The role of religion in public debate become especially difficult sometimes.

When church leaders advocate for sanctions against politicians of their faith who vote in a way that's inconsistent with the churches teachings. The logic makes sense but the practical aspects are troubling.

When a persons individual beliefs stand in the way of the rights of others such as the case of a catholic health minister using quite arbitrary powers to impose the outcomes of their faith on others.

There is a mix in there between principles and practice, the principles are very important but when taken to extremes undermine society as badly as trampling on those same principles.

R0bert

SilverInCanberra - a couple of comments.

In almost all council areas, Churches do pay for garbage collection. Not a big deal, but an important correction.

Having worked with people in the land development industry, they assure me that it is in their interest to have Churches established in their developments, as it attracts buyers. Indeed, they actively pursue Church organisations to get them in. Same with schools and other community organisations. While a very few may sell later, this is by far the exception to the rule.

It happens often enough that the Catholic church is one of the largest land owners in Australia.

auther/quote..""What are some of the implications of these principles?"'

freespeach must be attributable and able to be held to account
not for petty or transient reasons..or personalised assults

""it does seem that theistic references
within the Australian Constitution must be extremely questionable."'

they were the guidence underwhich they must be interpritated
we swear to tell the truth on a bible..or other holy text

[without that quasi 'authority'...
they are nought but self seving revenuers
taxing their trust[the people and THEIR estates]..into private fiefdoms..for the elite running the scam..

and despoiling that they cant further loot
plunder expolit or claim into their own exclusive trusts/treasuries

""official prayers within Parliament must be extremely problematic.""
if only they would stop calling our creator
the allmighty black rod

""It would be simple to replace the Lord's Prayer with a time of private reflection and private prayer,"'

lol
but not as impressive for the peons/serfs

heck judges could throw away their dresses..and wigs

could you stop thinking?
of course not

its why you were gifted to life
gifted education position faith and trust

""Do the above principles necessarily mean that the churches and church organizations ought not be involved in the running of schools?""

no
know we each have the right to believe
or disbeluieve..[both here and in the next life]

""The above principles will make compulsory attendance of worship within church schools problematic, at least on a regular basis""

cccrap...its our choice to listen
[our mind either hears or is listening to ourinner voice]

only those wanting to listen can hear..

and we avoid hearing the important things
the ones that give others equal right..as we would want ourselves.

to love neighbour
as thy loveth thyself

doing for others
not unto them

From some of the views expressed here regarding tax they are without foundation just mere assertions based in antagonist views of religion. These people are selfish who tax charities and volunteers and philanthropists for their giving to assist the needy. Church based businesses are charities serving the public, who pay full time staff award wages and taxes.

s.116 is a total farce, and there is no separation of church and state in this country, as explained by the High Court, as pointed out already.

If we are to become a republic though, we will have to have a very clear end to the over generous privilege granted to all religions.

Time for them to be taxed, pay rates, income tax and everything else that normal human bodies do.

Time for school chaplains in public schools to be chucked out.

Time for the various forms of Religious Intrusion (RI) to be dumped from school time and school property.

Time for a Scandinadian-Canadian model of teaching about religion, faith and philosophical approaches to life, all through school.

Time for private groups like the Australian Christian Lobby to be exposed for the fundie mob they are.

Seen this mob's 10 minute film?

The pathetic figure of our prime minister squirming in her seat while bull$-hittng about her love of the Salvo's while Wallace looks on wishing she'd shut up and get on the the answer she is still trying to think of through all her whittering, says it all: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nj2prVhnUdM&feature=youtu.be

She is a total fraud, incompetent, and stupid to boot.

Finally, here's Barney on what we do need:
http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/religion-ethics-may-be-in-new-curriculum-20111120-1npdz.html