Posted on 04/09/2006 5:35:41 PM PDT by Aussie Dasher
AUSTRALIA must beware the rise of the "religious right" in politics, American Christian activist Jim Wallis has told a Melbourne audience.
Mr Wallis said religious faith would be the most influential force in Australian politics for the next decade, but the country was in danger of allowing the religious right to dominate.
"It is clear from … the abortion debate and the rise of Family First that Australia, like many countries, is witnessing a new religious force that could change the political landscape," he said.
Mr Wallis is in Melbourne to launch the Australian edition of his book God's Politics: Why the American Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It.
"The other danger is the way Australia has so often followed in lock-step with some of America's worst mistakes and policies, defying the world on Iraq or Kyoto or torture," he told The Age. "This needs to be challenged, and it's better challenged by friends."
Mr Wallis spoke about tackling poverty at the Town Hall yesterday for the Micah Challenge, the Christian arm of the Make Poverty History campaign. "People of faith can change the nation — they've done it in the past," he said.
A spokeswoman for Family First senator Steve Fielding said Family First was not a Christian party. Brigadier Jim Wallace, founder of the Australian Christian Lobby, said he had read the first few chapters of Mr Wallis' book and agreed with everything. "Where he's coming from is exactly where the Christian Lobby tries to be," he said.
I can't see the ALP Left making headway in Australia. There is also the Roman Catholic influence in Australia. In fact the Catholic Church is the largest denomination in Australia.
AMEN, LoveDoc! It's a war between righteousness and unrighteousness and has been since Bush ran the first time.
www.sojo.net and wwwcalltorenewal.org
Notice who is on the board at call to renewal. Ultralib Tony Campolo! LOOK FOR PROMINENT MEMBERS OF YOUR DENOMINATION on the board, please! Also at sojo.net
Absolutely. He's been doing this since the 70's. He's a 'Christian' like John Shelby Spong and his ilk.
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