Saying the Lord's Prayer

at the start of each parliamentary day is a tradition which goes back over a century...to almost the first days of the federal parliament in this country.

At the time the vast majority of members, possibly all, would have been church going Christians. It was something that was accepted as right and proper.

Our society has changed since then but, rather than lessen the need for that prayer, I believe it has increased the need for it. It needs to be there.

I say that as someone who does not go to church but who believes in the basic principles of Christianity - most of all that of unconditional love for others even when I hate what they do or say.

The new President of the Senate in our federal parliament wants to do away with the prayer because she is an atheist.  Note that this is what she wants. It has not been brought up for discussion and there has not been a vote on the matter. It is her personal opinion.

Now not all Senators are Christians or even believers in something else but I am aware that even some of those who are not find that small ritual important. I have discussed this with more than one Senator over the years. Two of them, on opposite sides of the political divide, told me that the saying of the Lord's Prayer was an important part of the day for many of them.

For them it was not a matter of belief as much as a matter of reflection. It was the moment in the day when they ceased to think about the problems and the moment when they caught their breath and prepared their minds for the day ahead.

Parliament is not a spiritual place and it is all the more important to have that brief reminder of why people are really there - that they are there to care about other people, their constituents, the wider community and the country as a whole. It is all too easy to lose sight of that when shouting across the chamber at another member or objecting to something in debate.

The present President took on the role knowing what was expected of her. If she feels uncomfortable about leading the Senate in this then she can ask for changes to be made so  for someone else to do it. (The present standing orders state the President "shall" do it.) Like those other Senators who are not Christians she can use the time to reflect on the reason she was elected to the Senate and what her responsibilities are. Some of those who are not Christians may be Jewish or Muslim, Buddhist or of some other faith. They are also asked by those who elected them to use that time in reflection.

The Senate also uses what is known in this country as an "acknowledgment" - a statement "recognising the traditional owners of the land" on which the building sits. It refers to a specific tribal group and is seen by some tribal groups as inclusive but others as exclusive. Refusing to recognise the acknowledgment is generally regarded as "racist". 

There is however a difference between the Lord's Prayer and the acknowledgment. If you look at what the Lord's Prayer is saying it is talking about inclusion not exclusion and asking us to love not hate. It's actually a very powerful set of ideas and a tough ask for everyone whatever their faith or lack of it. 

I suggest the President of the Senate needs to face up to that...and her responsibilities.