The rise of the Greens: politics and the supernatural

There will be no great moral outrage in the offing in the short term. There would however be ominous signs should the Greens really become influential beyond their environment credentials.

The first sign could include mention of a change to the constitution to make our Commonwealth a true secular state. At present it is not and the vague mention of religion in section 116 of the constitution has served mainstream churches well over the last one hundred or so years. This confusion has enabled the public funding of church businesses like schools, "charities," employment services and even a health food company.

A clear separation of church and state would prevent professional church operatives from lurking around our state schools. Hopefully as part of a general movement towards an Australian republic, we will see calls for other constitutional reforms. A real separation of church and state would be a priority for many.

The Greens are not the cause, but a symptom of a new agenda in politics. Educated young people are moving away from ancient belief systems that do not deliver a better living environment.

The old forces of organised superstition and moral authority are increasingly anxious that they are swimming against the tide of progress, rational thinking and enlightened education. Expect them to be increasingly loud and shrill.