Agreed CJ. Let’s dump the stupid thing …and replace it with silent time, so that the mob of silly mongrels can have at least a few seconds in each parliamentary session to reflect on how utterly undemocratic, big-business-pandering, continuous-growth-addicted, antisustainability and future-destroying they all are |:>|

Polycarp
As regarding reflection, I was thinking more along the lines of CJ and Ludwig's approach. To think about the purpose or role as elected representatives of the Parliament, their behaviour in Question Time, the standards of parliamentary debate and personal responsibility.

What do you think about the separation of Church and State Polycarp?

It is not just about alienating non-Christians but making a humanitarian decision to be inclusive of all peoples within a building that is one of the most democratic symbols of our nation.

Id like to mention the danger of trying to replace prayer in parliament.

For the unbelievers in parliament, its one way of finding out that there is a God....and for the people... if they follow suit and follow the ungodly parliamentarians.

Look to the north. Indonesia builds her armies.

Look to the north even further. China builds a vast army.

Often in the Old Testament, when they wandered away from The Lord, the children of Israel received an invader as a Judgment.

Could it happen here?

Its only the Hand of God that stopped Japan from getting here and that has stopped either Indonesia or China from claiming Australia...our land, our heritage, our fathers' efforts...our women.

Lets not tempt The Lord!

Australia is so far behind in Defence...we'd never stop the great asian armies from the north.

If it so suits the USA on that day to stay away, Anzus likewise, isnt worth the paper its written on.

CJ,
"I'd suggest that our elected representatives recite some kind of secular oath that affirms their democratic purpose for being there."

Hallelujah, I second that.

Christians who have an urge to pray should say their daily prayers before they leave home, in their own time.
In taxpayers' time they should focus on the things that benefit taxpayers.

Gibo,

I'm a tad confused by your advice.

First you say: "Its only the Hand of God that stopped Japan from getting here and that has stopped either Indonesia or China from claiming Australia...our land, our heritage, our fathers' efforts...our women. Lets not tempt The Lord!"

Then you say: "Australia is so far behind in Defence...we'd never stop the great asian armies from the north. If it so suits the USA on that day to stay away, Anzus likewise, isnt worth the paper its written on."

My question to you is this: If we stop the daily prayer in Parliament, will it be the hand of God or the US that will bring about the invasion by the Indonesians and Chinese?

Oh, and a supplementary question: Will it be Islamic Indonesia or atheistic China that win the race for Australia - or will the Japanese have another go knowing the hand of God and/or the US won't get in the way again?

The fact that there is a "wall of separation"
between church and state in this country is
largely a myth.

Religion is an element in oaths of office,
court-room procedures, (swearing on the Bible
to "tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth, so help me God),
and indeed nearly all formal public
occasions. Even the Scouts give a "God and
country" pledge, that implies, to say the
least, a compatibility of interest between
the two.

Such sentiments are not allied to any specific
faith or political program: they are sufficiently
broad to be acceptable to almost everyone.

Regarding the Lords Prayer being said at the
opening of Parliament - this was inherited from
the British Christian parliamentary tradition.
In today's Australia of ethnic diversity and
religions, a suitable neutral adjustment to
the parliamentary prayer system should be made.

The National Anthem, which encompasses everyone
residing within the national boundaries of this
continent, would be more representative
than a Christian prayer.