Here is something that should be of particular concern to the Aussies around here.
I never thought it would ever be a big issue in Australia, but I came across this today and it has left me feeling decidedly uncomfortable.
It seems certain politicians are showing support for the Hillsong Church. I don't know a lot about them, but they certainly seem to have fundamentalist leanings. It seems the dude running the show, Brian Houston, is something of a creationist. They are currently having their annual conference, which has been attended by a number of politicians, including the Federal Treasurer Peter Costello. He was interviewed on Lateline last night (A late night current affairs show on the ABC, which is basically our equivalent of PBS) about it. Here is the part that caught my attention:
TONY JONES: Now, Brian Houston's belief - and Hillsong is his church - he says he's fundamentalist on this issue - he doesn't believe in evolution. In other words, he believes that Darwin got it wrong and that God created the world in six days, etc, etc. I mean, doesn't it worry you when someone like that has sway over a lot of impressionable minds?
PETER COSTELLO: Well, you know, I think young people make up their views themselves, to be frank. People get information from all sources. It might be from watching television, it might be from listening to the radio, it might be from reading the media, and it might be from going to church, and actually I think sometimes the church will be a balance to all of those other sources of information. At the end of the day, they'll make up their own minds. I don't think it's fair to say, just because they go to a particular church, that they can't think for themselves. In fact, I'd encourage them to think for themselves. I think it's a big part of exploring and learning your way towards faith.
TONY JONES: I take it you do believe in evolution, then?
PETER COSTELLO: Oh, yes. Look, you know, you shouldn't overstate the influence that kids are under. I think they're under a whole powerload of bad influences, frankly, that come through the media, through some forms of rap music, and actually, a bit of counterbalancing the other way may actually even the playing field a bit.
TONY JONES: A bit of creationism can't hurt; is that what you're saying?
PETER COSTELLO: Well, look, they'll make up their own minds. I think that they'll principally get their views on biology from their teachers at school, and they'll principally get their views on faith from their pastors, and the fact that different people have different views, I don't see as a dangerous thing. In an open society where kids are encouraged to question and learn, hearing different views doesn't do them too much damage.
If interested, the rest of the transcript can be read at
Treasurer Peter Costello speaks after adressing the Hillsong Church - Lateline
It seems this Government doesn't care much about science. or at least, it doesn't care much if Australian kids grow up rejecting it in favour of mythology.
For more info on the church, see
Hillsong Church - Welcome Home | Church
They seem to have a decent amount of money and influence. Could this herald a growth in creationism here in Oz? It certainly wouldn't happen overnight, but could it happen?
With the growth of the Family First party in the last election, and with John Howard looking more and more like Dubya's lapdog, I have to admit I'm a little concerned.
Any thoughts on this? Aussies? Anyone?
Admins: not sure where this would belong, Miscellaneous Topics perhaps?