Should A Religious View of History Disqualify Potential Political Leaders?
Important issues related to Australia’s system of government were raised when it was suggested that Mr Peter Costello’s 2009 Australia Day address to an evangelical Christian group proved that he was unable to separate church and state and was thus unsuitable for political leadership (Fitzgerald R., “Costello’s hopes should have burned out after sermon”, The Australian, 23/2/09). Mr Costello’s address had suggested that a biblical heritage was central to the development of Australia and the foundation of its society, and that the (Judeo-Christian) scriptures and Ten Commandments had been the basis of peaceful tolerance of each other and of order. Ross Fitzgerald’s criticism appeared suspect, as it surely is simply a fact that the Christ-ian approach to interpersonal morality (ie based in individual consciences responsible to God) provided the basis for tolerance and order for many hundreds of years in Australia and in British society whose traditions and institutions Australia inherite
