Promoting science, reason & critical thinking with a rational A-theist perspective to advance the secular political agenda

Radio Interview ABC Adelaide – Pious Pollies vs Public Policy 24.5.16

Interview with Peter Goers – ABC 891 Adelaide.  20 minutes, No mp3 audio available: Breaking the TABOO of discussing “religion in politics”.  Why voters and the media need to question MPs, Senators and new candidates (especially at election time) about how the extent of their religious beliefs impact on the full raft of social policy. […]

Media Release: 23.5.16 – Pious Pollies vs Public Policy

“Social policy has become more religiously-politicised, with a stark imbalance between the public majority — who are now religion-neutral — and politicians of faith,” says Plain Reason director, Brian Morris. “It’s been most evident with their verbal attacks on the Safe Schools Program, gay marriage and the issue of abortion — but the unspoken truth […]

Opinion: New Matilda 13.5.16 . . . Religion’s role in “the Politics of Envy”

Religion’s Role in the “Politics of Envy” New Matilda:  published 13.5.16 With all the viciousness of a budgetary wet lettuce thwacking across sun-tanned wrists, Treasurer Scott Morrison has dealt a flaccid blow to billionaires and banks as fallout from the Panama Papers starts to bite. As offshore tax havens flourish our former Goldman Sachs banker […]

Daily Telegraph: 64% want Religion Taxed – 9.5.16

The Daily Telegraph – published 9.5.16 “It’s time for the churches to start paying tax”   News Corp published the full 1,000-word opinion piece.  Link here:   Plain Reason:  Promoting science, reason and critical thinking.

Australian Independent Media Network: 64% want Religion Taxed – 6.5.16

Published:  Australian Independent Media:  6.5.16. Why the public want religion to be taxed How the Budget ultimately plays out may not be known until election night.  Does the electorate believe Scott Morrison has pulled all the essential levers — and will Malcolm Turnbull finally scramble free of Tony Abbott’s shadow? Turnbull had swept many budget […]

Media Release: 64% want Religion to be Taxed: 26.4.16

Tax Religion? — “Yes” say 64% of the public: “As a revenue-starved budget looms next Tuesday only 7% of Australians think religion should be tax-free — costing Treasurer Scott Morrison over $20 billion a year,” says Brian Morris, Director of Plain Reason. “Even the Parliamentary Budget Office says there’d be an annual saving of $500 […]

Media Release: written for AFA — It’s Time to Tax Religion:

Pre-Budget release written for the Atheist Foundation on 22.4.16, prior to their new freelance journalist commencing in May.  AFA’s “edited” version is attached below. Tax-free religion opposed by ‘secular’ majority Scott Morrison will hand down the budget on 3rd May with one glaring omission that “clearly offends Australia’s new silent majority,” says president of the […]

Opinion: Aust. Independent Media 18.4.16 – Capital and Calvinism

Billionaires, Banks, Bureaucrats and the Bible: Published 18.4.16:  Australian Independent Media Why is it that with each new financial scandal that breaks there’s invariably a grubby link between corporate greed, weak politicians and acquiescent religions? The Panama Papers exposé has yet to play out, with 800 wealthy Australians being investigated by the Australian Taxation Office […]

Letter published 13.4.16 — All Christian Churches Silent on Greed

Published in The Adelaide Advertiser Wednesday 13.4.16.  2nd last letter. Reminding people that religions pay no tax and Calvinism is the origin of capitalism. Dear Letters Editor, Off-shore tax havens and bank skulduggery are creating more public ire. Money has always been the great ‘lubricant’ — oiling the wheels of big business or greasing palms […]

Letter published 30.3.16 — No Divine Jesus

Published in The Advertiser on 30.3.16 Responding to a flood of Christian letters on the “Meaning of Easter”. Dear Letters Editor, It’s amazing how Christian ‘faith’ can diminish the power of ‘reason’ in otherwise intelligent people (Letters, The Advertiser, 29/3/16). How many of these letter writers have ever had the courage to seriously challenge their […]

Opinion: Wealth abuse, taxation and religion – published 8.3.16

Published in New Matilda on 8.3.16   . . . plus good graphics! Published in Australian Independent Media Network on 9.3.16 Published in On Line Opinion on 10.3.16 For three long years the Royal Commission into Child Sexual Abuse heard tragic testimony from thousands of victims of abuse perpetrated by prestigious religious institutions. And there seems […]

Herald Sun: MPs, Religion and Government.

Heavily edited Herald Sun article on the IPSOS poll and a previous media release that it’s time for MPs to declare their religion — as it impacts on social policy. Push for MPs to register religious beliefs.  1.2.16 A poll found 78 per cent of Australians don’t want religion dictating social policy, Plain Reason says. MPs […]

Opinion: New poll on religion and the Constitution. 1.2.16

Published:  The Australian Independent Media Network.  AIM Published:  On Line Opinion. New poll on Religion and the Constitution:  see full IPSOS data. Changes to the Australian constitution are infrequent. One amendment that many would like to see concerns the head of state, and Australia becoming a republic. But perhaps there’s a more immediate issue that […]