About the theme:
With seventy percent of Australians supporting a move to a republic, and avowed republicans leading both major political parties, it is timely to consider what values might inform a new national understanding.

Guillotining God? Religion in the future republic
Should a secular state exempt churches from anti-discrimination law, financially support religious schools, close art exhibitions, or suppress cartoons, in defence of religious sensibilities?

Compared to many countries, Australia has invested little energy in public debate about the place of religion in a secular society. In some, such as USA and France, protecting religious freedom means rigorously policing the boundary between church and state. But that approach raises problems of its own. We should think twice about sending God to the scaffold.

To maintain an inclusive social fabric, we need to think hard about what religious freedom is, what it entails, and how best to protect it.

Main Speaker:
Associate Professor Marion Maddox (Macquarie University, Centre for Social inclusion)
Download audio ( mp3 17 Mb )

........

Panel member:
Rev Dr Andrew Dutney (Associate Professor, Flinders University School of Theology)
Download audio ( mp3 3 Mb )

........

Panel member:
Professor Rick Sarre (University of South Australia, School of Law and Criminology)
Download audio ( mp3 5 Mb )

........

Chairperson:
Dr Marelle Harisun (Pilgrim Uniting Church)

.... to the second night -->