The National Day of Thanksgiving: it's the ‘white fella’ religious right again

Why then, is it being endorsed, promoted and supported by the Governor General, the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition?

For "Kevin from Queensland" I guess its a matter of covering all bases in an election year; for "Jeffery of Yarralumla", anything to be noticed; and for "John of Kirribilli", anything, to divert people's attention from Sorry Day, Long Walks and Reconciliation.

There's no mistaking the PM's message: its about "recognising Indigenous Australians", and certainly not about apologies and regrets.

Even allowing for the cynical use by politicians of religious occasions, their enthusiasm for the day is intriguing. The day is being organised by some 63 (one is counted twice) "supporting ministries". But dig a little, and its all smoke and mirrors.

Instead of main line churches, it's a collection of the cream of Australia's religious right. Of the 62, nine are companies profiting from the day,(including a television station, five radio stations, a bookshop and a media agency); and some 17 are local congregations, "prayer groups" and "ministers associations". One man, founded and directs another four of the organisations (Australian Heart Ministries, Australian Heart Productions, Mens Prayer.com, and the Fatherhood Foundation, ("women only want a sperm donor to validate their reproductive needs … and a poor sucker to pay for it"), while a woman either, directs or represents another four. Life Ministries, is closely allied to the Christian Democratic Party; Hope Generation is an "incorporated member of the Assemblies of God (AOG)", while another half dozen organisations are led by AOG ministers. And so it goes on.

Why would the Governor General be endorsing organisations promoting Christian Zionism (Intercessors for Melbourne, Youth Arise and the Australian Prayer Network) or those who have kindergarten children making banners with "the blood of Jesus Christ" on them (Miracle Education).

Why would the Prime Minister be lining up with the call for a ten-year moratorium on Muslim migration to Australia (Saltshakers, Catch the Fire)? Does he really believe the world was created in seven days as do the organisations he endorses (Creation Ministries International, Campus Crusade for Christ)? And frankly, what's the Opposition Leader doing, promoting the National Alliance of Christian Leaders, which supports the "scrapping of the UN", and believes that "multiculturalism is fundamentally flawed"?

The Day of Thanksgiving will only confirm for ATSI communities what they already know, people are too busy running their own agendas, and if the religious right has its way, Aboriginal communities will continue to stand "alone in their quest for justice".

A few months after the first Day of Mourning back in 1938, Doug Nicholls, Yorta Yorta man, pastor and black activist, looked around in despair and anger, and said that nothing will change until, "White people learn to think black".

It's a shameful day, this National day of Thanksgiving, as it once again tramples over the hurt and injustice of Aboriginal Australians.