Dozer,

I thank you for a thoughtful and though-provoking post.

Not what I expected.

First, I should state that I am not committed to a "left" or "right" - wing view. Therefore I don't associate religion with either end of the political spectrum. Like you, I find such labels very unnerving and, frankly, quite dangerous.

Also, like you I have had my "run-ins" with the "crazies" on the left. I treat those who hold such belief systems just as bigoted at the populist world religions. (In my view a Wiccan, Pagan, Druid, Jew, Muslim or Christian are all supporters of some personal "religion" that are all, simply different superstitious belief systems.)

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At least I can see what’s going on. I’ve escaped the guilt trap of both fundamentalist Christians and weak, insipid Leftists.
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Dozer, I think you are more than well on your way to self-actualistion. The pundits, priests, imams and others out there will tell you theirs is the best and only way. Ours is each a personal journey (religious or not).

Politicians universally try to fool us into thinking the same way - even using religion as a tool to coerce. As the priests would say: "only the weak would follow them".

Keep up the critical thinking and the critique. It is sadly missed in this McAustralia.

Thankyou Illuvator,

Not quite the response I was expecting either. I'm learning the hard way that if you speak your mind and don't pull any punches, instead of meekly trying to find some common ground, it pays off.

Cheers,

Bulldozer.

Poor 'Pastor' Danny. I like the guy. He has a good heart but doesn't understand apostolic Faith and so our Danny boy is imitating Billy Graham; a little Aussie version. Sorry to tell you Danny, it doesn't work here in Australia. The USA is a nation that looks for oracles as it is a puritan nation at heart, not Christian.

Now as a Catholic, we are taught that to be truly Christian we must neither be defined by terms like 'left' or 'right' or 'conservative'; just plain Catholic is enough.

Our Lord's Gospel is about being traditional which is not to be confused with the traditions of men but with the meaning ST paul tells us that is, what is handed on and down by word of mouth or by Epistle.
For Committed Christians most are called to be good fathers and mothers , brothers and sisters, workers and employers and so on; only a few are for politics. But ALL of us are called to BE in Christ not just at home but in our workplaces, to our neighbours, to strangers, to our enemies and so on.

As for issues like abortion, RU486, industrail realtions etc- if a Christian is motivated to enter politics- it is to one's political party ( or of no party) of preference.
God is not on any one side. The ALP has a pro abortion policy however, some of its MPs are against abortion and RU486 etc and vote accordingly; others pretend to be Christian, say they are etc but vote like devils for the other side. The Liberal and National Party, whilst not having a stated policy on abortion allow it to be funded through Medicare and pornography is allowed through tthe Federal Liberal Govt. Now the ALP will do the same.
That is why the largely Protestant Pentecostals, and sadly some 'conservative'( read moneyed) Catholics support the Libs- all are feigning ignorance here. The Libs are not a Christian 'party of God'. That is all a superficial front.
Christians are free to enter any of the parties to influence; and for those who do not and just vote ( the vast majority) the only consideration is to put Jesus Our Lord FIRST by only voting for candidates in one's electorate and the Senate that have at least a pro life voting record. So if one is a Labor man ( as I am) I can only vote for an ALP candidate if that candiate is pro life; if not I would never vote Liberal because of their greed on behalf of employers to defraud workers of jsut wages, RDOs etc which affect family time and providing for wife and kids if there is the traditional male breadwinner situation.
There are no winners in politics because thus far, all the main parties have put Jesus Christ SECOND in their policies.
Last time I voted ALP was 3 elections ago. I have been voting for the Fred Nile CDP or pro life independents.
But I do hope that the ALP gets a new crop of real Catholics of the traditional kind in it in the future.

Webby,

Blah blah blah blah blah.

Dozer.

There have been no winners at any Federal or State election since the early 1980s except for fund managers, banks and other large corporations.

A win for Rudd is a win for just another Liberal Party that goes the nominalism of ALP.
Australia needs a traditional Catholic influenced ALP that will first and foremost protect the lives of unborn Aussie children who are murdered at the rate of 100,000 each year.
The silly anti- Catholic Pentecostalist Danny N has 'annointed' ( gimme a break) Peter Costello and the Liberal Party. Danny N is of no real influence as Aussies are not bible bashing Protestants. Danny is a Billy Graham wannabe.
Peter Costello ( if Danny has done any serious homework) supports RU486 abortion inducing drugs. Some 'Christian' you are Danny !
Go join the ranks of neo modernist and liberalist 'Catholics' who are agaisnt the traditional & magisterial ( ie real) Catholics.