Yes the thread is full of hope, how many of us remember the thread just weeks before the election?
The one that saw a right wing Christian minister reveal God had informed him Howard would win.
Bet his Sundays have become interesting of late.
Devil made me do it maybe?

The Right wing religious nuts are just that, it might work in America; after all it was the place were Europe’s religious nut went to. However it doesn’t work here, religion has no place in modern Government. They can keep their silly childish fantasies to themselves.
Ps what I find most amusing about the religious right position on Gays is half end up being Gay. Why a group who is supposably into loving their neighbour is apposed to two consenting Adults entering into a loving relationship is beyond me.

Some interesting and amusing threads here, especially about gnats and camels. The writer is right that the C Right aren't an electoral threat. They only really surface when an issue such as abortion or euthanasia arises. And then they lobby like mad and they can be persuasive.

It's not measured in votes but in campaign donations. The thread that said that we're not fire and brimstone kind of guys and girls as a nation, is spot on. The Evangelists have had a harder time spreading their networks in Australia, mainly because we're mnore interested in the beach, cricket and LCD TV's.

That's not to say that they don't have leverage in Canberra in both major parties. See any of the comments in OLO by the Greens on the Exclusive Bretheran or the Democrats on Chruch and State.

Some interesting and amusing threads here, especially about gnats and camels. The writer is right that the C Right aren't an electoral threat. They only really surface when an issue such as abortion or euthanasia arises. And then they lobby like mad and they can be persuasive.

It's not measured in votes but in campaign donations. The thread that said that we're not fire and brimstone kind of guys and girls as a nation, is spot on. The Evangelists have had a harder time spreading their networks in Australia, mainly because we're more interested in the beach, cricket and LCD TV's.

That's not to say that they don't have leverage in Canberra in both major parties. See any of the comments in OLO by the Greens on the Exclusive Bretheran or the Democrats on Church and State.

An excellent article, Brian - as usual. But the euphoria only lasted until I remembered that over the last decade religions have gained control of most education establishments and funding, many hospitals and health care facilities, aged care facilities, social services including family planning, homelessness, employment... all of which are wondrous tax-free money-makers. Religious institutions own vast tracts of land and hundreds of buildings bringing in millions of tax-free dollars, and they also run business that undercut tax-paying enterprises. The Roman Catholic church made an untaxed profit of over eight billion dollars a couple of years ago. the uniting and baptists at least two billion, and all the others are doing their darndest to catch up fast with all the tax-payer funded perks on offer. They are cashed up and ready to fight and their finances are unaudited, unaccountable, secret...
You reckon they are going to go away and admit defeat? get real! The battle has only begun.

Yes, a good and inspiring article. I hope Brian's right.

Chainsmoker: "Our brief flirtation with fundamentalist whackjobbery is over."

"Fundamentalist whackjobbery"! I love it - do you mind if I use your wonderfully coined expression sometime?