Excellent Piece. However as the saying goes "Satan can quote scripture to suit his needs". The rednecks simply ignore the bit's in the bible that they don't like. It's rather funny that in a vote buying bid Costello talks about "Christian values" seeing as his bother believes the Gov of not displaying them much.

Well done Donna! There are, of course no such thing as Christian values, there is only the faithful living out their lives in hope and trust.

Donna: Watching 'our?' peter in Parliament, noting how he speaks,[ didn't he drive one member to attempt to take his own life in the past by the use of his foul tongue?] the language he uses and the obvious deceitful lies he spouts. Peter would not recognise Christianity if it reared up and bit him in his bottom.
His attitude to the poor, needy and life's unfortunates one only has to note the church he attended [some have said that he was a blatant hypocrite just chasing votes] it was a wealth and health religion. It's taught here that their god [small 'g' for their god]helps those who help themselves, especially the rich.
Donna there is Christianity, that's composed of those who do try to do the right thing then there's religion which is normally anti-Bible. Peter is of the later and should he make it to Heaven [just a term not a description] he in his "humility?" would probably allow God to sit at his right hand. numbat

Christian values, Costello certainly exhibits those, even Numbat sees that. As for them being our values, I think you should look at our history to see the truth.

More than 95% of those that came to this country 200 years ago weren't religious at all, they had it forced upon them. During the last 100 years we have spent our time removing the religious values from our statutes. The values we had until the 1990's have since been eroded by the encroaching religious influence within our parliaments. Those values come from the need in this country to help your mates, no matter who they are. They come from the sacrifices made when this country has been forced to war under religious and colonial pretexts and they've been developed from the people of this country striving to created a useful responsible and progressive society, not reliant on others.

Now we have the religious trying to turn the tide, by forcing multicultural values down our throat, just as they did in the past with their enforced religious education and enforcing god in our constitution and laws.

As Sells says, “there are, of course no such thing as Christian values, there is only the faithful living out their lives in hope and trust. “

After all, thats all they've got from their god, hope an trust. Some hope considering the expression and veracity of monotheistic and the blind trust they have in delusion. So they do have values, hope and trust, they value hope, but you can't trust them as can be seen by their history and application.

Heh The alchemist: HISTORY HAS BEEN MADE! except for Christian values I agree with your post. What do you think of that Eh!
There are religious values which are superior to pagan beliefs then there are Christian values superior to both the former. Yes, reading your mind, there are not very many real Christians. numbat

The "Christian values" that Peter Costello talks of are nothing to do with Christianity. (I accept that Costello is personally a committed Christian.)

But the values he speaks of are a direct steal from the US Republican Party's manipulation of religious congregations to maximise their votes. The strategy is spelt out by three Harvard economists in a 2004 paper, "Strategic Extremism: Why Republicans and Democrats Divide on Religious Values", http://post.economics.harvard.edu/faculty/barro/bw/bw05_08_22.pdf

The full paper is at http://post.economics.harvard.edu/hier/2004papers/HIER2044.pdf

The strategy refines the "dogwhistling" that JHo has been accused of - talking in code to a sectional audience without being obvious to the rest. ("Homeland security" and "we decide who comes here..." mean one thing to xenophobes who want to see no more boat people arriving, but - initially - another to those who think security and immigration are normal responsibilities of nations.)

The strategy works where Christian churchgoers constitute roughly half the population. Thus, it is widely applicable in the US where 44% of adults regularly attend church, but is only selectively effective in Australia.

The Sydney Hills District where Hillsong Church is anchored is an electorate where this strategy worked. Liberal candidate Louise Markus, elected in the last federal election, is associated with Hillsong.

The Chaser has the story, http://www.chaser.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2988&Itemid=127

What sort of Christianity IS Hillsong?

The Age reported last July, http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/07/17/1089694610240.html?from=storyrhs

QUOTE
... Treasurer Peter Costello was given a rapturous response when he addressed the 20,000-plus delegates [at Hillsong last week]...

[Reverend Tim Costello's] criticism in the past led to Pastor Houston dropping plans to republish one of his books. "I was a critic of Brian Houston's book You Need More Money - God's Financial Plan For Your Life. It was a 'Jesus Gets You Rich Book'," said Mr Costello...
END QUOTE

And when Jesus makes you rich, what then?

QUOTE
"I do have a Harley-Davidson, I don't apologise for that. It is my outlet in life," Mr Houston said.
END QUOTE

Oh, THAT kind of Christian values...