AUSTRALIAN COUNCIL FOR THE DEFENCE OF GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS

PRESS RELEASE 361

SECULARISM AND SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE

DOGS members consist of believers from all faiths and none, and this is why they believe in a public education system which is free, secular and universal, free for all whatever their background and guaranteed to give offence to none. This is why they also fight for separation of church and state. Consequently they look forward with interest to the following publication by Max Wallace from the Australian and New Zealand secular Association. (ANZSA)

Realising Secularism: Australia and New Zealand by Max Wallace is to be published in March 2010. It would be helpful if you could add the cover to your websites where possible. Initially, in Australia, the book will sell for $25 with $2.50 postage available in the first instance from ANZSA PO Box 554 Milsons Point NSW 1565. In New Zealand, initially, it will be available from NZARH 64 Symonds St Auckland, also $25.00 with $3 postage.

REALISING SECULARISM

Australia and New Zealand

Edited by Max Wallace

Featuring an Introduction by

Concordat Watch’s Muriel Fraser

REALISING SECULARISM ANZSA

Christianity is declining inexorably in Australia and New Zealand. Despite

this fact both nations are often characterised as ‘Christian nations’. In 2008

conferences were held in Sydney and Wellington to put that claim to the test.

The conferences were organised by the Australia New Zealand Secular

Association, the New Zealand Association of Rationalists and Humanists and

the New Zealand Humanist Society. This book is a collection of papers from

those conferences with some appropriate additions.

Secularism is government dramatically enhanced by true separation of church

and state: constitutionally, financially and symbolically. Hence the removal of

the Union Jack with its Christian crosses from the flags on the front cover of

this book.

Secular republican governments are not beholden to any belief. They are more

likely to achieve better outcomes for all regardless of class, race, gender,

sexuality and belief.

As matters stand, our constitutional monarchies sell our nations short to

favour the privileged few whose members usually overlap with religious elites.

This book is a new attempt to see Australia and New Zealand through secular

eyes.

Ken Perrott

DEFEND PUBLIC EDUCATION AND STOP STATE AID TO PRIVATE RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS.

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