While both Democratic and Republican politicians have continued to campaign on faith-based politics, Australia’s Prime Minister Julia Gillard has declared that she will not pretend to believe in God to appease religious voters.
Gillard insisted “I am not going to pretend a faith I don’t feel. I am what I am and people will judge that. . . . For people of faith, I think the greatest compliment I could pay to them is to respect their genuinely held beliefs and not to engage in some pretence about mine.”
Another change is that Gillard has a “first partner”: Tim Mathieson.
Source: ABC.
Slarti:
funny you should mention Caribou Barbie, I went to a wild game feast this past weekend and had caribou, beer, Mountain Lion, alligator, wild turkey and the common roasted pig (a carnivores heaven). The caribou is quite good and I now see why she hunts them. I have now put caribou at the top of the eating hierarchy, much better than beef.
She may be a numb-nut but she has good taste. As my grandmother used to say “her taste is all in her mouth”.
what’s a first ‘partner’?
Gyges,
Me too.
Slart,
I’d settle for a President who answers the religious question with “None of your Business.”
I want an Australian absentee ballot …
Slartibartfast–
“Personally, I’ve had enough of people who think god is telling them what to do like our previous president or Caribou Barbie.”
*****
I would assume that most regular Turleyites know the medical diagnosis for folks who hear voices. These same folks keep listening for God to tell them it’s time for the Rapture.
I wonder which we will have first in the US – an atheist president or a gay president?
Tootie,
Hopefully it will become more and more difficult for you to find politicians that share your narrow-minded and ignorant mythology to vote for. Personally, I’ve had enough of people who think god is telling them what to do like our previous president or Caribou Barbie.
Pretty sad when we have to look abroad for politicians with character and integrity. Imagine that happening here.
Unfortunately, it looks like she respects those beliefs of the religious a bit too much. She just announced she is not in favor of gay marriage.
Over here we say we don’t have faith in the government but really we do have a political faith.
Sometimes like religious faith, it is blind faith.
I have discovered that the government had scientific, engineering knowledge that the Gulf seabed was rendered unstable by hydrates, such that drilling through hydrates could cause severe economic and environmental disaster.
The scientists, government officials, and the oil barons all knew the dangers up to a decade ago.
But their blind faith in themselves and “something else” is now open for examination.
http://blogdredd.blogspot.com/2010/06/danger-lurks-in-deep-water-2.html
Elaine,
Mistakes only have value if you learn from them. 😀
From the article: “What I can say to Australians broadly of course is I believe you can be a person of strong principle and values from a variety of perspectives.”
**********
Right on! Just because you are religious it doesn’t follow that you are person of honesty, integrity, and principle. I wish more of our leaders in the US didn’t pretend to be religious just to get votes. There are few people that I have less respect for than phonies and folks who are “holier than thou.”
**********
Buddha–
“I cannot comment as my doctor has ordered me to stay away from redhead.”
That’s a very “Weisz” decision!
Good on you, love.
I hope Gillard remains PM for as long as Australian law allows.
If for no other reason than to piss of theocrats like Tootles.
I cannot comment as my doctor has ordered me to stay away from redhead.
(Pst! Good show!)
Good. And Australians can stop pretending to vote for her.
As it should be. Or as it is.
Good on you, Julia.
She’s a top sheila.
Thanks for mentioning us down here!
Diogenes! Your quest is over.
Boy oh boy, it sounds like she has a strong faith in not having a faith. I like that….