this is another issue which has really gotten up my nose constantly, that is at the start of every sitting of parliment the speaker reads out a pray, unfortunatly i cant currently find it but its an adaption of "the lords pray" Now concidering that its a christan pray and we have jewish MP's, a Muslim federal MP not to mention the number of athiast and other MP's its compleatly discriminating and a discrace yet the practice continues. While looking up something else i found this story i also found this one from the Canberra Times
It depends on the diversity of the population. If it is homogenous religiously speaking, then it can be a good thing as a form of culture. If not, then it's a bad thing because it assumes everyone is religious or follows one religion.
they dont, thats the whole point, its only a standing order which could be varied to remove it, to make swear and oath to do the best for the people of australia, to list there drinks telly from last nightPlease Register or Log in to view the hidden image! (the last is a joke ofcoursePlease Register or Log in to view the hidden image!) but there is no legal or consitutional requirement to have a prayer
its a waste of time, and its not what they're paid to do, but if its only a minute long i don't really care. as long as the christians are being mocked while they do it, i'm happy i think.
codanblad you dont think it is a problem in that it gives the APEARANCE that the parliment is more interested in the christan "God" when they should be focused on those who elect them?
Depends on those who elect them. If any Minister in India were to commence proceedings without prayer, it would be seen as inauspicious. Even our atheist ministers will oblige.
They should at least rotate. I might even pay to come see voodoo day or realin day. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
well as sam pointed out, they might have been elected for being christian. the issue as i see it is they're screwing around praising jebus when they should be working, but so long as its only a minute i wouldn't make a big deal out of it. if there's a way to get rid of it, i support it.
you think thebwhole parliment was elected by christans? what are we? iran? the US? most australians would vote AGAINST a candiate if they were endorced by religious leaders the way they are in the US do you even know what rudds religion is? gillards? turnbulls? i will give you an easy one, tony abbot what about at the stste level (i dont know what state your in so if its not vic or sa subsitute) Brumby? Ran? ect religion should be irrelivent to politics here which is why i find thid practice offensive. the time doesnt bother me, the image does
What? Praying to imaginary gods or practicing voodoo? Why should there be any significant differences? Why shouldn't a PM stand up and demand the ritual of Talukkalar? "THE RITUAL IS CALLED TALUKKALAR. THE TALUKKALAR RITUAL WILL MAKE YOU GREAT,POWERFUL AND POPULAR AMONG ALL MEN. IT WILL MAKE YOUR ENEMIES AND ALL WHO DO NOT WANT YOU TO PROGRESS TO GET YOUR DREAM TIED AND WEAKEN THEM.THEY WILL SEE YOU MOVING FORWARD AND THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DO YOU ANY HARM.YOU WILL BECOME VERY VERY GREAT,PEOPLE WILL HONOUR YOU,RESPECT YOU AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT YOU IN YOUR ABSENCE, PEOPLE WILL COME TO YOU FOR SPIRITUAL HELPS ,YOU WILL SAY SOMETHING AND IT WILL BE LIKE THAT.IF YOU COMMAND THAT A MAN SHOULD DIE ,BECOME BLIND OR BECOME SOMETHING IT WOULD HAPPEN TO THE PERSON ON THE 7TH DAY YOU SAY IT. YOU WILL BECOME A SUPER MAN….. YOUR NAME WILL BECOME A NEWS TO ALL THE PEOPLE IN YOUR AREA AND COUNTRY.WE HAVE DONE THIS RITUAL FOR A GREAT POP MUSICIAN IN AMERICA .TWO VERY POWERFUL POLITICIANS IN AFIRCA.THEY WON THIER ELECTIONS." http://www.afrikanvoodoomagickpowers.com/talukkalarbloodsacrifice.htm
Actually, it makes it a whole lot more useless, which is the entire point, Sam. What it truly demonstrates though, is the level of intellectual flatulence theists attempt to promote in a vain effort to show that their delusions are "important for all MPs" and "very worthwhile" and an "essential part of the process" which is just another way they shove their beliefs down everyone's throats.
Like watching a religious George Bush lowering his head in prayer while behaving like a lunatic the rest of the time. Sure its a really beneficialPlease Register or Log in to view the hidden image! People should pray in their religious institutions and or at home, not in government.
for me, prayer in gvmt is kinds like the referee wearing a Bulls jersey in a game between the Bulls and Lakers. Its supposed to be impartial. I am very much against it, tradition or not.
1. i didn't suggest that, and i don't think that. 2. why would MOST australians be aware of the opinions of religious leaders? i personally agree with the idea though, i would be suspicious of anyone with strong religious links. 3. no idea, i don't know the religious backgrounds of any politicians. 4. you're right, its inappropriate.