Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because, if there be one,
he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear.
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), U.S. president. Letter, 10 Aug. 1787.

Who are you?

We are a group of Australians who want to preserve our country’s traditions of a fair go for all, tolerance of diverse lifestyles, and respect for others. However, we are concerned that the bigotry and intolerance promoted by certain fundamentalist religious groups may become influential if their views go unchallenged.

Who are the Religious Right in Australia?

Mainly Christian fundamentalist groups. They are found in all religious denominations, but the more strident groups are usually associated with conservative evangelical Protestant faiths. They are self-appointed organisations that claim to represent “Christian biblical values”. Their views are hardly new. The so-called holy wars of religion and the Inquisition were based on the idea that either you believed in the True Religion or you were deserving of death.

Why are you opposed to the Religious Right?

Australia is a secular country. Although it may have had a predominantly Christian background, those who declare themselves to be nominally Christian now number only 65% of the population. Active churchgoers comprise only about 7-13% according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, of which fundamentalists represent only a small proportion. Yet the Religious Right attempts to impose its strict moral agenda upon the entire population through political lobbying. Their key issues are mainly moral questions on which there is no agreement even amongst practising Christians. We believe that such matters should be left to individual conscience, not enshrined in law.

Are you anti-religion?

No. We respect the right of anyone to follow the religious belief of their choosing. However, when the exercise of that right tramples on other basic human rights it is necessary to protest strongly.

What are your own religious beliefs?

Most of us were brought up as Christians. However, we have generally abandoned Christian dogma as childish and defying reason. We do not accept that the supposedly Christian precept of “love thy neighbor” can only be sustained through fear of godly vengeance. Our viewpoint would best be described as humanist rather than atheist or agnostic.

Aren’t you guilty of religious intolerance yourselves?

The Religious Right lobbies for legislative backing for their world view, which includes active discrimination against others. In contrast, we are not calling for any religion to be banned, or for discrimination against believers. People have every right to practice whatever belief system suits them, but they have no right to impose their beliefs on others.

Why unbelief.org?

In one context it conveys our sense of disbelief that the Christian message could be so distorted by supposed believers. Another meaning is that we question whether religious belief is an appropriate basis for social policy and we promote unbelief as the only basis on which to build a civil society.

Doesn’t your very existence give credibility to the Religious Right?

We consider that these groups destroy their own credibility by their own words and actions. By publicising their activities we aim to educate and inform the wider population. At present the Religious Right groups in Australia are somewhat marginalised compared with the mainstream religious denominations. However, there is a danger that if their outrageous views are not countered, apathy could allow them to progress their agenda and begin to influence political decisions. Lessons should be learned from the USA where the Religious Right has infiltrated mainstream politics to a much greater extent than in Australia. The price of liberty is indeed eternal vigilance.

Do you give the Religious Right any credit at all for their work?

There are obviously many examples where religious groups have produced benefits for society. However, the Religious Right largely has only intolerance and bigotry to offer. While they are doubtless sincere in their beliefs, they are seriously misguided.