And just in passing, I agree that Gillard's atheism is not a problem. So why is Abbott's faith such a big deal in our press?
Why can't he just be a Catholic?
He's never a Catholic in the press, always a 'devout Catholic', a 'committed Catholic', a 'strong Catholic', a 'former seminarian', etc etc ad nauseam? Is anti-Catholicism the last acceptable prejudice here too?

John Cleary's discussion on Sunday Nights mixed with some Late Night Live special guests, with Phillip Adams is about as much as I could bare on the topic of religion, especially in reference to politics. We need critical thinkers today, not more sheep.

Be it Tony Abbott's take on 'do by example' on a religious political or personal refrain and the noted stance on principals. No Thanks.

Be it the wider issues at stake on child abuse, pedophilia in the church period. Perhaps for now it is about giving this rave about religion or ethics... from the Church both the flick and spank.

Any Church that does not accept women, as leaders and priests fails me as a woman. Any Church that does to a "Father" as occurred at St Mary's in Brisbane last year, stoops too low. [Note how the other clergy throughout Australia stood-by and watched what occurred at St Mary's.... like cronie quiet mice.] The call for reform at St Mary's was "about community". Instead we are stuck with a pecking order out of date still in before time. It is less then what is truly required to cope, if real religious thought means anything in modern time.

While I respect individuals who may be involved in diverse religions, I find their Church's generally full with as much 'spin' as any leaders in politics. Worse is the hands of goodwill that are absent while so many heads sprout up - and up above the puff of clouds.

No.

Australians are "spiritual" beings in general and a wake up to the trouble when religion comes anywhere near politics.

If God were alive I am sure the work would be through "our hands" in "active compassion". Not on our knees, in comforts blessed with a preoocupation of consumerism, waiting in fear to be saved.

Equity starts at the bottom not at the top. It is an action.

http://www.miacat.com/

Dear JJK,
A politician who speaks to you? That takes relationship and trust which is the result of time and intimacy. Only Jesus has the ability to accept people warts and all. All religions treat others as beneath for they see the difference and not the person. Many people here condemn the homosexual or protect them. Jesus did neither he welcomed the person, forgave the sin, then told them to go and sin no more. Both left and right play the "Christian" card when they name drop to curry favor with the voters but they have no authority. Only in the narrow way are we saved. Jesus preached the kingdom of God as opposed to the worldly kingdom of division and strife. All other kingdoms "fail". The progressives in the west are seeking to impose socialism on us. A proven failure. In history at various times religion has tried to impose their system on others and it always fails. Jesus said "If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me", only in Jesus can we put aside our self (differences) and work for the good of all. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. The opposite of blessing is the curse. If you don't know the curse read Deut 28:14 to 29. Then You may begin to see what ales this once great nation.

Interesting and odd slant for an article that makes no point JKK

And your question as to why Tony Abbot's strong Catholicism is a bigger deal than Gillard's atheism is simple (ignoring that it has largely been already answered).
Most people in Australia are secularists who abhor the doctrines (not to mention misconduct) of the Catholic church, and would most likely have more in common with a secular politician and very little in common with a staunch Catholic politician.

I look forward to a time when the superficial is no longer relevant and the public or media look more to what people actually do rather than focus on what is said, or which label they attach to themselves.

Labels, values or beliefs mean nothing if we don't live by them or act in good faith.

Kevin Rudd's religiosity has not stopped him from allegedley (if reports are true)leaking information to the detriment of his own party and beliefs. Revenge and bitterness are not part of any creed that I would understand. Hopefully people who support Rudd will see him for who he is rather than what he purports to be.

And that goes for any person in public life.

King Hazza,

"The point is that there are simply too few Shariah-endeared fruitcakes in any Western Country- and zero in government (except the UK) to ever enable their medieval viewpoint to become policy. I repeat, they have bugger all chance to do anything on that scale."

For now, KH. But what about the future?

I would be interested to have a list of the "extreme Christain viewpoints", and your take on just how they are as dangerous to the West as Islam is.