The State - and Religion !

Both the Commonwealth of Australia and its states and territories keep a strict balance between the laws it enacts and individual religions, and yet religious dogma plays a very big part in the way we live our lives. That is about to come under pressure as three issues coming up for a legislative decision are roiling the balance between church and state.

We will shortly vote in a non binding plebiscite on whether to allow same sex marriage. Polling indicates that the vast majority approve but this is anathema to the teaching of some religious bodies. It is quite possible that politicians may defy the choice of the people and block this legislation even if the plebiscite delivers a clear mandate.

At the same time, a law is coming before the state parliament of New South Wales to give the terminally ill the right to end their lives with the help of medical assistance.  Private polling indicates that about seventy percent of Liberal voters and seventy-eight percent of Labor voters give this relief the nod - with just twelve percent undecided.  Once again, a few politicians defying the wishes of the public may doom this legislation to failure.

Another issue concerns the teaching of religion in public schools.  At present class time is set aside for a religious minister chosen by the headmaster to conduct a class but students are able to opt out with permission from their parents.  Those that opt out sit idle or do their homework and now vastly outnumber those undertaking these religious studies.
Pressure is building for a law change because the latest data reveals that forty percent of  this states 795,000 public school students do not claim any form of religion on their enrolment forms.  Each year the numbers disclaiming religion grows steadily, bringing the notion of religious instruction in schools into question.

Unfortunately, party politics and the religious affinity of individual politicians often result in issues with wide public approval being voted down.  Politicians are not legally bound to deliver the promises they make when running for office and perhaps the time is coming when major issues need to be taken out of their hands - and delivered to the voters.

That system was very successfully adopted by several American states and now contentious issues go to a public vote at the time state governments are voted into office - and that s a binding decision that is imposed on whichever party wins office.   It is the usual practice to require a substantial petition signed by supporting voters to get any issue on the agenda for a public vote.

Australia is fast becoming a less religious country and the power of the churches seems concentrated where it can dictate living standards.  We claim to live in a democracy, but much church thinking is far from democratic and often has its roots in the dark ages.  Our political system has failed us when it comes to decisions that are opposed by the churches.   Perhaps a time for restoring those important decisions back to the people !