is Australia’s oldest free-thought organisation, established in 1906. Over the past 100 years or so, the RSA has promoted reason and evidence-based decision making in public policy, independent of theological creeds and dogma. One of the major aims of the RSA is to raise awareness among the public of the value
- [Proving Jesus didn't exist is a logical fallacy](https://rationalist.com.au/proving-jesus-didnt-exist-is-a-logical-fallacy/) - By Brian Morris, Director of Plain Reason WITH new credible evidence that Christianity's founder was at best an ordinary Judean, and probably not even that, upholders of the faith become increasingly shrill. The circumstantial evidence is overwhelming -- in exactly the same way that countless celebrity court cases have been won on "indirect testimony". Yet Christian
- [The Evils of Atheism](https://rationalist.com.au/the-evils-of-atheism/) - Introduction HERE I continue my critique of the major arguments presented by John Lennox at the recent "Cosmic Chemistry?" public lecture and the "Faith has its Reasons" conference. In this fifth part of the series, I discuss the connections made by Lennox between New Atheism and Totalitarian Marxist regimes of the past. I first consider
- [Australian Imams reject ISIS Claims and Violence](https://rationalist.com.au/australian-imams-reject-isis-claims-and-violence/) - Just as the Australian media failed to publish the Open Letter to al-Baghdadi from 126 Muslim scholars that refutes ISIS, so we have seen no word about a media statement, reproduced below, from the Australian National Imams Council, in which the Grand Mufti of Australia calls the ISIS fighters "criminals" who are "committing crimes against humanity
- [Why the West Must Defend Freedom of Speech](https://rationalist.com.au/why-the-west-must-defend-freedom-of-speech/) - Our changing world Our human rights and freedoms are now recognised as the basis of Western secular society. It wasn't always so. Four hundred years ago, Europe was riven by wars of religion. Religion within a territory was uniform: imposed and enforced by the state. Torture and death awaited those who were accused of witchcraft,
- [Muslim Scholars Refute ISIS](https://rationalist.com.au/muslim-scholars-refute-isis/) - More than a hundred Muslim scholars and leaders from around the world released an open letter addressed to Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi on 24 September 2014, telling the self-proclaimed caliph in no uncertain terms that the group's use of Islamic scripture is illegitimate and perverse. The document, which was issued in Arabic and English on the
- [Secular Spirituality](https://rationalist.com.au/secular-spirituality/) - The Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians (2008) claims a place for spiritual wellbeing in education for all Australians when it declares that "confident and creative individuals have a sense of self-worth, self- awareness and personal identity that enables them to manage their emotional, mental, spiritual and physical wellbeing". [quote align="center" color="#999999"]This paper
- [WA Humanists celebrate a year of achievements](https://rationalist.com.au/wa-humanists-celebrate-a-year-of-achievements/) - Congratulations to the Humanist Society of WA for a busy and successful year. Here is what they've achieved, using the 10 Point Plan for a Secular Australia ... [table id=15 /]
- [The Rational Intelligibility of the Universe](https://rationalist.com.au/the-rational-intelligibility-of-the-universe/) - Introduction Here I continue my critique of the major arguments raised by John Lennox at the recent "Cosmic Chemistry?" public lecture and the "Faith has its Reasons" conference. In this third part of the series, I will discuss the claim made by Lennox that naturalistic science is unable to provide an explanation for why the
- [Explaining Language and Thought Naturalistically](https://rationalist.com.au/explaining-language-and-thought-naturalistically/) - During August 2014, Oxford Professor of mathematics John Lennox delivered a series of lectures in Australia on "Science and Faith in God." Considered a leading figure of the evangelical intelligentsia, Lennox made claims that James Fodor, President of the Secular Society of the University of Melbourne, disputes in a series of five articles. In Part 1, Fodor
- [The Betrayal of Sri Lanka](https://rationalist.com.au/the-betrayal-of-sri-lanka-2/) - Former Australian Deputy High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Bruce Haigh, argues that those who want to return Sri Lankan asylum seekers are turning a blind eye to the plight of the Tamils. AUSTRALIAN politics is a cartel, a virtual one-party state, guided by the principles laid down by the Dear Leader, John Howard, OM. Both of the
- [Presentation: The History of Ethics](https://rationalist.com.au/presentation-the-history-of-ethics/) - On 21 August 2014, RSA President Dr Meredith Doig made a presentation to the Central Victorian Atheists and Freethinkers on "The History of Ethics" - see slides below and the video of Steven Pinker and Rebecca Newberger Goldstein on "The Long Reach of Reason" that accompanied the presentation.
- [Rationalism and the Meaning of Life](https://rationalist.com.au/rationalism-and-the-meaning-of-life-2/) - As Editor of the Australian Rationalist and later as President of the Rationalist Society of Australia I was often called upon to justify the rationalist stance on life. It was easy to argue for the importance of only accepting conclusions on the basis of evidence and reasoning, and to extol the merits of those values
- [The origins of modern science and Christianity](https://rationalist.com.au/james-fodor-critiques-christian-apologist-john-lennox/) - During August 2014, Oxford Professor of mathematics John Lennox delivered a series of lectures in Australia on "Science and Faith in God." Considered a leading figure of the evangelical intelligentsia, Lennox made claims that James Fodor, President of the Secular Society of the University of Melbourne, disputes in a series of five articles. In this Part 1, Fodor
- [New coalition of faith and freethought](https://rationalist.com.au/new-coalition-of-faith-and-freethought/) - IN October 2012, the RSA joined with a representative of the Uniting Church to make a submission to the Victorian Multicultural Commission seeking support for an initiative to demonstrate intercultural understanding in Victorian public schools. That submission led to the formation of a coalition of faith and freethought organisations joining together to develop a diversity
- [European Union Guidelines on Freedom of Religion or Belief](https://rationalist.com.au/european-union-guidelines-on-freedom-of-religion-or-belief/) - On 24 June 2013 the European Union adopted Guidelines on the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief. I. Introduction A. Reason for Action 1. The right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief, more commonly referred to as the right to freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) is a fundamental right of every
- [Presentation: Reason vs Emotion: key drivers in the history of moral progress](https://rationalist.com.au/reason-vs-emotion-key-drivers-in-the-history-of-moral-progress/) - Reason vs Emotion: key drivers in the history of moral progress By Dr Meredith Doig President, Rationalist Society of Australia Inc. An address to the NSW Humanist Society, June 2014 Historically, Reason was assumed by the ancients and by medieval philosophers to be superior to Emotion – it was what made humans human. These
- [Is your favourite group a shark or a dolphin?](https://rationalist.com.au/is-your-favourite-group-a-shark-or-a-dolphin/) - In a pluralist society there's many shades and hues of stakeholder groups. Here's one way to think of them. Is your group a shark or a dolphin, a sea lion or an orca? [table id=13 /]
- [High Court upholds Challenge to Chaplaincy Program](https://rationalist.com.au/high-court-upholds-ron-williams-challenge-to-chaplaincy-program/) - Thursday 19 June 2014 The High Court has upheld the second Williams challenge to the constitutionality of the National Chaplaincy Program. As far as I can tell, the Court's argument goes something like this: the Commonwealth argued it had authority to fund the Chaplaincy Program because of section 51 (part xxiiiA) of the Constitution. This
- [New push for Dying with Dignity](https://rationalist.com.au/new-push-for-dying-with-dignity/) - Peter Short is dying of a terrible form of cancer. And still, legislators in this country refuse to allow him to die the sort of death he wants. We know the medical profession already practises voluntary euthanasia - just talk to anyone in your family who's had an elderly relative in hospital at the end
- [Survey of Religion in South Australian schools](https://rationalist.com.au/survey-of-religion-in-south-australian-schools/) - Brian Morris is a professional journalist and director of "Plain Reason" in South Australia. In April 2014 he approached the RSA, seeking support for a survey he wanted to conduct. Plain Reason suspected that, while South Australian schools should have been free of Special Religious Instruction since 1968, it may be creeping back, due to the
- ["A Current Affair" blasts ACCESS Ministries](https://rationalist.com.au/a-current-affair-blasts-access-ministries/) - Channel 9's ACA blasted ACCESS Ministries for their evangelistic tactics in Australian schools - see the video segment here. It also features on Nine news - see here. Will they sue?
- [RSA Committee agrees to support Young Australian Skeptics](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-committee-agrees-to-support-young-australian-skeptics/) - The RSA Committee has agreed to support the Young Australian Skeptics for two years. President Meredith Doig said, "This is a two way street. We believe in supporting young people as they develop their policy and communication skills. We get the benefit of their social media savvy, as well as exposure to their younger audience
- [Dr Rodney Syme: champion of human rights](https://rationalist.com.au/dr-rodney-syme-champion-of-human-rights/) - Frustrated by lack of action by Parliamentarians in acknowledging the wishes of their electors re the legalisation of voluntary euthanasia, Dr Rodney Syme has chosen to declare his role in the death of Steve Guest. Many doctors support his courageous stand and wrote the following Letter to the Editor. It was not published. We know
- [Investment and cognitive bias](https://rationalist.com.au/investment-and-cognitive-bias/) - Cognitive fallacies can damage that most iconic of self-interested activities: investing.
- [On Reason and Reasoning](https://rationalist.com.au/on-reason-and-reasoning/) - Brilliant new video on Reason by Steven Pinker and Rebecca Newberger Goldstein - http://on.ted.com/g06r5
- [Marion Maddox goes head-to-head with Justine Toh](https://rationalist.com.au/marion-maddox-goes-head-to-head-with-justine-toh/) - Justine Toh is a very articulate Senior Research Fellow from the Centre for Public Christianity; Marion Maddox has just written a book called "Taking God to School". Listen here to a brilliant discussion between them about the value of education in schools, first aired on the ABC's Nightlife with Tony Delroy.
- [Submission: Review of the National Curriculum](https://rationalist.com.au/submission-to-the-review-of-the-national-curriculum/) - Why a national curriculum? The national curriculum arose ostensibly in response to those Australians whose jobs took them to different states and territories (eg, the military) or who for other reasons moved from one state to another. They expressed frustration that their children suffered because of the lack of comparability between different states’ education systems.
- [Letter: To Bill Nye, apologising about Ken Ham](https://rationalist.com.au/an-open-letter-to-bill-nye-the-science-guy/) - Dear Bill, Sunday 2nd Feb 2014 We’re sorry. We’re really sorry. We know how you American rationalists think of us Aussies. You think we’re all so busy clinging on to the bottom of the world with our fingertips that we don’t have time to waste concerning ourselves with silly creationist ideas – that we’re a haven
- [Child Evangelists in Australia](https://rationalist.com.au/child-evangelists-in-australia/) - Graham McDonald is an Australian evangelist who teaches that: all children indulge in sin and that sin "must be punished" heaven is a real place and that children as young as seven or even less can go to hell because the Bible says so, there should be physical hitting of children all religions other than his religion
- [Welcome to the Education Culture Wars](https://rationalist.com.au/welcome-to-the-education-culture-wars/) - The Rationalist Society supports Freedom of Religion and Freedom of Belief. But freedom implies informed choice. If someone is not familiar with alternative belief systems, how can they freely choose which religion or belief system to follow? This is why the RSA supports the provision of General Religious Education in schools - so students have
- [RSA: religious indoctrination not on but GRE welcome](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-religious-indoctrination-not-on-but-gre-welcome/) - RSA President Dr Meredith Doig welcomed more general religious education in Australian schools today but warned that indoctrination, in the form of Special Religious Instruction (SRI), is not on. Dr Doig was being interviewed on ABC about the announcement of a review of the National Curriculum. The review has all the hallmarks of another of
- [Honesty and Ethics Rating of Clergy Slides to New Low](https://rationalist.com.au/honesty-and-ethics-rating-of-clergy-slides-to-new-low/) - Americans' rating of the honesty and ethics of the clergy has fallen to 47%, the first time this rating has dropped below 50% since Gallup first asked about the clergy in 1977 via Honesty and Ethics Rating of Clergy Slides to New Low.
- [Growing numbers of Australians non-religious](https://rationalist.com.au/growing-numbers-of-australians-non-religious/) - The Australian Bureau of Statistics analyse the "Religion" question in the 2011 census. Australian Social Trends, Nov 2013.
- [Climate change kills people - just how bad is that?](https://rationalist.com.au/climate-change-kills-people-just-how-bad-is-that/) - John Broome is an Oxford philosopher and a lead author of the International Panel on Climate Change report. In this article, he challenges the American obsession with an economic evaluation of climate change. Climate change controversy takes a philosophical turn.
- [‘Ex-Gay’ Counselling: It’s Happening In Australian Schools](https://rationalist.com.au/ex-gay-counselling-its-happening-in-australian-schools/) - The Global Mail writer Luke Williams exposes the superstition and bigotry of some Christian schools in Australia in ‘Ex-Gay’ Counselling: It’s Happening In Australian Schools
- [The War Against Christians?](https://rationalist.com.au/the-war-against-christians/) - Barney Zwartz, The Age's Religion Editor, on the "war against Christianity": Age of intolerance: the war on religion. But being religious is not like being black or white or brown - it's a choice. That's why a secular political system is the answer: tolerance of all views, as long as they don't harm others. Plus intolerance of intolerance,
- [The Case for Secularism: a Neutral State in an Open Society](https://rationalist.com.au/the-case-for-secularism-a-neutral-state-in-an-open-society/) - By Julian Baggini, British philosopher Consider the following statement from a Bishop of the Church of England: British society is based on a Christian vision and Christian values. Its institutions, its laws, its customs, all these arise out of a Christian vision. And this is the best basis to have an open and welcoming society
- [Secularism and Constitutionalism: The Legacy of George Higinbotham](https://rationalist.com.au/secularism-and-constitutionalism-the-legacy-of-george-higginbotham/) - The following article is the inaugural Higinbotham Lecture delivered by the Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG to the RMIT Law School on 18 March 2013 in Melbourne. It is reproduced here with permission. RMIT LAW SCHOOL INAUGURAL HIGINBOTHAM LECTURE 2013 MELBOURNE, 18 MARCH 2013 GEORGE HIGINBOTHAM, SECULARISM AND CONSTITUTIONALISM THE HON MICHAEL KIRBY AC CMG((Justice
- [What Atheism Means to Me and What It Does Not Mean](https://rationalist.com.au/what-atheism-means-to-me-and-what-it-does-not-mean/) - Talk given to the Atheist Society, Melbourne, on 10 July 2012 The main reason for this talk is that atheism and atheists have been beset over the years with false or “straw man” definitions, descriptions and requirements, emanating mainly from people opposed to atheism and seeking to discredit or malign atheism and atheists. Some
- [On Secularism in Australia: response to a Year 12 student](https://rationalist.com.au/on-secularism-in-australia-response-to-a-year-12-student/) - The RSA received a request for information from an HSC student at a Christian School in NSW. She is taking a subject called Studies of Religion and has been given a task on Religion & Belief Systems in Australia Post 1945. She choose the topic 'Secularism' and she sent us, and presumably other secular groups,
- [Australia ranks at the bottom for social justice, but better than the US](https://rationalist.com.au/australia-ranks-at-the-bottom-for-social-justice-but-better-than-the-us/) - In a 2011 report by the OECD, Australia ranks in the bottom five countries for overall poverty prevention, senior citizen poverty and investment in pre-primary education. Australia does better in health and 'intergenerational justice', ranking in the top 16. The US ranks in the bottom five in 5 out of 9 measures. The top rating
- [Belgium: State funding to be withdrawn from religious schools that fail to teach mandatory curriculum](https://rationalist.com.au/belgium-state-funding-to-be-withdrawn-from-religious-schools-that-fail-to-teach-mandatory-curriculum/) - In Belgium all schools, including private schools, must teach their agreed national curriculum or have their funding removed.Let's see if Australian governments have such guts. At present in Australia there are schools that teach creationism as science and our governments simply turn a blind eye. Pathetic. Belgium: State funding to be withdrawn from religious schools that fail to
- [Values in a democractic society](https://rationalist.com.au/a-good-news-story/) - Conservative religionists like to claim there is an alarming 'values deficit' in our schools. Not so. I just came across the following resource available for Australian school teachers, one that encapsulates pretty neatly the sort of values I would like to see inculcated into the next generation of young Australians. Values and democratic society The
- [A Guide to Moral Decision Making](https://rationalist.com.au/a-guide-to-moral-decision-making/) - Chris MacDonald is a Canada-based philosopher. Here he sets out practical guide on how to choose when faced with a moral dilemma. A Guide to Moral Decision Making.
- [Uniting Church challenges Access Ministries SRI syllabus](https://rationalist.com.au/uniting-church-challenges-access-ministries-sri-syllabus/) - At last, one of the religious organisations that are members of ACCESS Ministries has spoken out against the 'biblical literalism' of the current SRI syllabus. But oh, so gently ... Update wanted for religious education.
- [One Law for All: campaigning against sharia and religious laws](https://rationalist.com.au/one-law-for-all-campaigning-against-sharia-and-religious-laws/) - Lecture to Conway Hall Ethical Society by Anne Marie Waters 9 June 2013 The official number of sharia tribunals and councils in the United Kingdom is 85; this is a figure reached in a Civitas report in 2009. The real figure is likely to be far higher and it is a figure that should trouble
- [The 'perfect injustice': Australian corruption.](https://rationalist.com.au/the-perfect-injustice-is-australia-more-corrupt-than-we-think/) - The 'perfect injustice': is Australia more corrupt than we think? Corruption is pervasive, diverse and present in almost all areas of society. From the “greed is good” heyday of the 1980s that encompassed the rise and fall of corporate high-flyers such as Christopher Skase, right through to the 2000s and the spectacular collapses of Enron
- [Media Release: Visitor Urges Australians to Reclaim Secular Heritage](https://rationalist.com.au/visiting-american-urges-australians-to-reclaim-secular-heritage/) - Media Release 21 March 2013 A campaign is underway to return Australia to its former status as a genuinely secular nation. Australia was originally established on secular principles with clear separation between church and state. As Malcolm Fraser said, “Tony Abbott wants all Australians to be taught about Christianity, to be made to read the
- [Media Release: ACT Chief Minister Strikes a Blow for Equality](https://rationalist.com.au/act-chief-minister-strikes-a-blow-for-australian-equality/) - Media Release 6 January 2013 The decision by ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher to decline an invitation to attend a church service to mark the beginning of the ACT Assembly’s year is an important gesture for equality in Australia’s increasingly diverse society, according to Dr Meredith Doig, President of the Rationalist Society of Australia. She
- [Religion and Belief Systems in Australia post 1945](https://rationalist.com.au/religion-and-belief-systems-in-australia-post-1945/) - The RSA recently received a request from an HSC student at a Christian School in NSW. She is taking a subject called Studies of Religion and has been given an assessment task on Religion & Belief Systems in Australia Post 1945. She choose the topic “Secularism” and she sent us, and presumably other secular groups, a series of questions. The President Emeritas of the RSA answered her questions on behalf of the RSA as follows. [They are his own personal views and do no necessarily reflect the position of the RSA.] Dear Veronica [not her real name]
- [Submission: National School Chaplaincy Program](https://rationalist.com.au/submission-to-nscp-review/) - Rationalists remind the Government that education in government schools is meant to be secular; that lay religious persons are not qualified to deal professionally with the serious issues they are often confronted with as chaplains; and that the covert preference accorded protestant Christianity through the National Schools Chaplaincy Program is contrary to the principle of
- [Assuring Secularism in Victorian Government Schools](https://rationalist.com.au/assuring-secularism-in-vic-govt-schools/) - A Submission to the Victorian Government May 2010 Background In 1872 the Victorian Education Act prescribed free secular education during regular school hours. Religious instruction by volunteers was only allowed outside regular school hours. In the 1950s, following intense lobbying by religious groups, the Government agreed to allow volunteers to enter schools during school hours
- [Letter: to NSW Minister for Education re Ethics Classes Trial](https://rationalist.com.au/ethics-trial-in-nsw/) - This letter was sent to the NSW Minister for Education Verity Firth by RSA member John Turner:
- [Submission: Religion and Belief in the 21st Century](https://rationalist.com.au/submission-freedom-of-religion-and-belief-in-the-21st-century/) - In 2008, the Australian Human Rights Commission held an inquiry into "Freedom of Religion and Belief in the 21st Century". According to the Commission's website: This project builds on the Commission’s earlier report Article 18: Freedom of Religion and Belief released in 1998 and the 2004 report Religion, Cultural Diversity and Safeguarding Australia, by the
- [6 Facts You Need to Know About Steiner Education](https://rationalist.com.au/6-facts-you-need-to-know-about-steiner-education/) - Steiner education has established itself in the Victorian education system, but information provided school administrations, current and prospective parents and the general public about Steiner and his educational doctrine is at the very least incomplete or, more disturbingly, misleading. We urge anyone thinking about becoming involved with Steiner education to consider these facts on their
- [Media Release: Freedom of religion only with freedom of choice](https://rationalist.com.au/freedom-of-religion-only-possible-if-there-is-freedom-of-choice-of-religion/) - 1 February 2009 The Rationalist Society of Australia has made an important submission to the Australian Human Rights Commission inquiry into Freedom of Religion and Belief in the 21st Century. Some key messages from the RSA submission are: (1) We are concerned that statements which promote freedom of religion as a part of Human Rights vehicles
- [Media Release: Rationalists Condemn Advertising Ban](https://rationalist.com.au/rationalists-condemn-advertising-ban/) - Media Release 26 November 2008 A ban on an advertising atheism was today described as a gross infringement of free speech. According to ABC Radio's Religion Report the Atheist Foundation of Australia has been refused the right to display its ads on public transport in South Australia. The President of the Rationalist Society of Australia, Ian Robinson,
- [Submission: Australia’s Future Tax System](https://rationalist.com.au/submission-australias-future-tax-system/) - Inquiry into Australia’s Future Tax System Submission by the Rationalist Society of Australia Inc. 16 October 2008 The Rationalist Society of Australia welcomes the opportunity to submit our views regarding aspects of the Australian tax system, and would also very much welcome the opportunity to elaborate on our views to the members of the Inquiry
- [Media Release: World Youth Day - Not!](https://rationalist.com.au/world-youth-day-not/) - Media Release 3 July 2008 “The degree of public support for the sectarian and deceptively entitled ‘World Youth Day’ is totally unacceptable in a secular society” the President of the Rationalist Society of Australia said today. “The event is not about the World, it’s about the minority of Catholics who live in it; it’s not
- [Fundamentalist Islam and rise of alt-right go hand-in-hand](https://rationalist.com.au/fundamentalist-islam-and-rise-of-alt-right-go-hand-in-hand/) - One Nation’s second incarnation reflects a global mood of concern with Islamism and jihadism. Pollsters from the major parties have confirmed that its support is grounded in a hardening of attitudes towards Islam. Source: Courier Mail: Fundamentalist Islam and rise of alt-right go hand-in-hand Growing levels of support for One Nation and other parties of
- [Australians overwhelming support separation of religion and politics, new research shows](https://rationalist.com.au/australians-overwhelming-support-separation-of-religion-and-politics-new-research-shows/) - The vast majority of Australians support the separation of church and state, and oppose attempts by religious leaders to influence elections, new research shows. The Religion in Australian politics and society report, published this month by a team of researchers at Macquarie University, found that 82 per cent of Australians agreed that “religion should be
- [Removing exemption for BRCs would enhance public trust in charities system, webinar told](https://rationalist.com.au/removing-exemption-for-brcs-would-enhance-public-trust-in-charities-system-webinar-told/) - Small parishes and churches that are exempt from financial reporting to government authorities already report financial information within their own denominational structures at levels far exceeding that required of other small charities, the latest RSA Webinar has heard. At Wednesday’s webinar, guest speaker Dr Philip Saj shared findings from his research on Basic Religious Charities
- [Mayor labels prayer rituals ‘exclusionary’ as council removes practice](https://rationalist.com.au/mayor-labels-prayer-rituals-exclusionary-as-council-removes-practice/) - The mayor of a council in Melbourne’s north-eastern suburbs labelled reciting Christian prayers at the opening of government meetings as exclusionary as he cast the deciding vote to remove the practice. At the Nillumbik Shire Council on Tuesday, Mayor Ben Ramcharan supported the proposal to remove prayers as part of changes to the Governance Rules, arguing
- [Public schoolchildren warned of ‘hellfire’ in New South Wales](https://rationalist.com.au/public-schoolchildren-warned-of-hellfire-in-new-south-wales/) - Islamic instructors are using New South Wales public school classrooms to teach children about “hellfire” and to warn Muslim children to not “compromise or change your identity”. In teaching materials published online by Islamic Special Religious Education (ISRE), provided by the Islamic Council of NSW, students as young as eight (year 3) are told to
- [Brisbane mayor calls on Christians to share ‘hope’ to address homelessness](https://rationalist.com.au/brisbane-mayor-calls-on-christians-to-share-hope-to-address-homelessness/) - Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has suggested to the Christian community that sharing their “hope” from God with the community can help address the problem of homelessness. In a speech about homelessness to an audience of Christians at the Lord Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast earlier this month, Mayor Schrinner argued that, while governments had a role
- [RSA welcomes committee’s recommendation on political advertising laws](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-welcomes-committees-recommendation-on-political-advertising-laws/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia welcomes the recommendation by a parliamentary committee for the introduction of federal laws for truth in political advertising to enhance the integrity and transparency of Australia’s electoral system. In an interim report published this month on the inquiry into the conduct of the 2022 federal election, the Joint Standing Committee
- [State Labor conference sends strong message to QLD government on RI](https://rationalist.com.au/state-labor-conference-sends-strong-message-to-qld-government-on-ri/) - Members of the Queensland Labor Party have sent a strong message to the Palaszczuk government that they want Religious Instruction (RI) classes to be moved outside of class time and teaching time given back to professional teachers. Delegates at the party’s state conference, held in Mackay on the weekend, unanimously passed a resolution on RI.
- [Public consultation gives Councillor Franco hope of ending long-running prayer battle](https://rationalist.com.au/public-consultation-gives-councillor-franco-hope-of-ending-long-running-prayer-battle/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia is urging citizens of the Boroondara community and pro-secular Australians to show their support for Councillor Victor Franco by making submissions to a public consultation on the issue of prayers in council meetings. Until 5pm on Tuesday 20 June, Boroondara City Council is accepting public feedback on rule 18A of
- [Labor policy platform drops support for “universal, free, secular” schooling](https://rationalist.com.au/labor-policy-platform-drops-support-for-universal-free-secular-schooling/) - The federal Labor Party has removed the word ‘secular’ from the section about education in its new draft national policy platform. The draft National Platform – released this week to party members as part of a consultation process, and viewed by the Rationalist Society of Australia – describes public schools as “among our nation’s most
- [South Australia’s statement on public education omits ‘secular’](https://rationalist.com.au/south-australias-statement-on-public-education-omits-secular/) - Calls for South Australia to recommit to secularism as a foundational principle of public education appear to have fallen on deaf ears. Following a public consultation process earlier this year, the state’s education department has released a draft ‘purpose statement for public education’, with the statement to help set the direction of the department and
- [WA primary school finally appoints secular student support worker](https://rationalist.com.au/wa-primary-school-finally-appoints-secular-student-support-worker/) - A West Australian public primary school whose community led the grassroots push against religious chaplaincy across the state last year has finally been able to appoint a secular worker under the new National Student Wellbeing Program (NSWP). In a school newsletter earlier this month, Maylands Peninsula Primary School principal Paul Andrijich welcomed the appointment of
- [NSW upper house member pushes for inquiry on Lord’s Prayer](https://rationalist.com.au/nsw-upper-house-member-push-for-inquiry-on-lords-prayer/) - New South Wales upper house member Abigail Boyd will push for a committee inquiry into the appropriateness of opening the state parliament each day with the recital of exclusively Christian prayers. The Greens MLC has put a motion on the Notice Paper for the matter to be referred to the Legislative Council’s Procedures Committee. In
- [Peak body for councils rejects motion on prayer, but fight to continue in Victoria](https://rationalist.com.au/peak-body-for-councils-rejects-motion-on-prayer-but-fight-to-continue-in-victoria/) - The governing body of the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) has rejected a motion calling on it to intervene in the issue of prayer recitals in local government meetings, but advocates for reform have vowed to continue their fight. At the State Council meeting of the MAV on Friday, just 25 per cent of delegates
- [Victorian Attorney-General stands by commitment to replace parliament’s prayer rituals](https://rationalist.com.au/victorian-attorney-general-stands-by-commitment-to-replace-parliaments-prayer-rituals/) - Victorian Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes has re-affirmed the Andrews government’s commitment to developing a replacement for the Lord’s Prayer as part of the parliament’s formal proceedings. In an answer to a question in the Legislative Council yesterday, Ms Symes said she stood by the commitment given in 2021 that a re-elected Labor government would workshop a
- [Political champion needed to advance portable public holidays idea](https://rationalist.com.au/political-champion-needed-to-advance-portable-public-holidays-idea/) - A proposal to change the system of public holidays to better reflect Australia’s increasing cultural diversity and the rise of the non-religious needs a political champion to succeed, the latest episode of The Secular Agenda podcast has heard. In an interview for the podcast, Hugh Piper, the Program Lead at the Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy and
- [Queensland state school observes weekly prayer recital](https://rationalist.com.au/queensland-state-school-observes-weekly-prayer-recital/) - A public primary school in Queensland asks its pupils to observe a prayer ritual each week at a whole-school assembly. A prospectus document found online details the ‘morning prayer’ ritual as part of the weekly ‘Parade’ at Rochedale State School in Brisbane, with children required to recite that, “Into your hands O God, we commend
- [EXCLUSIVE: Defence bishop urges “missionary” chaplains to resist “compromising” their message](https://rationalist.com.au/exclusive-defence-bishop-urges-missionary-chaplains-to-resist-compromising-their-message/) - Defence chaplains are “missionaries” and must be strong enough to “resist” pressures to “compromise their message”, according to the Anglican bishop of the Australian Defence Force. In a report to last year’s Anglican General Synod, Bishop Grant Dibden (pictured) said the Defence Force was becoming an “increasingly difficult climate of growing secularism and pluralism” for
- [ACT government decision on Catholic hospital welcome news for taxpayers](https://rationalist.com.au/act-government-decision-on-catholic-hospital-welcome-news-for-ratepayers/) - The ACT government’s decision to takeover a publicly funded Catholic hospital within a matter of weeks is a welcome outcome for taxpayers who will be able to access healthcare free from the interference of religious dogma, says the Rationalist Society of Australia. Yesterday, the Barr government introduced legislation into the ACT Legislative Assembly to compulsorily
- [RSA asks NSW Premier to address prayer issue in new parliament](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-asks-nsw-premier-to-address-prayer-issue-in-new-parliament/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has urged new Premier Chris Minns to replace Christian worship in the New South Wales Parliament with practices that better reflect the state’s multicultural community. With the New South Wales Parliament set to return tomorrow, RSA president Meredith Doig has written to Mr Minns and new multiculturalism minister Steve Kamper
- [RSA questions new education minister on religious segregation and teaching of creationism](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-questions-new-education-minister-on-religious-segregation-and-teaching-of-creationism/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has sought confirmation from the new Minns government on whether it will continue to segregate public schoolchildren along religious lines through the Special Religious Education (SRE) program. In a letter to the New South Wales education minister Prue Car, RSA president Meredith Doig has also asked what the state government
- [Hawkesbury councillors block push to re-introduce prayers](https://rationalist.com.au/hawkesbury-councillors-block-push-to-re-introduce-prayers/) - Councillors at Hawkesbury City Council in New South Wales have stood up for the principle of separation of church and state in blocking a push to have Christian worship re-inserted into council proceedings. At the council’s 31 January meeting, Councillor Eddie Dogramaci introduced a motion proposing the return of prayer recitals at the opening of
- [Peak body for Victoria’s local governments set to consider directive on prayer](https://rationalist.com.au/peak-body-for-victorias-local-governments-set-to-consider-directive-on-prayer/) - Victoria’s peak body representing local governments will this month deliberate on whether to support a call for all councils across the state to remove prayer rituals from their formal meetings. The City of Yarra council has submitted a motion to the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) asking that the MAV agree to take action on
- [RSA pushes for removal of barriers to abortion services in ACT](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-pushes-for-removal-of-barriers-to-abortion-services-in-act/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has called on the Barr government to adopt a number of the recommendations by a parliamentary committee to improve access to abortion services in the Australian Capital Territory. In a letter to the territory government’s health minister, Rachel Stephen-Smith, the RSA urged the government to remove remaining barriers to women
- [Government intervention, citizenship keys to combating rising extremism, webinar told](https://rationalist.com.au/government-intervention-citizenship-keys-to-combating-rising-extremism-webinar-told/) - Returning to more interventionist government and revitalising citizenship would help Australia combat the rise of extremist movements, the latest RSA Webinar has heard. At Wednesday’s webinar, guest speaker Dr Josh Roose presented on how the problem of re-emergent far-right extremism and populism in society has its roots in the West’s embrace of market economics and
- [Adelaide Lord Mayor changes practice of reciting prayers aloud](https://rationalist.com.au/adelaide-lord-mayor-changes-practice-of-reciting-prayers-aloud/) - In a stunning move at the opening of last night’s Adelaide City Council meeting, the Lord Mayor, Jane Lomax-Smith, changed the practice of reciting aloud Christian prayers at the opening of proceedings. Instead, Lord Mayor Lomax-Smith (pictured) invited councillors to “read the prayer as printed or reflect in a manner appropriate to their beliefs on
- [Minister’s office argues military ceremonies “remain welcoming to all”](https://rationalist.com.au/ministers-office-argues-military-ceremonies-remain-welcoming-to-all/) - The office of Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel minister Matt Keogh says military commemorations such as Anzac Day services “remain welcoming to all”, despite mounting criticism that ceremonial activities are too religious and, specifically, too Christian. In a letter to the Rationalist Society of Australia, chief of staff Nicola Gordon-Smith said the inclusion of religious
- [‘Don’t be intimidated by Christian Lobby campaign on prayers’, RSA tells Adelaide councillors](https://rationalist.com.au/dont-be-intimidated-by-christian-lobby-campaign-on-prayers-rsa-tells-adelaide-councillors/) - A mass letter-writing campaign orchestrated by the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) could “scare off” councillors at the City of Adelaide from replacing Christian worship in council meetings with more inclusive practices. Councillor Keiran Snape has told the Rationalist Society of Australia that he and his colleagues have been bombarded with hundreds of letters from ACL
- [RSA calls for review of religious charities' financial reporting exemptions](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-calls-for-review-of-religious-charities-financial-reporting-exemptions/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has called on the Albanese government to review laws that exempt religious charities from having to comply with the financial reporting obligations and governance standards that apply to other charities. In a letter to the Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury, Andrew Leigh, last week, the RSA raised concerns
- [RSA points to Adelaide's non-religious majority to counter Christian campaign on prayers](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-points-to-adelaides-non-religious-majority-to-counter-christian-campaign-on-prayers/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has reminded councillors at the City of Adelaide that the majority of their citizens are not religious, as the council faces an Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) campaign urging the retention of Christian worship as part of meetings. With the council currently considering removing prayers, the ACL has launched a mass
- [RSA urges Labor senator to help push for reform on prayer rituals](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-urges-labor-senator-to-help-push-for-reform-on-prayer-rituals/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has called on Labor Senator Fatima Payman to work with her parliamentary colleagues to replace daily Christian worship with more inclusive practices in the federal parliament. Appearing on the ABC’s Q+A program last week, Senator Payman (pictured) said that, while she used the Christian prayer recitals at the opening of
- [Video of Religious Instruction missionaries “horrified” parents in Queensland](https://rationalist.com.au/video-of-religious-instruction-missionaries-horrified-parents-in-queensland/) - The release of a video in which Religious Instruction (RI) missionaries describe public schools as “mission fields” for “harvesting” children has revealed for parents the true nature of the RI program, a secular advocate told ABC radio today. Speaking on the Life Matters program, Alison Courtice (pictured), of the Queensland Parents for Secular State Schools,
- [Defence Force removes references to religion in ‘character’ doctrine](https://rationalist.com.au/defence-force-removes-references-to-religion-in-character-doctrine/) - The Australian Defence Force’s newly released doctrine on ‘character’ is devoid of express references to Christianity, marking a clear departure from previous doctrinal approaches dominated by religious concepts. Early this month, the Defence Force released the first edition of its Defence-wide Character in the Profession of Arms, describing it as the “principal text on character
- [South Australia considering removal of religious exemptions](https://rationalist.com.au/south-australia-considering-removal-of-religious-exemptions/) - The South Australian government is considering amendments to the state’s Equal Opportunity Act 1984 to remove religious exemptions for religious bodies, the Attorney-General has confirmed. In response to questions in the state’s upper house, Attorney-General Kyam Maher confirmed that the Malinauskas government would consider amendments to the Act and examine similar changes made in other
- [Alumni criticise Opus Dei schools’ 'deplorable behaviour'](https://rationalist.com.au/alumni-criticise-opus-dei-schools-deplorable-behaviour/) - A group of former students who raised concerns about Opus Dei schools as part of an ABC investigation say many more alumni have come forward with similar allegations since the show went to air in January. In an newly published Open Letter to the Principals of the conservative Catholic sect schools published online, the group
- [Gaffney’s bid to remove prayer thwarted as vote in Tassie upper house narrowly falls short](https://rationalist.com.au/gaffneys-bid-to-remove-prayer-thwarted-as-vote-in-tassie-upper-house-narrowly-falls-short/) - Independent member Mike Gaffney’s bid to remove prayer rituals from the Legislative Council of the Tasmanian Parliament has been thwarted, with a vote on whether to send the issue to a committee narrowly falling short. Instead of supporting Mr Gaffney’s original motion today, the Legislative Council agreed to an amendment to refer the matter to
- [Mike Gaffney’s motion to replace prayer puts Tassie upper house on verge of history](https://rationalist.com.au/mike-gaffneys-motion-to-replace-prayer-puts-tassie-upper-house-on-verge-of-history/) - The Tasmanian upper house could become the first house of an Australian state or federal parliament to replace daily prayer rituals with more secular and inclusive practices, with a new motion expected to be debated soon. In parliament today, Mike Gaffney, an independent member of the Legislative Council, gave notice that he would move a
- [Creationism ‘common’ in religious instruction materials, webinar told](https://rationalist.com.au/creationism-common-in-religious-instruction-materials-webinar-told/) - The teaching of creationism is commonplace within religious instruction programs in Australian public schools, the latest RSA Webinar has heard. At Wednesday’s webinar, guest speaker Dr Jennifer Bleazby said religious instruction teachers operating in New South Wales and Queensland schools use numerous methods of indoctrination and deliver content that undermines official curricula – especially science.
- [RSA urges South Australian government to recommit to public education statement](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-urges-south-australian-government-to-recommit-to-public-education-statement/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has called on the South Australia government to re-adopt a previous Labor government’s foundational statement on public education, including the commitment to secular schooling. As part of a public consultation on the ‘Purpose of public education in South Australia’, the RSA has recommended the Malinauskas government re-adopt principles in the
- [NSW government ignores concerns about teaching of creationism in state schools](https://rationalist.com.au/nsw-government-ignores-concerns-about-teaching-of-creationism-in-state-schools/) - The Perrottet government appears to be unconcerned that creationism is being taught in the state’s public schools under the guise of the Special Religious Education (SRE) program. New South Wales education minister Sarah Mitchell (pictured) and her department have ignored concerns raised by the Rationalist Society of Australia about SRE teaching materials that promote the
- [RSA seeks answers from NSW government over creationist teaching materials in SRE](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-seeks-answers-from-nsw-government-over-creationist-teaching-materials-in-sre/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has questioned the New South Wales education minister on why the government appears to be allowing the teaching of creationism in public schools as part of the Special Religious Education (SRE) program. The RSA has discovered an SRE teaching manual that promotes the creationist myth and is used by Anglican
- [Chaplaincy provider removes ‘proselytising’ videos after RSA complaint](https://rationalist.com.au/chaplaincy-provider-removes-proselytising-videos-after-rsa-complaint/) - A provider of chaplains to public schools in Western Australia has removed videos from the internet that featured its staff talking about how they use their positions in schools to connect children with churches. Following a complaint by the Rationalist Society of Australia about the videos on YouthCARE’s Vimeo channel, the state education minister Tony
- [Councillor Franco welcomes step towards removing prayers at Boroondara](https://rationalist.com.au/councillor-franco-welcomes-step-to-removing-prayers-at-boroondara/) - Non-religious councillor Victor Franco has welcomed the City of Boroondara’s decision to stop reciting prayers at the opening of council meetings while a public consultation into the matter takes place. Yesterday, Councilor Franco told the ABC Radio Breakfast program that he was “pleased” that the council took the decision at its last meeting in what
- ['Time is up': RSA calls on Queenslanders to make voices heard on RI](https://rationalist.com.au/time-is-up-rsa-calls-on-queenslanders-to-make-voices-heard-on-ri/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia is urging Queenslanders to tell the state government that the “time is up” for Religious Instruction (RI) in state schools. With Labor MPs now publicly voicing their opposition and raising questions about the RI program in response to media reports about Christian missionaries using the program to “harvest” children, now
- [RSA steps up push for review of Religious Instruction in QLD](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-steps-up-push-for-review-of-religious-instruction-in-qld/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has called on the Queensland government to conduct a proper review of the Religious Instruction (RI) program, following intense media scrutiny of the controversial program. The Courier-Mail has this week reported on how RI teachers from Citipointe Church West in Brisbane have, in a video published online, talked about using
- [New common framework needed to address disadvantage in school system, RSA Webinar hears](https://rationalist.com.au/new-common-framework-needed-to-address-disadvantage-in-school-system-rsa-webinar-hears/) - Australia’s education system needs a common framework of responsibilities and obligations to ensure that all publicly funded schools are accessible to all children, the latest RSA Webinar has heard. At Wednesday’s webinar, guest speaker Chris Bonnor, an established author on public education and schools funding, said such a new framework would help address declining achievement
- [Acting on RI ‘low-hanging fruit’ for QLD government, says secular advocates](https://rationalist.com.au/acting-on-ri-low-hanging-fruit-for-qld-government-says-secular-advocates/) - Removing the right of religious missionaries to take over classrooms to deliver Religious Instruction in Queensland state schools would not be controversial, a secular advocacy group has said. In an interview on ABC Radio Far North on Tuesday, Alison Courtice, of Queensland Parents for Secular State Schools (QPSSS), said the state government had already demonstrated
- [RSA's submission supports proposed amendments on religious exemptions](https://rationalist.com.au/rsas-submission-supports-proposed-amendments-on-religious-exemptions/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has supported proposed amendments to repeal the exemptions from discrimination laws that allow religious schools and institutions to sack or discipline staff on a number of grounds. In a submission to the Australian Law Reform Commission’s (ALRC) consultation process into Religious Educational Institutions and Anti-Discrimination Laws, RSA president Meredith Doig
- [Submission to the Australian Law Reform Commission](https://rationalist.com.au/submission-to-the-australian-law-reform-commission/) - This is our submission to the Australian Law Reform Commission’s public consultation on ‘Religious Education Institutions and Anti-discrimination Laws’. Members of the public and organisations have until Friday 24 February 2023 to make submissions. 20 February 2023 Established in 1906, the RSA is Australia’s oldest freethought organisation working to promote evidence-based policy, reason and secularism.
- [Local health district apologises for displaying crucifixes in public hospital](https://rationalist.com.au/local-health-district-apologises-for-displaying-crucifixes-in-hospital/) - A local health district in Sydney’s west has apologised for displaying Christian crucifixes throughout one of its public facilities. In a letter to the Rationalist Society of Australia, the New South Wales Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Justin Clancy, explained that the Mount Druitt Hospital had continued to display crucifixes on its walls as it had
- [RSA seeks answers from minister after patient complains of crucifixes in NSW public hospital](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-seeks-answers-from-minister-after-patient-complains-over-crucifixes-in-nsw-public-hospital/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia is seeking answers from New South Wales health minister Brad Hazzard (pictured) following claims that a public hospital in Sydney’s west has been displaying Christian crucifixes on its walls. A woman attending the Mount Druitt Hospital to undergo an operation said she was surprised to discover wall-mounted crucifixes throughout the
- [RSA raises discrimination concerns with Redland Council CEO over prayer practice](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-raises-discrimination-concerns-with-redland-council-ceo-over-prayer-practice/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has questioned the Chief Executive of Redland City Council in Queensland as to whether the council's practice of opening meetings with up to 10 minutes of exclusively Christian worship is discriminatory. Earlier this month, RSA president Dr Meredith Doig wrote to Andrew Chesterman to ask if he had sought legal
- [Political advertising laws needed before referendum, says RSA](https://rationalist.com.au/political-advertising-laws-needed-before-referendum-says-rsa/) - The upcoming referendum on Indigenous recognition in the Constitution and a Voice to parliament adds urgency to the need for truth-in-political-advertising laws, the Rationalist Society of Australia has told the Albanese government. Earlier this month, the RSA wrote to the Attorney-General, Mark Dreyfus, to urge him to prioritise legislating for new federal laws to prohibit
- [Circumcision of boys must be medically necessary, says government](https://rationalist.com.au/circumcision-of-boys-must-be-medically-necessary-says-government/) - The federal government has emphasised that the circumcision of boys must be proved medically necessary to claim Medicare benefits, but has declined to answer questions about the extent of the practice in Australia. In a letter to the Rationalist Society of Australia (see below), Nigel Murray, an Assistant Secretary in the Medical Benefits Division, said
- [RSA applauds the 21 Victorian councillors who have called for change on prayer practices](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-applauds-the-21-victorian-councillors-who-have-called-for-change-on-prayer-practices/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia applauds the leadership of 21 Victorian councillors who have jointly asked the state government to address the issue of prayer recitals as part of council meetings. Comments from Dr Meredith Doig, president of the RSA: We applaud the 21 councillors who have taken a stand on this issue in Victoria.
- [School chaplains are allowed to talk to kids about Jesus and God, video reveals](https://rationalist.com.au/chaplains-are-allowed-to-talk-to-kids-about-jesus-and-god-video-reveals/) - Representatives of the country’s largest chaplaincy provider have revealed that it is “a myth” that chaplains are not allowed to talk about Jesus and God as part of their role working with students in public schools. At a Sunday service at NewLife Church in Mackay on the weekend, Scripture Union chaplain Rob Ruge appeared alongside
- [RSA to push for new student wellbeing program in wake of evaluation](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-to-push-for-new-student-wellbeing-program-in-wake-of-evaluation/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia will call on the Albanese government to work with the states and territories to transition the former school chaplaincy program into a pastoral care/student wellbeing program that appoints staff based on merit. In response to the release of an evaluation of the National School Chaplaincy Program, RSA president Meredith Doig
- [Fraser Coast council CEO warns of ‘likely discrimination’ in prayer practice](https://rationalist.com.au/fraser-coast-council-ceo-warns-of-likely-discrimination-in-prayer-practice/) - The chief executive of Fraser Coast Regional Council has warned councillors that the practice of continuing to invite only Christian leaders to recite prayers at the opening of meetings was “likely discriminatory”. At a meeting of the council yesterday, CEO Ken Diehm said he was ethically and legally bound to ensure council processes do not
- [Media release: RSA calls for South Australian councils to replace prayer rituals with more inclusive, secular practices](https://rationalist.com.au/media-release-rsa-calls-for-south-australian-councils-to-replace-prayer-rituals-with-more-inclusive-secular-practices/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) is calling on South Australia’s newly elected councils to act swiftly to replace prayer rituals with more secular and inclusive practices at the opening of their meetings. Of 68 local governments in the state, the RSA understands that about a third – at least 21 – start their meetings
- [Momentum for change builds as two Victorian councils act on prayer issue](https://rationalist.com.au/momentum-for-change-builds-as-two-victorian-councils-act-on-prayer-issue/) - Another two local councils are acting to replace prayer rituals with secular and more inclusive practices to open their meetings, adding to the momentum building across the country for elected institutions to follow suit. Late last month, the Mildura Rural City Council in north-west Victoria voted in favour of developing a more inclusive affirmation that
- [Tassie mayor will be ‘judged’ for removing prayer rituals, warns councillor](https://rationalist.com.au/tassie-mayor-will-be-judged-for-removing-prayer-rituals-warns-councillor/) - A Tasmanian mayor who removed prayer rituals from the official proceedings of her council’s meetings has faced a tirade from a fellow councillor who warned that she would “be judged”. Late last month, retiring Central Coast Council mayor Jan Bonde dropped the Christian prayer from the opening of meetings, deciding instead to begin proceedings with
- [Prayer push blocked as council warns of human rights implications](https://rationalist.com.au/prayer-push-blocked-as-council-warns-of-human-rights-implications/) - A Victorian council warned that a proposal to introduce Christian prayers to its meetings would raise human rights implications for non-religious and non-Christian councillors and staff, concerned that they may feel "coerced". In July, Banyule City Council, located in Melbourne’s north-east suburbs, voted against including a prayer in its meeting following a council investigation that
- [RSA seeks explanation from Defence clerics for claims in media](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-seeks-explanation-from-defence-clerics-for-claims-in-media/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia is seeking an explanation from a taxpayer-funded committee of religious clerics about how the pastoral care needs of Army and Air Force personnel differ from those in the Navy, which has initiated secular reform of its chaplaincy branch. In an article published in The Canberra Times and other Australian Community
- [How you can help us make an impact in 2023](https://rationalist.com.au/how-you-can-help-us-make-an-impact-in-2023/) - This is a transcript of the video message from Meredith Doig. Watch the full video below or here on our YouTube channel. Hello again from me, Meredith Doig. I'm president of the Rationalist Society of Australia. I hope you’ve had a relaxing break and are looking forward to an energised, and energising, 2023 – get
- [RSA calls on Andrews government to deliver on commitment to replace prayer ritual](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-calls-on-andrews-government-to-deliver-on-commitment-to-replace-prayer-ritual/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has urged the re-elected Victorian government to deliver on its promise to replace daily Christian prayer rituals in parliament with a “purpose-built” model that would better reflect the state’s diversity. In a letter to Premier Daniel Andrews and Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes (see letter below), RSA president Meredith Doig has urged
- [Chaplaincy provider seeks to connect kids to churches, ‘prayer warriors’ enter schools](https://rationalist.com.au/chaplaincy-provider-seeks-to-connect-kids-to-churches-prayer-warriors-enter-schools/) - Promotional videos posted online reveal that a taxpayer-funded chaplaincy provider is using its access to West Australian public schools to connect children to churches. In a series of videos posted to YouthCARE’s Vimeo channel and targeted at church audiences, chaplains talk about “connecting and engaging” churches with schools and even directing students to participate in church
- [Albanese government confirms funding for religious chaplains in schools](https://rationalist.com.au/albanese-government-confirms-funding-for-religious-chaplains-in-schools/) - The Albanese government will continue to require that many of the pastoral care roles in public schools be performed by Christian chaplains. Although education minister Jason Clare announced that schools would have the option of choosing a secular wellbeing officer, the release of information from the federal Department of Education has done little to dispel
- [Albanese govt backs chaplaincy program for five more years, says Christian hire firm](https://rationalist.com.au/albanese-govt-backs-chaplaincy-program-for-five-more-years-says-christian-hire-firm/) - The Albanese government has committed to extending the National School Chaplaincy Program for another five years, according to the head of Christian chaplaincy provider. In an interview published by the Chappy Chats podcast last week, Peter James, Group Chief Executive Officer of Scripture Union Australia, said the new federal government’s commitment to the program gave
- [RSA urges education ministers to put the interests of children ahead of religious lobbyists on chaplaincy](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-urges-education-ministers-to-put-the-interests-of-children-ahead-of-religious-lobbyists-on-chaplaincy/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has challenged all of the nation’s education ministers to explain to parents and carers of public schoolchildren how the religious requirements for some roles support the wellbeing of children. In a letter to federal education minister Jason Clare and his state and territory counterparts, RSA president Meredith Doig urged them
- [WA Premier’s claims on chaplaincy at odds with own government’s policy](https://rationalist.com.au/wa-premiers-claims-on-chaplaincy-at-odds-with-own-governments-policy/) - Premier Mark McGowan has asserted that school chaplains in Western Australia's public schools do not need to be people of faith, despite his own government's policy suggesting otherwise. In a letter to the Rationalist Society of Australia on 8 October, Mr McGowan repeated the claim of his education minister, Sue Ellery, that there was "no
- [RSA calls for NSW Labor to end support for segregation in schools](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-calls-for-nsw-labor-to-end-support-for-segregation-in-schools/) - The Rationalist Society has called on New South Wales Labor to end its support for segregating children along religious lines in public schools through the Special Religious Education (SRE) program. In a letter to Labor’s education spokesperson Prue Car (pictured) and multiculturalism spokesperson Steve Kamper, RSA president Dr Meredith Doig argued that public schools should
- [WA council pulls funding from religious chaplaincy provider](https://rationalist.com.au/wa-council-pulls-funding-from-religious-chaplaincy-provider/) - Councillors voiced concerns about religious-based discrimination in the hiring practices of a West Australian chaplaincy provider as the Bayswater council in Perth decided to pull its funding from YouthCARE. As the Rationalist Society of Australia previously reported, the head of YouthCARE appeared before a meeting of the City of Bayswater on 13 September to urge
- [Parents step up election call for changes to school chaplaincy](https://rationalist.com.au/parents-step-up-election-call-for-changes-to-school-chaplaincy/) - The parents behind a 20,000-strong petition calling for changes to the National School Chaplaincy Program (NSCP) to include secular youth workers want the major parties to commit to removing religious-based discrimination in the program this election. In an interview on ABC Radio Brisbane this morning, petitioner Fiona Newton said the major parties should remove the
- [Groundbreaking vote adds to momentum for change on school chaplaincy](https://rationalist.com.au/groundbreaking-vote-adds-to-momentum-for-change-on-school-chaplaincy/) - Western Australia’s public school communities have voted resoundingly in favour of governments funding the employment of professional non-clinical student welfare officers instead of religious chaplains. In a groundbreaking result, the state’s school Parents & Citizens (P&C) groups have rejected the current federal and state model of funding religious chaplains through religious labour-hire firms. At the
- [RSA urges health ministers to stop non-clinical circumcisions](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-urges-health-ministers-to-stop-non-clinical-circumcisions/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has called on the Albanese government to put a stop to the non-clinical circumcision of boys and to the public funding of the practice through the Medicare system. In a letter to federal health minister Mark Butler (pictured) and assistant minister Ged Kearney last month, the RSA labelled penile circumcision
- [Address ‘institutional conscientious objection’ as part of abortion reforms, RSA tells WA govt](https://rationalist.com.au/address-institutional-conscientious-objection-as-part-of-abortion-reforms-rsa-tells-wa-govt/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has urged the West Australian government to stop funding religious hospitals that have gynaecological, obstetrics or neonatal services but refuse to provide medical and surgical abortions. In a submission to the Department of Health’s public consultation for the proposed reforms to abortion laws, the RSA said taxpayers’ money should not
- [Submission to the West Australian Department of Health on abortion law reform](https://rationalist.com.au/submission-to-the-west-australian-department-of-health-on-abortion-law-reform/) - This is our submission to the West Australian Department of Health's public consultation period regarding abortion law reform. The consultation period closed in 17 December 2022. This is a submission from the Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) to the Western Australia government’s community consultation process regarding its proposal for reform of abortion legislation. The RSA
- [‘Potentially billions’ of dollars unreported due to religious charities’ exemption](https://rationalist.com.au/potentially-billions-of-dollars-unreported-due-to-religious-charities-exemption/) - Evidence given to the Senate estimates hearings last month underscores the need for an inquiry into the operation and scope of the tax exemption for entities claiming to be religious, says the Rationalist Society of Australia. When asked whether there were “potentially billions” of dollars going unreported, with ‘basic religious charities’ exempt from submitting financial
- [Principals’ rejection of religious chaplains a blow for school chaplaincy program](https://rationalist.com.au/principals-rejection-of-religious-chaplains-a-blow-for-school-chaplaincy-program/) - Principals of public schools in a local government area of Western Australia have rejected the funding of religious chaplains in their schools, asking instead for the money to go directly to their schools to allow them to choose their preferred provider. At a meeting of the Bayswater City Council late last month, it was revealed
- [Media release: Politicians overestimate power of religion in voting behaviour, says new ‘Religiosity in Australia’ report](https://rationalist.com.au/religiosity-in-australia-politicians-overestimate-power-of-religion-in-voting-behaviour/) - Politicians and political parties overestimate the power of religion as a driver of Australians’ voting behaviour, a new report into religiosity in Australia reveals. The Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) has today published the latest instalment of Neil Francis’ landmark Religiosity in Australia research series, with Part 3 – Religion and politics – providing a
- [Remove religious-based barriers to universal reproductive healthcare, RSA tells committee](https://rationalist.com.au/remove-religious-based-barriers-to-universal-reproductive-healthcare-rsa-tells-committee/) - The public funding of reproductive healthcare services should not remain hostage to religious dogma, the Rationalist Society of Australia has told a Senate committee. In a submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs inquiry into ‘Universal access to reproductive healthcare’, the RSA recommended that government funding of any hospital be conditional upon the
- [Submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs](https://rationalist.com.au/submission-to-the-senate-standing-committee-on-community-affairs/) - This is our submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs inquiry into ‘Universal access to reproductive healthcare’. Members of the public and organisations have until Thursday 15 December 2022 to make submissions. Dear Chair, This is a submission from the Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) to the Senate Committee’s inquiry into ‘Universal
- [School behind push to remove religious requirement faces challenges in choosing secular worker](https://rationalist.com.au/school-behind-push-to-remove-religious-requirement-faces-challenges-in-choosing-secular-worker/) - A West Australian school whose community voted to remove the religious requirement from chaplaincy now faces extra obstacles in employing a secular person for the role, including because of a lack of secular providers. In the latest episode of The Secular Agenda podcast on the topic of schools having a secular option in the National
- [Reform political advertising laws in the new year, RSA urges government](https://rationalist.com.au/reform-political-advertising-laws-in-the-new-year-rsa-urges-government/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia is urging the Albanese government to prioritise reforming political advertising laws in the new year to further enhance integrity and public trust in the political system. RSA president Meredith Doig has welcomed the government’s successful passing of a bill to establish a National Anti-Corruption Commission, but said attention must now
- [US election: like Rome and Athens, the great republic teeters](https://rationalist.com.au/us-election-like-rome-and-athens-the-great-republic-teeters/) - The original models for modern constitutional democracies were the republics of Athens and Rome. They failed to keep their constitutions viable and fell to dictatorships: Athens to Alexander the Great; Rome to the Caesars. For many centuries after that the conventional wisdom was that democratic republics did not work. The American founding fathers thought they
- [Left puts bigotry on a pedestal](https://rationalist.com.au/left-puts-bigotry-on-a-pedestal/) - What does it mean, these days, when someone says their politics are “left-wing” or “progressive”? Source: Left puts bigotry on a pedestal What does it mean, these days, when someone says their politics are “left-wing” or “progressive”? This has always been debatable, but in recent times these terms have taken on meanings that earlier generations
- [Militant Islam threatens liberty](https://rationalist.com.au/militant-islam-threatens-liberty/) - We need to keep clearly in mind the distinctions between race and religion, religion and fanaticism. Islam is a religion. It has nothing to do with race. The problem we have is with fanatical Muslims on religious grounds. That problem has to be dealt with in those terms. Source: Militant Islam threatens liberty We need
- [Tax on religious organisations](https://rationalist.com.au/tax-on-religious-organisations/) - Australians are strongly opposed to the tax-exempt status of religious organisations. Source: Tax on religious organisations According to a poll of 1,038 respondents conducted by Essential Research between 30 March and 3 April 2016, a strong majority of Australians (64%) disapprove of the automatic tax exemptions given to churches and other religious organisations. Nearly 60%
- [Law should reflect support for abortion](https://rationalist.com.au/law-should-reflect-support-for-abortion/) - It's hard to believe terminating pregnancy remains a crime. Source: Law should reflect support for abortion Nearly one in three women has an abortion at some time in their life. It's hard to believe but terminating a pregnancy remains a criminal offence in Queensland. Consider some other way this glaring contradiction could be reconciled other
- [Religion's tax break is a cross we shouldn't have to bear](https://rationalist.com.au/religions-tax-break-is-a-cross-we-shouldnt-have-to-bear/) - Religious groups are not taxable. No wonder there’s no transparency in how their billions of dollars are spent.
- [End The Safe Schools Hysteria](https://rationalist.com.au/end-the-safe-schools-hysteria-start-a-parliamentary-enquiry-into-religious-instruction-new-matilda/) - As the Turnbull Government guts an anti-bullying program in our schools, Hugh Harris wonders why no-one is focussed on a program which promotes a religion that made bullying an art form. Just over a month since the kids went back to school, and it’s the easily distracted adults having conniptions over the curriculum. Fact-resistant backMore
- [SMH: Sex Party's 'truly spectacular' would-be senator Meredith Doig unveiled at clothing-optional launch](https://rationalist.com.au/sex-partys-truly-spectacular-would-be-senator-meredith-doig-unveiled-at-clothing-optional-launch/) - By Konrad Marshall, Sydney Morning Herald We're not in Spring Street anymore. The rumble of trams is here, along with the bleary eyed bustle, but also a pot-bellied drag queen in platform heels clopping down a footpath smeared in dog excrement, past a venue surrounded by hand-pressed greeting card vendors and artisan taco dispensaries. ...
- [Why walking out on bigots is a bad idea](https://rationalist.com.au/why-walking-out-on-bigots-is-a-bad-idea/) - Sections 18C/D read like they were written by a parent who wants to be seen as stern yet laidback. Source: Why walking out on bigots is a bad idea Twenty years after saying we were being "swamped by Asians", Pauline Hanson used her maiden speech in the new Senate on Wednesday to warn us that
- [Beginning of the End for Bible Classes?](https://rationalist.com.au/beginning-of-the-end-for-bible-classes/) - Rationalist Hugh Harris thinks Queensland might beat New South Wales in the race to end proselytising in government schools. Who would have thought ...? Source: Review Signals the Beginning of the End for Bible Classes - » The Australian Independent Media Network The recent Queensland government review of the “Connect” Religious Instruction (RI) materials bring
- [Malcolm Roberts: defining his nonsense](https://rationalist.com.au/malcolm-roberts-defining-his-nonsense/) - Angry white men and the movement that's been defined as "Organised Pseudo-legal Commercial Argument" (OPCA). Delusional nonsense, really, but it can be dangerous ... Source: Malcolm Roberts: defining his nonsense - » The Australian Independent Media Network New One Nation Senator Malcolm Roberts has been known to sign legal documents as ‘Malcolm-Ieuan: Roberts., the living
- [Cyber Reality Check](https://rationalist.com.au/cyber-reality-check/) - Paul Monk reviews Oliver Stone's film Snowden and recommends a reality check. Source: Biggest cyber danger: stuff-ups On Wednesday, The Australian led with a story headlined “Threat of cyber terror closes in”. It reported the release of the government’s latest threat report and quoted the Australian Cyber Security Centre’s warning that we face growing dangers from cyber
- [Islam not an exception in liberal society](https://rationalist.com.au/we-should-never-allow-islam-to-be-the-exception-in-liberal-society/) - Ayaan Hirsi Ali is coming to ­Australia soon to speak about ­reforming traditional Islam and confronting militant Islam. There are people and organisations trying to prevent her from coming or speaking. They describe her as an “extremist” who engages in “hate speech”. They are in error. She must be allowed both to come here and
- [Christianity no longer a central part of Australian life](https://rationalist.com.au/christianity-no-longer-a-central-part-of-australian-life-dailytelegraph/) - LAST week, in the lead up to Easter, there were the usual reminders that celebrating Easter proves the influence of the Bible. Source: Courier Mail | Daily Telegraph LAST week, in the lead up to Easter, there were the usual reminders that celebrating Easter proves the influence of the Bible. Having taken off the bunny
- [Open Letter to CEO of the Catholic Truth, Justice and Healing Council](https://rationalist.com.au/open-letter-to-francis-sullivan-ceo-of-the-catholic-truth-justice-and-healing-council/) - This open letter is in response to the “Where to From Here?” speech given by Francis Sullivan, CEO of the Truth Justice and Healing Council on 10 March 2017. It refers to the Royal Commission into Child Sexual Abuse, and Francis Sullivan’s response to abuses committed by Catholics. OPEN LETTER TO FRANCIS SULLIVAN Your ‘Where
- [Surgery to make intersex children 'normal' should be banned](https://rationalist.com.au/surgery-to-make-intersex-children-normal-should-be-banned/) - Source: The Conversation Travis Wisdom & Cornelia Koch Questions in the proposed new citizenship test that address family violence, child marriage and female genital mutilation imply opposition to these is an Australian value. Indeed most Australians would agree female genital mutilation is an appalling breach of a girl’s right to bodily integrity, and that safeguarding children from violence
- [A barrister's submission to the Ruddock Inquiry](https://rationalist.com.au/a-barristers-submission-to-the-ruddock-inquiry/) - Dean Stretton is a barrister at the NSW Bar. His submission to the Ruddock Inquiry is a model of clear legal language and argument. Read it here: Dean Stretton Submission To The Ruddock Inquiry Into Religious Freedom. [table id=52 /]
- [Doctors challenge religionists by providing VAD](https://rationalist.com.au/doctors-challenge-religionists-by-providing-vad/) - RSA Patron Dr Rodney Syme explains why for years he's been challenging the law by helping patients end their lives at a time and with whom they choose when they are faced with intolerable suffering as a result of a terminal illness. "Doctors have been helping patients to die for decades, if not centuries" he
- [Rationalists support Leyonhjelm’s libertarian agenda - this time](https://rationalist.com.au/rationalists-support-leyonhjelms-libertarian-agenda-this-time/) - 15 August 2018 Rationalist Society of Australia Inc. Rationalists support Leyonhjelm’s libertarian agenda - this time. The Senate is now debating a private bill by Senator David Leyonhjelm that would overturn a 20-year-old federal law preventing the Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory from legalising assisted dying. If passed this bill would allow
- [Bigotry is bad business, so why not let the consumer decide?](https://rationalist.com.au/bigotry-is-bad-business-so-why-not-let-the-consumer-decide/) - Take a drive along any arterial road in Australia and you’re likely to pass dwellings dedicated to various deities with its congregants practising their brand of faith free of external interference. Apart from the exclusive varieties, most churches are open to anyone seeking respite from secular life. But as much as most churches are welcoming,
- [Reading, writing, arithmetic — and religion ](https://rationalist.com.au/reading-writing-arithmetic-and-religion/) - President of the RSA Dr Meredith Doig advocates education about religions, not instruction in religious doctrines.
- [Is there room for religious bigotry in business?](https://rationalist.com.au/is-there-room-for-religious-bigotry-in-business/) - As hard as it is to admit it, exclusion is a part of a multicultural country. Considering we’re all religious to a differing degree, is there space for this thinking in our businesses? Take a drive along any arterial road and you’re likely to pass numerous dwellings dedicated to various deities with its congregants practicing
- [Religious Discrimination bill has problems ...](https://rationalist.com.au/religious-discrimination-bill-has-problems/) - Steve Martin from ABC Ballarat interviews Meredith Doig on the Religious Discrimination bill. The RSA welcomes the addition to all federal anti-discrimination laws the principle that "every person is free and equal in dignity and rights". And that the Religious Discrimination bill defines "religious belief or activity" to include "not holding a religious belief, or
- [Fire in Frame: to solve climate change, first remove the politics](https://rationalist.com.au/fire-in-frame-to-solve-climate-change-first-remove-the-politics/) - People typically don't voluntarily jump out of a third storey building unless, of course, it is on fire. Framing of issues heavily influences the solutions that are put forward to address it, as was famously demonstrated in detail by Daniel Kahneman. It is not until the frame includes a fire that jumping from the window
- [Media release: New report details Australians’ journey with religion from childhood to adulthood](https://rationalist.com.au/media-release-new-report-details-australians-journey-with-religion-from-childhood-to-adulthood/) - The recent growth in adults walking away from their childhood faith and raising their own children without religion will drive the continued decline in religion over the long term, says a new report into religiosity in Australia. The Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) has today published the next instalment of Neil Francis’ landmark Religiosity in
- [With the territories’ rights restored, parliament must now address telehealth problem, says RSA](https://rationalist.com.au/with-the-territories-rights-restored-parliament-must-now-address-telehealth-problem-says-rsa/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia welcomes the federal parliament’s lifting of a 25-year ban on the territories from legalising voluntary assisted dying but says further legislative changes will be needed in the new year to ensure fairness in accessibility for all Australians. RSA president Dr Meredith Doig applauded the parliament’s passing of the Restoring Territory
- [Teaching religion or teaching about religion?](https://rationalist.com.au/teaching-about-religions-or-teaching-religion-two-perspectives/) - This article was first published in Winter issue of The Australian Rationalist, June 2013. Anna Halafoff is a research fellow at the Centre for Citizenship and Globalisation at Deakin University. The role of religion in Australian schools has been vigorously debated since the 1870s, but it has recently generated considerable controversy, particularly in the state
- [Rising anger over Scripture in NSW](https://rationalist.com.au/rising-anger-over-scripture-in-nsw/) - This week, two radio programs addressing the increasingly vexed question of whether secular government schools should allow the teaching of "Scripture" - ie, indoctrination in the doctrine of particular religions. Perhaps stung by the previous week's Earshot program on the topic (see below), Natasha Mitchell addressed the issue on her Life Matters program on Friday
- [Submission: Australian Citizenship](https://rationalist.com.au/submission-australian-citizenship/) - The Rationalist Society (RSA) is Australia’s oldest free-thought organisation, established in 1906. Over the past 100 years or so, the RSA has promoted reason and evidence-based decision making in public policy, independent of theological creeds and dogma. One of the major aims of the RSA is to raise awareness among the public of the value
- [This is why you will lose your argument](https://rationalist.com.au/this-is-why-you-will-lose-your-argument/) - So the Great Barrier Reef has not been listed as endangered by UNESCO. And same-sex marriage is high on the national agenda. Care to argue the case? Careful, there’s a minefield ahead. There is one thing that is poorly understood about arguing in the public arena. It is the reason that a strong case will
- [Letters: Minister for Multicultural Affairs rejects multicultural prayers](https://rationalist.com.au/minister-for-multicultural-affairs-rejects-multicultural-prayers/) - In a series of letters that would make a good "Yes Minister" episode, our request to the Victorian Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Labor's Robin Scott, to support the introduction of alternatives to the Lord's Prayer in the Victorian parliament has finally got a clear response. That answer is: no. From his letter: "On a personal note,
- [The Carson Report](https://rationalist.com.au/regressive-repressive-sex-ed-material-in-nsw-scripture-classes/) - The RSA and Fairness in Religions in School recently ​commissioned a report, Carson 2015 Review, by professional sexuality educator Deanne Carson on material currently being used by Special Religious Education (SRE) volunteers in NSW public schools. Among other things, this material:[list type="bullet"] promotes a culture in which girls carry sole responsibility for maintaining 'purity' (boys cannot control themselves)
- [Why Prayers in Parliament Should Stop](https://rationalist.com.au/why-prayers-in-parliament-should-stop-2/) - RECITING a Christian prayer before Parliament breaches the secular principle of separation between Church and State, offends the spirit of section 116 of the Australian constitution, and violates the principle of freedom of religion. Dr Steven Tudor, Lecturer in the Law School at La Trobe University, and Dr Gonzalo Villalta Puig, Senior Lecturer in the Law
- [An alternative to Prayers before Parliament](https://rationalist.com.au/an-alternative-to-prayers-before-parliament-2/) - "We come here today to do the business of governing. Members of this Parliament have pledged to improve the quality of this community and are entrusted with doing so As we gather, let us remember that though we have differences, we are linked by our common humanity. We embrace many traditions and represent many demographics.
- [Submission: Adoption by same-sex couples under Victorian law ](https://rationalist.com.au/review-to-permit-adoption-by-same-sex-couples-under-victorian-law/) - In March 2015, the Victorian Government initiated a review to consider changing the law to permit adoption of children by same sex couples. The RSA argues that any legislative amendments should be based on the presumption that the best interests of a child are not determined by the sex of his or her parents. The Rationalist
- [Faith that is not justified?](https://rationalist.com.au/faith-that-is-not-justified/) - Are our daily lives filled with faith that may be unjustified, as asserted by Barney Zwartz, Senior Fellow with the Centre for Public Christianity, in the Fairfax press? It depends on the way you are using the term 'faith'. Here, Ian Robinson, President Emeritus of the Rationalist Society, picks apart Zwartz's facile arguments (in parentheses) THE most
- [Can an Atheist Have a Religious Experience?](https://rationalist.com.au/can-an-atheist-have-a-religious-experience/) - The following article was first aired (in abridged form) at the 63rd Rationalist Society conference in April 2000 at Box Hill. The topic was "Spirituality without Religion". It was then published in issue 54 of the Australian Rationalist journal, Winter 2000. In April 2015, a rabbi happened to read it and sent the following message: I
- [Book review. Wisdom: From Philosophy to Neuroscience](https://rationalist.com.au/book-review-wisdom-from-philosophy-to-neuroscience/) - Many years ago, I acquired a book called The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey. It sat on my bookshelves for a couple of years before I could bring myself to read it, such was my aversion to the title. However when I did, I found it was actually quite insightful. For example,
- [Vale Peter Short: Rodney Syme reflects on a life well lived](https://rationalist.com.au/vale-peter-short-rodney-syme-reflects-on-a-life-well-lived/) - Shakespeare had Mark Anthony say “I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him”. Well, I come to praise Peter Short, and to assert that no one will bury Peter Short. His name will live forever. Peter did not beat death, no one can when their time comes. Yet Peter conquered death – Caesar would have approved.
- [Letter: to James Merlino from Rev Dr John Bodycomb](https://rationalist.com.au/letter-to-james-merlino-from-rev-dr-john-bodycomb/) - The following letter was prompted by our article in the Fairfax media on 16 Jan 2015. It's from Rev. Dr John Bodycomb, an ordained minister of religion, former chaplain and university lecturer. It's another example of the discomfort mainstream religionists have with "sectarian religious instruction." January 21, 2015 The Hon James Merlino, MP, Deputy Premier
- [Medicine, morality and magnanimity in death](https://rationalist.com.au/medicine-morality-and-magnanimity-in-death/) - Three stories show there is a civilised way to bring about a dignified death through voluntary euthanasia. Source: Medicine, morality and magnanimity in death In May this year, in these pages, Peter Short wrote a forthright opinion piece declaring he was dying of oesophageal cancer, had a supply of Nembutal and would end his own
- [How to spend your dying days with dignity...](https://rationalist.com.au/how-to-spend-your-dying-days-with-dignity/) - Peter Short talks with Fiona Patten about the Sex Party's policy on Dying with Dignity, and being a civil libertarian party. At the end of the video, they mention Peter's crowd-funding campaign to raise $100,000 for a video of his dying days. The campaign closed on 2 November, having successfully exceeded that target with $124,000
- [National Curriculum Review: religion, belief systems and values](https://rationalist.com.au/national-curriculum-review-the-place-of-religion-belief-systems-and-values/) - The Donnelly/Wiltshire Review of the National Curriculum was released in October 2014. Below is a section of the Report called "The place of religion, belief systems and values in the Australian Curriculum" (pp 155 to 162 of the report) with our comments interspersed in gold. Overall, the authors of the Report demonstrate worryingly poor analytical skills by (i) mischieviously or
- [Do the young and depressed have the right to suicide?](https://rationalist.com.au/do-the-young-and-depressed-have-the-right-to-suicide/) - To the Editor, The Australian. Do the young and depressed have the right to suicide? (Australian 11 Oct). Wrong question. We should ask, rather, when is it reasonable to choose to end one's life. The ancient Stoics thought it reasonable if circumstances prevented a person from living a virtuous life; Cato committed suicide rather than live under
- [Killing Public Education: Indoctrination vs Education](https://rationalist.com.au/how-god-is-killing-public-education-indoctrination-vs-education/) - Our current education situation is, quite frankly, unsustainable. As a society, we cannot afford to maintain two parallel education systems where kids can move from private school to public school at will. At the time of writing (2006), one third of all secondary students attend private schools. These schools may be called private or even
- [Special Religious Education in NSW Public Schools](https://rationalist.com.au/special-religious-education-in-nsw-public-schools/) - Human Rights Advocacy Australia joins the RSA in tackling the insidious nature of religious zealotry in Australia's public schools ... 28 September 2014 Dear Dr Doig, Special Religious Education in NSW public schools Human Rights Advocacy Australia (HRAA) is writing in support of your letter to the Hon. Martin Dixon, Minister for Education, Victorian Parliament,
- [Christian Contributions to Society](https://rationalist.com.au/christian-contributions-to-society/) - During August 2014, Oxford Professor of mathematics John Lennox delivered a series of lectures in Australia on "Science and Faith in God." Considered a leading figure of the evangelical intelligentsia, Lennox made claims that James Fodor, President of the Secular Society of the University of Melbourne, disputes in a series of five articles. In Part 1, Fodor
- [Submission: Dying with Dignity Bill 2014](https://rationalist.com.au/submission-on-the-dying-with-dignity-bill-2014/) - Committee Secretary Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee PO Box 6100 Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600 21 August 2014 Submission on the Exposure Draft of the Medical Services (Dying with Dignity) Bill 2014 The Rationalist Society of Australia Inc. (RSA) supports the main intent of the Medical Services (Dying with Dignity) Bill 2014, with some
- [Submission: "We are not mindless human beings ..."](https://rationalist.com.au/we-are-not-mindless-human-beings/) - Submission by RSA Member Rex Williams to the Dying with Dignity bill: "Any person has a right to decide when he/she has had enough pain and loss of dignity, the criteria being an ability to make a rational decision, to prove, if seen as necessary, competence in this regard and then as a free-thinking person, have
- [The reasonableness of suicide](https://rationalist.com.au/the-reasonableness-of-suicide/) - When is it 'reasonable' to choose to end one's life? The ancient Stoics thought it reasonable if circumstances prevented a person from living a virtuous life. So, for example, Roman politician and Stoic Cato the Younger committed suicide rather than live under political tyranny, which he thought constrained his freedom to make moral choices. A large part
- [2016 Census - change is a'coming?](https://rationalist.com.au/2016-census-change-is-acoming/) - Rumour has it the Australian Bureau of Statistics is trialling a change to the way the census question on religion is put, and might adopt the New Zealand version. In Australia, the choice "No religion" has traditionally been last in the long list of possible responses to the question "What is your religion?" No doubt
- [God save me from those who think I'm lost](https://rationalist.com.au/god-save-me-from-those-who-think-im-lost/) - The fight over religious instruction in state schools is not over whether there is a god but the right of parents and children to not believe, not participate and not to be made outcasts. Source: God save me from those who think I'm lost Despite constitutional efforts to protect one’s freedom from religion, God and
- [Minister confirms that "may" = "must"](https://rationalist.com.au/minister-confirms-that-may-must/) - Minister of Education Martin Dixon announces the long awaited Ministerial Direction on SRI. Confusingly, claims on the one hand that "Principals are responsible for making decisions in relation to SRI" but on the other "Principals must offer parents the opportunity for their children to participate in SRI when an accredited and approved instructor approaches the school and is
- [Vic Education Dept distances itself from ACCESS Ministries](https://rationalist.com.au/vic-education-dept-distances-itself-from-access-ministries/) - Principals at Victorian primary schools are getting caught between a rock and a hard place. ACCESS Ministries wrote to Victorian principals recently, trying to distance themselves from the outrageous antics of religious zealots distributing homophobic, proselytizing material at Torquay College. Some principals, in good faith, cut and pasted ACCESS's words into their newsletters: "There has
- [Should we teach more religion in schools?](https://rationalist.com.au/should-we-teach-more-religion-in-schools/) - Abbott Government Education Minister Christopher Pyne has announced a review of the national curriculum, claiming “concerns have been raised about the history curriculum not recognising the legacy of Western civilisation and not giving important events in Australia's history and culture the prominence they deserve, such as Anzac Day.” (The Australian, 10 January 2014) But is
- [How to become a 'professional human being'](https://rationalist.com.au/how-to-become-a-professional-human-being/) - A growing international movement is inviting young children to philosophise in primary schools in the USA, the UK and elsewhere – but Australia is lagging. The UK has its Philosophy Foundation and the US its Squire Foundation but in Australia, governments facilitate the indoctrination of young minds by the likes of ACCESS Ministries and Scripture Union. Teaching philosophy
- [Councillors recognise respect for non-religious people and secularism](https://rationalist.com.au/councillors-recognise-respect-for-non-religious-people-and-secularism/) - The need to respect non-religious people and ensure separation of church and state were two of the key arguments behind the Clarence Council’s removal of prayers from its formal meetings. On Monday night, the Tasmanian council, located in the greater Hobart area, voted overwhelmingly – 11 v 1 – to replace prayer rituals with a
- [Tasmanian council votes tonight on prayer issue](https://rationalist.com.au/tasmanian-council-votes-tonight-on-prayer-issue/) - The Clarence City Council located in the greater Hobart area is tonight scheduled to vote on a proposal to remove Christian prayers from its formal meetings and pursue a more inclusive replacement. Councillor Heather Chong has placed on the meeting agenda the following motion: “That Council remove the opening prayer from the beginning of Council
- [Private clinics flouted pandemic rules to circumcise boys, RSA Webinar told](https://rationalist.com.au/private-clinics-flouted-pandemic-rules-to-circumcise-boys-rsa-webinar-told/) - Private clinics that perform unnecessary circumcision on boys flouted the moratorium on elective procedures during the COVID pandemic and passed the bill to taxpayers, the latest RSA webinar has heard. At Wednesday’s webinar, guest speaker Jonathan Meddings, author of the new book The Final Cut: The Truth about Circumcision, showed data on how annual Medicare
- [NZ state schools drop religious instruction](https://rationalist.com.au/nz-state-schools-drop-religious-instruction/) - In New Zealand, Rationalist David Hines surveyed government schools and found that fewer are conducting religious instruction classes - see article here Stuff. New Zealand leads Australia in the number of people identifying as non-religious - 36% as opposed to Australia's 23%.
- [Removing SRI from your school: A "How To" guide](https://rationalist.com.au/removing-sri-from-your-school-a-how-to-guide/) - Thanks to Jacqui Tomlins for this particularly useful guide. Raise awareness - inform parents about what SRI is really about Have playground conversations Speak with key people at the school - teachers, school councillors, the principal Submit a formal letter to the School Council.
- [Science and society – Do we have a problem?](https://rationalist.com.au/science-and-society-do-we-have-a-problem/) - RSA Member David Thurley speaks of the growing problem of science denialism in society. He has given this speech to a number of community groups in the Albury region of NSW. I want to discuss how science is viewed in our society at all levels and to ponder how much we understand what science
- [Mr Merlino, will you stand up for parents over SRI?](https://rationalist.com.au/mr-merlino-will-you-stand-up-for-parents-over-sri/) - Hon. James Merlino, MP Shadow Minister for Education Parliament House Spring St Melbourne, Vic. 3002 By email: james.merlino@parliament.vic.gov.au Copy: Daniel Andrews; FIRIS 31 August 2014 Dear Mr Merlino, Re: Victorian Labor Policy on Education about Religion It is apparent the Napthine Government’s policy on Special Religious Instruction (SRI) is a mess. Following revelations
- [The evolution of scientific funding](https://rationalist.com.au/the-evolution-of-scientific-funding-2/) - Understanding the funding of science may be scientists' greatest challenge. AFTER a lifetime in Science, my enthusiasm and fascination for biology and biological systems has not diminished, but during that time my understanding of the research funding process has, if anything, declined. I think, I hope, that the benefit of scientific research is self evident. Many,
- [Background Briefing investigates ACCESS Ministries](https://rationalist.com.au/background-briefing-investigates-access-ministries/) - The ABC's flagship radio program Background Briefing investigates ACCESS Ministries and the Special Religious Instruction mess in Victoria. More than 60 schools have dropped SRI amid concerns about its indoctrination. Acting ACCESS Ministries CEO Dawn Penney says there may have been some "human error" but that parents just need more information. School principal Joe Kelly
- [Victorian Govt should not accept tainted money ...](https://rationalist.com.au/victorian-govt-should-not-accept-tainted-money/) - Martin Dixon Minister for Education Victorian Parliament Spring St MELBOURNE 3002. By email: martin.dixon@parliament.vic.gov.au Copy: Daniel Andrews 1 September 2014 Dear Minister, Re: National School Chaplaincy Program Funding We refer to the recent announcement by the Federal Government that funding for continuation of the National Schools Chaplaincy Program (NSCP) will be channelled
- [Minister Dixon: when will you fix the mess that is SRI?](https://rationalist.com.au/minister-dixon-when-will-you-fix-the-mess-that-is-sri/) - Hon. Martin Dixon Minister for Education Victorian Parliament Spring St Melbourne, Vic. 3002 By email: martin.dixon@parliament.vic.gov.au Copy: Richard Bolt; Carol Kelly; Kris Arcaro 1 September 2014 Dear Minister, Re: Amendments to MD 141 On 28 July 2014, we wrote to you regarding the operation of Special Religious Instruction (SRI) with a
- [Update on the religion question](https://rationalist.com.au/update-on-the-religion-question/) - The Australian Bureau of Statistics has confirmed the "Religion Question" in the 2016 census will very likely be changed. A major trial of the 2016 census has been conducted in selected areas of South Australia and Western Australia over recent weeks. A new form of the Religion Question was included, where the option to tick
- [What lies ahead?](https://rationalist.com.au/what-lies-ahead/) - When I was at secondary school, my English class studied a collection of essays, one of which analysed the methods of Nazi propaganda in the Thirties. There were, I recall, three components of this: an element of truth; gross exaggeration; and constant repetition. I have been starkly reminded of this trilogy by the recent behaviour
- [Wisdom – a short guide](https://rationalist.com.au/wisdom-a-short-guide/) - The Philosophers' Mail is an interesting initiative: an attempt to make the arcane relevant to contemporary life. In this piece, they translate the slippery concept of 'wisdom' into everyday language. What is wisdom and who can be counted as wise? Well, it suggests the wise: are realistic about how challenging life can be, and therefore develop
- [Submission: The religion question](https://rationalist.com.au/the-religion-question/) - The RSA, in consultation with a number of other freethought groups, has made a submission to the Australian Bureau of Statistics concerning the "Religion" question to be used in the 2016 ABS census. This question has been contentious for many years because its current structure suggests that a religion is expected, and the "No Religion"
- [Steven Pinker on science and the humanities](https://rationalist.com.au/steven-pinker-on-science-and-the-humanities/) - In this four page article, Steven Pinker explores what science is and what it is not: "... science is of a piece with philosophy, reason, and Enlightenment humanism. It is distinguished by an explicit commitment to two ideals, and it is these that scientism seeks to export to the rest of intellectual life. The first is
- [Evangelicals recruiting for Jesus](https://rationalist.com.au/▶-cre-recruiting-video-youtube/) - Here in Australia, evangelicals are out seeking people to impose their Christian worldview on young children. Check out this recruiting video: ▶ CRE recruiting video - YouTube.
- [Malcolm Fraser on refugees](https://rationalist.com.au/malcolm-fraser-on-refugees/) - Malcolm Fraser has form on handling refugees. He did it successfully at the end of the Vietnamese war. Here he argues both sides of politics should learn from that experience: Vietnamese refugees were a boon, not a burden. My question is: the progressives like to see themselves as more compassionate than the other side, but why
- [Asylum seekers: effective policy is based on evidence, not emotion](https://rationalist.com.au/asylum-seekers-effective-policy-is-based-on-evidence-not-emotion/) - Asylum seekers: effective policy is based on evidence, not emotion. Photo by Julie Ricard on Unsplash
- [Submission: Consolidation of anti-­discrimination laws](https://rationalist.com.au/submission-consolidation-of-commonwealth-anti-­discrimination-laws/) - RSA generally welcomes the consolidation of the existing laws into a single Act to ensure the simpler and more consistent application of those laws across public life. However, there are three areas where RSA submits that the Exposure Draft fails to meet the objectives that those laws were intended to fulfil, discussed below. In effect,
- [Scientific ignorance: our governments complicit](https://rationalist.com.au/scientific-ignorance/) - Our governments are complicit in perpetuating scientific ignorance. Parkes Christian School gets 78% of its recurrent funding from Federal and State governments and teaches in science that "All creation is the specific product of a loving and creative God." Bible Baptist Christian Academy gets 72% of its funding from governments and its science curriculum "teaches that God made
- [Raising scientific literacy](https://rationalist.com.au/raising-scientific-literacy/) - RSA Committee member Peter Ellerton supports a project by a group of enterprising young people in Queensland to get science into the daily news of youth radio station Triple J. Read it in The Conversation: And in science news ... can we have more science news?. Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash
- [An ethical education: why Gonski is a moral issue](https://rationalist.com.au/an-ethical-education-why-gonski-is-a-moral-issue/) - Julian Savulescu writes in The Conversation about education funding as an ethical issue - not about ethics education. An ethical education: why Gonski is a moral issue. Photo by MChe Lee on Unsplash.
- [Media Release: On funding school chaplains](https://rationalist.com.au/on-funding-school-chaplains/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia agrees with those federal politicians who are promoting the teaching of ethics in public schools. ‘The Prime Minister’s scheme to fund chaplains in public schools is another nail in the coffin of a viable free, compulsory and secular education system in Australia,’ Ian Robinson, President of the Rationalist Society of
- [Media release: $42m chaplaincy program excludes most schools](https://rationalist.com.au/42m-chaplaincy-program-excludes-most-schools/) - The Federal Government has been urged to revamp its $42.8 million chaplains-in-schools program because of lack of proof that it is the best option for students. Ian Robinson, President of the Australian Rationalists Society, said it was negligent to give more money to a program with so few checks and balances. “The Howard Government paid
- [Media release: Churches rebuked over attack on government](https://rationalist.com.au/churches-rebuked-over-attack-on-government-2/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia today expressed shock and dismay at the vicious attack by the NSW Council of Churches on the decision by the Government to support the provision of ethics classes in schools. “How the Council of Churches can lay claim to a Christian ethic is beyond me,” said Society President Dr Meredith
- [Letter: to Chair of ACARA re ACCESS Ministries curriculum](https://rationalist.com.au/re-access-ministries-curriculum/) - The Rationalist Society calls upon Australia's national curriculum agency to evaluate the ACCESS Ministries curriculum ...
- [Census August 2011](https://rationalist.com.au/census-august-2011/) - The Background The coming Census in Australia is an important chance to make sure your interests are met in decision-making and funding, and that views you don’t hold are not over-represented in the coming years. If you don't actively participate in religion on a regular basis, mark "No Religion". As the next Australian Census approaches
- [Submission: On the definition of charity](https://rationalist.com.au/definition-of-charity-submission/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has long argued that the ‘advancement of religion’ should no longer be accepted as head of charitable purpose. We argue below that the advancement of religion is out of date, redundant and confusing. Removing this head of charitable purpose would simplify the the definition of charity, while genuinely charitable works by religious organisations would still be recognised under other heads such as ‘any other purpose beneficial to the community’. We strongly urge the Government to take this opportunity to achieve such a genuine and long overdue reform in the definition of charity.
- [Submission: Reconsidering Standing Order 50 on Parliamentary Prayers](https://rationalist.com.au/submission-reconsidering-standing-order-50-on-parliamentary-prayers/) - This is a submission by the Rationalist Society of Australia, written by board member Hugh Harris and president Meredith Doig. 3 August 2018 Mr Richard Pye, Clerk of the Senate Preamble The Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) welcomes the opportunity to make this submission relating to parliamentary prayers in the Senate. The RSA is an
- [RSA welcomes Wagga Wagga council’s decision to replace prayers](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-welcomes-wagga-wagga-councils-decision-to-replace-prayers/) - The Wagga Wagga City Council has voted in favour of replacing Christian prayers with a moment of reflection to open its meetings. The 5-3 decision at tonight’s council meeting settles a long-running debate over the issue within the regional New South Wales council, with the issue having been previously debated in 2019. Responding to tonight’s
- [Letter: Ensuring Basic Religious Charities are aware of their legal obligations](https://rationalist.com.au/letter-ensuring-basic-religious-charities-are-aware-of-their-legal-obligations/) - Dear ACNC, We write regarding Diwan Al Dawla, an unincorporated body registered as a Basic Religious Charity with the ACNC that has been the subject of recent media reports. Ensuring Basic Religious Charities are aware of their legal obligations As you would be aware, Diwan Al Dawla asserts that because it is registered as a Basic
- [Letter: to Scott Morrison upon becoming PM](https://rationalist.com.au/letter-to-scott-morrison-upon-becoming-pm/) - The Hon. Scott Morrison MP Prime Minister Parliament House CANBERRA ACT 2600. 10 September 2018 Dear Prime Minister, The Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) congratulates you upon becoming the 30th Prime Minister of Australia. In case you are not familiar with our society, we are Australia’s oldest freethought group, having been formed in
- [Submission: Faith-based schools and discrimination](https://rationalist.com.au/submission-faith-based-schools-and-discrimination/) - Legislative exemptions that allow faith-based educational institutions to discriminate against students, teachers and staff Submission to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee. November 2018 The Rationalist Society of Australia is the country’s oldest freethinking organisation. We advocate the use of reason and evidence in public policy, and we champion a secular, religion-neutral future for Australia. Following
- [RSA Patron Michael Kirby on religious freedoms](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-patron-michael-kirby-on-religious-freedoms/) - Pressure is mounting on Prime Minister Scott Morrison to release a review of religious freedoms conducted by former Attorney General Philip Ruddock. Source: Michael Kirby on religious freedoms on RN Drive - Separate stories podcast - ABC Radio RSA Patron Michael Kirby is interviewed on ABC radio. On the delayed Ruddock Report: "The mind gets
- [MEDIA RELEASE - Rationalist Society on religious freedom review](https://rationalist.com.au/media-release-rationalist-society-on-religious-freedom-review/) - Religious freedom laws should be a shield, not a sword
- [The Canadian Atheist interviews Dr Meredith Doig](https://rationalist.com.au/the-canadian-atheist-interviews-dr-meredith-doig/) - The Canadian Atheist interviews Dr Meredith Doig OAM, President of the Rationalist Society of Australia.
- [Opening remarks to the Ruddock Inquiry](https://rationalist.com.au/opening-remarks-to-the-ruddock-inquiry/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia is an independent not-for-profit association, founded in 1906. Relevant to this Inquiry are some of our 10 Point Plan for a Secular Australia: 1. We stand for a liberal, pluralistic and secular Australia: Everyone should be free to follow their own religious or non-religious worldview, provided they don’t impose such
- [An illusion of choice](https://rationalist.com.au/an-illusion-of-choice/) - Some parts of the world are beginning to step outside their homes and reintegrate themselves with their communities, guarded by certain restraints to prevent a resurgence of Covid-19. The restraints are likely to stay until a vaccine is developed, mass-produced and distributed into societies. This alone is providing hope to billions for a partial return
- [Thinking about thinking helps kids learn. How can we teach critical thinking?](https://rationalist.com.au/thinking-about-thinking-helps-kids-learn-how-can-we-teach-critical-thinking/) - This article was authored by RSA Fellow Peter Ellerton, and originally appeared in The Conversation, 28th January 2020, read it in its original form here. Peter Ellerton, The University of Queensland Few people doubt the value of developing students’ thinking skills. A 2013 survey in the United States found 93% of employers believe a candidate’s
- [JobKeeper payments for priests. Is it unlawful?](https://rationalist.com.au/jobkeeper-payments-for-priests-is-it-unlawful/) - Priests receiving payments under the federal government's JobKeeper scheme – and passing on some of those funds to the church – is almost certainly unconstitutional, but unlikely to be challenged in court due to the potential financial liabilities. Source: JobKeeper payments for priests? Is it unlawful - Monash Lens Did you know that the federal
- [New York Magazine: Inside the Near Meltdown of the #Feminist tour in Australia](https://rationalist.com.au/inside-the-near-meltdown-of-the-feminist-tour-in-australia/) - Gender feminist v equity feminist - but not a fair fight.
- [Morrison making religion a critical skill should grate, but there is a silver lining](https://rationalist.com.au/morrison-making-religion-a-critical-skill-should-grate-but-there-is-a-silver-lining/) - Like many of the increasing number of non-religious in Australia, I was outraged when I first learned that ‘religion and theology’ are considered fields where individuals have “critical skills” that could see them granted an exemption from the general ban on non-citizens entering Australia as part of our COVID-19 border restrictions. The federal government has
- [Media Release: New report reveals support for religion in Australia grossly misrepresented](https://rationalist.com.au/media-release-new-report-reveals-support-for-religion-in-australia-grossly-misrepresented/) - A new report “Religiosity in Australia—Personal faith according to the numbers” has revealed that the level of support for religion in Australia has been grossly misrepresented and the views of religious leaders are largely out of touch with those of the Australians they claim to represent. Dr Meredith Doig, president of the Rationalist Society of Australia,
- [SMH: The message in the Census – End Australia's Christian bias](https://rationalist.com.au/the-message-in-the-census-end-australias-christian-bias/) - By Tosca Lloyd, Executive Officer of the Rationalist Society of Australia To those advocating for a more secular Australia, Tuesday's release of the 2016 census results is hardly a revelation: the rising number of Australians ticking the "No religion" box is in line with trends worldwide, including in New Zealand and the UK, and corresponds to
- [Religious ‘leaders’ determined to alienate their flocks](https://rationalist.com.au/6209-2/) - Anglican and Catholic bishops seem to be going out of their way to alienate their constituencies, including in respect of voluntary assisted dying and marriage equality law reform. As a result, the writing on the wall is writ large for the continued decline of religion in Australia. Many Australian clerics are trying their hardest to
- [The Guardian: School chaplain program's $247m budget extension rejected](https://rationalist.com.au/school-chaplain-programs-247m-budget-extension-rejected/) - By Paul Karp, The Guardian The Australian Education Union has joined a chorus of secular groups in opposing the Coalition’s decision to extend the school chaplains program in the 2018 budget. Tuesday’s budget confirmed the federal government will give $247m over four years to continue the controversial program, which places 3,000 chaplains recognised by religious
- [The Courier Mail: Catholic Archbishop attacked over ‘misleading’ email on abortion Bill](https://rationalist.com.au/catholic-archbishop-attacked-over-misleading-email-on-abortion-bill/) - By The Courier Mail The Archdiocese of Brisbane has been slammed for distributing “misleading” information about proposed abortion laws across the southeast, including to some Catholic school communities. Archbishop Mark Coleridge’s office distributed an email to a range of people in the Brisbane archdiocese late last week, including parishioners and parents at some Brisbane Catholic
- [The Guardian: Government orders states to maintain complaints register for school chaplains](https://rationalist.com.au/government-orders-states-to-maintain-complaints-register-for-school-chaplains/) - By Paul Karp, 1 December 2018, The Guardian The commonwealth government has moved to add safeguards to the controversial chaplains program, including a new requirement that states maintain a register of complaints against religious chaplains. A new agreement with state and territory governments seeks to address concerns that the program lacks transparency after Guardian Australia
- [Demand for non-religious 'chaplains' growing](https://rationalist.com.au/demand-for-non-religious-chaplains-growing/) - Humanists Victoria and the ACT Humanist Society (ACTHS) have jointly released initial results from their survey of people’s preferences for the provision of non-religious support similar to what a chaplain would traditionally provide. Using the professional services of Dynata, a representative sample of one thousand adult Australians were asked “Please imagine you were either in or
- [Do we need laws to protect religious freedom? ](https://rationalist.com.au/do-we-need-laws-to-protect-religious-freedom/) - From Radio National: Do we need new laws to protect religious freedom in Australia? Source: The Roundtable - Sunday Extra - ABC Radio National (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) Following the national survey in which a majority of Australians said 'yes' to legalising same-sex marriage, the Coalition government establish a review, ‘to examine and report on whether
- [Submission: Inquiry into Implementation of the National Redress Scheme](https://rationalist.com.au/submission-inquiry-into-implementation-of-the-national-redress-scheme/) - Committee Secretariat Implementation of the National Redress Scheme By email: redress@aph.gov.au 23 May 2020 Dear Committee, The Rationalist Society is Australia’s oldest freethought group, promoting the use of evidence and reason in public policy since 1906. The RSA bases its policies on universal human values, shared by most religious and non-religious people. We
- [Petition: Replace the Lord's Prayer](https://rationalist.com.au/petition-replace-the-lords-prayer/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia is calling on Victorians to show their support for replacing the Anglican Lord's Prayer with a more inclusive invocation. Sign the petition here, and show Premier Dan Andrews that we want to make Victoria secular again. The speaker of the house is obliged to recite the Anglican Lord's Prayer at
- [RSA leads push to build momentum for replacing parliament’s prayer ritual](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-leads-push-to-build-momentum-for-replacing-parliaments-prayer-ritual/) - A new petition is aiming to build enough momentum before the federal parliament resumes to put the issue of Christian prayer rituals on the agenda of newly elected representatives heading to Canberra. Launched by Rationalist Society of Australia president Meredith Doig, the change.org petition calls for our federal parliament to acknowledge the incredible diversity of
- [Submission: On the Religious Discrimination bill, by Stella Thomas](https://rationalist.com.au/submission-on-the-religious-discrimination-bill-by-stella-thomas/) - Stella Thomas is an RSA member from South Australia. A parent who has long advocated freedom from religion for her school-age children, Stella is a model active citizen: engaged, informed, committed to making a difference. Here is her submission to the Attorney-General on the Religious Discrimination bill. I strongly believe that everyone has a right to
- [Is religious freedom under threat?](https://rationalist.com.au/is-religious-freedom-under-threat/) - In response to the passage of equal marriage legislation, the Ruddock Review concluded Australia needs a religious discrimination act. But does it? Three experts debate the issue on the ABC's God Forbid, including RSA Fellow Luke Beck. Associate Professor Luke Beck is a Fellow of the Rationalist Society of Australia. A constitutional law scholar at
- [Submission: On the Religious Discrimination bill, by Luke Beck](https://rationalist.com.au/religious-discrimination-submission-by-luke-beck/) - Luke Beck is a Fellow of the Rationalist Society of Australia. An Associate Professor at Monash University, Luke specialises in constitutional law and particularly section 116, the 'religion clause', of the Australian constitution. Here is his submission to the Religious Discrimination bill. I am an Associate Professor of Constitutional Law at Monash University and a
- [School chaplaincy provider hires Christians because they “align with our values”](https://rationalist.com.au/school-chaplaincy-provider-hires-christians-because-they-align-with-our-values/) - The head of a chaplaincy provider that receives millions of taxpayers’ dollars to recruit chaplains to work in public schools says it hires Christians because they are “people who align with our values”. Speaking to a City of Bayswater meeting last week, Tamsyn Cullingford, the Chief Executive Officer of YouthCARE in Western Australia, said that
- [The Big Smoke: God give us strength – Morrison’s faith is a national problem](https://rationalist.com.au/god-give-us-strength-morrisons-faith-is-a-national-problem/) - By Meredih Doig, The Big Smoke, 2 April 2020 While Scott Morrison’s religiosity is well known, the fact that he’s using it to dictate policy and navigate crisis should be the tipping point. It may come as a surprise to some but Australia is not the 51st state of the United States, and our politicians
- [Why assisted dying opponents don't mention Switzerland](https://rationalist.com.au/why-assisted-dying-opponents-dont-mention-switzerland/) - Blog by Neil Francis, Sunday 4 October 2020 Supposed Dutch suicide contagion from assisted dying Recently, Dr Theo Boer, an Assistant Professor at a "black-stocking" (strongly conservative Protestant) theological college in the Netherlands, was at it again — criticising the Dutch euthanasia law to anyone who would listen: "don't follow the Dutch euthanasia law path because it
- [Use of voluntary assisted dying by minors](https://rationalist.com.au/use-of-voluntary-assisted-dying-by-minors/) - RSA Fellow Neil Francis shows that the use of VAD by minors does happen in the four countries where it is legal but it is very rare. In all cases, there was parental involvement in the decision-making and the same criteria apply as for adults: severe, refractory underlying illness with extreme, unrelievable suffering. Photo by Vitolda
- [How the religious hide their true identity](https://rationalist.com.au/how-the-religious-hide-their-true-identity/) - If you're wondering how religious the organised opposition to voluntary assisted dying (VAD) law reform is, current ructions in Tasmania provide a marvellous petri dish of evidence. Catholic church call to arms Back in 2011, the now Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, Anthony Fisher, wrote a lengthy, deliberative editorial against VAD, calling on the church to
- [Catholics behind-the-scenes ](https://rationalist.com.au/catholics-behind-the-scenes/) - A friend pointed out to me an opinion piece published this week in MercatorNet that slams Victoria's voluntary assisted dying (VAD) law. Written about an elderly woman with cancer who used the law to die peacefully, it's an angry diatribe written by the woman’s granddaughter-in-law: one Mrs Madeleine Dugdale. Source: The shocking appropriation of a
- [The Australian: "You can't cancel me"](https://rationalist.com.au/you-cant-cancel-me/) - By Helen Pluckrose Helen Pluckrose describes herself as a secular liberal humanist, dog lover, mother, food masher and — more surprisingly for some­one who planned to become a historian — an “exile from the humanities”. “I cannot be what I wanted to be, which is a feminist historian looking at literature … because I’m expected
- [The Age: Andrews government 'turning a blind eye' to schools discrimination](https://rationalist.com.au/andrews-government-turning-a-blind-eye-to-schools-discrimination/) - By Luke Beck, RSA board member The Andrews government faces a clash in State Parliament this week over claims it is "turning a blind eye" to blatant religious discrimination in Victorian schools. Non-Christian applicants for taxpayer-funded school counsellor jobs are still being denied employment on the grounds of their faith, despite the state government agreeing
- [When Queensland pushes back on assisted dying, it ignores violent alternatives](https://rationalist.com.au/when-queensland-pushes-back-on-assisted-dying-it-ignores-violent-alternatives/) - By Chris Fotinopoulos, Brisbane Times Are Queenslanders happy for the elderly to sleep with a "loaded firearm" beneath their pillow? It is not so much a gun but a lethal drug, usually Nembutal, that some Australians have secured through illegal means for the explicit purpose of ending their life at a time of their choosing.
- [New parliament must prioritise restoring right for territories to legislate on assisted dying, says RSA](https://rationalist.com.au/new-parliament-must-prioritise-restoring-right-for-territories-to-legislate-on-assisted-dying-says-rsa/) - The new federal parliament must prioritise restoring the right of the Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory to introduce voluntary assisted dying (VAD) laws within their jurisdictions, says the Rationalist Society of Australia. With New South Wales set to become the last state to legalise VAD – legislation could pass the state parliament as soon
- [Do you need God to be good?](https://rationalist.com.au/do-you-need-god-to-be-moral/) - A new study by the Pew Center, the Global God Divide, shows large variations across countries when people are asked whether they think belief in God is necessary in order to be moral and have good values. In Australia in 2019, about one in five (19%) agreed or strongly agreed that you need God to
- [New Zealand end-of-life choice referendum](https://rationalist.com.au/new-zealand-end-of-life-choice-referendum/) - In September 2020, New Zealanders vote in a referendum to approve their End of Life Choice Act. As Australians, we must help ensure this referendum succeeds. If it fails, it would undermine the cause of similar reforms here in Australia. Voting is not compulsory in NZ and we need to make sure all Kiwi supporters
- [Surging Australian support for VAD includes the religious](https://rationalist.com.au/surging-australian-support-for-vad-includes-the-religious/) - A recent article in The Guardian reports that most Queensland churchgoers support voluntary assisted dying (VAD), citing a recent YouGov poll commissioned by the Clem Jones Trust. In fact, attitudes in support of VAD have been strengthening across Australia for many years, and the last few are no exception. In this analysis I explain, using impeccable Australian
- [Terminal sedation vs voluntary assisted dying](https://rationalist.com.au/terminal-sedation-vs-voluntary-assisted-dying/) - Terminal sedation and voluntary assisted dying (VAD) are different approaches to the management of the approximately 5% of dying patients who experience overwhelming suffering. Terminal sedation is also known as palliative sedation. Opponents of VAD often say that such dying patients can be provided with terminal sedation. However, we believe that terminal sedation can be
- [Submission: NSW Religious Freedoms bill 2020](https://rationalist.com.au/submission-nsw-religious-freedoms-bill-2020/) - Joint Select Committee on the Anti-Discrimination Amendment (Religious Freedoms and Equality) Bill 2020 Parliament House Sydney NSW 2000 By email: ReligiousFreedomsBill@parliament.nsw.gov.au 18 August 2020 Dear Committee, The Rationalist Society is Australia’s oldest freethought group, promoting the use of evidence and reason in public policy since 1906. The RSA bases its policies on
- [Submission: Cannabis use in Victoria](https://rationalist.com.au/submission-cannabis-use-in-victoria/) - This is a submission to the Legislative Council of Victoria's inquiry into the use of cannabis in Victoria. It was submitted on 30 August 2020. About the Rationalist Society of Australia The RSA is the oldest freethought group in Australia, promoting reason since 1906. Members and supporters hold that all significant beliefs and actions should
- [On the indoctrination of children](https://rationalist.com.au/on-the-indoctrination-of-children/) - The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 26 (3) says, "Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children." But is this right? In this brilliant essay, neuropsychologist Nicholas Humphrey argues it is not moral. Source: Edge: THE NEW HUMANIST "Sticks and stones may break my bones,
- [RSA seeks answers over chaplaincy provider’s breaching of anti-discrimination laws](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-seeks-answers-over-chaplaincy-providers-breaching-of-anti-discrimination-laws/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia is seeking answers from the Queensland government about the admission by the state’s largest provider of chaplains for public schools that it has been operating in breach of anti-discrimination laws. Earlier this year, Scripture Union told the government review into the state’s Anti-Discrimination Act that “it must have the ability
- [‘Truth in political advertising’ needed to promote rational debate, RSA tells inquiry](https://rationalist.com.au/truth-in-political-advertising-needed-to-promote-rational-debate-rsa-tells-inquiry/) - Laws prohibiting deceptive and misleading political advertising are urgently needed to promote rational debate and allow voters to make informed decisions, the Rationalist Society of Australia has told a federal parliamentary inquiry. In a submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters’ inquiry into the 2022 federal election, the RSA said this year’s election
- [Defence official signals possible secular reform to chaplaincy in Army and Air Force](https://rationalist.com.au/defence-official-signals-possible-secular-reform-to-chaplaincy-in-army-and-air-force/) - The Army and Air Force could follow Navy’s lead and introduce secular roles to its chaplaincy branch to help meet the wellbeing needs of non-religious personnel, it has been revealed at Senate estimates in Canberra. At yesterday’s hearing, Greens Senator David Shoebridge quizzed top officials about the appropriateness of the Australian Defence Force relying on
- [South Australian upper house member says ‘mood for change’ on prayer](https://rationalist.com.au/south-australian-upper-house-member-says-mood-for-change-on-prayer/) - South Australian upper house member Robert Simms has told the state parliament there is a growing “mood for change” across the country to replace prayer rituals with more inclusive practices in the daily proceedings of parliaments. In a speech to the Legislative Council this week, Mr Simms (pictured), of the Greens, said the tradition of
- [Prayer rituals excluding elected representatives and diverse communities, RSA Webinar told](https://rationalist.com.au/prayer-rituals-excluding-elected-representatives-and-diverse-communities-rsa-webinar-told/) - Christian prayer rituals in government institutions are excluding many people and forcing some elected representatives to wait outside while the prayers are being recited, the latest RSA webinar has heard. At Wednesday’s webinar, New South Wales upper house member Abigail Boyd and Victorian councillor Jodi Reynolds said the imposition of prayers in their respective government
- [Acting Premier defends Tasmanian Parliament's practice of reciting prayers](https://rationalist.com.au/acting-premier-defends-tasmanian-parliaments-practice-of-reciting-prayers/) - The Tasmanian Parliament appears set to continue imposing Christian worship at the opening of daily proceedings, despite 50 per cent of Tasmanians saying they are not religious. In a letter to the Rationalist Society of Australia, Acting Premier Michael Ferguson (pictured) defended the parliament’s current model of inviting members to either stand in silence or
- [Former top Navy chaplain advocating for reform ‘forced out’ of Defence Force](https://rationalist.com.au/former-top-navy-chaplain-advocating-for-reform-forced-out-of-defence-force/) - A former top Navy chaplain who has been publicly advocating for reform of the religious-based pastoral care and wellbeing support provided to Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel says he has been “forced out” of the military. In the latest episode of The Secular Agenda podcast, former Director-General of Navy Chaplaincy Collin Acton OAM reveals that
- [Exclusive: Religious clerics raise “concerns” with Defence chief about former head chaplain’s media appearance](https://rationalist.com.au/exclusive-religious-clerics-raise-concerns-with-defence-chief-about-former-head-chaplains-media-appearance/) - A taxpayer-funded committee of religious clerics has raised “concerns” with the Chief of the Defence Force (CDF) about a media interview given by a former head chaplain who is calling for reform of military chaplaincy services, show documents obtained under Freedom of Information (FOI). At a meeting of the Religious Advisory Committee to the Services
- [Youth minister’s comments highlight need for McGowan govt to address religious exceptions, says RSA](https://rationalist.com.au/youth-ministers-comments-highlight-need-for-mcgowan-government-to-address-religious-exceptions-says-rsa/) - A West Australian government minister has called out religious organisations for wanting to maintain a legal right to discriminate for numerous reasons while also criticising the actions of the Essendon Football Club in the Andrew Thorburn saga. In an interview on ABC Perth radio last week (listen from 1:57:10), Minister for Youth Dave Kelly (pictured)
- [Senator calls on colleagues to stop referring to voluntary assisted dying as ‘suicide’](https://rationalist.com.au/senator-calls-on-colleagues-to-stop-referring-to-voluntary-assisted-dying-as-suicide/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia welcomes a Labor senator's call for her colleagues to “get the terminology right” in the debate over voluntary assisted dying (VAD). In a speech to the Senate on the Restoring Territory Rights Bill 2022 last month, Senator Catryna Bilyk, from Tasmania, rejected the use of the word ‘suicide’ to describe
- [Labor changes opening rituals, but prayers remain in Senate](https://rationalist.com.au/labor-changes-opening-rituals-but-prayers-remain-in-senate/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia welcomes the Senate’s decision to change the sequence and wording of its opening daily rituals but remains concerned that exclusionary Christian prayers continue to be recited. Yesterday, the Senate voted 30-23 in favour of a Labor motion to open proceedings with the Acknowledgement of Country instead of Christian prayers, and
- [RSA calls for action on ‘advancing religion’ tax exemption as part of needed reform](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-calls-for-action-on-advancing-religion-tax-exemption-as-part-of-needed-reform/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has urged the Albanese government to tackle reform of the charities tax system and the automatic exemption status for entities claiming to be religious, with action needed to ensure the integrity of the system. In a letter to Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury, Andrew Leigh, earlier this month,
- [RSA calls on Tasmanian leaders to take bipartisan approach on replacing prayer rituals](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-calls-on-tasmanian-leaders-to-take-bipartisan-approach-on-replacing-prayer-rituals/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has urged the Tasmanian Premier and Opposition Leader to work in a bipartisan way to replace exclusionary prayer rituals in parliament with something that better reflects the religious and non-religious diversity of the state’s community. In a letter to Liberal Premier Jeremy Rockliff and Labor leader Rebecca White earlier this
- [Former school chaplain wants removal of third-party providers](https://rationalist.com.au/former-school-chaplain-wants-removal-of-third-party-providers/) - A former school chaplain who blew the whistle about the National School Chaplaincy Program (NSCP) earlier this year wants to see the Albanese government remove third-party chaplaincy providers – essentially Christian labour-hire firms. In an interview for the new episode of the The Secular Agenda podcast (listen here), Caragh Larsen (pictured), who was employed by
- [Two-week public consultation into school chaplaincy insufficient, says RSA](https://rationalist.com.au/two-week-public-consultation-into-school-chaplaincy-insufficient-says-rsa/) - A two-week public consultation being held as part of an evaluation into the National School Chaplaincy Program (NSCP) is insufficient, says the Rationalist Society of Australia. RSA president Meredith Doig says she is “deeply disappointed” with the federal government’s decision to give the community only two weeks to respond to an online survey evaluating the
- [All councils should review funding of religious chaplaincy, says RSA](https://rationalist.com.au/all-councils-should-review-funding-of-religious-chaplaincy-says-rsa/) - All councils that give funding to religious-based chaplaincy in public schools should review the appropriateness of the practice. The Rationalist Society of Australia has welcomed the commitment from the Bayswater City Council in Western Australia to review its ongoing funding of religious chaplains at schools in its local government area in Perth. Last month, the
- [RSA calls for Victorian pledge to improve access to services in religious hospitals](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-calls-for-victorian-pledge-to-improve-access-to-services-in-religious-hospitals/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has called on the Victorian government to commit to expanding access to abortion services and other services in publicly funded religious hospitals if it wins election this year. RSA president Meredith Doig has expressed her disappointment that the Andrews government rejected legislation that would have improved access to lawful services,
- [RSA welcomes WA commission’s stance on exceptions and treatment of non-religious](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-welcomes-wa-commissions-stance-on-exceptions-and-treatment-of-non-religious/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia welcomes the West Australian government’s commitment to narrowing the ability of religious schools to discriminate under proposed new anti-discrimination laws. Last week, the state’s Attorney-General, John Quigley (pictured), announced that the McGowan government would address the religious exceptions issues as part of an overhaul of the Equal Opportunity Act. After
- [WA council gives more than $500k to discriminatory chaplaincy program](https://rationalist.com.au/wa-council-gives-more-than-500k-to-discriminatory-chaplaincy-program/) - Ratepayers in a West Australian local government area have paid more than $500,000 in the past 10 years to fund Christian-only chaplains in public schools, the Rationalist Society of Australia can reveal. Information detailed in a City of Bayswater meeting document shows that the council, located north-east of the Perth CBD, has been giving thousands
- [SA parliament has "no plans" to replace prayer rituals despite surge of non-religious population](https://rationalist.com.au/sa-parliament-has-no-plans-to-replace-prayer-rituals-despite-surge-of-non-religious-population/) - The South Australian parliament appears set to continue imposing Christian devotional practices as part of its formal proceedings, even though far more South Australians say they have no religion than say they are Christian. The Speaker of the state’s House of Assembly, Dan Cregan (pictured), has told the Rationalist Society of Australia that there are
- [RSA calls on McGowan government to commit to removing exceptions](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-calls-on-mcgowan-government-to-commit-to-removing-exceptions/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has called on the McGowan government to commit to removing most religious exceptions from its anti-discrimination laws. With the West Australian government considering its response to a review of the state’s Equal Opportunity Act 1984, the RSA has written to Attorney-General John Quigley (pictured) to urge the government to act
- [RSA puts Parliamentary Science Office on radar of new pro-science senator](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-puts-parliamentary-science-office-on-radar-of-new-pro-science-senator/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has put the idea of a Parliamentary Science Office firmly on the radar of new ACT senator David Pocock, who advocated for the importance of science in his first weeks of parliament. In a letter to the independent senator, RSA president Dr Meredith Doig praised him for strongly standing up
- [Petitioners concerned the chaplaincy change doesn’t go far enough](https://rationalist.com.au/petitioners-concerned-the-chaplaincy-change-doesnt-go-far-enough/) - The parents behind a petition calling for the federal government to fund youth workers, not faith-based chaplains, in Australia’s public schools say the Albanese government’s proposed changes do not go far enough. Mark Davies, a spokesperson for the group of five parents, told the Rationalist Society of Australia that the Albanese government’s plan to open
- [Take inspiration from ACT Legislative Assembly, RSA urges Canberra’s federal representatives](https://rationalist.com.au/take-inspiration-from-act-legislative-assembly-rsa-urges-canberras-federal-representatives/) - Federal MPs and senators representing Canberrans should take inspiration from the Australian Capital Territory’s Legislative Assembly and advocate for more modern and inclusive practices in the new parliament. The Rationalist Society of Australia has written to the ACT’s two senators, Katy Gallagher and David Pocock, and three MPs, Andrew Leigh, Alicia Payne and David Smith,
- [RSA urges government to enable telehealth use for assisted dying](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-urges-government-to-enable-telehealth-use-for-assisted-dying/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has called on the Albanese government to amend federal laws to ensure medical practitioners can consult about voluntary assisted dying (VAD) with patients using telehealth. In a letter to Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus (pictured) and health minister Mark Butler, RSA president Meredith Doig said terminally ill Australians in regional, rural and
- [Australians can 'no longer afford to be silent' on religious interference in public schools, RSA Webinar told](https://rationalist.com.au/australians-can-no-longer-afford-to-be-silent-on-religious-interference-in-public-schools-rsa-webinar-told/) - A grassroots mobilisation that embraces secularism is needed to counter increased religious interference in Australia’s public education system, the latest RSA Webinar has heard. On Wednesday, Jack Galvin Waight, author of the new report, Teaching not preaching: Making our public schools secular, said pro-secular Australians could “no longer afford to be silent” on issues such
- [RSA backs Senate President’s comments about need to replace prayer](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-backs-senate-presidents-comments-about-need-to-replace-prayer/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia applauds the new President of the Senate, Sue Lines, for making public her principled stand against the recital of Christian prayers at the opening of each day’s proceedings in the Senate. In her role as President, Senator Lines is required by the Senate’s Standing Orders to read aloud two Christian
- [RSA calls on the Greens to move swiftly on replacing prayer rituals](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-calls-on-the-greens-to-move-swiftly-on-replacing-prayer-rituals/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia is calling on the Greens to move swiftly to have prayers replaced with more inclusive practices at the opening of each day in the House of Representatives and in the Senate. Last week, RSA president Meredith Doig wrote to Greens leader Adam Bandt to urge his party to take the
- [RSA urges parliament’s incoming presiding officers to act on prayer issue](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-urges-parliaments-incoming-presiding-officers-to-act-on-prayer-issue/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has urged the incoming Speaker of the House of Representatives and President of the Senate to replace the daily prayer ritual with something more modern, inclusive and reflective of the community. With the new parliament opening tomorrow, RSA president Meredith Doig has written to Milton Dick MP and Senator Sue
- [RSA presses new Defence ministers for answers on chaplaincy model in Defence Force](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-presses-new-defence-ministers-for-answers-on-chaplaincy-model-in-defence-force/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has queried the new Defence ministers on how they will ensure that Army and Air Force follow the lead of the Navy in introducing non-religious wellbeing support officers. In a letter to Defence Minister Richard Marles and Defence Personnel and Veterans Affairs Minister Matt Keogh early this month, the RSA
- [WA school community wants ‘best person for the job’ for chaplaincy roles](https://rationalist.com.au/wa-school-community-wants-best-person-for-the-job-for-chaplaincy-roles/) - The parents and carers behind a push for the religious requirement to be removed from the chaplaincy roles in their public primary school say they just want the “best person for the job”. In an interview on ABC Radio in Perth this morning, Ashley Greig (pictured), the vice-president for the Maylands Peninsula Primary School’s P&C,
- [Mayor urges councils, state and federal parliaments to adopt more inclusive opening ritual](https://rationalist.com.au/mayor-urges-councils-state-and-federal-parliaments-to-adopt-more-inclusive-opening-ritual/) - A mayor whose council recently replaced Christian prayer recitals with a brief period of reflection at the opening of its meetings would like to see other local, state and federal parliaments follow suit. In an interview with The Secular Agenda podcast (listen here), Mayor Amanda Findley of the Shoalhaven City Council, located on the New South
- [ADF needs to 'get serious' about meeting wellbeing needs of personnel, RSA Webinar told](https://rationalist.com.au/adf-needs-to-get-serious-about-meeting-wellbeing-needs-of-personnel-rsa-told/) - The resistance of Army and Air Force to modernising their religious-based chaplaincy capability is having a detrimental impact on their own personnel, the latest RSA Webinar has heard. On Wednesday, Collin Acton OAM, the former head of the Navy’s chaplaincy branch, told the webinar (watch the full recording below) that the Australian Defence Force (ADF)
- [WA primary school rejects religious discrimination in chaplaincy program](https://rationalist.com.au/wa-primary-school-rejects-religious-discrimination-in-chaplaincy-program/) - A West Australian primary school community has voted to remove religious-based discrimination in the hiring practices of school chaplaincy positions. In May, the Parents & Carers (P&C) group at Maylands Peninsula Primary School conducted a survey of parents and carers about the chaplaincy program, asking whether they would support funding for equal opportunity employment for
- [Key principles should underpin any new Religious Discrimination Bill](https://rationalist.com.au/key-principles-should-underpin-any-new-religious-discrimination-bill/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has urged the new Attorney-General, Mark Dreyfus, to adopt four key principles to guide the development of a new Religious Discrimination Bill. RSA president Meredith Doig wrote to Mr Dreyfus earlier this month following recent news reports that suggested the Albanese government would introduce such legislation to the parliament. In
- [RSA helps put religious exemptions issue back on radar in South Australia](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-helps-put-religious-exemptions-issue-back-on-radar-in-south-australia/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has helped put the issue of religious exemptions to anti-discrimination laws on the radar of the new Labor government in South Australia. In response to a letter from the RSA, Attorney-General Kyam Maher (pictured) said that he would "give further consideration" to the matter. In 2020, the former Marshall government
- [Navy pledges to remove ‘theology’ from ads for secular wellbeing role](https://rationalist.com.au/navy-pledges-to-remove-theology-from-ads-for-secular-wellbeing-role/) - The Navy will remove references to ‘theology’ as a relevant qualification for new secular wellbeing support roles after the Rationalist Society of Australia sought an explanation in regards to its inclusion in recent job advertisements. In a letter to the RSA last week, Deputy Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Christopher Smith (pictured) said he agreed
- [RSA welcomes ‘good first step’ in reform of school chaplaincy](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-welcomes-good-first-step-in-reform-of-school-chaplaincy/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia welcomes the Albanese government’s commitment to allow public schools the option of choosing a secular welfare worker under the National School Chaplaincy Program. “This is a good first step by the new government to address the problems in the school chaplaincy program,” said RSA president Dr Meredith Doig (pictured). “We’re
- [RSA calls on Minister Clare to reform school chaplaincy program](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-calls-on-minister-clare-to-reform-school-chaplaincy-program/) - Restricting welfare and pastoral support roles to religious chaplains undermines secular public schooling and the quality of care provided to school children, the Rationalist Society of Australia has told new education minister Jason Clare. In a letter to Minister Clare (see letter below), RSA president Meredith Doig has urged the Albanese government to make much-needed
- [Theology degrees ‘inconsistent’ with purpose of Navy roles, says RSA](https://rationalist.com.au/theology-degrees-inconsistent-with-purpose-of-navy-roles-says-rsa/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia is seeking an explanation from the Royal Australian Navy’s top brass on why ‘theology’ is listed as a relevant qualification for new secular wellbeing support roles within Navy’s Chaplaincy Branch. The RSA can reveal that the Navy is currently advertising its Maritime Spiritual Welfare Officer (MSWO) roles – also known as
- [RSA backs push for new Parliamentary Science Office](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-backs-push-for-new-parliamentary-science-office/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has urged the new Labor government to consider establishing a Parliamentary Science Office that could provide scientific advice for all members of the parliament. In a letter to Ed Husic, the newly appointed Minister for Industry and Science, RSA president Meredith Doig said it would be of great public benefit
- [RSA welcomes minister’s commitment to restore territory rights on assisted dying](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-welcomes-ministers-commitment-to-restore-territory-rights-on-assisted-dying/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia welcomes Labor Minister Kristy McBain’s commitment to give the territories the right to legislate for voluntary assisted dying (VAD) in their own jurisdictions. Speaking on the ABC’s Afternoon Briefing today, the newly appointed Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories said she would work with the crossbench to repeal
- [Defence Force’s support model is ‘failing’ service personnel, says RSA](https://rationalist.com.au/defence-forces-support-model-is-failing-service-personnel-says-rsa/) - The Australian Defence Force’s religious-based wellbeing and pastoral care model is failing service personnel and negatively affecting mental health outcomes, the Rationalist Society of Australia has told a royal commission. In a submission to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, the RSA argued that the chaplaincy service provided in the ADF puts up
- [Submission to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide](https://rationalist.com.au/submission-to-the-royal-commission-into-defence-and-veteran-suicide/) - This is our submission to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. Members of the public and organisations have until Friday 13 October, 2023, to make submissions to the royal commission. The Rationalist Society of Australia believes the current Australian Defence Force (ADF) wellbeing and pastoral care model is failing Australia’s service personnel and
- [Secular reform of the military should be a top priority for the new parliament](https://rationalist.com.au/secular-reform-of-the-military-should-be-a-top-priority-for-the-new-parliament/) - Our top priority for the new parliament is to secure for our Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel secular pastoral care and wellbeing support. Today, we’re announcing our top priorities for secular change during the term of the new federal parliament, which is set to begin within weeks. Our priority list is as follows: Religion in
- [Decriminalise cannabis for personal use, RSA urges McGowan government](https://rationalist.com.au/decriminalise-cannabis-for-personal-use-rsa-urges-mcgowan-government/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia is urging the Western Australia government to follow through on its 2019 policy pledge to decriminalise the possession of small amounts cannabis for personal use. Earlier this month, the McGowan government’s members in the Legislative Council voted down a motion put forward by the Legalise Cannabis WA Party’s Brian Walker.
- [New parliament has an opportunity to shape a truly secular Australia](https://rationalist.com.au/new-parliament-has-an-opportunity-to-shape-a-truly-secular-australia/) - In April last year, Anthony Albanese said: “I think separation of church and state is important”. And we agree. At the Rationalist Society of Australia, we have seen Australians, over recent years, becoming increasingly concerned and uncomfortable about the entanglement of religion with government and with public policy. At last weekend’s federal election, Australians overwhelmingly
- [Let schools hire student welfare and pastoral care workers directly, RSA tells Labor](https://rationalist.com.au/let-schools-hire-student-welfare-and-pastoral-care-workers-directly-rsa-tells-labor/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has urged Labor’s education spokesperson, Tanya Plibersek, to remove the outsourcing arrangements and the inherent religious-based discrimination in the National School Chaplaincy Program (NSCP) if elected to government. In a letter to Ms Plibersek (pictured) in April, RSA president Meredith Doig said federal funds would be better spent if public
- [Australia’s refugee policy must not discriminate on the basis of religion, says RSA](https://rationalist.com.au/australias-refugee-policy-must-not-discriminate-on-the-basis-of-religion-says-rsa/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia is calling for clarification from the federal government as to whether it discriminates on the basis of religion in its refugee policy. RSA president Meredith Doig today said the Morrison government – which has pledged to re-introduce the Religious Discrimination Bill if re-elected to government – should clarify whether it
- [RSA Webinar: Growing risk of ‘free for all’ without reforms to political advertising](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-webinar-growing-risk-of-free-for-all-without-reforms-to-political-advertising/) - The problem of misleading political advertising is at risk of worsening and “becoming a free for all” without new laws that require electoral matter to be truthful, the latest RSA Webinar has heard. Speaking at Wednesday’s webinar (see recording below), Bill Browne, Senior Researcher at The Australia Institute, said the strong public support for truth
- [Next government must support the public broadcasters, says RSA](https://rationalist.com.au/next-government-must-support-the-public-broadcasters-says-rsa/) - The next government must strengthen the public broadcasters, the ABC and SBS, and defend them from attacks from commercial media operators, says the Rationalist Society of Australia. In a video message to members and subscribers today, RSA Treasurer Brendan Liveris (pictured) said the public broadcasters, especially the ABC, play a critical role in Australia’s democracy.
- [DFAT confirms joint diplomatic effort in Nigerian blasphemy case](https://rationalist.com.au/dfat-confirms-joint-diplomatic-effort-in-nigerian-blasphemy-case/) - The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is “deeply disturbed” by the use of blasphemy and apostasy laws against non-religious people such as Mubarak Bala, one of its top diplomats has told the Rationalist Society of Australia. In a letter to the RSA (see the letter below), Deputy Secretary Kathy Klugman said the department had
- [Labor minister MacTiernan confirms she backs replacing prayer ritual](https://rationalist.com.au/labor-minister-mactiernan-confirms-she-backs-replacing-prayer-ritual/) - Prominent McGowan government member Alannah MacTiernan will support the removal of Christian prayers from the upper house of the West Australian parliament. In a letter to the Rationalist Society of Australia, Minister MacTiernan said it was now time to modernise the parliament and replace the opening Christian prayer in the Legislative Council with something more
- [School acts after parents reject the teaching of scripture during class time](https://rationalist.com.au/school-acts-after-parents-reject-the-teaching-of-scripture-during-class-time/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has welcomed the decision of a school community in Western Australia to remove religious instruction from class time. Spencer Park Primary School in Albany has informed its school community that it would discontinue with scripture classes after the school conducted a survey of parents and guardians. As reported by the ABC
- [RSA calls on Western Australia to move scripture outside class time](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-calls-on-western-australia-to-move-scripture-outside-class-time/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has asked the Western Australian government to move Special Religious Education (SRE) out of class time in public schools and make it an ‘opt-in’ proposition for parents. In a letter to Education Minister Sue Ellery, RSA spokesperson Vicki Caulfield (pictured) said the government should update its 2015 guidelines on SRE
- [RSA raises concerns with QLD minister over Citipointe’s involvement in public schools](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-raises-concerns-with-qld-minister-over-citipointes-involvement-in-public-schools/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has urged the Queensland government to remove Religious Instruction from public schools, concerned that Citipointe Church missionaries use the program to “harvest” children. RSA president Meredith Doig has written to state education minister Grace Grace (pictured) to welcome her strong response to Citipointe Christian College’s decision to require students to
- [QLD parents group calls for inquiry on whether public schools are ‘mission fields’](https://rationalist.com.au/qld-parents-group-calls-for-inquiry-on-whether-public-schools-are-mission-fields/) - The Queensland parliament needs to investigate the appropriateness of religious groups using their access to public schools through the Religious Instruction (RI) program to “harvest children for the Lord”, says a parents group. The Queensland Parents for Secular State Schools (QPSSS) group has told the Rationalist Society of Australia it would renew its push for
- [QLD minister signals no change to RI despite Citipointe’s ‘harvesting’ of kids](https://rationalist.com.au/qld-minister-signals-no-change-to-ri-despite-citipointes-harvesting-of-kids/) - Queensland’s education minister says her government has no plans to make changes to the Religious Instruction (RI) program despite some church groups using their access to public school classrooms to “harvest” children “for the Lord”. In a letter to the Rationalist Society of Australia, a spokesperson for Minister Grace Grace said the government had “no
- [Election 2022: The reforms our democracy needs](https://rationalist.com.au/election-2022-the-reforms-our-democracy-needs/) - For this federal election, our primary hope is to see that successful political candidates will pursue the reforms that are sorely needed to restore the Australian public’s trust in this country’s democratic institutions. Today, we at the Rationalist Society of Australia announce the addition to our platform of two key policies that we believe will
- [Accessibility to support 'a big issue' for ADF personnel, says former chaplain](https://rationalist.com.au/accessibility-to-support-a-big-issue-for-adf-personnel-says-former-chaplain/) - Collin Acton’s proposal for a new secular wellbeing support capability in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) would break down the barriers to service personnel accessing the support they need when they need it. The former Navy chaplain, who retired last year as Navy’s Director General of Chaplaincy and Principal Chaplain, has told the Rationalist Society
- [Former top Navy chaplain calls for secular change across Defence Force](https://rationalist.com.au/former-top-navy-chaplain-calls-for-secular-change-across-defence-force/) - The former head of chaplaincy for the Navy believes the Australian Defence Force (ADF) must now consider replacing the chaplaincy branches in all three services with a new secular wellbeing support capability. Collin Acton, who last year retired from the role of Navy Director General of Chaplaincy and Principal Chaplain, told the Rationalist Society of
- [Gold Coast council’s prayer ritual breaches own ‘inclusion and diversity’ statement](https://rationalist.com.au/gold-coast-councils-prayer-ritual-breaches-own-inclusion-and-diversity-statement/) - Having exclusively Christian prayers at the opening of Gold Coast council meetings is a direct breach of the council’s own ‘inclusion and diversity’ statement and must be removed, says the Rationalist Society of Australia. At each full meeting of the Gold Coast council, Mayor Tom Tate recites a Christian prayer that calls for the “Heavenly
- [Religious affiliation of top ranks preventing reform to military chaplaincy](https://rationalist.com.au/religious-affiliation-of-top-ranks-preventing-reform-to-military-chaplaincy/) - The gap in religious affiliation between senior military officers and new recruits is preventing the Australian Defence Force (ADF) from making necessary reforms to modernise its chaplaincy capability, says the former head of chaplaincy for the Navy. In an interview on the ABC’s Conversations program today (listen to the full interview here), Collin Acton, the
- [RSA calls for veterans' chaplaincy program to include secular support](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-calls-for-veterans-chaplaincy-program-to-include-secular-support/) - A newly proposed chaplaincy program to support Defence veterans must include secular welfare support, says the Rationalist Society of Australia. The federal government’s latest Budget statement for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs states that a new program will be piloted over the next two years to “test the effectiveness” of extending chaplaincy to veterans. In
- [RSA questions Gold Coast mayor over appointment of ‘spiritual advisor’](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-questions-gold-coast-mayor-over-appointment-of-spiritual-advisor/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has written to Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate to urge him to state publicly whether he supports the Seven Mountain Mandate and to outline his position on the separation of church and state. Despite council’s newly appointed spiritual advisor having claimed that she and the mayor both support the fundamentalist
- [Gold Coast Mayor’s new ‘spiritual advisor’ supports fundamentalist ideology](https://rationalist.com.au/gold-coast-mayors-new-spiritual-adviser-supports-fundamentalist-ideology/) - The Gold Coast mayor’s new ratepayer-funded ‘spiritual advisor’ is an adherent of the Christian fundamentalist Seven Mountains Mandate, which seeks to achieve Christian control of the major institutions of society. In media articles this month, Gold Coast ratepayers have questioned the appropriateness of Mayor Tom Tate, a Christian, using council funds to appoint Pastor Sue
- [RSA raises plight of imprisoned Nigerian with Australia’s top diplomat](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-raises-plight-of-imprisoned-nigerian-with-australias-top-diplomat/) - Australian international diplomacy should include protecting the rights of non-religious people, the Rationalist Society of Australia has told the head of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). In a letter to DFAT Secretary Kathryn Campbell this week, RSA President Meredith Doig raised the plight of 37-year-old Mubarak Bala, President of the Humanist Society
- [RSA Webinar: ‘Patchwork’ of programs failing mental health support in schools](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-webinar-patchwork-of-programs-failing-mental-health-support-in-schools/) - Better coordination of support and more efficient use of funding in schools are needed to address the mental health challenges among children, the latest RSA Webinar heard. Speaking at Wednesday’s webinar (see recording below), educational psychologist Dr Marilyn Campbell from the Queensland University of Technology said the mental health situation for children was “not very
- [RSA Webinar: Preventing extremism requires addressing underlying grievances](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-webinar-preventing-extremism-requires-addressing-underlying-grievances/) - Preventing radicalisation and public polarisation in an ‘infodemic’ age requires a thorough examination of underlying societal grievances such as inequality and corruption, the latest RSA Webinar heard. Speaking at Wednesday’s webinar (watch recording below), guest speaker Dr Vivian Gerrand said conducive environments of grievance made people more vulnerable to misinformation and disinformation, especially during times
- [Expert guidance needed for consent curriculum development, says sex education provider](https://rationalist.com.au/expert-guidance-needed-for-consent-curriculum-development-says-sex-education-provider/) - Calls are mounting for experts to play a leading role in the development of the new national curriculum on consent and relationships in order to avoid a repeat of content such as the infamous ‘milkshake’ videos. Ahead of a meeting of federal and state/territory education ministers next month, one community organisation that delivers evidence-based puberty
- [South Australia election: RSA calls for commitment to remove religious exemptions](https://rationalist.com.au/south-australia-election-rsa-calls-for-commitment-to-remove-religious-exemptions/) - The major parties contesting this week’s South Australian election should commit to removing harmful religious-based exemptions from the state’s discrimination laws. With the state election being held on Saturday 19 March, RSA spokesperson for South Australia and board member Tanya Watkins is urging Premier Steven Marshall and Labor leader Peter Malinauskas to make their position
- [Draw on expertise in developing consent and relationships program, says RSA](https://rationalist.com.au/draw-on-expertise-in-developing-consent-and-relationships-program-says-rsa/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has urged the nation’s education ministers to turn to experts in developing the new national consent and relationships curriculum. In a letter to acting federal education minister Stuart Robert and state and territory ministers (see letter below), Dr Meredith Doig welcomed their commitment to introduce a health curriculum that will
- [Media release: RSA calls for end to religious-based discrimination in Tasmanian school roles](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-calls-for-end-to-religious-based-discrimination-in-tasmanian-school-roles/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) is calling on the Tasmanian government to end religious-based discrimination in the appointment of chaplains in the state’s public schools. In documents obtained by the RSA through a Freedom of Information (FoI) request, the state’s Department of Education admits to running a program that discriminates against non-religious Tasmanians by
- [Statement in solidarity with the people of Ukraine](https://rationalist.com.au/statement-in-solidarity-with-the-people-of-ukraine/) - Like most Australians, we, the members and supporters of the groups listed below, express our solidarity with the people of Ukraine at this critical time. We consider the action taken by the Russian president to invade Ukraine contrary to the principles of peaceful co-existence and respect for the rule of international law. It can only
- [RSA welcomes national curriculum on consent and relationships](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-welcomes-national-curriculum-on-consent-and-relationships/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia welcomes the decision of Australia’s education ministers to implement a national consent and relationships curriculum. From 2023, a new national health curriculum will teach students from foundation to Year 10 about consent, respectful relationships, gendered stereotypes, coercion and power imbalances in an age-appropriate way. Federal, state and territory education ministers
- [Retired principal launches religious discrimination complaint over chaplaincy](https://rationalist.com.au/retired-principal-in-religious-discrimination-claim-over-chaplaincy/) - Retired school principal Karen Garn-Jones believes that she is the “perfect candidate” to work as a chaplain in Western Australia’s public school system, yet she can’t apply for a role because she is not religious. Ms Garn-Jones (pictured) lodged a complaint with the state’s Equal Opportunity Commission last year, claiming that the federal- and state-funded
- [NSW citizens ‘deserve same access’ to assisted dying, says RSA](https://rationalist.com.au/nsw-citizens-deserve-same-access-to-assisted-dying-says-rsa/) - The people of New South Wales deserve to have the same access to voluntary assisted dying (VAD) laws as Australians in other states, the Rationalist Society of Australia has told members of the state’s upper house. With debate on the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2021 set to begin in the Legislative Council this week, RSA
- [Councillor’s speech draws inspiration from RSA president as opening prayer is removed](https://rationalist.com.au/councillors-speech-draws-inspiration-from-rsa-president-as-opening-prayer-is-removed/) - The Shoalhaven councillor who successfully moved a motion to have Christian prayers rituals replaced with a more inclusive practice to open meetings drew inspiration from Rationalist Society of Australia president Meredith Doig. In speaking to her motion on Tuesday night (see full text of the speech below), Councillor and Deputy Mayor Liza Butler quoted from
- [RSA invites Attorney-General Cash to join our webinar series to explain Religious Discrimination Bill](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-invites-attorney-general-cash-to-join-our-webinar-series-to-explain-religious-discrimination-bill/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has formally invited Attorney-General Michaelia Cash to appear as a guest speaker in a webinar to talk about the impacts of the Religious Discrimination Bill on non-religious Australians. Earlier this month, RSA president Meredith Doig sent a letter to Senator Cash inviting her to appear as a guest speaker for
- [RSA backs parents’ petition in push for change to school chaplaincy program](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-backs-parents-petition-in-push-for-change-to-school-chaplaincy-program/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has welcomed a petition, driven by parents from across Australia, that calls for changes to be made to the National School Chaplaincy Program (NSCP). In the Change.org petition, the parents are asking for the next federal government to fund youth workers, not faith-based chaplains, in Australia’s public schools. Since launching
- [Petitioner’s ‘Handmaid’s Tale’ warning inspires widespread opposition to bill](https://rationalist.com.au/petitioners-handmaids-tale-warning-inspires-widespread-opposition-to-bill/) - The petitioner who inspired more than 160,000 Australians to voice their opposition to the Religious Discrimination Bill wants politicians to sit up and take notice. Emma Linton believes that the public support for her petition, Stop the Religious Discrimination Bill: the Coalition's "Handmaid's Tale" change.org, sends a strong message to members of the federal parliament.
- [Minor party hopeful of cannabis law reform in Western Australia](https://rationalist.com.au/minor-party-hopeful-of-cannabis-law-reform-in-western-australia/) - A minor party in the West Australian parliament hopes that an inquiry into cannabis will help open the way to wider acceptance of medicinal cannabis and the use of other cannabis and hemp products. In an interview with the Rationalist Society of Australia, Sophia Moermond MLC, from the Legalise Cannabis WA Party, said law reform
- [Meredith Doig urges Prime Minister to withdraw support for divisive bill](https://rationalist.com.au/meredith-doig-urges-prime-minister-to-withdraw-support-for-divisive-bill/) - Prime Minister Scott Morrison has told the Rationalist Society of Australia that he does not want the debate over the Religious Discrimination Bill to become "a divisive issue" for the country. In a letter sent late last month (see below), Mr Morrison said that Australia was "an exemplar of acceptance and tolerance". "Like you, it
- [‘Multiple, significant flaws’ in committee’s survey on Religious Discrimination Bill](https://rationalist.com.au/multiple-significant-flaws-in-committees-survey-on-religious-discrimination-bill/) - A survey used by a parliamentary committee to gauge the public’s views about the Religious Discrimination Bill had "multiple, significant flaws". Neil Francis, who is author of the Religiosity in Australia series and a Fellow of the Rationalist Society of Australia, has identified many problems with the survey in an analysis piece for the #DontDivideUs
- [Thanks for your support in 2021](https://rationalist.com.au/thanks-for-your-support-in-2021/) - A message from Dr Meredith Doig OAM, President of the Rationalist Society of Australia. As we look forward to a new year, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support in 2021. The generosity of our members and supporters right across the country truly made 2021 a big year for the
- [Submission: Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights inquiry into the Religious Discrimination Bill 2021](https://rationalist.com.au/submission-parliamentary-joint-committee-on-human-rights-inquiry-into-the-religious-discrimination-bill-2021/) - This is the Rationalist Society of Australia’s submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights into the Religious Discrimination Bill 2021. 18 December 2021 Dear Committee, The Rationalist Society of Australia is Australia’s oldest freethought group, promoting the use of evidence and reason in public policy since 1906. The RSA bases its policies on
- [Media release: RSA urges elected representatives to follow Councillor Franco's lead on prayer issue](https://rationalist.com.au/media-release-rsa-urges-elected-representatives-to-follow-councillor-francos-lead-on-prayer-issue/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) is urging non-religious elected representatives in local councils, state parliaments and federal parliament to take inspiration from a Boroondara councillor and call for exclusionary prayer rituals to be replaced with more inclusive practices at the start of meetings. Non-religious councillor Victor Franco is now declining to stand for the
- [Non-religious councillor now refusing to stand for prayer ritual](https://rationalist.com.au/non-religious-councillor-refuses-to-stand-for-prayer-ritual/) - A non-religious councillor who believes religion should be separate from the business of government is refusing to stand for the recital of Christian prayers at the opening of council meetings. At a meeting of the Boroondara council on 29 November, Victor Franco refused to join with his colleagues in standing for the prayer ritual that
- [RSA calls for Morrison government and Labor to prioritise protecting LGBTIQ students and teachers](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-calls-for-morrison-government-and-labor-to-prioritise-protecting-lgbti-students-and-teachers/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia is urging the Morrison government and the Labor opposition to join forces to provide protections for LGBTIQ students and teachers in religious schools instead of pursuing the divisive Religious Discrimination Bill. In a newly released video (see below), RSA president Meredith Doig calls on the major parties to deliver on
- [RSA Webinar: Improvements needed in Victorian assisted dying law](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-webinar-improvements-needed-in-victorian-assisted-dying-law/) - Although Victoria’s voluntary assisted dying (VAD) law is working well, many improvements are needed to make it more accessible to people suffering with terminal illness, the latest RSA Webinar heard. Speaking at Wednesday’s webinar (see recording below), Dr Nick Carr, a Victorian GP involved in providing VAD care, said the process was helping to relieve
- [RSA throws support behind open letter addressing Religious Discrimination Bill](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-throws-support-behind-open-letter-on-religious-discrimination-bill/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia is among more than 250 community groups that have signed an open letter calling on the Prime Minister to deliver fair discrimination laws that protect all people in the community equally. The letter, signed by business, union, LGBTIQ, human rights, women’s groups and others, has been published in The Age
- [RSA urges Victorian government to commit to secular and qualified youth workers](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-urges-victorian-government-to-commit-to-secular-and-qualified-youth-workers/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia is urging the Andrews government to commit to providing "secular" and "qualified" youth workers for Victorian schoolchildren in addition to its pledge to boost mental health services. In a letter to Education Minister James Merlino, RSA president Dr Meredith Doig welcomed the roll out of the Mental Health Practitioners initiative
- [Senator prefers no Religious Discrimination Bill if government fails to meet religious leaders’ expectations](https://rationalist.com.au/senator-prefers-no-religious-discrimination-bill-if-government-fails-to-meet-religious-leaders-expectations/) - A conservative government senator has stepped up pressure on Prime Minister Scott Morrison to deliver a Religious Discrimination Bill that meets the expectations of religious leaders. In a webinar hosted by the Institute for Judaism and Civilisation (IJC) at the end of October, Concetta Fierravanti-Wells reaffirmed her view that “no bill would be better than
- [Attorney-General, Australian women don’t want Texas-style abortion laws](https://rationalist.com.au/attorney-general-australian-women-dont-want-texas-style-abortion-laws/) - Australian women have every reason to be deeply concerned about the Morrison government's imminent Religious Discrimination Bill. This week, Attorney-General Michaelia Cash will be meeting with a fundamentalist far-Right Christian lobby group that is working to import the Texas-style tactics to reduce women’s access to legal abortion services in Australia. We know this because on
- [RSA Webinar: ‘Religious freedom’ discourse being wielded to discriminate against others](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-webinar-religious-freedom-discourse-being-wielded-to-discriminate-against-others/) - The prevailing 'religious freedom' discourse in Australia is being wielded by hard-Right politicians, 'culture warriors' and the Christian Right to legitimise laws that discriminate against LGBTIQ people and others, the latest RSA Webinar heard. In Wednesday's webinar (watch the video below), Rev. Dr Elenie Poulos presented on how the discourse on 'religious freedom' had dramatically
- [Government’s exclusion of non-religious voices appears to be religious-based discrimination](https://rationalist.com.au/governments-exclusion-of-non-religious-voices-appears-to-be-religious-based-discrimination/) - The Morrison government appears to be discriminating against non-religious Australians by excluding them from the consultation process as part of re-drafting the Religious Discrimination Bill, says the Rationalist Society of Australia. While the Attorney-General Michaelia Cash and her staff have been holding meetings with a number of religious groups throughout the year, the RSA understands
- [Exceptions allow for religious bodies to harm the fundamental rights of others in WA](https://rationalist.com.au/exceptions-allow-for-religious-bodies-to-harm-the-fundamental-rights-of-others-in-wa/) - Current exceptions to anti-discrimination laws in Western Australia are allowing religious institutions to harm the fundamental rights and freedoms of others, the Rationalist Society of Australia has warned. In a submission to the WA Law Reform Commission (LRC), the RSA has argued for provisions in the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 to be brought into alignment
- [Submission: Western Australian Law Reform Commission's review of the Equal Opportunity Act](https://rationalist.com.au/submission-western-australian-law-reform-commissions-review-of-the-equal-opportunity-act/) - This is the Rationalist Society of Australia's submission to the Western Australian Law Reform Commission's review of the state's Equal Opportunity Act 1984. Dear Commissioners, The Rationalist Society of Australia is Australia's oldest freethought group, promoting the use of evidence and reason in public policy since 1906. The RSA bases its policies on universal human
- [Vale Rodney Syme](https://rationalist.com.au/vale-rodney-syme/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia is saddened to hear of the passing of our patron and voluntary assisted dying (VAD) advocate Dr Rodney Syme. Rodney passed away on Wednesday, aged 86. On behalf of the RSA's members and supporters across Australia, I send condolences to Rodney’s family, friends and colleagues. I'd like to pay tribute
- [QLD education department questioned over religious-based discrimination in chaplaincy](https://rationalist.com.au/qld-education-department-questioned-over-religious-based-discrimination-in-chaplaincy/) - The Queensland Human Rights Commission (QHRC) has elevated concerns about religious-based discrimination in the school chaplaincy program with the state's education department. In correspondence with the Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA), the QHRC last week confirmed that it had held face-to-face discussions with staff from the Queensland Department of Education on the matter. The QHRC's
- [Labor minister Alannah MacTiernan indicates support for debating prayer ritual in WA parliament](https://rationalist.com.au/labor-minister-alannah-mactiernan-indicates-support-for-debating-prayer-ritual-in-wa-parliament/) - A senior Labor minister in the McGowan government has opened the door for a challenge to the imposition of Christian prayers as part of formal parliamentary proceedings in the West Australian upper house. Earlier this month, Alannah MacTiernan said she would be "onside" if one of her parliamentary colleagues in the Legislative Council wanted to
- [Put the community's wishes first on voluntary assisted dying in New South Wales, RSA tells MPs](https://rationalist.com.au/put-the-communitys-wishes-first-on-voluntary-assisted-dying-in-new-south-wales-rsa-tells-mps/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) is urging its members and supporters in New South Wales to raise their voices in support of voluntary assisted dying (VAD) during the coming days, with a bill expected to be tabled in parliament next week. RSA president Meredith Doig says now is the time for supporters of VAD
- [New study shows a surge in support for assisted dying among religious Australians](https://rationalist.com.au/new-study-shows-a-surge-in-support-for-assisted-dying-among-religious-australians/) - When Michael Dowling, a minister in the Uniting Church of South Australia, speaks in favour of voluntary assisted dying (VAD) as a compassionate option for the terminally ill, the vast majority of his congregation share his views. In a presentation to parliamentarians in March, ahead of the debate in that state on the proposed reform,
- [Non-religious and pro-secular Australians not “irrelevant” in debate over new bill, says RSA](https://rationalist.com.au/non-religious-and-pro-secular-australians-not-irrelevant-in-debate-over-new-bill-says-rsa/) - The Morrison government appears to be ignoring the fastest-growing section of society – the non-religious – and pro-secular Australians while it consults with religious lobbyists ahead of the release of the revised Religious Discrimination Bill. Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) president Meredith Doig is now calling for Attorney-General Michaelia Cash to hear from non-religious and
- [Government senator warns of electoral backlash if bill fails to meet expectations of faith leaders ](https://rationalist.com.au/government-senator-warns-of-electoral-backlash-if-bill-fails-to-meet-expectations-of-faith-leaders/) - A conservative government senator who wants to see positive religious rights enacted into law is warning of electoral backlash if the proposed Religious Discrimination Bill fails to meet religious leaders' expectations. This evening, Concetta Fierravanti-Wells told a webinar hosted by Christian lobby group FamilyVoice that the current bill – soon to be introduced into the
- [It’s Victoria’s time to ‘right a wrong’ on religious exemptions](https://rationalist.com.au/its-victorias-time-to-right-a-wrong-on-religious-exemptions/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) has applauded Victorian Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes for her government's plan to stop faith-based institutions from sacking staff on the basis of their marital status, parental status or sexuality. Despite fierce opposition from religious lobbyists, the Attorney-General (pictured) announced earlier this month that the Andrews government would soon introduce new
- [RSA Webinar: Margaret Simons laments lack of debate on the balance of rights](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-webinar-margaret-simons-laments-lack-of-debate-on-the-balance-of-rights/) - An "impoverished" public debate on the balancing of individual rights with the duty to protect the wider community during Australia's COVID-19 pandemic is contributing to unrest, the latest RSA Webinar heard. In presenting to Wednesday's RSA Webinar (watch the video below), Margaret Simons, a renowned journalist, author, political biographer and academic, said she had been
- [Prime Minister’s letter may signal effort to dampen religious lobbyists' expectations for Religious Discrimination Bill ](https://rationalist.com.au/prime-ministers-letter-may-signal-effort-to-dampen-religious-lobbyists-expectations-about-the-religious-discrimination-bill/) - Prime Minister Scott Morrison has informed the Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) that his proposed Religious Discrimination Bill would seek to provide in federal anti-discrimination law the same protections for religious belief and activity as other attributes, such as race, age and sex. In a letter (see below) to RSA president Meredith Doig, Mr Morrison
- [RSA welcomes Dave Sharma’s ‘principled stance’ on proposed Religious Discrimination Bill](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-welcomes-dave-sharmas-principled-stance-on-proposed-religious-discrimination-bill/) - The Rationalist Society of Australian (RSA) has written to Liberal Party MP Dave Sharma to congratulate him for taking a stand against measures that would provide religious organisations and people with a 'sword' to discriminate. In a letter sent late last month (see below), RSA president Meredith Doig welcomed his "principled stance" on the proposed
- [RSA takes up chaplaincy discrimination issue with Queensland minister](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-takes-up-chaplaincy-discrimination-issue-with-queensland-minister/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia is seeking ministerial support from within the Queensland government to see that religious-based discrimination is finally removed from the chaplaincy program in the public school system. Given the state government's lack of progress on the issue, the RSA has written to Meaghan Scanlon (pictured), the Minister for Science and Youth
- [Teacher Samantha Cairns speaks out about the harm of religious exemptions in religious schools](https://rationalist.com.au/teacher-samantha-cairns-speaks-out-about-the-harm-of-religious-exemptions-in-religious-schools/) - Teacher Samantha Cairns is no longer fearful about talking about her sexuality as a gay woman. Earlier this month, she shared her story at a school assembly as part of a new leadership role in supporting LGBTIQ students and helping to make the school environment where she works even more inclusive. But things were different
- [Politicians urged to reject demands for 'institutional conscientious objections' in QLD assisted dying debate](https://rationalist.com.au/queensland-politicians-urged-to-reject-demands-for-institutional-objections-in-assisted-dying-debate/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia and advocates for voluntary assisted dying (VAD) in Queensland are urging the state's politicians to reject the demands for special carveouts for faith-based institutions. With the parliament set to debate Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2021 from tomorrow, news reports suggest that some hospitals have been making a last-ditch effort to
- [Retaining creationist prayer would be a ‘missed opportunity’ for WA parliament to modernise: RSA ](https://rationalist.com.au/retaining-creationist-prayer-would-be-a-missed-opportunity-for-wa-parliament-to-modernise-rsa/) - The upper house of the Western Australian parliament appears set to continue with the imposition of a prayer to a creationist God, despite a committee spending the past three months considering ways to modernise proceedings. Tasked in early June with modernising the Standing Orders, the Legislative Council's Standing Committee on Procedure & Privileges has, in
- [Religious exemptions harm and hurt Australians](https://rationalist.com.au/religious-exemptions-harm-and-hurt-australians/) - Today, we're calling on our supporters and other secular-minded Australians to help us raise awareness about how religious exemptions from discrimination laws harm and hurt many Australians. In modern Australia, it seems unthinkable that employers could legally fire staff for being divorced, for living with a partner before marriage, for falling pregnant outside of wedlock
- [RSA backs ‘transformative action’ to end violence against Australia’s women](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-backs-transformative-action-to-end-violence-against-australias-women/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) has joined with more than 200 community organisations in calling for "transformative action" to improve the safety of women. Ahead of the National Summit on Women's Safety on Monday and Tuesday, the RSA added its name to the list of organisations behind an open letter and a list of
- [‘Open school chaplaincy program to qualified youth workers’, says RSA](https://rationalist.com.au/open-school-chaplaincy-program-to-qualified-youth-workers-says-rsa/) - A proposal to increase government funding for the school chaplaincy program is being driven by ideology instead of concern for mental health and wellbeing, the Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) says. As reported in the Sydney Morning Herald and The Guardian late yesterday, Coalition backbenchers are urging the Prime Minister to increase funding for chaplains
- [LGBTI rights group warns of unqualified religious counsellors in WA’s public schools](https://rationalist.com.au/lgbti-rights-group-warns-of-unqualified-religious-counsellors-in-was-public-schools/) - LGBTI rights campaigner and former Senator for Western Australia Brian Greig (pictured) has added his voice to the mounting concerns about taxpayer-funded religious chaplains in the state's public schools. In a letter to the editor published in the West Australian newspaper recently (see letter below), Greig, the spokesperson for just.equal in WA, said schools needed
- [RSA Webinar: Businesses, investors, governments and individuals have roles to play in tackling climate change](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-webinar-businesses-investors-governments-and-individuals-have-roles-to-play-in-tackling-climate-change/) - Australians should take inspiration from examples in the business world and in some local and state governments to adopt more sustainable approaches in their own lives to help prevent worst-case climate scenarios, the latest RSA Webinar was told. In his RSA Webinar presentation on Wednesday, Brendan Liveris (pictured), a sustainability manager with expertise in industry,
- [RSA urges supporters of voluntary assisted dying to make submissions on territory rights bill](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-urges-supporters-of-voluntary-assisted-dying-to-make-submissions-on-territory-rights-bill/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) is urging people who support the right for Australia's territories to legislate for voluntary assisted dying to make a submission to the Senate committee considering the issue. On Monday next week, submissions will close to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee’s inquiry into the Ensuring Northern Territory Rights
- [Submission: Inquiry into the Ensuring Northern Territory Rights Bill 2021](https://rationalist.com.au/submission-inquiry-into-the-ensuring-northern-territory-rights-bill-2021/) - This is the Rationalist Society of Australia's submission to the Senate Standing Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee on the inquiry into the Ensuring Northern Territory Rights Bill 2021. Dear Committee, The Rationalist Society of Australia is Australia’s oldest freethought group, promoting the use of evidence and reason in public policy since 1906. The RSA
- [RSA backs principles underpinning Senate bill to protect freedom of expression and the press](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-backs-principles-underpinning-senate-bill-to-protect-freedom-of-expression-and-the-press/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) has expressed support for the principles of protecting freedom of expression and freedom of the press, but raised doubt about whether improvements could be achieved through constitutional amendment. In a submission to the Senate's Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee, the RSA said that the right to freedom of
- [Submission: Inquiry into the Constitution Alteration (Freedom of Expression and Freedom of the Press) 2019](https://rationalist.com.au/submission-inquiry-into-the-constitution-alteration-freedom-of-expression-and-freedom-of-the-press-2019/) - This is the Rationalist Society of Australia's submission to the Senate Standing Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee on the inquiry into the Constitution Alteration (Freedom of Expression and Freedom of the Press) 2019. Dear Committee, The Rationalist Society of Australia is Australia's oldest freethought group, promoting the use of evidence and reason in public
- [Parents and former teachers raise concerns about proselytising in school chaplaincy program](https://rationalist.com.au/parents-and-former-teachers-raise-concerns-about-proselytising-in-school-chaplaincy-program/) - A group of parents and former teachers in Western Australia is concerned that religious chaplains may be using their access to the state's public schools to proselytise to children. The WA Public School Alliance has asked Education Minister Sue Ellery to address the contradiction between the state's stance on 'no proselytising' in public schools and
- [RSA seeks clarification from WA government on its inconsistent policy toward chaplaincy roles ](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-seeks-clarification-from-wa-government-on-its-inconsistent-policy-toward-chaplaincy-roles/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) is seeking clarification from Western Australia's Education Minister Sue Ellery (pictured) on whether the state government requires that school chaplaincy roles be filled only by people of faith. In a letter to the minister, Vicki Caulfield, on behalf of the RSA, pointed out the McGowan government's conflicting statements on
- [Buddhist leader backs Fiona Patten’s push for a more inclusive ritual in Victorian parliament](https://rationalist.com.au/buddhist-leader-backs-fiona-pattens-push-for-a-more-inclusive-ritual-in-victorian-parliament/) - A leading Buddhist has thrown her support behind Victorian upper house MP Fiona Patten’s push to have a Christian prayer replaced with something more inclusive at the opening of each parliamentary sitting day. Speaking at an event hosted by Patten on Friday, Dr Diana Cousens (pictured), a member of the Buddhist Council of Victoria’s committee
- [Media release: Prayer to a 'creator God' has no place in a modern Western Australian parliament](https://rationalist.com.au/media-release-prayer-to-a-creator-god-has-no-place-in-a-modern-western-australian-parliament/) - Now is the time for the upper house of the Western Australian parliament to modernise its procedures by removing an imposed prayer which calls for elected representatives to "advance the glory" of a creator God. The Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) is calling on all secular-minded West Australians to contact their local members of the
- [RSA calls on Western Australian councils to stop funding discriminatory chaplaincy roles](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-calls-on-western-australian-councils-to-stop-funding-discriminatory-chaplaincy-roles/) - Local councils in Western Australia should stop directing ratepayers' money toward funding religious chaplains in public schools, the Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) has told a number of mayors. In letters to nine local governments, RSA president Meredith Doig (pictured) urged them to suspend their funding arrangements until the state government removes the religion-based discrimination
- [‘Act of Christian worship’ to stay as Boroondara Council ignores community plea for change](https://rationalist.com.au/act-of-christian-worship-to-stay-as-boroondara-council-ignores-community-plea-for-change/) - Boroondara Council has decided to ignore public opinion and continue imposing Christian prayers as part of its meetings. Last night, the council voted 9-2 in favour of adopting the proposed Governance Rules, which include the prayer ritual as Rule 18A. Only councillors Victor Franco and Susan Biggar voted against the Governance Rules. As a result,
- [Challenge to Mildura council’s prayer adds to a growing list of councils facing calls for secular change](https://rationalist.com.au/challenge-to-mildura-councils-prayer-adds-to-a-growing-list-of-councils-facing-calls-for-secular-change/) - A councillor at the Mildura Rural City Council is on a mission to "remove the direct influence of religion" from council meetings by replacing the opening Christian prayer with something more inclusive. Earlier this week, Councillor Jodi Reynolds announced on her Facebook page her intention to move a motion to replace the prayer with an
- [Boroondara community backs Victor Franco’s call for a more inclusive opening ritual](https://rationalist.com.au/boroondara-community-backs-victor-francos-call-for-a-more-inclusive-opening-ritual/) - The push to replace a Christian prayer with a more inclusive opening ritual at Boroondara Council meetings is gathering momentum, with the community throwing its support behind Councillor Victor Franco. Members of the public and community groups, including the Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA), flooded the Victorian council with 115 submissions opposing the inclusion of
- [Submission: Greater recognition of non-religious Australians needed in national curriculum](https://rationalist.com.au/submission-greater-recognition-of-non-religious-australians-needed-in-national-curriculum/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) is calling for changes to the proposed national curriculum to include greater recognition of the contribution of non-religious Australians. In a submission to the Australian Curriculum Review, the RSA warned that the current curriculum “fails to acknowledge the existence, let alone the relevance” of the fast-growing non-religious section of
- [Labor’s concern for religious vote is ‘misguided’, RSA Webinar told](https://rationalist.com.au/labors-concern-for-religious-vote-is-misguided-rsa-webinar-told/) - The Labor Party’s attribution of its surprise 2019 federal election loss as being partly due to a disconnect with Christians is "seriously overstated" and "misguided", says the author of a landmark report into religiosity in Australia. In his presentation in the RSA Webinar on Wednesday night, Neil Francis said the data published in his Religiosity
- [Christian-only prayer ritual to remain at Shoalhaven after investigation into legality is thwarted ](https://rationalist.com.au/christian-only-prayer-ritual-to-remain-at-shoalhaven-after-investigation-into-legality-is-thwarted/) - Shoalhaven councillors have ignored claims of religious-based discrimination in blocking an investigation into the legality of imposing exclusively Christian prayers as part of government meetings. By a majority vote of 8-5 last night, the council, located on the New South Wales south coast, overruled an earlier decision to launch an inquiry into the lawfulness of
- [Buddhist group calls on Shoalhaven council to ‘welcome people of all faiths’](https://rationalist.com.au/buddhist-group-calls-on-shoalhaven-council-to-welcome-people-of-all-faiths/) - The peak body representing Buddhists in New South Wales has urged the Shoalhaven City Council to reconsider its decision to exclude non-Christian faiths from the opening prayer ritual at meetings. The Buddhist Council of New South Wales yesterday confirmed to the Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) that it had written to the mayor and all
- [New South Wales government and opposition ignored evidence on disease testing bill, says RSA](https://rationalist.com.au/new-south-wales-government-and-opposition-ignored-evidence-on-disease-testing-bill-says-rsa/) - The RSA has criticised the New South Wales government and the Labor opposition for ignoring expert advice and the best available evidence in supporting legislation that will subject people to mandatory HIV and hepatitis testing. Last month, the state parliament passed the Mandatory Disease Testing Bill 2020 despite experts saying the measures in the bill
- [Submission: ‘The imposition of a compulsory religious ritual is discriminatory’](https://rationalist.com.au/submission-the-imposition-of-a-compulsory-religious-ritual-is-discriminatory/) - This is our submission to the Boroondara City Council in Victoria, emailed to the council's Manager of Governance and Legal on 20 June 2021, in regards to the practice of reciting Christian prayers at the opening of each council meeting: Dear Sir/Madam, The Rationalist Society is Australia’s oldest freethought group, promoting the use of evidence
- [Kirby urges ‘religious freedom’ advocates to ‘come clean’ on their agenda](https://rationalist.com.au/kirby-urges-religious-freedom-advocates-to-come-clean-on-their-agenda/) - Former High Court judge Michael Kirby is calling for the faith-based groups that are driving the push for new ‘religious freedom’ laws to “come clean” with the Australian public on what they really want. In a new statement, Kirby, a patron of the Rationalist Society of Australia, said Australians were entitled to know whether such
- [Report portrays community in the ‘throes of substantial change’](https://rationalist.com.au/report-portrays-community-in-the-throes-of-substantial-change/) - This foreword appears in the ‘Religiosity in Australia’ report. When I was invited to become a patron of the Rationalist Society of Australia, I readily agreed. But I thought some people might regard it as inconsistent if they knew that I still regarded myself a Christian, specifically an Anglican. So I declared my dark secret
- [RSA seeks meeting with Attorney-General as concerns mount over Religious Discrimination Bill](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-seeks-meeting-with-attorney-general-as-concerns-mount-over-religious-discrimination-bill/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has written to Attorney-General Michaelia Cash seeking a meeting to discuss the Religious Discrimination Bill, as Christian groups ramp up their lobbying efforts. In the letter sent yesterday, our president Meredith Doig (pictured) urged Senator Cash to also consult with the significant and growing non-religious section of the Australian community
- [Councillor Franco urges the public to back his push for a more inclusive Boroondara Council ](https://rationalist.com.au/councillor-franco-urges-the-public-to-back-his-push-for-a-more-inclusive-boroondara-council/) - Councillor Victor Franco is calling on the public to help him replace exclusionary Christian prayers with something more inclusive to open meetings at the Boroondara Council in Victoria. The non-religious councillor, who last week branded the council as unwelcoming for imposing “acts of Christian worship”, told the Rationalist Society of Australia yesterday that public support
- [Government quiet on who it has consulted on new version of Religious Discrimination Bill ](https://rationalist.com.au/government-quiet-on-who-it-has-consulted-on-new-version-of-religious-discrimination-bill/) - A Labor senator has accused the Morrison government of a ‘cover-up’ for failing to disclose details of the groups it has been consulting with on the development of the new Religious Discrimination Bill since late last year. In a Senate Estimates hearing last week, Senator Deborah O’Neill – who supports the government’s intention to legislate
- [Victorian councillor hits back at imposed ‘acts of Christian worship’](https://rationalist.com.au/victorian-councillor-hits-back-at-imposed-acts-of-christian-worship/) - A Victorian council is imposing “acts of Christian worship” on councillors through the recital of an opening prayer at meetings, says one councillor who is now fighting back. Councillor Victor Franco has branded his Boroondara Council as being unwelcoming to people of minority faiths and non-religious people like himself because of its practice of opening
- [The key lessons from Mike Gaffney’s journey to legalising voluntary assisted dying in Tasmania](https://rationalist.com.au/the-key-lessons-from-mike-gaffneys-journey-to-legalising-voluntary-assisted-dying-in-tasmania/) - When Mike Gaffney took on the task of leading the effort to legalise voluntary assisted dying (VAD) in Tasmania, he knew it was going to be a challenging road ahead. Since entering the state parliament’s upper house in 2009, the Independent MLC for Mersey had witnessed three failed attempts to pass a bill on VAD
- [Council set to investigate legality of imposing Christian-only prayer](https://rationalist.com.au/council-set-to-investigate-legality-of-imposing-christian-only-prayer/) - A New South Wales council will investigate the legality of opening its formal meetings with Christian prayers after complaints from a Buddhist councillor that the practice is discriminatory and unlawful. The Shoalhaven City Council on Tuesday night voted 6-5 in favour of Councillor Kaye Gartner’s motion calling for the local government to seek formal legal
- [Advocate calls for community ‘push’ to make assisted dying law a reality in Queensland](https://rationalist.com.au/advocate-calls-for-community-push-to-make-assisted-dying-law-a-reality-in-queensland/) - One final push is needed from the public to help get voluntary assisted dying (VAD) over the line in Queensland this year, says one of the state’s leading advocates. Tanya Battel, the driving force behind the VALE - Voluntary Assisted Life Ending group, has told the Rationalist Society of Australia that Queenslanders need to make
- [Religious freedom at stake as Buddhist councillor inquires into legality of Christian-only prayer ritual](https://rationalist.com.au/religious-freedom-at-stake-as-buddhist-councillor-inquires-into-legality-of-christian-only-prayer-ritual/) - A councillor who was blocked from reciting a Buddhist prayer to open her local council meeting has launched a new bid to have the decision overturned. Kaye Gartner, a member of the Shoalhaven City Council, located on the New South Wales south coast, has placed on the agenda of the next ordinary meeting a motion
- [Stuckey urges MPs to listen to their electorates on Queensland’s assisted dying bill](https://rationalist.com.au/stuckey-urges-mps-to-listen-to-their-electorates-on-queenslands-assisted-dying-bill/) - Former Liberal-National Party member of parliament Jann Stuckey is urging Queensland’s politicians to listen to the views of their electorates ahead of a conscience vote on voluntary assisted dying (VAD). In an interview with the Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA), Stuckey, the member for Currumbin from 2004-2020, said parliamentarians of all stripes should be prioritising
- [Christian pro-assisted dying group calls out opponents’ emotive language](https://rationalist.com.au/christian-pro-assisted-dying-group-calls-out-opponents-emotive-language/) - A Christian group that supports voluntary assisted dying (VAD) being made available for terminally ill people is urging religious organisations opposed to the reform to stop using emotive and misleading language. Ian Wood (pictured), of Christians Supporting Choice for Voluntary Assisted Dying, has told the Rationalist Society of Australia that the use of words such
- [Ex-Christian delivers powerful social media message to help others overcome religious trauma](https://rationalist.com.au/ex-christian-delivers-powerful-social-media-message-to-help-others-overcome-religious-trauma/) - Michael Bones, a former Pentecostal Christian, is using social media to encourage others to share their personal stories of the trauma they experienced in religion and of walking away from their faith. In recent weeks, the musician’s TikTok videos exploring harmful religious beliefs and practices have been attracting thousands of views. He is now advocating
- [Media release: Parliamentary review needed into National School Chaplaincy Program, says RSA](https://rationalist.com.au/media-release-parliamentary-review-needed-into-national-school-chaplaincy-program-says-rsa/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) is calling for a comprehensive parliamentary review into the federal funding of the flawed National School Chaplaincy Program (NSCP). In Tuesday night’s Budget, the Morrison government committed another $61.4 million each year through to the 2024-25 financial year. RSA president Dr Meredith Doig OAM is calling for a full
- [Christian Right rallies behind Christensen’s push for ‘parting shot’ with abortion bill](https://rationalist.com.au/christian-right-rallies-behind-christensens-push-for-parting-shot-with-abortion-bill/) - Even if Nationals MP George Christensen misses out on pushing his abortion agenda through parliament before he steps down at the next election, others in the Christian Right orbit are promising to continue his work. In recent days, Christensen has told Christian bloggers that having his Human Rights (Children Born Alive Protection) Bill 2021 debated
- [Non-religious youth worker calls for an end to discrimination in school chaplain program](https://rationalist.com.au/non-religious-youth-worker-calls-for-an-end-to-discrimination-in-school-chaplain-program/) - When Juliette Armstrong’s contract as a school chaplain ended and she went searching online for a new role, she kept hitting one big barrier – she was not Christian. Despite being well-qualified, experienced and passionate about working with kids, the Victorian was later told she had not been considered for a taxpayer-funded chaplaincy position because
- [Religious-based discrimination in school chaplaincy program sending ‘wrong message’](https://rationalist.com.au/religious-based-discrimination-in-school-chaplaincy-program-sending-wrong-message/) - The Morrison government is spending millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money each year on a chaplaincy program that is discriminating against people of minority faiths and people of no faith. In his RSA Webinar presentation last week, Dr Luke Beck said that all job advertisements for chaplaincy positions under the National School Chaplaincy Program (NSCP)
- [Our policy wishlist for the McGowan government](https://rationalist.com.au/our-policy-wishlist-for-the-mcgowan-government/) - With the Western Australian Labor government returning to parliamentary work this week after receiving an overwhelming endorsement at the March election, we want to share our policy wishlist with Premier Mark McGowan. Chaplaincy program We’d like to see the government step in to stop the discriminatory hiring practices taking place in taxpayer-funded school chaplaincy
- [Cops call for proper review into role of chaplains in NSW Police](https://rationalist.com.au/cops-call-for-proper-review-into-role-of-chaplains-in-nsw-police/) - A survey of New South Wales police men and women into the effectiveness of religious chaplaincy in the state’s force has drawn criticism and been branded as “biased” in favour of chaplains. The internal survey, which is open until Monday 3 May for police employees to complete, tells those filling it out that chaplains from
- [Media release: RSA calls for an end to religious discrimination in WA school chaplaincy](https://rationalist.com.au/media-release-rsa-calls-for-an-end-to-religious-discrimination-in-wa
-school-chaplaincy/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) is calling on Western Australia’s Education Minister Sue Ellery to put an end to the religious discrimination taking place in the recruitment process of chaplains in the state’s public school system. RSA president Dr Meredith Doig OAM is urging Minister Ellery to take swift action in light of fresh
- [Commissioner raises concern over religious discrimination in WA school chaplaincy program](https://rationalist.com.au/commissioner-raises-concern-over-religious-discrimination-in-wa-school-chaplaincy-program/) - The head of Western Australia’s Equal Opportunity Commission has expressed his concern about religious discrimination taking place in the hiring practices of chaplains in the state’s public school system. In a letter to the Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA), Commissioner John Byrne (pictured) agreed with the suggestion that the practice of restricting chaplaincy positions to
- [Letter: RSA calls for proposed inquiry to go beyond Church of Scientology](https://rationalist.com.au/letter-rsa-calls-for-proposed-inquiry-to-go-beyond-church-of-scientology/) - Today, the Rationalist Society of Australia has written a letter to Andrew Leigh MP, the Labor spokesperson on charities, calling on him to expand the focus of his proposed inquiry beyond the Church of Scientology. We think it’s time for a parliamentary inquiry into the automatic tax-exempt status accorded to all religious organisations and to
- [Christian Right’s agenda has ‘shades of Handmaid’s Tale’, says church leader](https://rationalist.com.au/christian-rights-agenda-has-shades-of-handmaids-tale-says-church-leader/) - The fallout from a controversial conference appears to have widened a schism between conservative and moderate forces in the Christian community, with one church leader warning of a Dominionist movement seeking to impose itself on society and government. Since the Church & State summit in late February sparked headlines, including in Nine Newspapers, criticisms have
- [Analysis: Why Labor should resist calls to appease 'religious vote'](https://rationalist.com.au/analysis-why-labor-should-resist-calls-to-appease-religious-vote/) - The dust had hardly settled on federal Labor’s election loss in May of 2019 before some parliamentary members and former leaders urged the party to reconnect with religious communities. With so much media attention in the previous months focusing on Israel Folau’s sacking, the Religious Freedom Review and the Prime Minister’s own displays of his
- [Media release: Labor should protect women by rejecting ‘disastrous’ bill](https://rationalist.com.au/media-release-labor-should-protect-women-by-rejecting-disastrous-bill/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) is urging the federal Labor Party to stand up for women at its Special Platform Conference this week by rejecting the Morrison government’s Religious Discrimination Bill. Dr Meredith Doig OAM, the President of the RSA, says she is concerned that Labor is considering supporting the pending legislation even though
- [Labor’s Senator O’Neill seeking a bipartisan approach on Religious Discrimination Bill](https://rationalist.com.au/labors-senator-oneill-seeking-a-bipartisan-approach-on-religious-discrimination-bill/) - Elements within federal Labor are seeking a bipartisan approach with the Morrison government on the Religious Discrimination Bill. Senator Deborah O’Neill, a devout Catholic who has been campaigning for Labor to boost its appeal with voters from faith communities, used Senate Estimates last week to push for bipartisanship. In an exchange with Senator Amanda Stoker,
- [Religious Discrimination Bill becoming a "more pressing" priority, says Stoker](https://rationalist.com.au/religious-discrimination-bill-becoming-a-more-pressing-priority-says-stoker/) - Introducing the Religious Discrimination Bill to parliament has become a “more pressing” priority for the Morrison government as the country moves towards a post COVID-19 future, according to a government senator tasked with resuscitating the widely criticised legislation. Speaking at Senate Estimates last week, Senator Amanda Stoker said she had been working closely with Christian
- [Christensen vows another fight on abortions to remove federal funds](https://rationalist.com.au/christensen-vows-another-fight-on-abortions-to-remove-federal-funds/) - Conservative MP George Christensen has pledged to fight to remove federal funding that goes towards abortions but first has his sights on gaining the support of his colleagues for a new bill he claims will save babies born alive during abortion procedures. Speaking to a conservative Christian audience in a webinar hosted by Family Voice
- [Religious Discrimination Bill needed to 'draw a line in the sand', says Christensen](https://rationalist.com.au/religious-discrimination-bill-needed-to-draw-a-line-in-the-sand-says-christensen/) - Conservative government MP George Christensen is hopeful that new religious discrimination laws can “draw a line in the sand” for Christians as they face an “existential fight” for their freedoms in Australia. Speaking to a webinar hosted by the conservative Christian group Family Voice Australia on Monday, Christensen said the proposed legislation was needed to
- [From the President - December 2020](https://rationalist.com.au/from-the-president-december-2020/) - Australia has traditionally been wary of mixing religion and politics. Unlike the US, we don’t require our political candidates to wear their faith on their sleeve. Unlike the UK and many European countries, we don’t have a state-sanctioned ‘established’ church. We have in the past been troubled by sectarian strife, as those who remember the
- [Kyle Sandilands (Among Others) Gets it Wrong](https://rationalist.com.au/kyle-sandilands-among-others-gets-it-wrong/) - Sydney ''Shock Jock'' Kyle Sandilands has upset Christians and Muslims by wrongly claiming on air that Jesus’ mother Mary lied about her pregnancy and told everyone, ‘I got pregnant by a magical ghost’. There is no evidence that this is the case. The story of Jesus “virgin birth” was not even known to Jesus’ mother
- [Occasional Paper: Religion & Society](https://rationalist.com.au/occasional-paper-religion-society/) - The Ruddock Inquiry found there is no great problem with the state of religious freedom in this country. Nevertheless, the Morrison government is pursuing an agenda that might exacerbate religious dissension and increase social disruption by actively promoting religious belief and by privileging religious belief over any other set of beliefs. In this context, the
- [Proposing Weak Naturalism](https://rationalist.com.au/proposing-weak-naturalism/) - Original article can be found here: https://infidels.org/kiosk/article/proposing-weak-naturalism-940.html As far as we know, the natural world is all there is. By weakening naturalism to a belief held in the absence of evidence to the contrary, weak naturalism becomes an even more formidable opponent to supernaturalism. Naturalism entails the closed system of the known universe, whereas supernaturalism
- [Dr Rodney Syme AM](https://rationalist.com.au/dr-rodney-syme-am/) - RSA Patron and euthanasia advocate Dr Rodney Syme, who has spent decades lobbying for voluntary assisted dying, has been made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for "significant service to social welfare initiatives, and to law reform." The 84-year-old urologist and surgeon started what he described as his “life of crime” in helping
- [Letter: Freedom of the press in an open society](https://rationalist.com.au/letter-freedom-of-the-press-in-an-open-society/) - Hon. Scott Morrison Prime Minister Parliament House Canberra ACT. 7 June 2019 Dear Prime Minister Re: Freedom of the press in an open society Australian Rationalists share the outrage felt by many, in Australia and abroad, at the recent unprecedented raids by the Australian Federal Police on journalists and our national broadcaster. The RSA’s Patron
- [How John Lennox distorts the facts](https://rationalist.com.au/how-john-lennox-distorts-the-facts-2/) - This is article orginally posted in 2014. John Lennox: "Eliminating the Impossible: Can a Scientist believe the Resurrection?" ABC Religion and Ethics – Posted on 16 April 2014 https://www.abc.net.au/religion/eliminating-the-impossible-can-a-scientist-believe-the-resurrect/10099300 The Rationalist Society of Australia published the following reply on its website. Lennox’s article is not printed in full here since it is readily accessible on
- [RSA congratulates Michael and Johan](https://rationalist.com.au/rsa-congratulates-michael-and-johan/) - Exactly 50 years to the day since they first met, former High Court judge Michael Kirby marries his longtime partner Johan van Vloten. Michael Kirby AC CMG was the Rationalist Society's first Patron. When he retired from the High Court in 2009, Kirby was Australia's longest serving judge. Despite remaining an Anglican, he has been
- [Open Letter to Pope Francis](https://rationalist.com.au/open-letter-to-pope-francis/) - Geneva, November 2018 OPEN LETTER TO POPE FRANCIS In July 2015 the World Federation of Right to Die Societies (WFRtDS) asked its 50 member societies to provide information about what they saw as the most common arguments against voluntary euthanasia in their respective countries, and what they thought were the arguments in favour of
- [Choice is central to dying with dignity.](https://rationalist.com.au/choice-is-central-to-dying-with-dignity/) - Dying with dignity campaigner, Peter Short, died late last year on his own terms and in control, but he did not live long enough to see the introduction of a law that offers the same to all seriously ill Australians. Choice in end of life is an area of the euthanasia debate that needs to
- [Have you been counted in Atheist Census?](https://rationalist.com.au/have-you-been-counted-in-atheist-census/) - Atheist Census is a global project to count and capture a picture of the world's atheists - we're building up a profile of atheists' preferred non-religious title (atheist, rationalist, humanist, freethinker etc), religious background, education level, age, gender identity and country. Over 150,000 people have already contributed, and some of the results may
- [Politics, religion and public accountability -- taking the next step . . .](https://rationalist.com.au/politics-religion-and-public-accountability-taking-the-next-step/) - Politics and religion are both in a state of flux -- a bell tolls loudly with a call for accountability from a disgruntled public. Hard on the heels on Treasurer Hockey's age of entitlement speech both sides of politics face much closer scrutiny, controversially triggered by Bronwyn Bishop's chopper trip to Geelong and her subsequent
- [Sacred to Secular: a new work on Australian secularism](https://rationalist.com.au/sacred-to-secular-a-new-work-on-australian-secularism/) - New books that drive home the need for secular change add welcome momentum to the rising groundswell of public discontent with religion -- whether it's the Islamic extremism of IS, or the Royal Commission examining child abuse. This impetus for change is encapsulated in a new publication, 'Sacred to Secular: why a corrupted Christianity demands
- [The Diary of John Baylis](https://rationalist.com.au/the-diary-of-john-baylis/) - 83 year old Darwin man John Baylis died from the ravages of Motor Neuron Disease on 5th March 2015. This is an exact extract of his Facebook diary. Dec 15, 2014 - Aged Care Assessment Teams (ACAT) I have finally been diagnosed by my GP, as having ‘ the monster inside me ‘ being diagnosed
- [The Road Less Travelled](https://rationalist.com.au/the-road-less-travelled/) - On Monday 16 April 2012, the day after the fabulous Global Atheist Convention, we brought together three fiercely articulate freethinkers to argue the question "Can Atheists and Believers work together for the common good?" Listen to Audio Only Chris Stedman is the first Interfaith and Community Service Fellow for the Humanist Chapliancy at Harvard
- [The supposed failure of liberal centrism is anything but.](https://rationalist.com.au/the-supposed-failure-of-liberal-centrism-is-anything-but/) - So often nowadays we hear that liberal-centrism has failed and that we need to look to ‘radical, new’ ideas for solutions. Indicators of this supposed failure are the stagnation of wage income, the concentration of economic power, the global financial crisis, the rise of the Chinese model, Trump and Brexit. The ‘radical, new’ ideas
- [Exempting religious organisations "undermines faith"](https://rationalist.com.au/muslim-leader-says-exempting-religious-organisations-undermines-faith/) - [gdl_gallery title="gallery1" width="250" height="250" ] It's been said elsewhere but we'll say it again: the Australian Christian Lobby does not represent all Christians. Prime Minister Gillard may like to think that she can woo the religious by listening to Jim Wallace but there are other religious leaders who should have a say as well. And
- [Conspiracy theorists claim stealth takeover by bankers](https://rationalist.com.au/conspiracy-theorists-claim-sustainable-development-is-a-stealth-takeover-by-bankers/) - Here's yet another example of how conspiracy theorists characterise rational responses to global warming and global inequality as power plays by the powerful.
- [Joint statement supporting a medically supervised injecting centre](https://rationalist.com.au/joint-statement-supporting-a-medically-supervised-injecting-centre-msic-trial-in-victoria/) - Download full Joint Statement supporting a MSIC Trial. Joint statement supporting a medically supervised injecting centre trial in Victoria The Rationalist Society of Australia has joined with 42 other organisations and individuals calling for a trial of a medically supervised injection centre in Victoria. As leading community health organisations, peak bodies and advocates, we call on
- [SRI is inane, but comparative religion is impotent](https://rationalist.com.au/special-religious-instruction-is-inane-but-comparative-religion-is-impotent-whats-the-alternative/) - Only a faith that moves can re-energise the cultural vitality of Christianity in a post-Christian climate. Fluffy values with a sprinkling of Bible stories inoculate children against adult curiosity about Christ. Source: Special Religious Instruction is inane, but comparative religion is impotent: What's the alternative? While Ken Boston and Kevin Donnelly duke it out over
- [Media release: Call for trial of medically supervised injecting centre](https://rationalist.com.au/media-release-groups-unite-to-call-for-the-trial-of-a-medically-supervised-injecting-centre-in-victoria/) - Download Joint Media Release Supporting Trial MSIC In Victoria here.
- [Submission: Senate Committee on the draft of the Same Sex Marriage bill](https://rationalist.com.au/submission-to-the-senate-select-committee-on-the-exposure-draft-of-the-marriage-amendment-same-sex-marriage-bill/) - Select Committee on Same Sex Marriage Parliament House Canberra By email: samesex.marriage.sen@aph.gov.au Submission: to the Senate Select Committee on the exposure draft of the Marriage Amendment (Same Sex Marriage) bill The Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) appreciates the invitation to make a submission on this bill. Overall we endorse the contents of the
- [Paul Monk: On Western Civilization](https://rationalist.com.au/paul-monk-on-western-civilization/) - Dr Paul Monk is a poet, polymath and highly regarded Australian public intellectual. He has written an extraordinary range of books, from Sonnets to a Promiscuous Beauty (which resides in Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s library), to reflective essays on the riches of Western civilization in The West in a Nutshell, to a prescient 2005 treatise on the rise of
- [Religious Public Holidays](https://rationalist.com.au/religious-public-holidays/) - Discussion has flared up in Australia about what sorts of days should be celebrated and marked with public holiday status. But despite consecutive Census data showing Australia is becoming more secular and atheist, Easter and Christmas remain widely celebrated, albeit in less Christian and more secular ways. Does the idea of Easter and Christmas being
- [Freethought leaders seek Inquiry into Religious Discrimination](https://rationalist.com.au/freethought-leaders-seek-inquiry-into-religious-discrimination/) - The Australian Human Rights Commission has rejected out of hand a request by multiple freethought groups for an Inquiry into the overtly discriminatory National School Chaplaincy Program - see below. The AHRC says it is calling for "an independent body" to collect "quantitative" information on discrimination based on religion. Is the AHRC not independent? Why
- [Are you a progressive?](https://rationalist.com.au/are-you-a-progressive/) - Dave Rubin is a former stand up comedian who now hosts a very successful interview series called The Rubin Report. In this video he explains why he no longer calls himself a "progressive" and explains the term "regressive left". At the RSA, we are not of the regressive left! We copped a bollocking from regressive
- [Letter: to Minister Gillard re the Chaplaincy Program](https://rationalist.com.au/chaplaincy-program-letter-to-minister-gillard/) - In November 2009, the Federal Government announced an extension of its controversial Chaplaincy Program of funding for religious people in government schools. The RSA strongly objected to this extension, and to the Program itself. Read our letter to Minister Gillard here.
- [Media Release: Chaplaincy Program](https://rationalist.com.au/chaplaincy-program-media-release/) - In November 2009, the Federal Government funded an extension to its controversial Chaplaincy Program. The RSA strongly objects to this Program. Read our Media Release $42M Chaplaincy Program excludes most schools
- [Letter: to Chancellor of ACU re Craven's craven attack](https://rationalist.com.au/letter-to-chancellor-of-acu-re-cravens-craven-attack/) - On 4th Nov 2009, The Age newspaper published an extraordinary outburst by Greg Craven, entitled "A plague of atheists has descended, and Catholics are the target" -- read it here. Noting that Craven signed this letter as Vice Chancellor of the Australian Catholic University, the RSA wrote to the Chancellor of the University, asking him
- [Presentation: On Death and Dying](https://rationalist.com.au/on-death-and-dying/) - The Value of Life and the Value of Death: A Humanist Perspective. A contribution by Rationalist Society Committee member Lyn Allison to a symposium organised by the Ecumenical and Interfaith Commission Friday 9th April 2010 Humanists adopt a philosophy based on human values, human knowledge of the natural universe, the lessons of history, personal experience
- [Letter: Rationalists Applaud the PM's Refreshing  Honesty](https://rationalist.com.au/to-pm-re-secularism/) - Dear Prime Minister, The Rationalist Society of Australia is very pleased to hear your refreshingly honest views about the role of religion in a modern democratic society. As Rationalists, we are committed to democratic values of equality, liberty and reciprocity. We believe the State should be neutral with respect to citizens' philosophical and religious beliefs,
- [In Defence of the Secular State](https://rationalist.com.au/in-defence-of-the-secular-state/) - Toleration of anti-religious speech, equal rights for homosexual couples, the application of anti-discrimination employment law to religious associations, the moral foundations of bioethics, compulsory sex education in schools, the expansion of faith schools and faith-based organisations, bans on religious dress in public: countless recent controversies seem to have set ‘religion’ against ‘secularism’ in a confrontational,
- [Media Release: Dangerous School Chaplains Scheme](https://rationalist.com.au/dangerous-school-chaplains-scheme/) - 5th September 2010 Intervention sought on `dangerous’ school chaplains scheme The Rationalist Society of Australia [RSA] today called upon the Greens to overturn the major parties’ commitment of a further $222 million to a school chaplaincy program. The program is a misuse of taxpayers money: it has been strongly criticised by Australia’s peak psychology body,
- [Media Release: Pike Stands Accused](https://rationalist.com.au/pike-stands-accused-2/) - Media Release 13 November 2010 Embattled Victorian Education Minister Bronwyn Pike today came under fire from another direction – she is charged with backing forced religious instruction in state schools. The Rationalist Society says that Ms Pike, who is fighting for her political life in the seat of Melbourne, has failed to respond to repeated
- [Online advertising boycott over gay marriage attack wrong](https://rationalist.com.au/online-advertising-boycott-over-gay-marriage-attack-wrong/) - 13 February 2011 An advertisers’ boycott that threatens the future of an online commentary site is under fire from Australian Rationalists. The Rationalist Society of Australia said today the boycott is unjust and wrongly targetted. An anti gay marriage article on the site Online Opinion (OLO) and some accompanying savage comments fuelled the boycott.
- [Religion and Education in Australian Schools](https://rationalist.com.au/reas/) - An update to RSA members from president Dr. Meredith Doig Friday, 18 November, 2011 Many RSA members have no doubt maintained their frustration at the long standing struggle to get religious indoctrination (commonly called Special Religious Instruction or Special Religious Education) out of public schools in Australia. Now there's another phase in the saga.
- [Letter: Secular Education in Victoria](https://rationalist.com.au/open-letter-to-hon-martin-dixon/) - Hon. Martin Dixon Minister for Education Parliament of Victoria February 2012 Dear Minister,Like an increasing number of Victorian parents, the Rationalist Society of Australia is concerned and perplexed about the state of secular education in Victoria.As you will know, the Education and Training Reform Act 2006makes a clear distinction between General Religious Education
- [What's going on at VCAT?](https://rationalist.com.au/whats-going-on-at-vcat/) - Over the last few days in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), three parents whose children have suffered from the divisive way Special Religious Instruction (SRI) is administered in Victoria have bravely weathered relentless cross examination of their evidence from the Education Department’s barrister.
- [NSCP High Court Decision](https://rationalist.com.au/nscp-high-court-decision/) - The High Court decision on the National School Chaplaincy Program (NSCP) will be a pyrrhic victory for those seeking freedom from religion. The NSCP was introduced by the Howard Government as one of a number of carefully crafted actions to change the culture of Australia from its previous progressive and pluralist orientation, to a
- [From New Zealand: resisting the evangelists](https://rationalist.com.au/from-new-zealand-resisting-the-evangelists/) - Journalist Alison McCulloch from the Bay of Plenty Times newspaper in New Zealand does a good job raising awareness about the insidious spread of evangelism in New Zealand schools ... see here. Her hard hitting article, which criticises secularists for their complacency as much as religionists for their evangelistic fervour, finishes with the following great
- [A celebration of scientific sense](https://rationalist.com.au/a-celebration-of-scientific-sense/) - It's 50 years since publication of Rachel Carson's world-changing "Silent Spring", a book that inspired the birth of the environmental movement in the late 1960s and that galvanised public resistance against powerful corporate merchants of DDT. Now the moral descendants of those corporate merchants continue to wage war against scientists who similarly try to raise public
- [Beware the Tea Party imports](https://rationalist.com.au/beware-the-tea-party-imports/) - He’s not just a homophobic, Islamophobic, climate-change denying South Australian senator, he’s an ideological entrepreneur, importing the Tea Party’s ‘astroturf’ techniques and now training others in the faux-grassroots campaigns first cultivated by the American far right. Check out Mike Seccombe's take on Cory Bernadi.
- [From a wheelchair-bound perspective, thank God I’m an atheist](https://rationalist.com.au/from-a-wheelchair-bound-perspective-thank-god-im-an-atheist/) - This intensely personal reflection from Holly Warland, a wheelchair-bound person who has had more reason than most to ponder the existence of God and the problem of evil, is a beautifully written paean to Reason. It was published in the Opinion pages of the Sunday Age on 16 September 2012. A response from a reader
- [Why we still need good journalists](https://rationalist.com.au/why-we-still-need-good-journalists/) - This is why we still need professionally trained journalists. Alan Austin in the Global Mail offers an excellent analysis of the aftermath of the Andrew Bolt case of racial discrimination - check here.
- [Sean Faircloth and the Innocence of Muslims video](https://rationalist.com.au/234/) - Amid the furore over the ludicrous backyard video clip called "The Innocence of Muslims", Sean Faircloth points out some uncomfortable truths about the treatment of citizens around the world by religious fundamentalists. [youtube height="400" width="500"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bm30sUyA50g[/youtube]
- [Another 'astro-turf' organisation exposed](https://rationalist.com.au/another-astro-turf-organisation-exposed/) - Great piece of investigative journalism on who's behind the opposition to wind power from Mike Seccombe in the Global Mail. "... what we have on the side of climate-change denial and wind-farm abolitionists is a small number of contrarian scientists, some think tanks with strong links to the carbon economy, conservative politicians eager to exploit
- [Towards avoiding confirmation bias - a clever new tool](https://rationalist.com.au/towards-avoiding-confirmation-bias-a-clever-new-tool/) - In The Skeptic magazine of September 2012, there's an article on the development of a clever little tool that helps avoid the confirmation bias we are all subject to when building up our knowledge of complex problems, and our views about how they might be solved. Shane Greenup, a Sydney based online entrepreneur with qualifications
- [Vale Jack Smart](https://rationalist.com.au/vale-jack-smart/) - J.J.C. "Jack" Smart AC, died on 6 October 2012. The following message will be taken to his funeral on Monday 15 October at Springvale crematorium on behalf of all Rationalists: "In memory of Jack Smart, a great philosopher who put Australian philosophy on the world stage. He was a good friend to the Rationalist Society,
- [Past Vice President's New Book](https://rationalist.com.au/past-vice-presidents-new-book/) - By all accounts, the new book on 'Social Humanism' by Brian Ellis (ex RSA Vice President) is a must read and a potential world changer. E. J. Lowe, Professor of Philosophy, University of Durham says: This is a remarkable and potentially very important book, not only for academic philosophers but also for social policy makers
- [Shutting the school gate on God: a teacher's view](https://rationalist.com.au/shutting-the-school-gate-on-god-a-teachers-view/) - A teacher at a state high school in Victoria relates the problems faced by schools wanting to do the best by their students. The socially divisive chaplaincy program doesn't help ... As published in Crikey: Five years ago the staff at the school where I teach became divided over the question of whether to
- [Economic Irrationalism Exposed](https://rationalist.com.au/economic-irrationalism-exposed/) - How two Australian women held the grubby world of high finance to account in this excellent article in the Global Mail explaining in Plain English how the Standard and Poors rating agency was negligent in giving oh-so-clever financial instruments the big tick. The question now is "So what?" Will the bully boys of Wall St
- [Atheist Census gets attacked!](https://rationalist.com.au/atheist-census-gets-attacked/) - [gdl_gallery title="gallery1" width="200" height="150" ] The Atheist Alliance International has just launched a worthy project to count and capture a picture of the world's atheists. But only 17 hours after launch, they were subject to a DOS (denial of service) attack. Thousands had already registered but clearly some people don't want to know how many atheists
- [Yet another attempt to explain suffering](https://rationalist.com.au/yet-another-attempt-to-explain-suffering/) - For many years, Melbourne-based Nigel Sinnott has provided an invaluable service to the free-thought community by reading The Age on a daily basis and selecting articles of interest to email to a growing list of subscribers. On Xmas Day 2012, with no particular vested authority but to popular acclaim,we appointed Nigel a Wise Elder of
- [It takes a Tory...](https://rationalist.com.au/it-takes-a-tory/) - As is often the case, it seems only a conservative government can introduce controversial progressive policies. In the UK, David Cameron's Tories are backing a bill to support equal marriage, although the Church of England just can't bring itself to accept that gay people should be allowed to be married just like anyone else. Gay
- [Wind turbine syndrome is spread by scaremongers](https://rationalist.com.au/wind-turbine-syndrome-is-spread-by-scaremongers/) - The Conversation debunks another myth. New study: wind turbine syndrome is spread by scaremongers.
- [Orwellian climate double-speak dominating discussion](https://rationalist.com.au/orwellian-climate-double-speak-dominating-discussion/) - Andrew Glikson discusses why the Greens split from the Labor Party and why it's important Orwellian climate double-speak dominating discussion.
- [Navigating the grey zone in end-of-life care for children](https://rationalist.com.au/navigating-the-grey-zone-in-end-of-life-care-for-children/) - Dominic Wilkinson, Associate Professor of Neonatal Medicine and Bioethics at the University of Adelaide, provides a thoughtful analysis of the challenges involved in making the decision to withdraw life support from babies on the edge of life. Navigating the grey zone in end-of-life care for children.
- [Keeping ignorance and extremism out of public schools](https://rationalist.com.au/keeping-ignorance-and-extremism-out-of-public-schools/) - Cathy Byrne argues for the crucial role of teacher unions in combatting the rise of religious fundamentalism in schools Keeping ignorance and extremism out of public schools: The role of teachers and their unions
- [Philosophy under attack](https://rationalist.com.au/philosophy-under-attack/) - Patrick Stokes of Deakin University on the boundary between science and philosophy Philosophy under attack: Lawrence Krauss and the new denialism.
- [Letter: The right to choose](https://rationalist.com.au/traffic-congestion-the-deplorable-state-of-transport-planning/) - Beverley Broadbent is my hero. Her "rational suicide" (The Age, 2/4/13) was a beacon for those of us who passionately believe, as John Stuart Mill said so long ago, that people have the right of sovereignty over their own mind and body. Now there is hope that the medical profession may finally be catching up
- [Why we need "One Law for All"](https://rationalist.com.au/why-we-need-one-law-for-all/) - Among other things, the problem with the Catholic Church is that it has set itself up to be beyond the reach of national law. Healing Be Damned
- [The horror of superstitution](https://rationalist.com.au/the-horror-of-superstitution/) - It’s 2013, And They’re Burning ‘Witches’
- [This is what happens without secularism](https://rationalist.com.au/this-is-what-happens-without-secularism/) - Furious debate as teachers at Islamic College of SA's West Croydon campus ordered to wear hijab or face sack | adelaidenow.
- [On US campuses, the unstoppable secular crusades](https://rationalist.com.au/on-us-campuses-the-unstoppable-secular-crusades/) - Students on American college campuses are fighting back, breaking down the scary face of atheism Are Atheists The New Campus Crusaders? | Atheologies | Religion Dispatches.
- [Tasmania bases voluntary euthanasia proposal on evidence](https://rationalist.com.au/tasmania-bases-voluntary-euthanasia-proposal-on-evidence/) - As our manifesto for a Secular Australia says, physician-assisted suicide, with appropriate safeguards, should be decriminalised. Tasmania could lead the way for voluntary euthanasia laws.
- [Withdrawing treatment from premature babies – when doctors and parents disagree](https://rationalist.com.au/withdrawing-treatment-from-premature-babies-when-doctors-and-parents-disagree/) - Call for Australia to clarify the law sooner rather than later Withdrawing treatment from premature babies – when doctors and parents disagree.
- [The tide rolls on ... the history of gay marriage](https://rationalist.com.au/the-tide-rolls-on-the-history-of-gay-marriage/) - The tide rolls on ... the history of gay marriage BBC News - Gay marriage around the world.
- [Big History](https://rationalist.com.au/big-history/) - David Christian is leaving a legacy to his grandchildren - and all his grandchildren's friends. It's the understanding of where we humans came from, our origins.
- [Muslims engage in quest to understand evolution](https://rationalist.com.au/muslims-engage-in-quest-to-understand-evolution/) - Muslims engage in quest to understand evolution | Science | guardian.co.uk.
- [What does it take to be an activist?](https://rationalist.com.au/what-does-it-take-to-be-an-activist/) - Clive Hamilton, now Professor of Public Ethics at Charles Sturt University and previously head of the Australia Institute, writes in The Conversation about new forms of activism in the fight about climate change. Is it ethical to deliberately break the law in order to make a political point? In the past, activists used to chain
- [Tactics in the war against secularism](https://rationalist.com.au/tactics-in-the-war-against-secularism/) - One of the main tactics used by evangelicals is to challenge the boundaries of secularism in the courts. On Tuesday 15 January the European Court of Human Rights will rule on four cases involving discrimination and human rights. The applicants, Nadia Eweida, Shirley Chaplin, Lillian Ladele and Gary McFarlane, are British nationals. Relying on Article 9
- [Huge Dignity in Dying](https://rationalist.com.au/huge-dignity-in-dying/) - A beautiful story of one woman's rational decision to maintain control over her own body and mind. Rational suicide: Beverley Broadbents Choice To Die.
- [Six academics review Rudd's new asylum seeker policy](https://rationalist.com.au/six-academics-review-rudds-new-asylum-seeker-policy/) - Six academics on The Conversation review Rudd's new asylum seeker policy: No more asylum in Australia for those arriving by boat: Rudd.
- [A Brief History of Humankind](https://rationalist.com.au/a-brief-history-of-humankind/) - Maybe you've not yet heard about "Coursera". This is a series of courses available online and free to anyone who has a computer and the desire to learn. An RSA member alerted us to this particular course: A Brief History of Humankind To get an idea of what it will cover (including the history of religions), check out
- [Presentation: The Pleasure of Understanding](https://rationalist.com.au/the-pleasure-of-understanding/) - Back in January this year I woke up one morning and trying to get out of bed, realised I couldn’t twist my back. It was one of only two times in my life that I’ve had muscle spasm and I’d forgotten from the last time how incapacitating it is. The last time was about 20
- [The myth of the mandate](https://rationalist.com.au/the-myth-of-the-mandate/) - Prime Minister Tony Abbott seems to be labouring under the misapprehension that he has a “mandate” for all the policies he went to the last federal election with. Nothing could be further from the truth. In the first place only 45% of the voters voted for the Coalition, which could be interpreted as 55% not wanting his
- [What you think is right may actually be wrong](https://rationalist.com.au/what-you-think-is-right-may-actually-be-wrong/) - RSA Committee member Peter Ellerton explains that how we think we think is not actually how we think.
- [The Big Questions: God & God: All That Matters](https://rationalist.com.au/the-big-questions-god-god-all-that-matters/) - This book review was first published in Philosophy Now. A publisher who wants to bring out a book about God is caught on the horns of a dilemma: if they ask a fervent theist to write it they will get an uncritical eulogy; if they ask an atheist they will get a death notice. The
- [Where is the proof in pseudoscience?](https://rationalist.com.au/where-is-the-proof-in-pseudoscience/) - RSA committee member Peter Ellerton explains what constitutes knowledge - put simply, it's when it's so 'settled' that it's used to find more knowledge that also works.
- [Peter Ellerton on Brandis's logical fallacies](https://rationalist.com.au/peter-ellerton-on-brandiss-logical-fallacies/) - RSA committee member Peter Ellerton explains why Australia's top lawmaker has got it wrong. Brandis complains that "climate change denialists are being 'excluded from the debate". Ellerton points out that "deniers of climate science are as free as anyone else to make their case. That the case is not being made is not a function
- [Young people turned on to Science](https://rationalist.com.au/young-people-turned-on-to-science/) - Two thousand (mostly) young people filed into the Melbourne Convention Centre on the evening of Friday 6 June to listen to world-renowned theoretical physicist Dr Michio Kaku talk about physics, the future and the mind. Kaku is known as a science communicator and you could see why. He kept the audience entertained for over an
- [The "Reason Project" - a new RSA initiative](https://rationalist.com.au/the-reason-project-a-new-rsa-initiative/) - The RSA has formed a small team to develop a new idea, tentatively called the Reason Project. Reason and Reasoning: Critical Thinking for Adults Most of us take for granted the world around us. We make daily decisions that shape our attitudes and guide our behaviour, mostly routine but sometimes requiring conscious effort. Occasionally there are
- [Does Time have a Future?](https://rationalist.com.au/does-time-have-a-future/) - Issue 93 of the "Australian Rationalist" (Winter 2014) has just been released and can be found at newsagencies around Australia. Featured articles include: [list type="check"] "Of clocks, work and mysteries" - the philosophy of time and its role in executive pay "Hannah Arendt and the question of evil" "Do we need to change vilification laws"
- [Letter: On abortion](https://rationalist.com.au/open-letter-to-the-pm/) - Dear Prime Minister, As a woman in her 60s who for various reasons has experienced two abortions, I have rarely been so upset about a politician's actions as I am about Eric Abetz's comments on abortion and breast cancer. To deliberately spread misinformation like this is incredibly irresponsible, likely as it is to
- [Secularism’s balancing act](https://rationalist.com.au/secularisms-balancing-act/) - Achieving the right balance between religious beliefs and the state is not proving easy anywhere in the world. Ask most Australians and they will tell you that Australia is a secular state. At first glance they would seem to have an unassailable case. Section 116 of the Australian constitution says: “The Commonwealth shall not make
- [Yes, it's rational to vote Sex!](https://rationalist.com.au/yes-its-rational-to-vote-sex/) - Last year the RSA did a "Secular Scorecard" in the lead-up to the Federal election - see here. Unsurprisingly the Secular Party of Australia came out scoring very well, but the Sex Party also got an "A". Sex Party convenor Fiona Patten explains why rationalists should vote for Sex! Is it Rational to Vote ‘Sex’?
- [Religion and Politics: opportunity or threat?](https://rationalist.com.au/religion-and-politics-opportunity-or-threat/) - This article was first presented at the "Separating Church and State" Conference in Melbourne, June 2006. The conference was supported by the Rationalist Society of Australia, the Australian National Secular Association and the Council of Australian Humanist Societies. DOES God have a place in government? Are we seeing a change in the relationship between religion and
- [An Evening with Maajid Nawaz](https://rationalist.com.au/an-evening-with-maajid-nawaz/) - “If liberalism is to mean anything at all, it is duty bound to support without hesitation the dissenting individual over the group, the heretic over the orthodox, innovation over stagnation, and free speech over offense.” A recurring global conversation of 2015 has been one centered on extremism. The widely ­reported Charlie Hebdo killings in January
- [Moving "No Religion" ](https://rationalist.com.au/moving-no-religion/) - The Australian Bureau of Statistics will change the census form to put the 'no religion' option at the top of a question about religious denominations, rather than at the bottom of the list. It's part of an attempt to eliminate perceived bias about the option. Source: Moving "No Religion" - The Drum (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
- [Ancient Philosophy for Modern Life](https://rationalist.com.au/ancient-philosophy-for-modern-life/) - Philosophy lessons of the ancients relevant to our globalised, information age. Source: Five Books: Jules Evans recommends the best books on Ancient Philosophy for Modern Life For many, ancient philosophy seems to be something which is completely removed from modern life. What first got you interested in the ancient philosophers? I got into philosophy through
- [Women Beyond Belief: Discovering Life without Religion](https://rationalist.com.au/women-beyond-belief-discovering-life-without-religion/) - As a woman and a rationalist, I have found it hard to understand the plight of women who continue to believe in a personal God and a literalist Bible. Women Beyond Belief is a book of revelation: stories of social conditioning and personal self-doubt that have kept women ‘in their place’ historically and in our modern, supposedly educated world.
- [Letter: Medical Treatment Planning and Decisions Bill](https://rationalist.com.au/letter-medical-treatment-planning-and-decisions-bill/) - The Hon. Jill Hennessy Minister for Health Victorian Parliament. [space height="30"] 13 September 2016 [space height="30"] Dear Minister, The Rationalist Society of Australia congratulates you and the Andrews Government for introducing the Medical Treatment Planning and Decisions Bill to give legal recognition to advance care directives in Victoria. This welcome development has been a policy
- [Letter: Great Offense at Gay Marriage](https://rationalist.com.au/letter-great-offense-at-gay-marriage/) - From time to time we get unsolicited letters relating to one or other of our campaigns or policy stances. This one queries why the minority of LGBTI people in our community are being "allowed to undermine the rights of the majority." RSA board member Hugh Harris responds ... To RSA: On Civil Liberties and Human
- [Submission: on Part IIA of the Racial Discrimination Act](https://rationalist.com.au/submission-on-part-iia-of-the-racial-discrimination-act/) - Pursuant to the section 7(c) of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011, on 8 November 2016 the Attorney-General referred to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights the following two matters for inquiry and report: whether the operation of Part IIA of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) (including sections 18C and 18D) impose
- [AMA Position Statement on Voluntary Assisted Dying](https://rationalist.com.au/ama-position-statement-on-voluntary-assisted-dying/) - In November 2016, the Australian Medical Association, which represents about a third of medicos in this country, updated its Position Statement on what it calls "Euthanasia and Physician Assisted Suicide". We prefer the less emotive term "Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD)." Why? to emphasise the fact that it is voluntary. No person will be compelled to undertake
- [Dr Meredith Doig, President of the Rationalist Society, receives Medal of the Order of Australia](https://rationalist.com.au/dr-meredith-doig-president-of-the-rationalist-society-receives-medal-of-the-order-of-australia/) - Dr Meredith Doig, President of the Rationalist Society of Australia, has been admitted to the Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia, General Division, in the 2017 Australia Day Honours, for her service to community, higher education and business. Meredith has served as President and Secretary of the Rationalist Society of Australia since 2008, is a

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- [Home](https://rationalist.com.au/) - Australia's oldest freethought group, promoting Reason since 1906. We're in favour of science and evidence, as opposed to superstition and bigotry.
- [RSA board](https://rationalist.com.au/about/about-us/committee/) - RSA Board The RSA is an association incorporated under the Victorian Associations Incorporation Reform Act. It is managed by a board that meets every second month via Zoom.The board has appointed two subcommittees. The Finance Advisory Subcommittee monitors the Society’s income and expenditure and the performance of investments and recommends changes thought desirable to maintain
- [Rules](https://rationalist.com.au/about/about-us/rules/) - Like all associations, the RSA is governed by a set of Rules which essentially form our Constitution – the RSA Rules (updated 2022). The RSA's Rules are based on the Model Rules of the Victorian Associations Incorporation Act 2012, modified to suit our circumstances. The Rules specify the following Objectives for the Society: Objects 1.
- [Membership](https://rationalist.com.au/membership/) - Join the Rationalist Society of Australia! By becoming a member, you'll be helping us promote public policy based on evidence and reason, and political secularism. Choose from the options below. Standard Membership Here’s what’s included:Free access to all articles (including member-only content) in our Rationale magazine.RSA Weekly bulletins, plus member-only email alerts.Special offers like discounted
- [Who are Rationalists?](https://rationalist.com.au/about/rsa-patrons/) - Who are Rationalists? We are privileged to have as our Patrons eminent persons who are distinguished leaders in Australian society and who embody a rationalist commitment to reason and evidence. We have also bestowed honorary titles to a number of people in recognition of their significant contribution to our cause. Patron Michael Kirby AC CMG
- [Thanks for taking a stand, ‘Victorian 21’](https://rationalist.com.au/victorian-21/) - While religious organisations, politicians and the media have spoken a lot about the need for ‘religious freedom’ over recent years, they have paid scant regard to the equal right to freedom from religion. But now more and more elected representatives are taking a stand in objecting to parliaments and local government institutions requiring them to
- [Fighting Fund Donations](https://rationalist.com.au/fighting-fund-donations/) - Show Your Support Help us fight for a genuinely secular Australia! More than ever, Australia needs public policy guided by reason, evidence, and fairness. By supporting the RSA, you help us to conduct professional public education campaigns; build a coalition of MPs to defend secular government; fight for individuals hurt or harmed by unfair religious privilege; produce videos, graphics, and
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- [Research Grants Program](https://rationalist.com.au/research-grants-program/) - Research Grants Program Periodically, the Rationalist Society of Australia awards academic research grants as part of the RSA Research Grants Program.This program aims to support research that furthers knowledge and understanding of secularism and freethought in Australia. The topics of the research undertaken in the program may vary from time to time, but could include
- [Our board](https://rationalist.com.au/about/about-us/governance/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia Inc. (RSA) is an association incorporated in Victoria under the Associations Incorporation Reform Act. It is governed by the RSA Rules, and managed by a Board, elected each year at the AGM. Until the 2024 AGM, the Board comprises: [table id=1 /] The RSA also has two
- [Webinars](https://rationalist.com.au/webinars/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia holds monthly RSA Webinars with guest speakers exploring important topical issues from a rationalist perspective.
- [What does the RSA do?](https://rationalist.com.au/about/about-us/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) is the oldest freethought group in Australia, promoting reason since 1906. Our members and supporters hold that: All significant beliefs and actions should be based on reason and evidence. The natural world is the only world there is. Answers to the key questions of human existence are to be
- ['Secular Agenda' Podcast](https://rationalist.com.au/podcasts/) - ‘The Secular Agenda’ podcast In the ‘The Secular Agenda’ podcast, we’ll bring you regular interviews with people who are working for secular change on a range of issues across Australia. We’ll also share highlights from our RSA Webinars series.The host of the podcast is Si Gladman, Executive Director of the Rationalist Society of Australia.
- ['Religiosity in Australia' Series](https://rationalist.com.au/religiosity-in-australia/) - 'Religiosity in Australia' series Social researcher and RSA Fellow Neil Francis has produced the most comprehensive report on the nature of religious adherence ever written in Australia. The Religiosity in Australia series was commissioned and published by the Rationalist Society of Australia. Francis has drawn on data from the national census, plus surveys conducted by
- [Reclaiming Secular Australia](https://rationalist.com.au/about/rsa-reclaiming-secular-australia/) - Rationalist Society Principles and Priorities If you are the kind of person who prefers reason to prejudice, science to superstition, and evidence to faith, then you may be a Rationalist. Rationalism is an intellectual, social and political worldview that promotes the role of reason and evidence when seeking solutions to issues that confront us in
- [2022 Annual General Meeting](https://rationalist.com.au/2022-annual-general-meeting/) - Agenda Business of the Meeting 1) Formal matters Election of a chair Attendees and Apologies Proxies. 2) Minutes of the last AGM Motion 2.1: That the Minutes of the 2021 AGM be accepted as a true record. Moved: Seconded: There is no formal business arising from the Minutes of the last AGM. 3) Reports
- [Policies](https://rationalist.com.au/about/policies/) - The RSA bases its policies on universal human values, shared by most religious as well as non-religious people. We believe in human dignity and respect in our treatment of one another. We support social co-operation within communities and political co-operation among nations. We think human endeavour should focus on making life better for all of us, with What do Rationalists believe
- [Past issues of the Australian Rationalist journal](https://rationalist.com.au/journals/) - #113 June 2019 #112 March 2019  #111 December 2018  #110 September 2018  #109 June 2018  #108 March 2018  #107 December 2017  #106 September 2017  #105 June 2017  #104 March 2017  #103 December 2016  #102 September 2016  #101 June 2016  #100 March 2016 
- [Contact Us](https://rationalist.com.au/contact-us/) - Contact Us Got a question? Send us a message and we’ll respond as soon as possible.Email us at RationalistSociety@rationalist.com.au.You can also communicate with us on our Facebook page and our Twitter profile.
- [Religiosity in Australia Part 1: personal faith according to the numbers](https://rationalist.com.au/religiosity-in-australia-old/) - [table id=63 /]
- [Just how religious is Australia?](https://rationalist.com.au/census-2016/) - Religiosity in Australia - personal faith according to the numbers In June 2021, RSA Research Fellow Neil Francis finalised a major new report investigating the evidence of religiosity in Australia. Drawing on impeccable data from the census and surveys conducted by the Australian National University, Francis analysed trends in religiosity, characteristics of the religious, the
- [Our Campaign Areas](https://rationalist.com.au/campaign-areas/) - Explore the areas of social policy in which we are actively campaigning.
- [About](https://rationalist.com.au/about/) - About Policies The RSA bases its policies on universal human values, shared by most religious as well as non-religious people. We believe in human dignity and respect in our treatment of one another. We support social co-operation within communities and political co-operation among Read More What does the RSA do? The Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA)
- [What is Rationalism?](https://rationalist.com.au/about/the-four-pillars-of-rationalism/) - Rationalism grows out of a respected tradition of critical thinking that goes back to the ancient Greeks and which flourished as the Enlightenment, but is flexible enough to change in the light of new evidence and argument. It is an ideal worldview for the 21st century. Rationalism is an intellectual, cultural, social and political movement
- [Publications](https://rationalist.com.au/publications-2/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia has published a quarterly journal, the Australian Rationalist, almost continuously since the 1920s, interrupted only by war, internecine strife and intermittent lack of funds. Since mid-2021, our journal has gone online in the form of our new flagship magazine, Rationale. Since April 2013, we have also published a bulletin called
- [Secular Government](https://rationalist.com.au/secular-government-3/) - [table id=67 /]
- [The Census](https://rationalist.com.au/the-census/) - Every five years, the Australian Bureau of Statistics conducts a national survey – called the Census – to collect data in order to build an accurate picture of who we are as Australians. Census data is used by governments and many other organisations to inform a wide range of important decisions and policies. One of
- [Voluntary Assisted Dying](https://rationalist.com.au/voluntary-assisted-dying-2017/) - Until recently, terminally ill people across Australia were not able to access a legal and humane assisted dying option to end their suffering. Australia’s first attempt to legalise assisted during – through legislation in the Northern Territory – had been overruled by the federal parliament, through new limits on the power of territories to make
- [Campaign against the Religious Discrimination bill](https://rationalist.com.au/dontdivideus/) - Following the successful legalisation of same-sex marriage in Australia in 2017, hard-right MPs with Australia's conservative federal government demanded retribution. The Prime Minister of the day, Malcolm Turnbull, mollified them by commissioning an inquiry into the state of religious freedom in Australia. The Religious Freedom Inquiry's report found there was no threat to religious freedom
- [TEST PAGE](https://rationalist.com.au/test-page/)
- [Chapter release: Religious conservatives to the battle stations](https://rationalist.com.au/religious-conservatives-to-the-battle-stations/) - Here's a sneak peek of Neil Francis' second instalment in the RSA's ‘Religiosity in Australia’ series of research reports. Click on the image below to open a pdf of the chapter 'Religious conservatives to the battle stations'. In this chapter, Francis analyses the push by religious conservatives for religious freedom laws and considers why this
- [Anthony Englund](https://rationalist.com.au/about/about-us/committee/anthony-englund/) - ANTHONY is 44 years old and Sydney based. He is a professional consultant with over a decade advising governments, businesses and other stakeholder groups on policy and regulatory matters in the energy sector. Anthony has qualifications in law, accounting and philosophy and was a prime mover behind, and first President of, Sydney Atheists Inc. as well
- [Religiosity in Australia Part 2: religious minds, religious collectives](https://rationalist.com.au/religiosity-in-australia-religious-minds-religious-collectives/) - [table id=64 /] ​
- [A 21st century worldview](https://rationalist.com.au/about/a-21st-century-worldview/) - If you are the kind of person who prefers reason to prejudice, science to superstition, and evidence to faith, and who recognises the importance of democracy, free secular public education, free speech, freedom of information and basic human rights, then you may be a Rationalist. Rationalism is an intellectual, cultural, social and political worldview that
- [Human rights and equality](https://rationalist.com.au/human-rights-and-equality/) - [table id=66 /]
- [Religion in the Military](https://rationalist.com.au/religion-in-the-military/) - What’s the problem? What we’re doing What you can do More information Latest on this issue
- [Campaigns](https://rationalist.com.au/campaigns-2/) - [table id=65 /]
- [Latest Articles](https://rationalist.com.au/latest-articles/)
- [Help us fight for a genuinely secular Australia!](https://rationalist.com.au/make-a-donation/) - Now, more than ever, Australia needs public policy to be guided by evidence and reason. Policy that respects the freedom to practise one’s faith or belief, as long as doing so does not harm others. Policy that supports the right to change one’s faith or leave it altogether, without the fear of persecution. Policy that
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- [Taxation and Religion](https://rationalist.com.au/taxation-and-religion/)
- [Challenging religious discrimination in government chaplaincy programs](https://rationalist.com.au/chaplaincy-challenge/) - Governments fund and operate a number of chaplaincy programs in Australia. Chaplaincy (sometimes also referred to as spiritual care, pastoral care or social health) provides emotional and social support to people in a range of settings. The RSA is opposed to discrimination on the ground of religion or belief. We are working to ensure that
- [Other freethought organisations and sites](https://rationalist.com.au/about/about-us/like-minded-sites/) - Other Australian freethought organisations The RSA collaborates with other freethought organisations in Australia and New Zealand, including: Humanists Australia The Rationalist Association of NSW Humanists Victoria Sydney Atheists Council of Australian Humanist Societies National Secular Lobby Queensland Parents for Secular State Schools Go Gentle Australia The Church of Flying Spaghetti Monster Australia Atheist Foundation of
- [Freedom of Religion & Belief](https://rationalist.com.au/ruddock-review-into-religious-freedom/) - 27th of February 2020 The RSA along with an alliance of freethought organisations have launched a campaign against the Religious Discrimination Bill. Watch: Former High Court justice and RSA Patron Michael Kirby speaking on the RD Bill. Read: Michael Kirby's Op-ed article which appeared in The Age 26th of February 2020 Judith Ireland's article on
- [Your account](https://rationalist.com.au/account/)
- [Secular Education](https://rationalist.com.au/secular-education/) - Introduction The Rationalist Society supports the development of the human capacity for reflective and generative thinking through the teaching of critical thinking, scientific literacy and ethical values. Critical thinking examines assumptions, discerns hidden values, evaluates evidence and assesses conclusions. Well taught, critical thinking leads to open-mindedness, appreciation of the consequences of action, a systematic approach
- [AGM Minutes](https://rationalist.com.au/about/about-us/governance/agm-minutes/) - Minutes of previous Annual General Meetings are listed below: 2020 AGM Minutes 2019 AGM Minutes 2018 AGM Minutes 2017 AGM Minutes 2016 AGM Minutes 2015 AGM Minutes 2014 AGM Minutes 2013 AGM Minutes 2012 AGM Minutes 2011 AGM Minutes 2010 AGM Minutes 2009 AGM Minutes (December) 2009 AGM Minutes (April) 2008 AGM Minutes 2007 AGM
- [2020 Annual General Meeting - Minutes](https://rationalist.com.au/2020-annual-general-meeting-minutes/) - The Annual General Meeting of the Rationalist Society of Australia Inc. was held at 7:30 pm AEDT on Wednesday 21 October 2020. Due to COVID-19, this AGM was not held in-person as was the case in previous years. Instead, the 2020 AGM was held via Zoom. The President's Report 2020 2020 Annual General Meeting Minutes
- [Open Society](https://rationalist.com.au/open-society/) - "Our democracy depends on diverse sources of reliable, accurate, and independent news. But media ownership is becoming more concentrated alongside new business models that encourage deliberately polarising and politically manipulated news." The RSA is a strong supporter of an open society and an open society is only possible if there is genuine freedom of information.
- [Letter: Shameful exploitation of a family's privacy](https://rationalist.com.au/letter-shameful-exploitation-of-a-familys-privacy/) - To all Tasmanian MPs. Dear (Tasmanian MP), Re: Shameful exploitation of a family’s privacy We write to express our outrage at the shameless - and shameful - exploitation of a family’s privacy by the Catholic Church in pursuit of a religious crusade against Voluntary Assisted Dying. On 9 September, the website MercatorNet published a story
- [2020 Annual General Meeting - Notice of Meeting](https://rationalist.com.au/2020-annual-general-meeting/) - The Annual General Meeting of the Rationalist Society of Australia Inc. will be held at 7:30pm on Wednesday 21 October 2020. Due to COVID-19, this AGM will not be held in-person as was the case in previous years. Instead, the 2020 AGM will be held via Zoom. To register for the meeting, please click here.
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- [Drug Law Reform](https://rationalist.com.au/drug-law-reform/) - The RSA campaigns for serious reforms to current Australian drug laws. The RSA believes legislation regarding drug use should be guided by harm minimisation, and should embrace the amassing amount of evidence, collected within Australia and around the world, that suggests most current laws regulating illicit drug use compound the harm caused by drugs, rather
- [Login](https://rationalist.com.au/login/)
- [Statistics](https://rationalist.com.au/the-census/australians-religion-statistics/) - Just how religious are Australians? The Australian government has been collecting data about Australians' religious affiliations since 1911. At that time, nearly everyone (95%) said they were Christian. By halfway through the last century (1966), Christianity was still dominant at 88% but the number was declining. By 1991, only three-quarters (74%) said they were Christian
- [Resources](https://rationalist.com.au/additional-resources/) - [tabs type="tabs"] [tab title="SCIENCE-RELATED" active="true"] RationalWiki - for material related to Creationism, Global Warming, Alternative Medicine, Conspiracy Theories, Ufos, the Paranormal, Denialism, and Logic. Media Guide to Skepticism – Sharon Hill of Doubtful News has put together this very helpful guide to what the “skeptical viewpoint” entails. Skeptical Software Tools – some very handy plugins, programmes and tips to
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- [Religious Discrimination bill 2019](https://rationalist.com.au/religious-discrimination-bill-2019/) - On 19 Sept 2019, the RSA sent the following letter to all federal MPs and Senators: Re: Religious Discrimination Bill The Rationalist Society of Australia is Australia's oldest freethought organisation and as such, has a particular interest in the role of religion - and non-religion - in Australia. The federal government's Religious Discrimination bill will
- [Why I am a Rationalist](https://rationalist.com.au/why-i-am-a-rationalist/) - I am, in this age when there are a great many appeals to unreason, an unrepentant Rationalist. I have been a Rationalist ever since I can remember, and I do not propose to cease to be so whatever appeals to unreason may be made. We are not yet, and I suppose men and women never
- [Genital Autonomy](https://rationalist.com.au/genital-autonomy/) - The RSA maintains the view that non-consensual, medically unnecessary male circumcision and intersex genital modification constitute genital mutilation, and should be condemned. Australian society does not accept female genital mutilation to suit the cultural or religious preferences of parents, and likewise should not accept male circumcision or intersex genital modification for these reasons. Non-consensual, medically unnecessary
- [What Rationalism means to me](https://rationalist.com.au/what-rationalism-means-to-me/) - Speech given to a Rationalist Society conference by Professor John McCloskey Michael Oakeshott, in his attack on rationalism in politics, characterises the Rationalist by observing that: "He [sic] stands for independence of mind on all occasions, for thought free from obligation to any authority save the authority of reason." … he is the enemy of
- [Professor John McCloskey](https://rationalist.com.au/professor-john-mccloskey/) - Professor Henry John McCloskey (1925 - 2000) was Professor of Philosophy at Latrobe University in Melbourne. After graduating from the University of Melbourne, he had appointments at the University of Western Australia and the University of Melbourne before taking up a chair at Latrobe. He was president of the Australasian Association of Philosophy in 1978.
- [Leaving a bequest](https://rationalist.com.au/leaving-a-bequest/) - If you would like to leave a bequest to the RSA, please use the following wording in your will: "I bequeath [a specific amount OR a percentage] of my estate to the Rationalist Society of Australia Incorporated (ABN 41 853 904 693) for its general purposes, and this bequest will be free from all duties.
- [National School Chaplaincy Program - What Principals Think](https://rationalist.com.au/national-school-chaplaincy-program-what-principals-think/) - 1 Summary The Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) sought the views of Victorian government school principals about the operation of the National School Chaplaincy Program in Victorian government schools. 1.1 The Findings During December 2018, 2,287 Victorian government school principals were consulted; 62 participated in the consultation. The key findings are: 90.3% of Victorian government
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- [Annual Reports](https://rationalist.com.au/about/about-us/governance/2018-annual-report/) - Click below to read our 2018 Annual Report: And here for the 2017 RSA Annual Report:
- [Meredith Doig](https://rationalist.com.au/about/about-us/committee/meredith-doig/) - Dr Meredith Doig, OAM FAICD BA (pure maths), Dip Ed, M Ed Studies, Grad Dip Management, PhD Dr Meredith Doig is a professional company director and governance consultant. Directorships have included the Port of Melbourne Corporation and its predecessor the Victorian Channels Authority, V/Line Passenger Pty Ltd, Bakers Delight Holdings, Federation University, Federation Training TAFE,
- [Tips on writing an Op Ed article](https://rationalist.com.au/get-involved/tips-on-writing-an-op-ed-article/) - The major newspapers serving Australian capital cities have weekly circulations (print and digital) of around one to three million readers: [table id=53 /] It's very difficult to get an opinion piece accepted for publication in one of the major metropolitan dailies. But here are a few tips: The first paragraph This should catch the reader's
- [Tips on lobbying Members of Parliament](https://rationalist.com.au/get-involved/tips-on-lobbying-members-of-parliament/) - Be very clear about the problem Compile strong and compelling evidence. Gather data and facts and check them thoroughly. Remember your case must stand up to scrutiny by experts. Back up claims with expert opinion if possible. Avoid exaggeration or misrepresenting research findings to press your case. Nothing will ruin your efforts at getting the
- [Rationalist Curriculum](https://rationalist.com.au/rationalist-curriculum/) - The RSA has taken a leading role in the formulation of the new Victorian Worldviews curriculum, being rolled out to all Victorian schools over 2017 and 2018. Background Most state governments in Australia have historically provided for "special religious instruction" (SRI), where local clergy have been allowed to come into schools and instruct children in
- [Privacy policy](https://rationalist.com.au/about/about-us/privacy-policy/) - The Rationalist Society of Australia Inc. (RSA) respects your privacy and is committed to safeguarding the privacy of its members, subscribers and website visitors. We adhere to the Australian Privacy Principles contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). This policy sets out how we collect and treat your personal information. "Personal information" is information we hold
- [Matt Withoos](https://rationalist.com.au/about/about-us/committee/matt-withoos/) - Matt Withoos is a technology enthusiast who loves nothing more than diving head-first into the latest and best innovations in the tech sphere. He has a keen interest on how they can be used to progress and transform our society for the better. These days, Matt’s focus is on his new social enterprise, Fair Digital,
- [Genital Autonomy White Paper](https://rationalist.com.au/genital-autonomy-white-paper/) - Preamble The Rationalist Society of Australia Inc. (RSA) seeks to promote a pluralistic, multicultural and secular Australia. Government policies and laws should be based on evidence, reason and compassion, not religious beliefs. Everyone should be free to follow their own religious or non-religious worldview, provided that doing so does not harm or unnecessarily restrict others.
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- [Science In Society](https://rationalist.com.au/science-in-society/) - [row] [column md="12"] Science In Society Governments should adopt an evidence-based approach to public policy making, with increased investment in education for scientific literacy. [/column][/row]
- [Secular Government](https://rationalist.com.au/secular-government/) - [row] [column md="12"] Secular Government All Australian constitutions should be reformed to ensure clear separation between religion and the State, and all references to God removed. [/column][/row]
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- [Human Rights](https://rationalist.com.au/human-rights/) - [row] [column md="12"] Human Rights Government policies should be based on evidence, reason and compassion, and protect the human rights of all Australians. [/column] [/row]
- [The Rationalist Collection](https://rationalist.com.au/about/about-us/the-rationalist-collection/) - In 2002, Victoria University Library agreed to accept the Rationalist Library as one of its research collections and house it at the Footscray Park Campus Library. This collection of books, journals and pamphlets is now called the Rationalist Collection and is located in the Library's Special Collections Room, P402, Footscray Park. History of the Rationalist
- [In the Public Eye](https://rationalist.com.au/media-and-submissions/) - Members of the RSA board are regularly published in the media and we also make submissions to governments at both state and Federal level. See articles by Rationalists published in the media here. See RSA submissions and letters here. See media releases by the RSA here.
- [Published articles](https://rationalist.com.au/published-articles/)
- [Submissions and letters](https://rationalist.com.au/submissions-and-letters/)
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- [2015 AGM](https://rationalist.com.au/about/about-us/governance/2015-agm/) - 2015 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING DATE: Thursday 8 October 2015 TIME: 7.30pm (dinner from 6pm) VENUE: Upstairs function room at the Hawksburn Hotel, 505 Malvern Road, Toorak. Guest Speaker: Dr Rodney Syme Dr Rodney Syme has been a driving force within the voluntary euthanasia movement since 1991 and served 12 years as President of Dying
- [PathWays - a faith and freethought project](https://rationalist.com.au/pathways-a-faith-and-freethought-project/) - Since late 2012, RSA has been in dialogue and cooperation with others who share RSA's support for education in all schools about Beliefs, Religions and Ethics. This is consistent with RSA's opposition to the imposition of Special Religious Instruction (SRI) in government schools. This cooperation began with a submission to the Victorian Multicultural Commission in
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- [Fairness in Religion in Schools](https://rationalist.com.au/about/about-us/like-minded-sites/fairness-in-religion-in-schools/) - Fairness in Religion in Schools (FIRIS) is a parent-driven grassroots effort, committed to working for inclusive education about religions in schools. FIRIS have been very effective in raising awareness among Victorian school parents of the insidious nature of the materials used by ACCESS Ministries in delivering Special Religious Instruction (SRI) in Victorian government schools. For up to
- [Secular Scorecard 2013: state of confusion](https://rationalist.com.au/secular-scorecard-2013/) - The major political parties in Australia are full of contradictions about a secular state. The Labor Party and the Liberal Party have conflicting policies over the need to maintain a separation between religion and politics, according to research conducted by the Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA). Drawing on published policies, actual practices and public statements
- [Newsletters](https://rationalist.com.au/newsletters/) - [table id=7 /]
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## My Templates

- [Default Kit](https://rationalist.com.au/?elementor_library=default-kit)
- [TMP Religiosity in Australia final](https://rationalist.com.au/?elementor_library=tmp-religiosity-in-australia-final) - 'Religiosity in Australia' series Social researcher and RSA Fellow Neil Francis has produced the most comprehensive report on the nature of religious adherence ever written in Australia.The Religiosity in Australia series was commissioned and published by the Rationalist Society of Australia.Francis has drawn on data from the national census, plus surveys conducted by the Australian
- [Upcoming Webinar](https://rationalist.com.au/?elementor_library=webinar-upcoming) - Upcoming Webinar Across the country, state governments continue to allow religious missionaries to take over the classrooms of public schools and disrupt valuable teaching and learning time under the guise of religious instruction programs – or ‘scripture’. In this webinar, Jack Galvin Waight, Regional Organiser for the New South Wales Teachers Federation, will present on
- [Footer](https://rationalist.com.au/?elementor_library=elementor-footer-192828) - Content area
- [Previous Webinars](https://rationalist.com.au/?elementor_library=previous-webinars) - Previous Webinars Watch recording Amidst an ‘infodemic’ of false or misleading information in the online domain, Australia has witnessed in recent years a rise in far-right politics, conspiracy thinking and movements such as QAnon and militant wellness. Dr Vivian Gerrand shared insights from her research into these forms of radicalisation, providing an understanding of the
- [Elementor Single Post #193130](https://rationalist.com.au/?elementor_library=elementor-single-post-193130) - Elementor Single Post #193130 What’s the problem? What we’re doing What you can do Latest on the issue New parliamentary friendship group to promote chaplaincy as WA school communities call for change 17 March, 2026 Religious lobbyists and their supporters in the West Australian parliament are pushing back against the growing calls for the state
- [Campaign Category Archive](https://rationalist.com.au/?elementor_library=elementor-archive-192839) - Campaign Category Archive Truth in political advertising Integrity in government Voluntary assisted dying Religious exemptions in discrimination laws Bodily autonomy Census Valuing science Drug law reform
- [Campaigns Archive Grid section](https://rationalist.com.au/?elementor_library=campaigns-archive-grid-section) - Campaigns Archive Grid section Truth in political advertising Integrity in government Voluntary assisted dying Religious exemptions in discrimination laws Bodily autonomy Census Valuing science Drug law reform
- [Campaign Page](https://rationalist.com.au/?elementor_library=campaign-page) - Campaign Page What’s the problem? In local councils and parliaments across Australia, exclusively Christian prayers are recited to open the official proceedings of the institution.In the national parliament, elected representatives are asked to stand for the Lord’s Prayer at the opening of each day in the House of Representatives and the Senate.At the local government
- [Campaign Page S5 Latest Grid](https://rationalist.com.au/?elementor_library=campaign-page-s5-latest-grid) - Latest on the issue New parliamentary friendship group to promote chaplaincy as WA school communities call for change 17 March, 2026 Religious lobbyists and their supporters in the West Australian parliament are pushing back against the growing calls for the state government to stop funding chaplains Read More » RSA questions WA government about schools

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## Campaigns

- [Census](https://rationalist.com.au/campaigns/census/) - The RSA campaigns on the census.
- [Tax and religion, charities](https://rationalist.com.au/campaigns/taxation-and-religion/) - The RSA campaigns on taxation and religion.
- [Religion in the military](https://rationalist.com.au/campaigns/religion-in-the-military/) - The RSA campaigns on religion in the military.
- [Prayers in government](https://rationalist.com.au/campaigns/prayers-in-government/) - The RSA campaigns on prayers in government.
- [Truth in political advertising](https://rationalist.com.au/campaigns/truth-in-political-advertising/) - Truth in political advertising In most elections in Australia, political candidates and parties have almost free reign in what they can say. Unlike for businesses in the commercial world, there is no requirement for political advertising to be truthful. What’s the problem? Political candidates and parties deploy deliberately deceptive and misleading advertising without facing legal
- [Voluntary assisted dying](https://rationalist.com.au/campaigns/voluntary-assisted-dying/) - The RSA campaigns on voluntary assisted dying.
- [Bodily autonomy](https://rationalist.com.au/campaigns/bodily-autonomy/) - The RSA campaigns on bodily autonomy.
- [Valuing science](https://rationalist.com.au/campaigns/valuing-science/) - The RSA campaigns on valuing science.
- [Religious exemptions in discrimination laws](https://rationalist.com.au/campaigns/religious-exemptions-in-discrimination-laws/) - The RSA campaigns on religious exemptions in discrimination laws.
- [School chaplaincy](https://rationalist.com.au/campaigns/school-chaplaincy/) - The RSA campaigns on school chaplaincy.
- [Drug law reform](https://rationalist.com.au/campaigns/drug-law-reform/) - The RSA campaigns on drug law reform.
- [Integrity in government](https://rationalist.com.au/campaigns/integrity-in-government/) - Integrity in government At all levels of government in Australia, strong integrity commissions are needed to help counter corruption and improve accountability and transparency of our governments, politicians and public service. What’s the problem? Public trust in governance has been declining in Australia over a number of years.One way to restore faith in our democratic
- [Religious instruction](https://rationalist.com.au/campaigns/religious-instruction/) - The RSA campaigns on religious instruction in schools.
- [National curriculum](https://rationalist.com.au/campaigns/national-curriculum/) - The RSA campaigns on the national curriculum.
- [State curriculum](https://rationalist.com.au/campaigns/state-curriculum/) - The RSA campaigns on state schools' curricula.
- [Countering pseudoscience](https://rationalist.com.au/campaigns/countering-pseudoscience/) - The RSA campaigns on countering pseudoscience.

## Webinars

- [The deep roots to the re-emergence of extremism](https://rationalist.com.au/webinars/the-deep-roots-to-the-re-emergence-of-extremism/) - In recent weeks, right-wing extremism has spilled onto the streets of Australian capitals, with neo-Nazis appearing on the steps of Victoria’s parliament and conservative Catholics intimidating citizens in Sydney’s suburbs. In this RSA Webinar, Dr Josh Roose, author of The New Demagogues: Religion, Masculinity and the Populist Epoch, will present on the re-emergence of extremism
- [Protecting non-religious and ex-religious people around the world](https://rationalist.com.au/webinars/protecting-non-religious-and-ex-religious-people-around-the-world/) - In Western countries such as Australia, political debates over ‘religious freedom’ and ‘religious discrimination’ typically ignore the fact that provisions in international law protect non-religious and ex-religious people on an equal footing with religious people. And, in many parts of the world, atheists, other non-religious people and ex-religious people face grave dangers on a daily
- [Hillsong and headlines: Insights from an investigative journalist](https://rationalist.com.au/webinars/hillsong-and-headlines-insights-from-an-investigative-journalist/) - Few journalists have revealed as much about scandals, abuses and malpractice among religious groups in Australia, including megachurch Hillsong, as David Hardaker. At this RSA Webinar, David will speak about his newly published book, Mine is the Kingdom: The rise and fall of Brian Houston and the Hillsong Church (2024, Allen & Unwin). He will
- [Secularism in the UK: Cutting ties with the state church](https://rationalist.com.au/webinars/secularism-in-the-uk-cutting-ties-with-the-state-church/) - As Christianity continues its decline in the United Kingdom and fewer people fill the pews, the case to disestablish the Church of England and remove its privileges as the state religion is gathering momentum. At the RSA Webinar, Stephen Evans, the chief executive of the UK’s National Secular Society, will present on the entanglement of
- [Referendum roadblock: How to modernise our ‘frozen’ Constitution](https://rationalist.com.au/webinars/referendum-roadblock-how-to-modernise-our-frozen-constitution/) - In 1967, Professor Geoffrey Sawer described Australia’s Constitution as ‘frozen’. With the failure of the Voice referendum, only eight proposals from 45 attempts have been successful. Given there have been no changes at all in half a century, is the current mechanism for making changes fit for purpose? At this RSA Webinar, Dr Benjamin T.
- [Media responses to Australia’s increasing non-religiosity](https://rationalist.com.au/webinars/media-responses-to-australias-increasing-non-religiosity/) - The release of 2021 Census figures showing the continued surge in Australians identifying as not religious sparked much mainstream media discussion about the trend and what it meant for the future of the country. At this RSA Webinar, Dr Rebecca Banham, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at University of Tasmania, will share insights into her research on
- [How understanding audiences can counter science denialism](https://rationalist.com.au/webinars/how-understanding-audiences-can-counter-science-denialism/) - Countering misinformation and the rejection of science has proven to be a serious challenge for policymakers on issues such as climate change and COVID-19. But new research that provides insights into how people perceive and respond to such topics could open the way for science to be communicated more effectively. At this RSA Webinar, Dr
- [Basic Religious Charities: The case for more transparency](https://rationalist.com.au/webinars/basic-religious-charities-the-case-for-more-transparency/) - Ensuring public transparency was a fundamental principle underpinning the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) when it was established in 2012. The new agency was charged with enhancing “public trust and confidence” in the not-for-profit sector. Yet, at the eleventh hour, the legislation that established the ACNC included a special carveout for ‘Basic Religious Charities’
- [How religious instruction undermines public education](https://rationalist.com.au/webinars/how-religious-instruction-undermines-public-education/) - Despite increasing controversy in recent years over the presence of religious instruction classes in state schools, some Australian states continue to allow missionaries into state school classrooms during school hours to deliver lessons in religious doctrine. In this RSA Webinar, Dr Jennifer Bleazby will present on current Religious Instruction (RI)/Special Religious Education (SRE) laws and
- [Growing inequality and segregation in our education system](https://rationalist.com.au/webinars/growing-inequality-and-segregation-in-our-education-system/) - The overfunding of private schools and the widening of the resource gap between private and public schools are driving large disparities between rich and poor, and increasing inequalities in educational outcomes in Australia. At this RSA Webinar, Chris Bonnor, an established author on public education and schools funding, will share his insights into what changes
- [The costs of cutting: Circumcision in modern Australia](https://rationalist.com.au/webinars/the-costs-of-cutting-circumcision-in-modern-australia/) - The incorrect and fraudulent claiming of Medicare rebates for male circumcision performed for non-clinical reasons could be costing Australian taxpayers millions of dollars every year. In this RSA Webinar, Jonathan Meddings, human rights advocate and author of the new book, ‘The Final Cut: The Truth about Circumcision’, discusses the prevalence of cosmetic circumcision in Australia
- [Replacing prayer rituals: The push for more welcoming institutions](https://rationalist.com.au/webinars/replacing-prayer-rituals-the-push-for-more-welcoming-institutions/) - Across Australia, momentum is building for local councils and parliaments to replace exclusionary prayer rituals with practices that are more secular, inclusive and representative of the community’s religious and non-religious diversity. In this webinar, two elected representatives – one from the New South Wales Parliament and another from a Victorian council – will discuss their
- [Census: The rise of ‘no religion’ and the campaign for more accurate data](https://rationalist.com.au/webinars/census-the-rise-of-no-religion-and-the-campaign-for-more-accurate-data/) - The release of the 2021 Census results by the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed the continued rapid rise in people identifying as not religious. In this webinar, Michael Dove and Neil Francis will present on what the latest figures say about religious affiliation and the rise of ‘no religion’. Mr Dove, the spokesperson for the
- [Making our public schools secular](https://rationalist.com.au/webinars/making-our-public-schools-secular/) - Across the country, state governments continue to allow religious missionaries to take over the classrooms of public schools and disrupt valuable teaching and learning time under the guise of religious instruction programs – or ‘scripture’. In this webinar, Jack Galvin Waight, Regional Organiser for the New South Wales Teachers Federation, will present on the ongoing
- [The need for a new model of wellbeing support in Defence](https://rationalist.com.au/webinars/the-need-for-a-new-model-of-wellbeing-support-in-defence/) - Demographics are shifting rapidly in the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The majority of service personnel now identify as not religious. Yet the frontline wellbeing support provided for Navy, Army and Air Force personnel remains religious-based chaplaincy. The former head of Navy chaplaincy, Collin Acton OAM, is leading the push for reform. Shortly before retiring, the
- [The momentum for truth in political advertising laws](https://rationalist.com.au/webinars/the-momentum-for-truth-in-political-advertising-laws/) - In most elections in Australia, political candidates and parties can deploy deliberately deceptive and misleading advertising without facing legal penalties. While this has troubling consequences for democracy in what has increasingly become a ‘post-truth’ era, policymakers have multiple options available to them to increase truthfulness in election campaigns. For this RSA Webinar, Bill Browne will
- [Challenging religious discrimination in government chaplaincy programs](https://rationalist.com.au/webinars/challenging-religious-discrimination-in-government-chaplaincy-programs/) - Governments fund and operate a number of chaplaincy programs in Australia, including school chaplains, hospital chaplains and military chaplains. Dr Luke Beck, a constitutional law expert at Monash University, presented on the unnecessary religious discrimination built into government chaplaincy programs. Dr Beck is also Vice-President of the Rationalist Society of Australia.
- [Lessons from Tasmania’s journey to legalising VAD](https://rationalist.com.au/webinars/lessons-from-tasmanias-journey-to-legalising-vad/) - With the push for voluntary assisted dying (VAD) heating up in several states in early 2021, Mike Gaffney, the Independent MLC for Mersey in Tasmania, presented on the lessons he learnt during the experience of legalising the end-of-life option in his home state. Mr Gaffney's End of Life Choices (Voluntary Assisted Dying) Bill 2020 successfully
- [The religious devouts and their political clout](https://rationalist.com.au/webinars/the-religious-devouts-and-their-political-clout/) - RSA Fellow Neil Francis presented on the findings of his ‘Religiosity in Australia’ report. He gave some great insights into Australians' real relationship with religion and into the views of conservative religious clerics and lobbyists in comparison with the views of most religionists. He also examined the widely held belief that a 'religious vote' played
- [The census and religion – Giving more Australians the freedom to choose](https://rationalist.com.au/webinars/the-census-and-religion-giving-more-australians-the-freedom-to-choose/) - Michael Dove, leader of the ‘Census21 - Not Religious? Mark 'No Religion'’ campaign, presented on the census religion question and new initiatives that would make it easier for people to exercise their freedom to choose their religion or to choose 'no religion' at the August 2021 census. He also provided updates about the progress of
- [How societal actors are stepping up to fight for a sustainable future](https://rationalist.com.au/webinars/how-societal-actors-are-stepping-up-to-fight-for-a-sustainable-future/) - Brendan Liveris, a sustainability manager with expertise in industry, presented on the role of societal actors in stepping up their efforts to combat climate change. Mr Liveris gave insights into some of the positive work that businesses, investors, governments and individuals were already doing – and could do more of – to help the planet
- [The limits to freedom of speech during a time of crisis](https://rationalist.com.au/webinars/the-limits-to-freedom-of-speech-during-a-time-of-crisis/) - During the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to implement measures to protect public health compromised many of the civil liberties that we would normally take for granted. Margaret Simons, an award-winning journalist, author, political biographer and journalism academic, presented on the extent that civil liberties could or must be compromised during a crisis, while balancing the
- [Unpacking the 'religious freedom' agenda](https://rationalist.com.au/webinars/unpacking-the-religious-freedom-agenda/) - Guest speakers Rev. Dr Elenie Poulos and Professor Marion Maddox – two of Australia’s leading researchers working at the intersection of religion and politics – shared their insights into the people, groups and ideas driving this 'religious freedom' agenda in Australian politics. Dr Poulos is an ordained minister in the Uniting Church. She recently published
- [Providing better mental health support for schoolchildren](https://rationalist.com.au/webinars/providing-better-mental-health-support-for-schoolchildren/) - With children having to deal with the impacts of the climate crisis and the global pandemic, on top of relationship and bullying issues in the age of social media, policymakers are increasingly concerned about mental health in our younger generations. Guest speaker educational psychologist Dr Marilyn Campbell from the Queensland University of Technology discussed the
- [Misinformation and the rise of new extremes in Australia](https://rationalist.com.au/webinars/misinformation-and-the-rise-of-new-extremes-in-australia/) - Amidst an ‘infodemic’ of false or misleading information in the online domain, Australia has witnessed in recent years a rise in far-right politics, conspiracy thinking and movements such as QAnon and militant wellness. Dr Vivian Gerrand shared insights from her research into these forms of radicalisation, providing an understanding of the grievances underpinning them, the
- [Advancing the right to die with dignity](https://rationalist.com.au/webinars/advancing-the-right-to-die-with-dignity/) - Guest speakers Dr Nick Carr and Penny Hackett presented on the journey of reform since the Victorian parliament legalised voluntary assisted dying in 2017 and on the path ahead, with final hurdles remaining in New South Wales and the territories. The webinar was held as a tribute to the late Dr Rodney Syme. It reflected

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- [GenR8](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/genr8/)
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- [scripture](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/scripture/)
- [Max Wallace](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/max-wallace/)
- [Lev Lafayette](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/lev-lafayette/)
- [Paul Tonson](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/paul-tonson/)
- [Lyn Allison](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/lyn-allison/)
- [Anthony Englund](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/anthony-englund/)
- [DOGS case](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/dogs-case/)
- [section 116](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/section-116/)
- [prayers in parliament](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/prayers-in-parliament/)
- [Sex Party](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/sex-party/)
- [Fiona Patten](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/fiona-patten/)
- [Hitler](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/hitler/)
- [Communism](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/communism/)
- [spirituality](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/spirituality/)
- [Kevin Donnelly](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/kevin-donnelly/)
- [Scott Hedges](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/scott-hedges/)
- [Anna Halafoff](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/anna-halafoff/)
- [Russell report](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/russell-report/)
- [Brian Morris](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/brian-morris/)
- [John Dickson](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/john-dickson/)
- [Centre for Public Christianity](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/centre-for-public-christianity/)
- [logical fallacies](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/logical-fallacies/)
- [Australian Human Rights Commission](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/australian-human-rights-commission/)
- [Milgram experiment](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/milgram-experiment/)
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- [Massimo Pigliucci](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/massimo-pigliucci/)
- [reasoning](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/reasoning/)
- [Helen Irving](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/helen-irving/)
- [Australian constitution](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/australian-constitution/)
- [Loane Skene](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/loane-skene/)
- [AARE](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/aare/)
- [Rod Bower](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/rod-bower/)
- [SECOA](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/secoa/)
- [Julian Burnside](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/julian-burnside/)
- [Athman Badar](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/athman-badar/)
- [Yassmin Abdel-Magied](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/yassmin-abdel-magied/)
- [Tom Keneally](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/tom-keneally/)
- [Jesus](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/jesus/)
- [blasphemy](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/blasphemy/)
- [taxation](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/taxation/)
- [religious tax benefits](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/religious-tax-benefits/)
- [Barry McGaw](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/barry-mcgaw/)
- [social cohesion](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/social-cohesion/)
- [John Turner](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/john-turner/)
- [NSW](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/nsw/)
- [Ethics classes](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/ethics-classes/)
- [peter short](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/peter-short/)
- [Charlie Hebdo](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/charlie-hebdo/)
- [fanaticism](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/fanaticism/)
- [religious extremism](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/religious-extremism/)
- [Salt Shakers](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/salt-shakers/)
- [secular humanism](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/secular-humanism/)
- [Separating Church and State conference](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/separating-church-and-state-conference/)
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- [obscenity](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/obscenity/)
- [Lausanne Movement](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/lausanne-movement/)
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- [discrimination](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/discrimination/)
- [prayers before parliament](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/prayers-before-parliament/)
- [republic](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/republic/)
- [hearts and minds](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/hearts-and-minds/)
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- [mystical](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/mystical/)
- [religious experience](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/religious-experience/)
- [adoption](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/adoption/)
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- [Deanne Carson](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/deanne-carson/)
- [citizenship](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/citizenship/)
- [argumentation](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/argumentation/)
- [science denialism](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/science-denialism/)
- [David Thurley](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/david-thurley/)
- [Eric Abetz](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/eric-abetz/)
- [Hugh Harris](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/hugh-harris/)
- [religious exemptions](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/religious-exemptions/)
- [circumcision](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/circumcision/)
- [body integrity](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/body-integrity/)
- [challenging religious privilege](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/challenging-religious-privilege/)
- [SRI](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/sri/)
- [special religious instruction](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/special-religious-instruction/)
- [family violence](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/family-violence/)
- [rational suicide](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/rational-suicide/)
- [theatre](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/theatre/)
- [religious bias](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/religious-bias/)
- [palliative care](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/palliative-care/)
- [wedding cakes](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/wedding-cakes/)
- [Rachel Carling-Jenkins](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/rachel-carling-jenkins/)
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- [Marshall Peron](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/marshall-peron/)
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- [Northern Territory](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/northern-territory/)
- [John Baylis](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/john-baylis/)
- [LGBTI](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/lgbti/)
- [MD 145](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/md-145/)
- [Maajid Nawaz](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/maajid-nawaz/)
- [Sam Harris](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/sam-harris/)
- [Think Inc](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/think-inc/)
- [scientology](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/scientology/)
- [Hillsong](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/hillsong/)
- [Exclusive Brethren](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/exclusive-brethren/)
- [Chris Fotinopoulos](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/chris-fotinopoulos/)
- [fairness](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/fairness/)
- [school funding](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/school-funding/)
- [Beverley Broadbent](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/beverley-broadbent/)
- [separating church and state](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/separating-church-and-state/)
- [freedom from religion](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/freedom-from-religion/)
- [Australian Christian Lobby](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/australian-christian-lobby/)
- [queensland](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/queensland/)
- [resurrection](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/resurrection/)
- [Easter](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/easter/)
- [City Bible Forum](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/city-bible-forum/)
- [telstra](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/telstra/)
- [Australian Sex Party](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/australian-sex-party/)
- [Senate](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/senate/)
- [Anglican church](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/anglican-church/)
- [pluralism](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/pluralism/)
- [Christianity in Australia](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/christianity-in-australia/)
- [Micheal Jensen](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/micheal-jensen/)
- [nicene creed](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/nicene-creed/)
- [Paul Monk](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/paul-monk/)
- [women's rights](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/womens-rights/)
- [18C](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/18c/)
- [Deb Campbell](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/deb-campbell/)
- [United States](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/united-states/)
- [liberal democracy](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/liberal-democracy/)
- [Islamist](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/islamist/)
- [race](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/race/)
- [Saudi Arabia](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/saudi-arabia/)
- [toleration](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/toleration/)
- [John Locke](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/john-locke/)
- [boys and men](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/boys-and-men/)
- [racial discrimination](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/racial-discrimination/)
- [racism](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/racism/)
- [vampires](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/vampires/)
- [Monica Bini](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/monica-bini/)
- [advance care directive](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/advance-care-directive/)
- [Jill Hennessy](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/jill-hennessy/)
- [bigotry](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/bigotry/)
- [enlightenment](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/enlightenment/)
- [Evonne Paddison](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/evonne-paddison/)
- [Bishop Hale](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/bishop-hale/)
- [proselytising](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/proselytising/)
- [FIRIS](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/firis/)
- [Connect religious instruction](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/connect-religious-instruction/)
- [Youthworks](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/youthworks/)
- [Mormonism](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/mormonism/)
- [fundmentalist](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/fundmentalist/)
- [Christian Education Publications](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/christian-education-publications/)
- [Godspace](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/godspace/)
- [RU486](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/ru486/)
- [SRE](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/sre/)
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- [Malcolm Roberts](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/malcolm-roberts/)
- [pseudoscience](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/pseudoscience/)
- [One Nation](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/one-nation/)
- [OPCA](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/opca/)
- [Ayaan Hirsi Ali](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/ayaan-hirsi-ali/)
- [regressive left](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/regressive-left/)
- [Des Ball](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/des-ball/)
- [China](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/china/)
- [intelligence](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/intelligence/)
- [obituary](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/obituary/)
- [Snowden](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/snowden/)
- [cyber security](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/cyber-security/)
- [open society](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/open-society/)
- [surveillance](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/surveillance/)
- [Trump](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/trump/)
- [xmas](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/xmas/)
- [Santa](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/santa/)
- [L Ron Hubbard](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/l-ron-hubbard/)
- [Australia Day](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/australia-day/)
- [diversity](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/diversity/)
- [multiculturalism](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/multiculturalism/)
- [progressive](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/progressive/)
- [Dunning-Kruger effect](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/dunning-kruger-effect/)
- [logic](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/logic/)
- [Centrelink](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/centrelink/)
- [ATO](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/ato/)
- [tax](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/tax/)
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- [harm reduction](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/harm-reduction/)
- [campaigns](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/campaigns/)
- [fearmonger](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/fearmonger/)
- [assisted dying](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/assisted-dying/)
- [Neil Francis](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/neil-francis/)
- [Ruddock Inquiry](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/ruddock-inquiry/)
- [women in religion](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/women-in-religion/)
- [Western civilization](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/western-civilization/)
- [comedy](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/comedy/)
- [National Schools Chaplaincy Program](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/national-schools-chaplaincy-program/)
- [parliament](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/parliament/)
- [ACNC](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/acnc/)
- [Diwan Al Dawla](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/diwan-al-dawla/)
- [Confucius Institutes](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/confucius-institutes/)
- [Liberal Centrism](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/liberal-centrism/)
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- [Euthanasia](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/euthanasia/)
- [World Fereation of RIght to Die Societies](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/world-fereation-of-right-to-die-societies/)
- [civility](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/civility/)
- [RSA](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/rsa/)
- [Christina Hoff Summers](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/christina-hoff-summers/)
- [Roxane Gay](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/roxane-gay/)
- [feminism](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/feminism/)
- [Desh Amila](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/desh-amila/)
- [cancer](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/cancer/)
- [political philosophy](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/political-philosophy/)
- [freedom of the press](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/freedom-of-the-press/)
- [religious discrimination](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/religious-discrimination/)
- [religious freedom](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/religious-freedom/)
- [freedom of religion and belief](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/freedom-of-religion-and-belief/)
- [survey](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/survey/)
- [rationalists](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/rationalists/)
- [dontdivideus campaign](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/dontdivideus-campaign/)
- [anti-vaxxer](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/anti-vaxxer/)
- [vaccination](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/vaccination/)
- [child mortality](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/child-mortality/)
- [sexual abuse](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/sexual-abuse/)
- [national redress scheme](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/national-redress-scheme/)
- [jehovah's witnesses](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/jehovahs-witnesses/)
- [cancel culture](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/cancel-culture/)
- [critical social justice](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/critical-social-justice/)
- [Pew Center](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/pew-center/)
- [religiosity](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/religiosity/)
- [anti-discrimination](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/anti-discrimination/)
- [cannabis](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/cannabis/)
- [postmodernism](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/postmodernism/)
- [liberalism](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/liberalism/)
- [suicide](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/suicide/)
- [indoctrination](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/indoctrination/)
- [John Howard](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/john-howard/)
- [dominionist theology](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/dominionist-theology/)
- [George Christensen](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/george-christensen/)
- [religion in society](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/religion-in-society/)
- [education](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/education/)
- [scripture classes](https://rationalist.com.au/tag/scripture-classes/)

## Campaign Categories

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## Att. Categories

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