Because, Sayeret, as far as I am aware, it is illegal to criticise Islam at this point in time- at least in Victoria.

No, I don't think that's the reason that Maddox hasn't criticised Islam. This is because:

1. There is no way that Islamic theology has an equivalent influence over the way that the Howard government shapes its policies, as does the insidious and covert evangelising of our Federal Government.

2. The main reason that Howard and Co (directly following their "Neo-Con" organ grinders) are so desperate to court the activist Christian vote is that it ensures their electoral survival. The proportion of swinging voters (on whom success in elections depends, both here & in the USA) who are 'Christian' vastly overwhelms that of Muslims.

3. The statement that criticism of Islam in Victoria is illegal is emotive and false. Religious vilification is illegal, and quite rightly so.

In my opinion, Maddox provides those of us who don't want to see our society revert to a Christian theocracy with a timely wake-up call.

I have said this before but comparing Howard and Hitler is pointless and does more damage to the argument than harm.

On Australia's love affair with the "Christian right" - Philip Adams wrote a column last year about how he "invented" Family First by suggesting to a christian mate they should band together.

From my non-christian perspective i think that the rise of Christians in political circles is a direct response to the more radical social agenda which has occurred in the past 30 years.

The silent majority is no longer content to be drowned out by the vocal minority.

Its democracy people.

t.u.s

oops, meant more damage than good. sorry

t.u.s

T.U.S. yes, u got it straight there mate :) exactly. We are NOT going to sit around doing nothing while evil triumphs. But we SURE don't want a Christian Theocracy ! my goodness, 'revert' ? when were we ever that ?

On the other comment by Garra about 'political survival' is the reason the conservatives are courting the Christian vote is a hearty YES ! We Christians didn't win the last election, we did help though.
Econmic issues are very important, and I tend to agree that that is what swung it more than the Christian card, but as time goes by, that 'card' might become more of an Ace than a Jack :)

Umm Garra, I see your into Conspiracy Theories also ? :) why didn't you mention the "Melbourne Club" the Fabians, or the Illuminati also ?
I think there is a glimmer of truth in what you say but nowhere to the extent you claimed 'Hitler style agenda' ? hmmm @@ "Sounds a bit dodgy" look.

Well, the so-called "silent majority" was hopeless in the last Federal election. The never silent Fred Nile failed in his bid for a Senate seat and the Christian Democrats in NSW had to keep his Legislative Council seat warm because they had nobody else to take his place. The Greens did better than Families First at national level and in the WA election this year, the anti-gay Coalition was thumped by the ALP. In fact, using the logic of the usual suspect, one must assume the WA electorate is solidly pro-gay given their endorsement of Geoff Gallop's government. Do you think so?

As I said before, Federal and state elections in this country have been decided on the basis of economic management and service delivery. Having a belief in people rising from the dead is all very interesting but voters care more about interest rates, health care and transport services.