Although Maddox obviously approaches things from a leftist, humanist worldview, with its paranoid rantings and delusions as well as its natural aversion to orthodox Christianity, I nevertheless found the book informative and interesting, even if some of its conspiratorial deductions were silly or far-fetched.

For me, I was more interested in Maddox's reporting of the facts, rather than her interpretations of these facts, or conclusions resulting from them, conclusions which, by stemming from the irrational foundation upon which her worldview ultimately rests, cannot be trusted to be logical or have any firm relationship with reality.

Since the last US and Australian elections, fevered attacks on those who have a religious dimension to their lives have become commonplace. These people are dangerous, it is claimed, and should play no part in public debate or the governance of a country.
This is, of course, absurd and in Australia alone would disqualify millions from having any say in the important matters which effect their lives.

There seems to be a contradiction in the arguments coming from the pro-Muehlenburg camp. On the one hand, he and some others claim conservative Christians are not this all powerful lobby group and certainly no more powerful than leftist humanists. On the other, there are those who say that conservative Christians do, infact, represent the views of most people (and state that George W Bush's re-election and John Howard's confirm this) and everyone else is a "loud minority".

I'd agree with the first point. The consistent failure of Christian Democrats to get members elected to Australian parliaments, apart from a handful in upper houses, plus the poor showing of other religious based parties over the decades, indicates that Conservative Christians are, infact, a "noisy minority" (or is that "nosey minority"?).

Both the ALP and Liberals have Christians in senior positions of power. But their success is because they, at different times, have been regarded as the best parties to manage the economy and deliver services. Politicians' religious affiliations are regarded as relatively unimportant in Australian politics.

Isn't it interesting that some people want to regard themselves as part of a powerful majority and then whinge that they are being victimised? This is why I find it hard to take the views of some self-styled Christians very seriously.

Mattt, makes a good point about people criticising the Christians without a good understanding of the Bible.
When I was younger, I was pretty critical of Christianity and would not think of touching a Bible with a ten foot pole.
But then I thought, how can you really criticise without reading the book - probably the most influential book if all time.
It certainly didn't convert me, I am still an atheist - just as reading Mein Kampf (second most influential book of all time) didin't make me a Nazi.
It does give you a sense of perspecitve though.

t.u.s.

I've waded through some of the book and detect a certain undercurrent of fear by the author...perhaps fear that the significant ground that was gained in de-christianising Australia (during the Whitlam and Hawke eras) is being lost.
I also detect the author's indignation...perhaps indignation that middle Australia is no longer agreeing with the leftist codswallop that they have agreed with in the past. Perhaps the 'new morality' pushed during the last 25 years or more has been tried and found wanting.
Thanks Bill Muehlenburg for a well thought out and valid review.

Mr Muehlenberg's review has little value except for entertaining purpose.One track minds whether from the right or left are oblivious to reality.
Religion is a man made invention undoubtedly fulfilling the spiritual needs of many.But there is only one God and a plethora of religions,some of them trying to highjack and manipulate the Gospel for their own purpose.The Christian religion is one example where the proliferation of Churches and denominations clouds the issue of spirituality.
Mr Muehlenberg chooses a few extracts from a 368 pages book to subjectively support his arguments.
It reminds me of some of the US Christian fundamentalists,often labelled Christian Right,interpreting selected sections of the Bible in a manipulative way.
I have rarely heard any Christian Ministry publically promote Matthew 7:15.
The Christian religion will only be taken seriously once it rids itself from all the false prophets and wolves in sheep's clothing.
As for the right of Mr Howard and his scribes to impose their so called Christian values,it is perhaps time to remind the poor silent majority of frustrated souls that it was our forefathers who enshrined Section 116 into our Constitution.It conveys the notion of a secular Nation and only the Australian people can modify it,not any Prime Minister whether from the right or left.

Nobby