Rationalist Society of Australia
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ausrationalist.bsky.social
Rationalist Society of Australia
@ausrationalist.bsky.social
670 followers 76 following 330 posts
The Rationalist Society of Australia is Australia's oldest freethought organisation, promoting reason, secularism and evidence-based policy.
Check out our website: rationalist.com.au
Read our online magazine: rationalemagazine.com
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ausrationalist.bsky.social
Queensland-based Christian schools receiving millions of dollars from taxpayers are teaching religious myths, including “God’s great creation” and “Noah’s flood”, as part of science classes, it can be revealed. Read more: rationalist.com.au/christian-sc...
#QLDpol
Christian schools teaching “God’s great creation” and “Noah’s flood” as part of science classes | Rationalist Society of Australia
Queensland-based Christian schools receiving millions of dollars from taxpayers are teaching religious myths, including "God’s great creation" and "Noah’s flood", as part of science classes, it can be...
rationalist.com.au
February 8, 2026 at 12:17 AM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
In a speech in the Senate this week, Nick McKim called on the Albanese government to deliver on its promise to remove religious exemptions from federal anti-discrimination laws. Follow our campaign against religious exemptions on our website: www.rationalist.com.au
#auspol
February 7, 2026 at 12:43 AM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
The ABC reports that the national charities regulator, the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), has announced it is investigating the fringe Christian group Shincheonji. Read more: www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
#auspol
Regulator probes charity status of 'apocalyptic Christian cult'
The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission says it is investigating the charity status of Shincheonji, which featured prominently in the Victorian parliamentary inquiry into cults and fri...
www.abc.net.au
February 5, 2026 at 5:53 AM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
An advisory body of religious clerics appointed by the NSW govt will this week decide whether to speak up for the fundamental rights of non-religious people in responding to community concerns about the imposition of prayers in local governments. Read more:
rationalist.com.au/pressed-on-p...
#NSWpol
Pressed on prayers issue, NSW faith advisory body to weigh up rights for non-religious people | Rationalist Society of Australia
A controversial advisory body of religious clerics appointed by the New South Wales government will this week decide whether to speak up for the fundamental rights of non-religious people to freedom o...
rationalist.com.au
February 4, 2026 at 2:12 AM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
In part 3 of our ‘The Census Files’ series, revealing documents obtained under FOI laws, @sigladman.bsky.social writes about the meeting at which executives of the Bureau of Statistics decided to re-use the biased religion question for the 2026 Census.
rationalemagazine.com/index.php/20...
The Census Files: When the ABS made its decision (Part 3) - Rationale Magazine
This is Part 3 in our ‘The Census Files’ series. Read Part 1 here and Part 2 here. In early October 2024, the tide was turning against the new religion question as executives prepared for a meeting with the head of the ABS, David Gruen (pictured), to make a decision on the way forward. Without any
rationalemagazine.com
February 2, 2026 at 8:25 AM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
At the Universal Periodic Review this past week, a few UN member nations called on Australia to address discrimination on the grounds of religion & belief, while some also urged the country to remove exemptions to anti-discrimination laws in faith schools. More: rationalist.com.au/rsa-calls-fo...
February 1, 2026 at 12:49 AM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
Executives of the Australian Bureau of Statistics were aware that the biased Census question about religious affiliation “may lead respondents to a particular response” when they opted to re-use it for the 2026 Census, it has been revealed. Read more: rationalist.com.au/exclusive-ab...
#auspol
Exclusive: ABS knew religion question “may lead respondents to a particular response”, documents reveal | Rationalist Society of Australia
Executives of the Australian Bureau of Statistics were aware that the biased Census question about religious affiliation “may lead respondents to a particular response” when they opted to re-use it fo...
rationalist.com.au
January 31, 2026 at 1:44 AM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
Religious lobbyists raised a number of concerns about the proposed changes to the Census religion question when they met with the Australian Bureau of Statistics in 2024, documents obtained by us show. Read part 2 of our ‘The Census Files’ series: rationalemagazine.com/index.php/20...
#auspol
January 30, 2026 at 12:22 AM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
We're urging the UN Special Rapporteur on religion & belief to visit Australia to investigate the discriminatory treatment of non-religious people in govt institutions & programs, following Australia’s appearance at the Universal Period Review this week.
rationalist.com.au/rsa-calls-fo...
#auspol
RSA calls for Special Rapporteur visit as Universal Periodic Review overlooks discrimination against non-religious people | Rationalist Society of Australia
The Rationalist Society of Australia is urging the United Nations Special Rapporteur on religion and belief to visit Australia to conduct an investigation of the discriminatory treatment of non-religi...
rationalist.com.au
January 29, 2026 at 6:19 AM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
The Guardian reports that leading Islamic groups have condemned Scott Morrison as “deeply ill-informed” and “dangerous” after the former prime minister demanded a national register and accreditation for imams.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
#auspol
Scott Morrison accused of ‘deeply ill-informed’ attack on religious freedom after Islam speech
Former PM called for national register and accreditation for imams, sparking backlash from Muslim leaders
www.theguardian.com
January 28, 2026 at 7:45 AM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
In part 2 of our ‘The Census Files’ series, @sigladman.bsky.social details the govt’s failure to meet deadlines and the events surrounding the Bureau of Statistics' decision to cancel a major test that was critical to evaluating a new religion question.
rationalemagazine.com/index.php/20...
#auspol
The Census Files: When the government missed the deadline (Part 2) - Rationale Magazine
This article is the second in our ‘The Census Files’ series. Read the first article here. Throughout the winter months of 2024, executives at the Australia Bureau of Statistics – and, on occasion, the...
rationalemagazine.com
January 28, 2026 at 1:22 AM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
In part 1 of our ‘The Census Files’ series, revealing documents obtained under freedom of information laws, Si Gladman writes on how the Bureau of Statistics responded to religious lobbyists’ opposition to proposed changes to the Census question in 2024.
rationalemagazine.com/index.php/20...
The Census Files: When the bishops pushed back (Part 1) - Rationale Magazine
This article is Part 1 in our ‘The Census Files’ series. On 11 April 2024, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) sent an email to a recipient in the federal Treasury Department with the subject line: “Religious Affiliation Talking Points for the PM”. “Please find the requested talking points,” wrote the Acting Program Manager of
rationalemagazine.com
January 26, 2026 at 12:42 AM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
The Guardian reports that teachers employed by a large group of Queensland Christian schools were told to teach creationism in science classes, including that vegetarian baby dinosaurs would have been taken aboard Noah’s Ark. Read more: www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
#QLDpol
Science teachers from Queensland Open Brethren schools told to teach students about vegetarian dinosaurs on Noah’s Ark
Teachers who attended ‘compulsory’ creationist conference run by US-based fundamentalist group told radiometric dating techniques were flawed
www.theguardian.com
January 24, 2026 at 10:37 PM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
The Albanese govt missed deadlines and delayed responding to “urgent” requests from the Bureau of Statistics, leading to the cancellation of a major test that was to be critical in determining whether the agency adopted a new religion question for the Census: rationalist.com.au/exclusive-al...
Exclusive: Albanese govt’s delays torpedoed critical test of new Census religion question, analysis shows | Rationalist Society of Australia
The Albanese government missed deadlines and delayed responding to multiple “urgent” requests from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, leading to the cancellation of a major test that was to be criti...
rationalist.com.au
January 24, 2026 at 8:00 AM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
This is the recommendation being presented to member nations of the UN – as detailed in the ‘Summary of stakeholders’ report – for consideration when Australia appears next week at the Universal Periodic Review into the country’s human rights. Find out more: www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies...
#auspol
January 22, 2026 at 11:37 PM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
In our #Rationale magazine, @sigladman.bsky.social writes that, to be a credible advocate for religious and belief rights internationally, Australia must address discriminatory and unfair treatment of non-religious citizens at home.
rationalemagazine.com/index.php/20...
#auspol
Can Australia be a credible voice for religious and belief rights internationally? - Rationale Magazine
While Australian diplomacy claims to protect and promote universal human rights internationally, a credibility gap is becoming increasingly evident in regards to the country’s treatment of freedom of ...
rationalemagazine.com
January 22, 2026 at 4:52 AM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
In our #Rationale magazine, Chris Fleming writes about Max Weber’s book, ‘The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism’, and how Protestant ideas shaped a certain kind of personality that meshed with the new economic system.
rationalemagazine.com/index.php/20...
Why do we think hard work is virtuous? - Rationale Magazine
Not long ago, a relative of mine told me he had been working so hard in the yard that he’d “literally thrown up”. He didn’t offer this as a health update, or to warn me about overexertion. It was, odd...
rationalemagazine.com
January 21, 2026 at 6:37 AM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
Religious charities found to have engaged in illegal activity under any new state laws targeting coercive control in cults and high-demand groups could have their charitable status revoked, the nation’s charities regulator has confirmed. More: rationalist.com.au/religious-ch...
#SpringSt #auspol
Religious charities could face regulatory action over coercive control, regulator tells RSA | Rationalist Society of Australia
Religious charities found to have engaged in illegal activity under any new state laws targeting coercive control and harmful activity in cults and high-demand groups could face regulatory action and ...
rationalist.com.au
January 20, 2026 at 1:23 AM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
In the #Rationale magazine, cartoonist Matt Bissett-Johnson gives his take on what’s happening in current affairs. Check out his other recent cartoons here: rationalemagazine.com/index.php/au...
@mbjcartoonist.bsky.social #auspol
January 18, 2026 at 1:02 AM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
We are calling on the federal parliament to reconsider the inclusion of religious exemptions in any new hate speech laws, with our Executive Director @sigladman.bsky.social saying religion should not be an excuse for committing crimes. Read more: rationalist.com.au/religious-be...
#auspol
Religious beliefs should be no excuse for hate crimes, says RSA | Rationalist Society of Australia
The Rationalist Society of Australia is calling on the federal parliament to reconsider the inclusion of religious exemptions in any new hate speech laws. The Albanese government’s Combatting Antisemi...
rationalist.com.au
January 17, 2026 at 1:47 AM
Reposted by Rationalist Society of Australia
censusnotreligious.bsky.social
📣 ANNOUNCEMENT: Leading up to Census day in August 2026, we'll be running another public campaign to encourage Australians to mark 'No Religion' if they are no longer religious. Check out the campaign website: censusnotreligious.org.au
#Census26 #NotReligious
January 16, 2026 at 10:54 AM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
The Age reports that civil liberties groups are warning that social media posts questioning multiculturalism, immigration policy or religious practices could fall foul of the Albanese government's proposed new hate crime laws. More: www.theage.com.au/politics/fed...
#auspol
Social media posts could fall foul of new hate speech laws
Experts argue the omnibus bill goes well beyond what is required to respond to the atrocities at Bondi.
www.theage.com.au
January 14, 2026 at 11:57 PM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
The Guardian reports that people accused of breaching the Albanese government’s new hate speech laws could argue their conduct was legal because they were quoting from a religious text. Read more: www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
#auspol
Quoting religious text could be defence against Australia’s new hate speech laws, draft bill shows
Referencing ‘teaching or discussion’ could give exemption from legislation Labor hopes to pass next week
www.theguardian.com
January 13, 2026 at 12:20 AM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
Australia cannot credibly advocate for religion and belief rights internationally while different levels of government continue to discriminate against non-religious people at home, we have told the foreign minister @senatorwong.bsky.social. Read more: rationalist.com.au/australia-mu...
#auspol
Australia must address discrimination at home to credibly advocate religion and belief rights abroad, RSA tells foreign minister | Rationalist Society of Australia
Australia cannot credibly advocate for religion and belief rights internationally while different levels of government continue to discriminate against non-religious people at home, the Rationalist So...
rationalist.com.au
January 11, 2026 at 12:36 AM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
The ABC reports that the Northern Territory government says it will introduce voluntary assisted dying legislation to parliament this year, nearly three decades after the Commonwealth vetoed the NT's world-first euthanasia legislation in 1997: www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
#auspol
NT to introduce Voluntary Assisted Dying bill mid-2026
The Northern Territory government says it will introduce Voluntary Assisted Dying legislation to parliament this year, nearly two decades after the Commonwealth vetoed the NT’s world-first euthanasia ...
www.abc.net.au
January 10, 2026 at 12:22 AM