A survey put out by the Australian Democrats

Friends of ours sent this to us. I guess this reflects some of Australia's culture and what things the nation as a whole is struggleing with. The survey is from the Australian Democrats.

God and Government: tell us what you think!
We are interested in your thoughts on what the relationship between religion and government should be. Please take a few moments to answer the questions below.
Remember that there's no right, wrong or ideal response.


1. Currently some churches run commercial businesses as part of their operations. These businesses benefit from the tax breaks that churches are entitled to. Should the commercial businesses run by churches get the same tax breaks as the charitable parts of the church operation?

2. A basic level of religious education (RE) is taught in public schools in Australia. It takes place within school hours under the jurisdiction of the school. Although it is not compulsory most schools have an opt out system, which means that unless parents specifically notify the school that they do not wish their child to be involved then their child will have to attend the RE classes. Should religious education be part of the school curriculum?

3. If yes, should it be compulsory?

4. Should it be opt in or opt out?

5. Should RE be linked to a particular religious faith or should it be more about comparing differing religious beliefs?

6. Should classes in ethics be taught as an alternative to RE?

7. Intelligent design is the idea that the complexity of the universe and living things is best explained as the result of the actions of an intelligent supernatural being, rather than a result of a scientific process such as evolution. Recently politicians have started to argue that this idea should be taught in science classes rather than in religious education. Should intelligent design be taught in schools as an alternative to evolution?

8. If yes, should it be taught in science classes or religious education classes?

9. Currently some public schools in states and territories have publicly funded school chaplains. These chaplains come from a variety of religious backgrounds and provide spiritual support as well as generally play a role in student welfare. Generally they are not required to have any specific qualifications or experience. Should taxpayers money be used to fund school chaplains?


10. Should funding for school chaplains be redirected towards funding for professional counselors?



11. Should school chaplains be subject to minimum educational qualifications regarding youth work?


12. Currently some religious groups/individual that receive government funding refuse to provide some services based on their own religious beliefs, For example, catholic run hospitals will not perform vasectomies or abortions and some chemists will not stock or supply condoms or the contraceptive pill. There are also government funded pregnancy counseling services that will not refer for abortion and do not make this clear in their advertising. Should hospitals that receive government funding be obliged to provide vasectomies?

13. Should hospitals that receive government funding be obliged to provide abortion services?

14. Should pharmacists that receive government funding be obliged to provide contraception?

15. Should pregnancy counseling helplines which receive government money have to refer for abortion if women ask for a referral?

16. Should pregnancy counseling helplines which receive government money and DO NOT refer for abortion have to make this explicit in their advertising?

17.
In which of the following areas do you think government policy has been influenced by religious beliefs

asylum seekers

welfare

drug and alcohol use

sex education

contraception

euthanasia

stem cell research

gay marriage

same sex relationships

adoption

abortion

war

industrial relations



18. Do you think that politicians who have strong religious beliefs should try to use the political system to turn their religious beliefs into law?

19. Do you think that religious leaders/churches/houses of worship should try to influence government decisions on issues?

20. In the last 10 years, do you think that political leaders in Australia have used religion for their own political purposes?

21. Would you be in favour of legal moves to formalize a separation of church and state in Australia?

22. Should pregnancy counseling helplines which receive government money have to discuss all three options for an unplanned pregnancy - adoption, parenting and abortion?