By Tim Costello
CEO World Vision Australia
The Punch (News Limited online), 12 August 2010
The power of the Christian right or the so-called ‘moral majority’ has always loomed large over politics in the United States. The impact here in Australia of a Christian voting bloc has generally held much less power and attention.
Yet in recent elections John Howard and Kevin Rudd did speak out publicly about their Christian faith and even attempted to lure the Christian vote. There has not been the same overt pitch for the Christian vote during this campaign. Yet, ironically, it may still have a profound impact on an election that appears to be on a knife edge.
Shortly after taking over the role of Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, declared that she did not have a belief in God. Last week ABC current affairs radio program AM aired a piece that focused on what Christian voters thought about the beliefs on our new Prime Minister.
“Julia Gillard is not a Christian and it’s supposed to be a Christian nation and that’s really concerning for us because we, as Christians, you know, believe that that’s an important value,” one woman, who was interviewed, said. Another said their pastor had spoken from the pulpit encouraging the flock not to vote for an atheist.
Now I am not one who argues that politics should be kept out of the pulpit. Indeed I passionately believe our faith must inspire a politics that gives voice to the poor, the oppressed and the marginalised. Indeed Jesus himself was intensely interested in the politics of his day.
Yet as Christians I think there is a terrible danger in putting ‘professing’ over and above the ‘character’ of polices that our leaders put forward. When you go to your bank manager you are rightly more concerned about his honesty then his faith, likewise if you are having an operation you are more likely to question the surgeons skills and competency rather than his religion.
Likewise, we must examine the policies not just the professions of faith of our leaders. We must ensure their policies aim to benefit all people, but especially the poor; are ‘for life’ not just for acquiring things; and are merciful and compassionate. We should support those who seek to halt the destruction of God’s creation for greed not need.
The importance of promoting policies in Australia that protect the poor and disadvantaged, not just within our borders but in our region of the world and beyond, is why World Vision has promoted policy reforms which we have invited our supporters to use to engage their local candidates.
It is somewhat deflating that to date in this campaign the focus of the major political parties has failed to lift above solely domestic issues. Where there has been a focus beyond our shores is the alarming, if not predictable, contest to prove who can be toughest on asylum seekers.
Some hailed the last election as being marked by the triumph of conviction politics. There appears to be little about this campaign that ignites passion and hope.
Australia has escaped the worst of the global financial crisis, yet many other countries have been hit hard. Many poor communities have been devastated. Australia’s capacity to be a compassionate society and help the world’s poorest has arguably never been greater.
Yet there is some reason for hope. There is bipartisan commitment to increase our level of overseas aid funding to 0.5 per cent of gross national income by 2015. This growth will challenge us to ensure our aid program is made even more effective and then to increase aid to the internationally agreed target of 0.7 of GNI. To ensure this boosted aid funding is used most effectively, it is important that Development is elevated to Cabinet level alongside Defence and Diplomacy (foreign affairs)
World Vision also believes there must be action on climate change – which will devastate the lives of the world’s poorest people, and make many regions unviable to sustain human life. The tide of displaced people seeking a place of refuge is expected to swell.
We must strengthen our domestic ambition and put Australia in a leadership role on the global stage to work with the international community to ensure a fair, ambitious and binding global agreement comes into operation by the end of 2012.
Australia has a strong tradition of giving people ‘a fair go’. In biblical terms if it is akin to treating your neighbour as you would wish to be treated. But this must go beyond a personal morality; it must infuse our society and the policies that our political leaders endorse.
Martin Luther once wrote, I would rather be judged by a wise Turk (Muslim) than a foolish Christian. For our political leaders a mere profession of faith should not be enough to win our vote.
By Tim Costello, CEO World Vision Australia
http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/looking-for-god-on-the-campaign-trail/