http://home.vicnet.net.au/~secular/conference2008.htm

Australian National Secular Association
Conference: Wednesday 9th July 2008  9am-5pm
The Secular Twins: Australia and New Zealand's Secular Hertage and Its Future
NSW Parliamentary Theatrette, SW Parliament, Macquarie St Sydney.

Speakers include:

Jane Caro  is the author, together with Chris Bonnor, of The Stupid Country, NSW Press, 2007. Her soon to be released book (co-written with Catherine ox) is The F Word: How we learned to wear by feminism NSW Press, 2008. Jane is widely published commentator and convenor of the public education lobby group, Priority Public.

Bill Cooke is a New Zealand academic. He was a Visiting Assistant Professor of Philosophy of the University at Buffalo (2003-2006). He is Senior Editor of Free Inquiry, the bi-monthly magazine of the Council for Secular Humanism. His books include Heathen in the Godzone: Seventy Years of Rationalism in New Zealand, 1998; A Rebel to His Last Breath: Joseph McCabe and Rationalism 2001, and A Dictionary of Atheism, Skepticism and Humanism, 2005.

Jim Dakin  was a Professor of Continuing Education at Victoria University, Wellington. He made a significant contribution to the secular cause in New Zealand. His books include The Secular Trend in New Zealand.

Helen Irving is Associate Professor of Law at he University of Sydney. In 2006 she was Visiting Professor at Harvard Law School where she held he Harvard Chair of Australian Studies. She is the author of many works in constitutional law including Five Things to Know About the Australian Constitution, Cambridge University ress, 2004.

John Kaye is a member of the Legislative Council of NSW representing the Greens. John has spoken frequently on public education.

Lee Rhiannon is the Leader of he Greens in the NSW Legislative Council.

Max Wallace is the Director of the Australian National Secular Association. His book, the Purple Economy: Supernatural Charities, Tax and the State was published in December 2007.

Conference Dinner: Athenenia Restaurant, Barrack St, Sydney, from 7:30
Equiries: secularansa@gmail.com

This story almost sounds unbelievable in today’s age. The Sydney Morning Herald has reported that a so called charity called "Mercy Ministries" which has strong connections to the Hillsong Church tries to "cure" women suffering from depression and other mental health problems with prayer and exorcism.

How does this relate to Gloria Jeans? Well Gloria Jeans is the major supporter of Mercy Ministries, and while a number of companies have withdrawn support in response to these accusations, Gloria Jeans is sticking with Mercy Ministries. This is what they say about the organisation on their website;

Gloria Jean’s Coffees is a proud supporter of Mercy Ministries Australia, providers of a structured live-in program for young women 16 to 28 years dealing with eating disorders, unplanned pregnancy and other life controlling issues. Mercy Ministries Australia provides training in independent living skills, self-esteem, nutrition and relationship counselling to assist young women in their transition back into the community.

The Herald Sun has reported that the Rudd Government is going to "secularise" the Howard Governments $90 million policy of funding chaplains in schools.
This is obviously great news, and welcomed, although it’s important to look at the details. The government is going to continue with the policy for the next 2 years, but is reviewing it, so haven’t made firm commitments to change it at all. Despite Julia Gillard’s office claiming that the policy will "secularised," that just means that schools will be able to use the grant money to employ any "appropriate" person, so it will still be used to fund religious "guidance" in public schools.

Instead, why don’t we see adequate funding for qualified school counsellors. A person with a good knowledge of religious books is not an "appropriate person" to be helping students with counselling, a qualified counsellor is. It’s not a secular policy to pay for people with no qualifications apart from religious knowledge to replace school counsellors. This is a step in the right direction, but only a small one, and a lot more could be done.

The Secular Party of Australia
P.O. Box 6004
Melbourne, Vic. 8008
http://www.secular.org.au

MEDIA RELEASE

IRRATIONAL BELIEF RESULTS IN CRIMINAL ACTS

Abu Bakar Bashir’s latest comments are an example of superstitious belief with blatant disregard for reason, rationality and universal humanist values.

"People should be free to practise their belief system of choice, without coercion, but only when they coincide with universally accepted values and ethics," John Perkins, president of the Secular Party of Australia said.

"Promotion of universal values that transcend religions and cultures is the only way to cultivate a harmonious society.

"Equality, freedom, tolerance, respect for self determination – these are all universal traits that result in a rewarding life and fair society."

The latest comments from Abu Bakar Bashir advise violent repercussions to tourists who hold different beliefs to him.

"This is an exhibition of values that are in direct opposition to those we advocate. This is an example of irrational belief functioning as the catalyst for heinous behaviour."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact: John Perkins – President

Email: jperkins@secular.org.au

Phone: 0411 143744