RSA Daily

For atheists, rationalists and secular humanists in Australia

Friday, June 9, 2023

Good morning ,

Firsty, many thanks to all who responded to yesterday's call to nominate Australia's worst government [I was a bit overwhelmed with the response, actually]. I'll collate the results over the weekend and publish on Monday. If you haven't yet had a say, here's what I wrote: 

Which federal govt do you think has been Australia's worst? Please send me your vote (president@rationalist.com.au) and I'll publish the results (give reasons): 

1. Scott Morrison
2. Tony Abbott
3. John Howard
4. Kevin Rudd
5. Julia Gillard
6. Other

And also, a huge thank you to those who responded to my request, slyly placed at the end of yesterday's edition, to sign up a friend to RSA Daily. Feeling humbled.

Lead stories

The Esther Foundation was a rehab facility in Perth, established by a Pentecostal Christian believer. It used exorcisms and all-night “pray the gay away” prayer sessions as a form of therapy for women with psychological and emotional problems. Its $4 million federal funding "tells us all we need to know about the degradation of government under his [Morrison's] leadership".

The Catholic church is coming under questioning in the High Court over its legal tactic seeking permanent stays of proceedings due to the passage of time when victims seek compensation. A key case to monitor.

I used to like watching Freddie Sayers of Unherd, but fame - or rather, notoriety - seems to have gone to his head. In this interview, he tries hard to trap Dawkins into admitting that religion is, on balance, a good thing, by setting a series of 'gotcha' questions. Frustrating, but Dawkins is adept at handling these sorts of antagonistic questions. 

Other stories of interest

US: Not All Christians Oppose Abortion

"Most mainline Christian denominations support continued legal access to abortion care and hold that the decision should be made by pregnant people and not the state." Yep, here too.

Australia to ban Nazi symbols in crackdown on 'evil'

AG Mark Dreyfus says, in a restrained understatement, "It’s concerning it’s crept a little bit into the life of our country."

The assessment of students' creative and critical thinking skills in higher education across OECD countries: a review of policies and related practices

For the policy wonks.

Ten Years Later, Snowden's Heroism Shines Ever Brighter

America does produce some simply outstanding patriots and Edward Snowden is among them [IMHO]. Time to remind ourselves of what he exposed about his own govt. 

Got a comment on any of these stories? 

Write to me at president@rationalist.com.au

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