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Rationalist Society of Australia @ausrationalist.bsky.social · 10h

Facing questions in the Senate last week, govt minister Don Farrell pledged to ask PM Anthony Albanese whether he still wanted bipartisan support before tackling the issue of discrimination against staff and students in faith schools. Follow our campaign: rationalist.com.au/campaigns/re...
#auspol

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Rationalist Society of Australia @ausrationalist.bsky.social · 18h

The Guardian reports that the sister of Victorian Liberal MP Renee Heath has, at an inquiry into cults and organised fringe groups, described their father’s church as a “cult” and said so-called “gay conversion” practices may still be occurring in the state.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Liberal MP’s sister says father’s church is a ‘cult’ where ‘gay conversion’ practices may still be happening

City Builders pastor’s daughter tells Victorian parliamentary inquiry into cults of ‘grave concerns’ about church

www.theguardian.com

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Rationalist Society of Australia @ausrationalist.bsky.social · 1d

In a letter to us, the Australian Bureau of Statistics has rejected concerns that the continued use of a coercive and biased religion question in the Census is discriminatory and breaches the country’s international human rights commitments. Read more: rationalist.com.au/abs-chief-re...
#auspol

ABS chief rejects claim Census religion question is discriminatory for assuming every Australian has a religion | Rationalist Society of Australia

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has rejected concerns that the continued use of a coercive and biased religion question in the Census is discriminatory and breaches the country’s internation...

rationalist.com.au

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Rationalist Society of Australia @ausrationalist.bsky.social · 3d

In the #Rationale magazine, cartoonist Matt Bissett-Johnson gives his take on what’s happening in current affairs. Check out his other recent cartoons here: rationalemagazine.com/index.php/au...
@mbjcartoonist.bsky.social
#auspol

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Rationalist Society of Australia @ausrationalist.bsky.social · 4d

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Milton Dick, has deflected questions about the human rights implications of the institution’s practice of imposing daily acts of Christian worship. Read more: rationalist.com.au/speaker-dick...
#auspol

Speaker Dick deflects questions over human rights concerns | Rationalist Society of Australia

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Milton Dick, has deflected questions about the human rights implications of the institution’s practice of imposing daily acts of Christian worship. In a le...

rationalist.com.au

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Rationalist Society of Australia @ausrationalist.bsky.social · 5d

“Those who see the ‘decolonisation’ and ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’ (DEI) movements as desirable correctives to the status quo will find his arguments confronting.” In Rationale magazine, Paul Monk reviews Frank Furedi’s book, ‘The War Against the Past’.
rationalemagazine.com/index.php/20...

Inquiry versus polemic in grappling with history and language - Rationale Magazine

Suppose you were in an English language class and your teacher or professor insisted that the use of language in all old books, going back to Anglo-Saxon poetry, had to be changed because outdated usa...

rationalemagazine.com

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Rationalist Society of Australia @ausrationalist.bsky.social · 7d

The Albanese government says it “continues to consider” the recommendations of an independent research and advisory body regarding reforms to the charities sector, including to religious charities, almost a year and a half since receiving them. Read more: rationalist.com.au/government-s...
#auspol

Government still “considering” recommendations regarding charities sector, says Treasurer | Rationalist Society of Australia

The Albanese government says it “continues to consider” the recommendations of an independent research and advisory body regarding reforms to the charities sector, including to religious charities, al...

rationalist.com.au

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Rationalist Society of Australia @ausrationalist.bsky.social · 8d

ABC reports that the Australian affiliate of late right-wing activist Charlie Kirk's Turning Point USA is moving into South Australia ahead of next year's state election. But some politicians say the group is "out of step with mainstream values".
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
#SApol #auspol

Turning Point Australia moves into SA, ahead of state election

The Australian affiliate of late right-wing activist Charlie Kirk's Turning Point USA is moving into South Australia ahead of next year's state election, but some politicians say the group is "out of ...

www.abc.net.au

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Rationalist Society of Australia @ausrationalist.bsky.social · 11d

🎧Liberal MP Andrew Hastie – who has previously refused to answer media questions about his religious beliefs – told a church podcast last year that the world “does have intelligent design” and that Genesis answers “big questions” about our origins. More: rationalemagazine.com/index.php/20...
#auspol

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Rationalist Society of Australia @ausrationalist.bsky.social · 12d

In #Rationale magazine, Si Gladman reports on Liberal MP Andrew Hastie’s comments to a church podcast that he believes Genesis “answers a few of the big questions upfront”, including on origins.
rationalemagazine.com/index.php/20...
#auspol @sigladman.bsky.social

The world “does have intelligent design”, says Andrew Hastie - Rationale Magazine

Ten years ago, during his first political campaign, Andrew Hastie refused to answer media questions about his religious views and whether he shared his father’s beliefs in the Christian creationist my...

rationalemagazine.com

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Rationalist Society of Australia @ausrationalist.bsky.social · 14d

A state education department that regurgitates the propaganda line that independent and faith schools provide “values education”, while not mentioning the values of public education, says it aims to provide “impartial information”. Read more: rationalist.com.au/wa-education...
#WApol #auspol

WA education department “considering” RSA’s feedback over use of “values education” propaganda line | Rationalist Society of Australia

A state education department that regurgitates the propaganda line that independent and faith schools provide “values education”, while not mentioning the values of public education, says it aims to p...

rationalist.com.au

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Rationalist Society of Australia @ausrationalist.bsky.social · 15d

“Against this backdrop of uncertainty, anger, and disillusionment, a simple story has taken hold: it’s all the fault of immigrants.” In #Rationale, Alan Gamlen writes on the emerging anti-immigration movements and the challenge they pose to liberal democracies.
rationalemagazine.com/index.php/20...

Why immigration has become the scapegoat for our age of crisis - Rationale Magazine

We are living through an age of disruption. The post-war consensus that liberal democracy, free markets, and open societies were the “only game in town” has been steadily eroded by crisis after crisis...

rationalemagazine.com

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Rationalist Society of Australia @ausrationalist.bsky.social · 17d

A WA-based Christian school that receives millions of dollars in taxpayers’ money says it gives its science students “different perspectives”, including the creationist perspective, in relation to human evolution. Read more: rationalist.com.au/christian-sc...
#WApol #auspol

Christian school teaching creationism myth as part of science classes | Rationalist Society of Australia

A Christian school that receives millions of dollars in taxpayers’ money says it gives its science students “different perspectives”, including the creationist perspective, in relation to human evolut...

rationalist.com.au

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Rationalist Society of Australia @ausrationalist.bsky.social · 21d

“...three cultural moments have just combined into a significant cultural flashpoint.” In #Rationale magazine, Clare Heath-McIvor writes on the growing threats of Christian nationalism and far-right extremism in Australia.
rationalemagazine.com/index.php/20...
#auspol @clareheathmcivor.bsky.social

Christian extremism: An American ideological contagion in the Australian context - Rationale Magazine

Up until 26 August 2025, white Christian nationalism may have remained an abstract concept – something that happens in America, but not here. But within days of Dezi Freeman (allegedly) turning his gu...

rationalemagazine.com

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Rationalist Society of Australia @ausrationalist.bsky.social · 22d

We have questioned the WA govt over why its education department's website features the propaganda line that independent and religious schools teach “values education” while not mentioning the public system’s superior secular values. More: rationalist.com.au/rsa-question...
#WApol

RSA questions WA government over department’s use of “values education” propaganda line | Rationalist Society of Australia

The Rationalist Society of Australia has questioned the West Australian government over why its education department's website features the propaganda line that independent and religious schools teach...

rationalist.com.au

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Rationalist Society of Australia @ausrationalist.bsky.social · 24d

“A modern-day political inquisition is unfolding in ‘digital town squares’ across the United States.” In Rationale magazine, Shannon Brincat and colleagues write on how the surge in far-right ‘cancel culture’ in the US has echoes of the McCarthy era.
rationalemagazine.com/index.php/20...

Political witch hunts and blacklists: The new era of McCarthyism - Rationale Magazine

A modern-day political inquisition is unfolding in 'digital town squares' across the United States. The slain far-right activist Charlie Kirk has become a focal point for a coordinated campaign of sil...

rationalemagazine.com

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Rationalist Society of Australia @ausrationalist.bsky.social · 26d

These are just some of the experiences of psychological harm, personal restrictions and recruitment tactics shared with the Victorian parliamentary committee examining cults and high‑control groups. Read more on the committee’s website: www.parliament.vic.gov.au/cofg-questio...
#SpringSt

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Rationalist Society of Australia @ausrationalist.bsky.social · 27d

“Like much of Blainey’s work, this is what might be called a ‘quiet classic’. It reasons closely and communicates gently and wisely.” In #Rationale, Paul Monk reviews historian Geoffrey Blainey’s revised and recently republished book, ‘The Causes of War’.
rationalemagazine.com/index.php/20...

Blainey’s ‘quiet classic’ on war and peace - Rationale Magazine

Geoffrey Blainey is 95 – a venerable age. He remains lucid and productive even so – rather like David Attenborough, who, at 99, has just released and featured in his latest nature documentary, Ocean. ...

rationalemagazine.com

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Rationalist Society of Australia @ausrationalist.bsky.social · 28d

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says one thing about the principle of separation of church and state but his government is doing another thing when it comes to imposing daily acts of Christian worship in the federal parliament. More: rationalist.com.au/albanese-gov...
#auspol @albomp.bsky.social

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Rationalist Society of Australia @ausrationalist.bsky.social · 29d

The Albanese govt is facing questioning from Senator @davidshoebridge.bsky.social on why it is yet to respond to Productivity Commission recommendations for reforms to the charities sector, including religious charities, 16 months after receiving them: rationalist.com.au/shoebridge-q...
#auspol

Shoebridge questions government over delay in responding to proposed charities reforms | Rationalist Society of Australia

The Albanese government is facing questioning on why it is yet to respond to recommendations for reforms to the charities sector, including to religious charities, about 16 months after receiving them...

rationalist.com.au

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Rationalist Society of Australia @ausrationalist.bsky.social · Sep 15

“If science is to maintain its credibility, we urgently need to incentivise meaningful peer review.” In #Rationale magazine, David Comerford writes on how AI might fuel 'resmearch – bullshit science in the service of corporate interests.
rationalemagazine.com/index.php/20...

We risk a deluge of AI-written ‘science’ pushing corporate interests - Rationale Magazine

Back in the 2000s, the American pharmaceutical firm Wyeth was sued by thousands of women who had developed breast cancer after taking its hormone replacement drugs. Court filings revealed the role of ...

rationalemagazine.com

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Rationalist Society of Australia @ausrationalist.bsky.social · Sep 14

In the #Rationale magazine, cartoonist Matt Bissett-Johnson gives his take on what’s happening in current affairs. Check out his other recent cartoons here: rationalemagazine.com/index.php/au...
@mbjcartoonist.bsky.social

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Rationalist Society of Australia @ausrationalist.bsky.social · Sep 13

The ABC reports that, within months of leaving parliament, former health minister Greg Hunt started working for a Plymouth Brethren-linked company whose owners won $135 million in government contracts for COVID supplies. Read more: www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...
#auspol

Former minister working for three companies linked to controversial religious group

The Sydney-based church has been described by former members and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as a "cult".

www.abc.net.au

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Rationalist Society of Australia @ausrationalist.bsky.social · Sep 12

The ABC reports that Aftab Mailk, the Special Envoy for Islamophobia, has, in a newly released report, called for a renewed push to outlaw religious discrimination and for a review of counter-terrorism laws. Read more:
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...
#auspol

Try again on religious discrimination laws, says Islamophobia envoy

In a landmark report, newly-appointed Aftab Malik also calls for counter-terrorism laws and approaches to be reviewed, and for national inquiries into Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism.

www.abc.net.au

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Rationalist Society of Australia @ausrationalist.bsky.social · Sep 11

The Albanese govt has rejected a request for it to remove daily acts of Christian worship from the national parliament, telling the Rationalist Society of Australia it did “not propose to seek a change to existing arrangements”. More:
rationalist.com.au/albanese-gov...
#auspol @albomp.bsky.social

Albanese government not budging on Christian prayers in parliament | Rationalist Society of Australia

The Albanese government has rejected a request for it to remove daily acts of Christian worship from the houses of the national parliament. In a letter to the Rationalist Society of Australia this wee...

rationalist.com.au

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