Should politicians tell us to pray? PTII?

Question

I first asked about this some10 hours ago, but it seems people didn't understand where I was coming from.

Australia is in the grip of its worst drought in a hundred years.

The prime minister has refused to acknowledge climate change until a few months ago.

Now through poor crop choice & over zealous irrigation, our major river system is drying up and irrigation will stop completely in a few weeks threatening several food crops.

Today, the PM said "We should all pray for rain"

Australia has over 20% non-believers. Telling an atheist they should pray is quite insulting. We're supposed to have seperation of church & state, which such a statement ignores.

Church leaders are free to tell their followers to pray, but the PM is the leader of the WHOLE community, atheists included. Telling us we should pray is like him refusing to acknowledge our stand. I want it to rain to, but I will NOT pray for it

Shouldn't he stick to politics & leave religious issues to the clergy

3 years ago, the PM promised to spend $1 billion on that river system, today less than $10 million has been spent.

Why should we pray to cover up for his mismanagement anyway?

Answer 1

No, they shouldn't. John Howard should stick to politics, but he doesn't really know anything about that so he tries to influence people into voting for him by appealing to things like religion and hoping that'll win him some votes.
He fails to recognise the people that he represents most of the time anyway, so what's new there?
I'm an atheist and i can also understand why you feel insulted, but every word that comes out of his mouth has insulted me since the day he came into government, i've become used to it.
I can't stand the little man and the sooner he is gone, the better our country will be.

Answer 2

Well, I wouldn't think a self-proclaimed atheist would care about their country - it doesn't surprise me one bit. It is also no surprise to me that atheists would rather have a false prophet in office. Australia has serious drought and all 20% of it's own country can think about is trashing out a government leader that suggests prayer....does the questioner realize what a "suggestion" is and that a Government leader who knows there is a God has faith rain will come - atheists have no faith...that is choice and free will. Only those who have the ability to humble themselves before the Lord pray. That suggestion is for those who know of God and believers know that when a government leader is making a serious request like that concerning calls for prayer they do so. Self-proclaimed atheists don't pray so don't pray for your country then and stop trying to control people. That's what I would do if I were a non-believer but that would never happen.

There is such a thing as freedom of speech and especially for those in charge. Separation between church and state simply means people have the right to choose...it doesn't mean "shut up" and don't talk to others who believe or allow others to run your relationship with God.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

You guys have seperation of church and state over there? How far does America's influence reach? As for what your PM said, if you don't like it ignore it. I can think of bigger things to feel insulted about. Small potatoes always get fried first.

Answer 5

Little Lying Johnny is desperate to win the next election. The Liberal party in NSW is run by the Hillsong religious right and LLJ wants to keep them on side. Politicians should not ask people to pray nor should they refer to gods. They are entitled to whatever religion they prefer but have no right to inflict it on the rest of us.

Answer 6

I don't see the problem. I believe in freedom of religion, and the separation of church and state should not trump that. Even if the PM is the leader of the entire nation, he should have the freedom to express his personal opinions as he sees fit. If he made a law demanding that people pray, then he would be violating the separation of church and state.

Answer 7

do a little dance for the rain... it always works. though, I am spoiled... I live in the NW. Apparently people here would love to share it with you, too bad we can't MAKE the clouds visit your country.

Answer 8

Are you a little boy to wait for the orders of your mother or father to do something which you are not doing? Which you are learning to do?

Boy you know how to read and write already and you know how to ask question already. You ought to know everything in life.Do you still wait for somebody to tell you to brush your teeth, take a bath eat your dinner,lunch,breakfast ?Somebody to tell you pray to God?
jtm

Answer 9

atheists should not feel insulted when believers merely affirm their faith.it's the nature of believers to affirm faith.

God loves atheists.

Answer 10

If a politician has a personal faith and he believes it's what people should do, then he is quite right to say it.