Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

The ‘True Believers’: for faith or cause?

By Greg Bondar - posted Tuesday, 28 May 2019


When Shorten invoked the memory of 1993 and claimed the term for the Labor faithful, saying 'this election is a battle for our generation of true believers,' it was not surprising to see Paul Keating in the audience to receive the homage.

It soon became evident on election night that Labor's 'light on the hill' was looking more like a candle in the wind. The phrase 'light on the hill' of course was coined by Ben Chifley in 1949 and which has resonated down the decades to sum up Labor's commitment to the working man.

For any devotee to political literature, the book 'The True Believer: Thoughts On The Nature Of Mass Movements' is a 1951 social psychology book by American writer Eric Hoffer, in which the author discusses the psychological causes of fanaticism. From my experience and observation I can attest to the 'fanatical' fervour of hard core Labor supporters, or if you prefer 'true believers.'

Advertisement

We may well ask, have the light's been dimmed for Labor's true believers? Only time will tell as we wait and see what new 'causes' Labor will propose for the 2022 federal election. Clearly, the social engineering 'causes' of climate change, class warfare and gender fluidity, not to mention restrictions on religious freedom along with alienating pensioners by closing down a concession that gives cash refunds for excess dividend imputation credits, will need to be re-addressed by any incoming Labor leader.

Conversely, what do we make of Scott Morrison's constant reference to 'I am a man of faith' during the election campaign in response to temptations by the media to have him acknowledge that all homosexuals will go to hell in reference to the Israel Folau tweets.He managed to dodge the question of whether he was sitting on the same 'church pew' with Israel Folau by simply declaring that same-sex marriage is the law of the land. A classic example of the fine line in trying to mix politics and religion.

After the election, one particular media headline said it all, 'Liberals' election 'miracle' surprises even the true blue-blooded believers' which noted that at the Liberal Party victory reception, disbelief gave way to wholehearted celebration.

So, are Scott Morrison supporters self-proclaimed 'Christians' or 'True Believers'?

Many would acknowledge that Christians are now a minority in the public square as we move closer and closer to living in a post-Christendom political climate. That said, Christians should not presume to possess any privileged public standing. We may well ask if Christians voted for the common good of the whole nation or to defend their own Christian interests or did they vote for a man of 'faith'? I suspect Morrison took the view that he could appeal, where appropriate, to the Christian roots of our political system and resist the marginalisation of religion from public life but he should never compromise his faith.

Statistically, Australia is still a 'Christian' society despite those claiming that it is secular. The 2016 census identified that 52.1% of Australians classify themselves 'Christian', the Australian Parliament continues to be opened in Prayer, and the two major denominations, Anglican and Catholic, account for 36% of the population. Conservatives seem to have taken the view that they have a critical role in the civic arena and must stop bowing down at the altar of anti-Christian public opinion and, instead, ensure that the issues of family, freedom and faith are hammered out on the anvil of public debate. Is this what pushed Morrison's party over the victory line?

Advertisement

Clearly, the traditional 'family unit' in this election had been threatened by left-wing policies from various minor and socialist dominated parties by advocating Abortion, Gender Fluidity, Transgender Operations, and Surrogacy policies not to mention limiting Freedom of Religion and Speech. The survival of the traditional family was surely seen by many as essential for the welfare of the young and the cohesion of society. Enid Lyons, the first woman elected to the Australian House of Representatives in Australia's federal parliament, quoted King George V who said that 'the foundation of a nation's greatness is in the homes of its people'– the family.

Voters worldwide, not just in Australia, recognised that the Roman civilisation collapsed not because of economics or military might but because it ventured into pursuing false ends and pursuits – social policies that were either poorly thought out or just merely a threat to traditional family values. Voters on the conservative right held the view that they were to be 'intolerant' of whatever God does not 'tolerate', regardless of the popular opinion. The electorate did not 'believe' or trust the Climate Change' rhetoric espoused by Shorten which lacked facts and budgetary costings.

Preparing to vote in any election means, inter alia, coming to grips with the role of political parties and the content of their policies. Christians are often uneasy with the very idea of political parties, but effective Christian citizenship means taking them seriously. We need to recognise the common misconception that 'there's no Christian view of politics' and rather take the view that we need to abide by biblical based Christian political principles, such as racial equality.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. 3
  5. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

8 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Greg Bondar is National Director of Family Voice Australia. He has been working as a senior executive within the not-for-profit, government, and the corporate sector for over 30 years

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Greg Bondar

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Photo of Greg Bondar
Article Tools
Comment 8 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy