Could we have a bit of respect please?

If I have done my sums correctly then we have had twenty-nine Prime Ministers so far in Downunder. Of these I think perhaps thirteen of them could be called "believers". The others have attended church on occasion but perhaps because they were required to do so. 

One former Prime Minister was openly agnostic. I also have serious doubts about the beliefs of those who probably put something like "lapsed Catholic" or "Baptist" or something else on the census form.  It is much easier to believe one who could put "failed monk" in his resume or another who was filmed on multiple occasions at his "charismatic" church. 

The two leaders of the main political groups vying to form government after this election are nominally "Catholic".  I wonder just how strong the beliefs of one of them is. His comments lead me to believe he is a "Christian of convenience" rather than a committed Christian. There are many people like that.  The other man I cannot comment on. I know very little about his beliefs. All that needs to be said is that attending church is apparently not part of the weekly routine of either man. Whether this is important is something others need to make up their minds about.

What bothers me however is the way all this is portrayed. There are likely to be stories in the media if a Prime Minister or Premier attends a synagogue, a mosque, a temple or a place of worship other than a church. Ramadan, Eid, Passover, Divali all get a lengthy mention. Last week we were informed about Songkran and this was followed by mention of a string of other New Year celebrations in other Asian countries. Maundy Thursday barely rated a mention.

We seem to be going out of our way to talk about the religious beliefs of others.  It is good to know about these things but why do we do it when we do not do the same for Christianity? Most people I know will simply shrug and say it is not important. In doing so they do not recognise (or refuse to recognise) that the laws of this country are based on Christian traditions and values.  Tell them this is why arranged marriages without consent are illegal in this country and they will say "but we would have that anyway". No, we would not. Pakistan has recently ruled that a girl can marry as soon as she has had her first menstrual cycle. Their highest court has ruled that this is what Islamic belief tells them. 

With all the emphasis on other religious traditions and beliefs we are being told to "respect" those traditions and beliefs as well. If traditions and beliefs do not affect me or others and do no harm to me or others then perhaps they are best left alone. I would however question why they are so important that I need to be informed about them in greater detail than others need to be informed about Christianity. I may not be a church goer but our society's laws and values are rooted in Christian values and traditions. I try to abide by the commandment to "love one another" and so do many others I know. Respect for that commandment is surely something that matters to everyone. Respect comes through being informed. We need more information.