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, Jos Mitchell, vowing to pursue reform. Read more: rationalist.com.au/redland-counci…
#QLDpol #auspol

In #Rationale magazine, Brendan Walsh writes on why countries are increasingly addressing their dark histories of witch-hunting, and what can be done to stop the continued violence towards women accused of witchcraft in some parts of the world.
rationalemagazine.com/index.php/2024…

In this op-ed, Catholic Bishop Timothy Costelloe urges the govt to reconsider the ABS's proposed change to the #Census religion question, claiming that the new question (“Does the person have a religion?”) would introduce bias favouring ‘no religion’.
tinyurl.com/4c6d94av

1,000 days ago, the Victorian Labor government promised to replace the state parliament’s Christian prayer rituals with something more appropriate and reflective of the community. Yet nothing has happened. Follow our campaign:
#SpringSt Jacinta Allan Jaclyn Symes

“If those of us who value truth and evidence want to have impact, we have to put out stories that everyone can relate to.” In #Rationale magazine, Peter Doherty writes on the need for scientists to recruit great storytellers to help combat disinformation.
rationalemagazine.com/index.php/2024…

With a petition having gained almost 1,500 signatures, we have urged NSW education minister Prue Car MP to listen to the concerns of public school parents and move the optional scripture and ethics program to outside normal learning time. Read more: tinyurl.com/bdd69bnw
#NSWpol

Despite most current Defence personnel and most Australians being either not religious or of non-Christian faiths, the Aust War Memorial has again ignored calls for secular reform and has observed exclusively Christian worship as part of its Anzac Day Dawn Service today.
Matt Keogh MP

“The years since my separation from the cult have been kind. I can, once again, pursue creative expression…” In #Rationale magazine, Rhys Hagan writes on the radicalisation of his church and his decision to leave.
rationalemagazine.com/index.php/2024…

At the main Anzac Day commemorations in a number of capital cities last year, the privileged role of Christian chaplains in proceedings meant that exclusively Christian prayers, hymns and Bible readings again dominated. Read more: tinyurl.com/ms7hw3jb
RSL Australia

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. Real more: tinyurl.com/ms7hw3jb
RSL Australia

“We should also reflectively consider the times when war was fought because of greed, cruelty, intolerance, or even for no clear reason at all.” In #Rationale magazine, James Fodor writes on misconceptions about, and the meaning of, Anzac Day.
rationalemagazine.com/index.php/2024…

A parent who discovered his child was participating in an Islamic prayer group without his knowledge at a NSW public school complained to the previous education minister, saying he wanted his child to have a “mainstream secular education, not religious”.
smh.com.au/national/nsw/p…

Speaking on a panel at our conference, Maurie Mulheron, former president of NSW Teachers Federation, took aim at churches for embedding segregation and concentrations of disadvantage in Australia's education system. Watch the full conference here: secularism.au
#auspol

In a submission, we have told a Senate inquiry looking 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. Read more: tinyurl.com/42p6duf2
#auspol

In #Rationale magazine, Paul Monk responds to Catholic Archbishop Anthony Fisher’s objections to the final report of the Australian Law Reform Commission about exemptions in religious schools.
rationalemagazine.com/index.php/2024…

In the #Rationale magazine, cartoonist Matt Bissett-Johnson gives his take on what’s happening in current affairs. Check out his other recent cartoons here: bit.ly/3HDGYvU
MBJ _ Matt Bissett-Johnson :) #auspol

The major political parties are unlikely to pursue much-needed reform in the charities sector due to their desire not to upset religious lobbyists, investigative journalist David Hardaker told the latest RSA Webinar. Watch the webinar here: tinyurl.com/3hr2t7b8
#auspol

During a panel session at our conference, NSW upper house member Abigail Boyd spoke about the opposition she has faced from religious colleagues in her push to remove Christian prayer rituals from parliament. Watch the full conference here: secularism.au
#auspol

Asked on ABC radio this week about the Productivity Commission’s call for removal of exemptions provided to ‘Basic Religious Charities’, Senator David Shoebridge said the public expected greater transparency. Full interview here (from 11:30 mark): tinyurl.com/3dybry5v
#auspol

Why does the Dawn Service for our nation’s most important day of commemoration resemble a church service? We've asked minister Matt Keogh MP to ensure that this year’s Anzac Day service at Aust War Memorial is secular & welcoming of all Australians. More: tinyurl.com/yc2bu2rp
#auspol