RSA Daily

For atheists, rationalists and secular humanists in Australia

Sunday, April 16, 2023

Good morning ,

Welcome to RSA Daily on a new platform. I hope you experience this as a relatively smooth transition but if you have any comments, drop me a note to president@rationalist.com.au

Back in the 1980s, when I worked in Ford Australia's Government Affairs office, I instituted a brief newsletter for management. Among other things, we summarised what was going on in Australia's economy in simple, non-technical language, and we got terrific feedback. In our lead article, similarly writing in lay language, explains why Australia's mining industry is the cause of our 'secular stagnation'.

Then, last week the Presbyterian church nailed their colours to the wall over the Australian Law Reform Commission's suggested changes to the Sex Discrimination Act. These changes would remove the current ability of church schools to discriminate against gay kids and teachers. Letter-writers are not impressed.

This is the first RSA Daily on a new platform, so please bear with me as I sort out how best to use it. But one of the advantages is that I can include videos directly in the bulletin rather than asking you to "Click on the Read Paper button" to view a video. This morning, a great short summary of what 'Freedom of Religion or Belief' actually means in international law. Suffice to say, not what the Presbyterian church and others would like to think.  

Lead stories

Conservatives like to claim their side of politics will always manage the economy better than progressives. But economics journalist Ross Gittins, reporting on a new analysis by former head of treasury, Ken Henry, begs to differ. It's the mining industry, stupid.

In response to an article last week (see below) about the Presbyterian church's stance on religious schools being able to discriminate against gay students, letter-writers are not impressed: "discriminatory, unacceptable and disgraceful" and if "the church feels so strongly about this issue .. it will be prepared to forgo receiving taxpayer money to fund its operations".

Adults 'embracing their inner child' is a problem, for goodness sake! Another silly 'story' from silly Radio National, lazily reporting on an issue that mainly affects Americans. 

The first of 9 short films from the Freedom of Religion or Belief Learning Platform. A reminder that often people think that Freedom of Religion or Belief protects all religions but actually it doesn't.

Other stories of interest

Gay and sexually active students can't offer 'Christian leadership', says Presbyterian church

Read the article that set off all those letters to the editor above.

Unequal? Our analysis suggests Australia is a more equal society than has been thought

... when you take into account benefits, all profits and all taxes.

Why everyday decisions feel so stressful - and what to do about it

What to do about the stress of having to make decision? A: reduce the number of choices you have to make!

New Nasa director swears oath on Carl Sagan's book instead of Bible

The first woman in Nasa’s history to be appointed the director of Goddard Space Flight Center took her oath on a copy of Carl Sagan’s 1994 book Pale Blue Dot instead of the Bible.

Got a comment on any of these stories? Write to me at president@rationalist.com.au

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