Voting for Jesus: Christianity and Politics in Australia

Quarterly Essay #22

by Amanda Lohrey

From the Hillsong Church to the Family First Party, Australia appears to be experiencing an evangelical revival. In the second Quarterly Essay for 2006, Amanda Lohrey investigates that revival - its shape and scope, and what it means for the mainstream churches and the nation's politics. She talks to young believers and analyses the machinations of the Christian Right. She discusses, with humour and insight, the appeal of the megachurch, the changing image of Jesus and the political theories of George Pell and Peter Jensen. Voting for Jesus is also an essay about the use and abuse of religion in party politics. Examining the success of Family First, Lohrey argues that Christians in politics have far less influence than they would like - the government uses them when convenient and otherwise disregards them. Blending individual interviews with political argument, she makes a subtle case for the blessings of secularism and the variety of spiritual encounters it makes possible.

Genres: Religion, Politics, Australia, Nonfiction

118 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2006

About the author

Amanda Lohrey is a novelist and essayist. She was educated at the University of Tasmania and Cambridge. She lectured in Writing and Textual Studies at the Sydney University of Technology (1988-1994), and since 2002 at the School of English, Media Studies and Art History at the University of Queensland in Brisbane.

Reviews

[Gabrielle Trenbath · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Essay is one worth reading if you want to understand the relationship between the church and state in Australia better.

While it is a few years old, it looks at the rise of the HillSong movement as well as the role of Christian Lobbyists in Australia. I found this interesting discussion as Author Amanda Lohrey argues that these lobbyists often state that they represent a bigger constituency than they actually do.

This is not really discussed that much in the media but I hope it changes soon because this is a challenge to the notion of a liberal democracy.

[Laura May · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic format! Well-researched, written, and narrated. Looking forward to further installments!

[Mark Glidden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting. One is, of course, aware that the right-wing Christian fundamentalist lobby groups exist on the fringe of politics, the reality is that they have successfully mounted an expedition into the heart of Australian politics. Whilst out of date from a political standpoint, the essay is still highly informative and perhaps a warning call to Australians that if we keep heading in this way, our cherished separation of Church and State will disintegrate, and our political field will become embroiled in a tragic morality play.