Church
Church. It’s probably the last place you’d expect to find a proud cabal of atheists revelling in their lack of faith. But over in England, a pair of comedians have started their very own atheist church, and the idea is quickly gaining traction. It’s no joke either.
The Sunday Assembly, as it’s called, convenes once a month in an old London chapel. It functions in much the same way as any other church, apart from the conspicuous absence of any reference to God, Jesus, Allah or that vengeful intergalactic dictator the scientologist nutjobs believe in. Old Xenu would probably find the lack of faith disturbing.
Hundreds of atheists get to enjoy a fair imitation of the church experience without the looming threat of eternal hell - which, let’s face it, can be a bit of a downer.
Continue reading "Atheist church’s faithless flock proves value of religion" »
BREAKING NEWS: Prime Minister Julia Gillard has just announced a national Royal Commission into child abuse - beyond just the Catholic Church to look at abuse in all religious organisations and in state care, as well as schools and not-for-profit organisations. She said any instance of child absue is a “vile and evil thing”, and that “there have been too many revelations of adults who have averted their eyes”. She hopes the terms of reference will be finalised by the end of the year after consultation with victims’ groups and the states and territories.
Meanwhile, Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney and the country’s most powerful Catholic, is acting like a child just when he most needs to man up. In the face of the latest horrific allegations of systemic child abuse and coverups within the Catholic Church he has cried, by turns: ‘it wasn’t me’, and ‘they did it too’.
Detective Chief Inspector Peter Fox, a senior investigative cop, has revealed new depths in the scandal that has haunted the church for decades. He said “the church covers up, silences victims, hinders police investigations, alerts offenders, destroys evidence and moves priests to protect the good name of the church”.
Continue reading "In the name of the fathers and the sons, Cardinal Pell…" »
Latest 2 of 153 comments
View all comments-
Alex says:
@Kipling - I think you place too much faith in democracy. Have the greatest leaders in Australia been the last few Prime Ministers we have had, or are likely to have in the future? I’m not bagging democracy (I’m very grateful for it), but there are countries, organisations and institutions… Read more »
-
Tedd says:
Alex, the Bible is clearly myth-fiction the central character was “born of a Ghost”. It is a series of stories used by the church & its clergy for power and manipulation - it is not the word of any god. Read more »
Premier Barry O’Farrell should not set up a Royal Commission into sex abuse in the Catholic Church.
It should be up to Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
This is a boil that needs to be lanced at a Federal level.
Continue reading "Time to fully face the Catholic Church’s disgrace" »
Latest 2 of 112 comments
View all comments-
Rose says:
Yeah, well I suppose Broken Rites would know as their purpose is to investigate sex abuse within the Catholic Church and not elsewhere!! You need to broaden your horizons a bit more and look at the bigger picture, not just the bit that supports your preconceived notions. Read more »
-
Rose says:
Evangalia, are you serious? The reason why no government is prepared to bare their teeth is that they fear it will alienate the religious right, and they are not prepared to do anything that alienates that many people. Truth be told, most moderate Catholics and members of other churches and… Read more »
Ubiquitous media commentary on same-sex marriage assumes the moral debate is won, it is inevitable and those opposing it are on the wrong side of history.
Proponents assume no harm can come of it and that mindless bigotry is all that is preventing it becoming law.
So why then is it likely to be resoundingly defeated on the floor of Parliament?
Continue reading "Gay marriage debate is more complex than “free love”" »
Latest 2 of 349 comments
View all comments-
Dan says:
Shall we outlaw divorce then? Single parents must remarry ASAP and if you’re thinking of taking that job overseas and leaving child and spouse at home to finish school, that’s an outrage! Of course you also seem to be suggesting that un-married couples shouldn’t be allowed kids if we truly… Read more »
-
Dan says:
@ the Razor… The fact is that marriage hasn’t always been hetero. What’s the big deal with having it the same, we’re all human. Or are you too emotionally fragile to cope with that? Read more »
At the entrance to Sacred Heart Parish Primary School, on the corner of Lane and Sulphide Streets, Broken Hill, stands a life-size statue of Jesus Christ, his arms outstretched in front of him, palms turned upwards in welcome to all His children. Beneath his feet are inscribed the words: “Faith, Truth, Love”.
There is no question that faith and love are here, but the truth is a little harder to come by. The school headmaster, Trevor Rynne, is locked in his office and won’t come out, directing all calls to a Catholic media liaison officer who dwells in the Sydney suburb of Parramatta, over 1,000 kilometers away. She’s not answering calls, either.
Last night, the story broke that the school had denied an education to a local girl on the grounds that her parents were lesbians. Though the parents, a private couple, aren’t talking to the media either, word around town today is that the matter has been resolved, the school offering the child a place in 2012 on the advice of Bishop Kevin Manning, who lords over the Broken Hill Parish and was “absolutely appalled” when the girl’s case was brought to his attention by the media yesterday.
Continue reading "The Hill ain’t broken, but the Catholics are cracked" »
Latest 2 of 173 comments
View all comments-
Stoic says:
I agree with Greg, we tip toe around other cultures and their beliefs in this country yet when it comes to catholics or christians we dont seem to have the right to live by our own standards and beliefs in our own country. Double standards much? Yes its about denying… Read more »
-
Tom says:
@Idiotic, I suggest you lose that chip on your shoulder. Feel free to move to Indiana. Australia doesn’t need toxic pricks like you. Read more »
Thank God census night has come and gone. Thank God literally. I’ve been bored witless by insecure atheists prattling on in the last few weeks and days about questions on religion.
For two things are sure. The census will show that a clear majority of Australians believe in a god. And religion is a clear force for good in our society.
“I wonder how many people still believe in God?” my 55 going on 15 year old DJ and artist brother in law Driller (that’s his real name) wrote on his Facebook page recently. “I certainly don’t. Do you?”
Latest 2 of 497 comments
View all comments-
Jim says:
Anne, I’m not a evolutionary scientist but I use logic to work out that the knowlege we build on in science is based on accepting methods that have been tried and tested many times with the same result. This is accepted as evidence. Therefore, I don’t think scientists are just… Read more »
-
Anne Stocks says:
Jim in all the time I have been posting on Punch even when using a Pen name, not one of you have given any evidence to support Evolution except that which also confirms Creation ...I have supported written evidence which I have shared with you and others many times….. need… Read more »
Politics. Religion. Combine the two and the result can be very nasty indeed. Think about a short list: the Crusades, the Inquisition, New York and the twin towers, the Holocaust, massacre of the Huguenots. It appears that when Church and State are combined into one, horrific things can happen.
Democracies usually separate religion and politics. The 1st Amendment to the American Constitution is absolutely clear: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof”. This has been interpreted firmly by the Supreme Court, including banning prayers in public schools and state aid to religious schools.
Latest 2 of 322 comments
View all comments-
Alison says:
Dear Reg, In case you have never thought about it, atheists do not represent “all” Australians, atheists are not the only ones who pay taxes, atheists are not the only ones who have children, atheists are not the only ones who attend public schools, atheists are not the only ones… Read more »
-
Alison says:
Australia has no formal “separation of church and state” and we are a country “under the blessings of almighty God”. We are not America, or France, or the UK. Dean Jaensch should have finished the quote from our Constitution which continues “or for prohibiting the free exercise of any religion”. … Read more »
Brendan Brown writes “Hey God, reveal thyself!” and puts forward his case of “noisy atheism”.
He candidly speaks about the lack of evidence with regard to the divine and light-heartedly takes religion to task for the holes in their belief systems.
It’s a given that no evidence is currently available that supports the existence (or non existence) of god. Yet both atheists and theists continue to taunt each other for evidence.
Latest 2 of 273 comments
View all comments-
Anne Stocks says:
Another one you seem to have lost Moderator Paul Murray says…When religious people capitalise a word that isn’t a proper noun, it’s a clue that they are not using the word with its usual meaning. So True Paul, instead we are referring to God’s Truth or His Love, Joy, Compassion… Read more »
-
Paul Murray says:
I love the random capitalisation. When religious people capitalise a word that isn’t a proper noun, it’s a clue that they are not using the word with its usual meaning. Rather like Scientologists using the word “ethics”, which does not mean “being ethical” in the usual sense, but means “promoting… Read more »
Mathematicians have released a study that made for great headlines, including:
(A fairly tenuous link but a mention of religious songs, and I’ll take any excuse to listen to Tim Minchin)
Faith no more! From New Zealand to Canada, religion ``to become extinct’’ in nine countries.
Study Finds Religion May Be Heading for Extinction in Parts of World.
Researchers Predict the End of Religion.
Continue reading "Reports of religion’s death greatly exaggerated" »
Latest 2 of 247 comments
View all comments-
optovipsy says:
ClwmMRKQ Woolrich Outlet Parka ppgcCCDyn http//outletwoolrich0.webs.com/ aedmxbbrqk Longchamp Le Pliage M DXRbRvjic uirecu Gucci Brille BjoQDVMHrdw BixwRKOA Longchamp Le Pliage M zvtzBKMyr IcfoGSZY http://louisvuittonbags0.WebStarts.com adivHUOqz Read more »
-
LougsBenoReog says:
Aw, this was a genuinely nice post. In concept I would like to put in writing like this moreover - taking time and actual effort to make a very very good article?- but what can I say?- I procrastinate alot and by no indicates seem to obtain some thing performed.… Read more »
The floods have caused great devastation and have presented fundamental challenges to our society and lives.
This kind of crisis poses challenges to us on a number of levels – social, physical, emotional and existential.
Tory Shepherd’s article “Digging a hole while trying to find God” outlines the existential challenges provoked by the flood.
Continue reading "A response: Disasters do not negate the existence of God" »
Latest 2 of 606 comments
View all comments-
Chad says:
I feel like this is kind of a silly argument. You’re essentially saying what non religious people already know which is that no super natural element plays a role in our day to day lives and we are confined to the rules of physics and nature. Yet you won’t fully… Read more »
-
oem software online says:
4xrmi2 Great, thanks for sharing this article.Really looking forward to read more. Awesome. Read more »
Church leaders faced with a national disaster are struggling to find relevance and avoid hypocrisy. In the wake of the floods, people with religious convictions face an age-old question:
Where was God?
It’s a classic case of cognitive dissonance, where holding two conflicting thoughts causes the brain to implode. God is good, all-knowing and all-powerful and yet bad stuff happens.
Continue reading "Digging a hole while trying to find God" »
Latest 2 of 361 comments
View all comments-
Stu says:
@ True Believer: “I ‘believe’ you exist, but I do not ‘know’ you exist. I am replying to you on the basis of my belief you are there. There is a difference. :0)” Explains even more. Do you know I’m is responding to you on the Punch, or do you… Read more »
-
True Believer says:
@Stu: “Interesting you think you can respond to someone who does not exist. Explains a lot. “ I ‘believe’ you exist, but I do not ‘know’ you exist. I am replying to you on the basis of my belief you are there. There is a difference. :0) Read more »
When I was young Catholic, I remember being struck by the contrast between two different approaches to spreading the Gospel – that of the conquistador Hernan Cortes, who did so by the sword and cannon, and that of Francis Xavier, who did so by word and example.
In the lives of the saints, Xavier was a hero to me. It appears the Churches in NSW follow in the steps of Cortes when it comes to evangelical ‘realpolitik’. Not for their state the freedom to choose a faith or citizenship tradition.
They will simply not tolerate neutral ethics classes in competition with Christian scripture classes. The Government must ban alternative perspectives and prohibit parental choice.
Continue reading "Intolerant Churches punishing non-believers" »
Latest 2 of 141 comments
View all comments-
Grace says:
Jeanne,Our online cslsaes have become very popular. Not only due to the number of options available, but also because we offer cslsaes from $109 all the way to $3,000 whcih offer different levels of certficates. There truly is something available for anybody looking to enhance their personal or professional development. Read more »
-
Mary says:
Oh good! That makes me feel a bit better about tailkcng the task of getting the classes started up at my son’s school. I’ve volunteered to co-ordinate, need to find someone to teach it, and also deal with any red tape. Read more »
Everyone has the human right to freedom of religion and belief. But often religion and belief can be used as grounds for discrimination and as weapons of division and hate. As a nation, we need to make sure that this does not happen.
Over the next three weeks there are two very different religious conferences being held in Australia. One is the Parliament of the World’s Religions conference in Melbourne, with the theme, ‘Making a world of difference: Hearing each other, Healing the Earth’. The other, this weekend, is the National Conference for all Concerned Christians in Sydney, themed ‘Australia’s Future and Global Jihad’.
Australia is a nation of many religions and beliefs. Some people say we are a Christian nation. More often than not, we are described as a secular nation. But which is true? And why, if at all, does it matter?
Continue reading "Are we really the secular nation we think we are" »
Latest 2 of 55 comments
View all comments-
Sam says:
@Dan, Islam opposes self-examination. It says “if the Quran says it, then that’s what the prophet meant, and if it doesn’t say it then it’s not part of Islam”. Nowhere does Islam encourage interpritation in the context of the day. However, with regards to Judaism, interpritation and contextual understanding is… Read more »
-
Adam says:
Amber, as an atheist and a secuarlist I completely agree with you that Islam is not a religion like Christianity, Hinduism etc. Islam and its followers are the biggest threat to our secularism in the long-term, not Christianity. I think honest and rational opposition to Islam is something that the… Read more »
Facebook Recommendations
Read all about it
Punch live
Up to the minute Twitter chatter
Recent posts
The latest and greatest
The Punch is moving house
Good morning Punchers. After four years of excellent fun and great conversation, this is the final post…
Will Pope Francis have the vision to tackle this?
I have had some close calls, one that involved what looked to me like an AK47 pointed my way, followed…
Advocating risk management is not “victim blaming”
In a world in which there are still people who subscribe to the vile notion that certain victims of sexual…
Nosebleed Section
choice ringside rantings
From: Hasbro, go straight to gaol, do not pass go
Tim says:
They should update other things in the game too. Instead of a get out of jail free card, they should have a Dodgy Lawyer card that not only gets you out of jail straight away but also gives you a fat payout in compensation for daring to arrest you in the first place. Instead of getting a hotel when you… [read more]From: A guide to summer festivals especially if you wouldn’t go
Kel says:
If you want a festival for older people or for families alike, get amongst the respectable punters at Bluesfest. A truly amazing festival experience to be had of ALL AGES. And all the young "festivalgoers" usually write themselves off on the first night, only to never hear from them again the rest of… [read more]Gentle jabs to the ribs
Superman needs saving
Can somebody please save Superman? He seems to be going through a bit of a crisis. Eighteen months ago,… Read more
Latest 2 of 237 comments
View all commentsAdd your comment