Australian Prime Minister an Atheist!

[Martin TK]

The following was posted on International Humanist and Ethical Union's webpage in June, 2010.  I had not heard it, so I was thinking, I wonder what the US would do, if Obama suddenly announced he was an atheist.  I am convinced that he is an atheist, by the way, from the fact that he has kept religion such a low priority in his administration, save for the National Day of Prayer failure, and the fact that he and Michelle haven't rushed to find a church in Washington.  Anyway here is the story.

The Atheist Foundation of Australia (AFA) today congratulated Julia Gillard on her appointment as the new Prime Minister of Australia.

David Nicholls, AFA president, said, "Kevin Rudd has made many positive changes since his appointment, including apologising to the Stolen Generation, introducing paid parental leave and focusing attention on the need for improved education and health care in Australia. Unfortunately, he also used his public position to promote his conservative religious beliefs," he said.

Kevin Rudd has openly acknowledged his Christianity and its influence over his life and his politics throughout his political career. Even today in his speech as outgoing leader he thanked what he referred to as "our one creator".

With opposition leader, Tony Abbott an outspokenly conservative Catholic whose religious beliefs have motivated policies that seriously threatened women’s reproductive rights, Australian atheists and other freethinkers will welcome a leader who keeps religion out of politics.

"Julia Gillard’s stance on religion is unknown, and this is exactly how it should be," says Nicholls. "As a rational and highly intelligent person I would hope she is an atheist, but at the very least, I hope that with her appointment, there is an opportunity to take 'God' out of the Australian Parliament."

Three cheers for Julia Gillard!

[SSY]

Wiki says

 

Gillard was brought up in the Baptist tradition, but is not religious. In a 2010 interview when asked if she believed in God, Gillard stated: "No I don't ... I'm not a religious person ... [I'm] a great respecter of religious beliefs but they're not my beliefs."[2][66]

She is against gay marriage though, a highly atypical position for an atheist to take, which makes me somewhat curious.

[Allah]

Wiki says

 

Gillard was brought up in the Baptist tradition, but is not religious. In a 2010 interview when asked if she believed in God, Gillard stated: "No I don't ... I'm not a religious person ... [I'm] a great respecter of religious beliefs but they're not my beliefs."[2][66]

She is against gay marriage though, a highly atypical position for an atheist to take, which makes me somewhat curious.

Sounds like a politically motivated position to me

[karadan]

Wiki says

 

Gillard was brought up in the Baptist tradition, but is not religious. In a 2010 interview when asked if she believed in God, Gillard stated: "No I don't ... I'm not a religious person ... [I'm] a great respecter of religious beliefs but they're not my beliefs."[2][66]

She is against gay marriage though, a highly atypical position for an atheist to take, which makes me somewhat curious.

My mother is against Gay marriage but is one of the strongest atheists i know.

Yeah i know, it is ridiculous but it seems both those things don't entirely go hand-in-hand. It is one of the only points of contention between myself and my mum.

[The Magic Pudding]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recognition_of_same-sex_unions_in_Australia - Same-sex marriages are currently not permitted under Australian federal law. Since 2004, the Marriage Act 1961  has defined marriage as "the union of a man and a woman". In addition, Australian law expressly declares that unions between same-sex couples entered into outside the country are not to be recognised as marriage in Australia.

In all states and territories, cohabiting same-sex couples are recognised as de facto couples, and have the same rights as cohabiting heterosexual couples under state law. Furthermore, same-sex couples have access to domestic partnership registries in New South Wales,[1] Tasmania,[2] Victoria[3] and South Australia.[4] Civil partnerships are performed in the Australian Capital Territory.

In November 2008, the Australian Parliament passed laws that recognised same-sex couples in federal law, offering them the same rights as unmarried heterosexual couples in areas such as taxation, social security and health, aged care and employment.[5] This means that same-sex couples who can prove they are in a de facto relationship have most of the rights of married couples since 1 July 2009. Nevertheless, despite equality of rights, Australia does not have a national registered partnership or civil union scheme.

Julia Gillard's/Kevin Rudd's government made some movement in recognising same sex relationships (see November 2008 above).
Getting legislation passed has been very difficult for this government.
It has involved making deals with minor Green and Conservative Christian parties.
Hopefully the Greens, lead by openly Gay Bob Brown will gain the balance of power in the Senate.

Gillard is also unmarried, without children (or wilfully barren as some like to say) and in a relationship with a male hairdresser.
In the current election her party is marginally ahead.

[Martin TK]

Well, she's certainly a step up over George Bush, that the US had to contend with for EIGHT years.

[The Magic Pudding]

Well Julia Gillard may not be Prime Minister for much longer.
It is election day and the polls are very close.
The choice is between an uninspiring Gillard and a disturbing strict catholic conservative Abbot.

[Martin TK]

Well Julia Gillard may not be Prime Minister for much longer.
It is election day and the polls are very close.
The choice is between an uninspiring Gillard and a disturbing strict catholic conservative Abbot.

Yeah, I've been kind of following that... NOT a good choice, either way, I'm afraid.

[The Magic Pudding]

Yeah, I've been kind of following that... NOT a good choice, either way, I'm afraid.

No there isn't a feel good choice on offer.
The conservatives appeal to peoples worst aspects, intolerance, racism, and idiocy.
I think the Labor party would like to offer something better, but they can't ignore the intolerant, racist idiot vote.

No one will openly supports gay marriage.
I think Gillard's reason for this is political advantage.
Abbot's motivation would be deeply held philosophical conviction, gays make him feel uncomfortable.

Tony Abbot repeatedly lists his three big issues.
This includes the annual arrival of at most 2,000 asylum seekers on leaky boats.
This is within an annual migrant intake currently averaging three hundred thousand.

There are many examples of appealing to the stupid.
Many people have been convinced mining companies making huge profits, shouldn't pay more in royalties.

[The Magic Pudding]

It seems we will have a hung parliament.
One major party will have to deal with independents.
Interesting times.
145 to major parties, 5 to independents/Green
I live in an electorate represented by an independent.
I'm expecting some pork.

[Asmodean]

You know, homophobia does not equal to theism... There are homophobic atheists as there are traditionalist atheists who believe a marriage should be reserved to two people of opposite sexes.

It might be weird in a mainstream atheist view, but then again... Those people probably have their reasons and rationalizations and not all of them boil down to the holder of a particular view being an (excuse the expression) asshole.

Personally, I'd say that my acceptance of different sexual orientations and gender identities has nothing to do with me being an atheist. It probably would if I was a convert from a religion or if I held some sort of a theistic world view, but me being cool with gays has nothing to do with me being uncool with gods.

[Thumpalumpacus]

My tolerance and my atheism spring from the same source: a rational worldview.

[Asmodean]

My tolerance and my atheism spring from the same source: a rational worldview.

I think it is this way for most people.

For me, one has to do with logic, rationalism and science and the other has to do with me not giving a damn who other people sleep with  

[The Magic Pudding]

You know, homophobia does not equal to theism... There are homophobic atheists as there are traditionalist atheists who believe a marriage should be reserved to two people of opposite sexes.

It might be weird in a mainstream atheist view, but then again... Those people probably have their reasons and rationalizations and not all of them boil down to the holder of a particular view being an (excuse the expression) asshole.

Personally, I'd say that my acceptance of different sexual orientations and gender identities has nothing to do with me being an atheist. It probably would if I was a convert from a religion or if I held some sort of a theistic world view, but me being cool with gays has nothing to do with me being uncool with gods.

Hello Asmodean,

I like this post but I'm not sure it belongs here, repeat I like this post, tell me why it belongs here.

[Asmodean]

Responding to a previous post by... *one second*

Wiki says

 

Gillard was brought up in the Baptist tradition, but is not religious. In a 2010 interview when asked if she believed in God, Gillard stated: "No I don't ... I'm not a religious person ... [I'm] a great respecter of religious beliefs but they're not my beliefs."[2][66]

She is against gay marriage though, a highly atypical position for an atheist to take, which makes me somewhat curious.

To that there. Responding.