Church and State: Politicians and Religious folk speak out

Or rather, it's the annual New College Lectures. The grab from the website:

"The 19th annual New College Lectures ... topic was Church & State: exploring views on the relevance of faith to politics. New College had three lecturers who shared much on this important topic: Mr John Anderson, MP, Mr Kevin Rudd, MP and Dr Andrew Cameron (Moore College) .

There has been much discussion in recent times concerning the role that the Church does and might play in relation to the State. The issue raises many questions:

• Should the Church involve itself in government or attempt to influence government policy?
  
• How should people of faith conduct themselves if elected to government?
  
• What part might their faith play in their actions?
  
• Should the role of the Church be restricted to merely commenting on values, moral issues and the like?
  
• If the latter is preferable what might constitute moral issues?
  
• Do 'moral' issues cover matters such as justice for the poor?
  
• Alternatively, are we a secular State, where religion and church have no relevance and should be kept at arms length? "

Download the PDF's:

Separating Australia: Church, State and recent Aussie thought
Transcript of the first New College Lecture given by Rev Dr Andrew Cameron

The role people of Faith can and do have in Politics
Transcript of the second New College Lecture given by The Hon John Anderson MP

Christianity and Politics
Transcript of the third New College Lecture given by Mr Kevin Rudd MP

Making it Work: Proposals for Future Engagement between Church & State
Transcript of the fourth New College Lecture given by Rev Dr Andrew Cameron