David,

I can agree that all of these social benefits in Australia are parallel with 'applied Christianity'. They conform with the list of good works associated with Christian faith in James 2:

"My brothers and sisters, if a person claims to have faith but does nothing, that faith is worth nothing. Faith like that cannot save anyone. Suppose a brother or sister in Christ comes to you in need of clothes or something to eat. And you say to them, “God be with you! I hope you stay warm and get plenty to eat,” but you don’t give them the things they need. If you don’t help them, your words are worthless. It is the same with faith. If it is just faith and nothing more—if it doesn’t do anything—it is dead" (James 2:14-17), http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jas+2%3A14-17&version=ERV

Do you consider it appropriate for secular Aussies who don't believe in God to call it 'applied Christianity' when they don't believe in God? Wouldn't they find that labelling inappropriate?

The article completely ignores the negative effects the welfare state has had on citizens' attitude to charity, and on the demise of extended family obligations. Welfare has weakened work incentives, and also contributed to problems such as single parenthood and reductions in individual responsibility.

Peoples attitude to the poor (in countries with high levels of welfare) has ended up with a groupthink shifting almost complete responsibility to the Government.

There is also a strong association between the growth of the welfare state and the weakening of extended family obligations.

In developing countries, when someone experiences hard times, the extended family feels obligated to help. One big advantage of help of this type is that the extended family usually has a good knowledge of individual circumstances so that issues of "bludgers" are severely dealt with.

I am not saying that help from extended family, as happens in many Asian countries, is a panacea. There are obvious problems when the extended family is also poor.

There is another saying, which is also used by non-Christians, albeit it is derived from Christianity: "Do unto others as you would them do unto you", which is called the Golden Rule. As well, other 'versions' are: "What you do not wish upon yourself, extend not to others." — Confucius (ca. 551–479 BCE)
"Neither to harm, nor be harmed."— Epicurus (c. 350 BCE)

I agree with your argument, David. Basic humanity, not just Christianity should be the rationale for all our decisions

Socialism and Christianity have nothing in common.

On the contrary, ttbn, they have an enormous amount in common. Socialists are motivated by a desire to improve the lives of the less fortunate. In many cases that's because of Christianity.

Whether they achieve that outcome is another issue, but it's what they're all striving for.

I believe that this is just another ruse by nonconformist churches to gain relevance in a post-Christian world. They have already gone political and moved so far to the left that they will never be upright again. All to no avail. Pews remain empty except for the Catholic ones. We have enough professional lefties and social workers spending other people's money on welfare, climate change, and encouraging mass immigration and multiculturalism in the public sector without amateurs, who might or might not have Christian motives, putting their oars in.