Religion is becoming more important in Australian politics and this will pose fresh opportunities and challenges. Religion has always been important but the decline in Christian practice in recent decades led to a widespread assumption of religion’s decline in civic and political life.
However, according to Paul Kelly, this requires revision because of three epic global trends. These are the resurgence of Islam; a Christian revival in much of the developing world along with new Christians sects and old faiths being transplanted by immigrants; and an obligation upon political leaders to maintain the unity and cohesion of nations amid the growing trend to define identity by culture, religion or lack of religion.
Kelly argues that God is making a comeback. But there are lessons to be heeded. One, the churches and Islam in particular need to be mindful not to infringe the limits that exist on religious freedom. Two, the political secularists need to beware of propounding an exaggerated doctrine about the separation of church and state in Australia. And three, as values and religious ethics become more prominent in political debate there needs to be moderation on all sides.
