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Voting for Jesus- Christianity and Politics in Australia
Quarterly Essay Issue 22 2006
Amanda Lohrey
Black Inc.
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In Voting for Jesus Tasmanian essayist Amanda Lohrey takes an in-depth look at the Christian revival in Australia, its impact on politics and public life, and explores the world of evangelical Christianity.
Starting and finishing in conversations with young evangelical Christians, Lohrey looks particularly at the Hillsong phenomenon and the success of Family First.
She claims that the influence of Australia’s Christian Right which has modelled its political interventions on the United States experience is vastly overrated and that the government uses them when it suits and disregards them otherwise.
Lohrey claims that despite declining church attendances and the growth of Pentecostal congregations it is the mainstream churches that are still the main players.
Because the “Christian vote” has remained static at around 5%, Lohrey says conservatives have focused on family values to broaden their appeal and win community support.
In 2004 when federal Treasurer Peter Costello told the Hillsong congregation, “we need a return to faith and values, which have made our country strong”, it was taken up by fundamentalist Christians as a catch cry.
Lohrey writes, “The Christian Right have demonstrated that they are masters of marketing in all spheres.”
Voting for Jesus- Christianity and Politics in Australia is an essay of astute political analysis coloured with personal stories. It is guaranteed to attract attention and provoke debate.
Bruce Mullan is the Editor of Journey
