Rationalist Society of Australia
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Rationalist Society of Australia
@ausrationalist.bsky.social
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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
We are seeking answers from the West Australian government on the status of the pilot program that allows a government school to directly hire a wellbeing support worker instead of outsourcing to a religious agency. Read more:
rationalist.com.au/rsa-question...
#WApol
RSA questions WA government about schools wellbeing pilot program | Rationalist Society of Australia
The Rationalist Society of Australia is seeking answers from the West Australian government on the status of the pilot program that allows a government school to directly hire a wellbeing support work...
rationalist.com.au
November 11, 2025 at 8:54 AM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
We’re pleased to support a joint statement spearheaded by Go Gentle, Dying with Dignity NSW & a number of medical, legal & seniors’ rights groups to oppose a bill that seeks to restrict access to voluntary assisted dying in aged-care facilities in NSW: www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/opposition_t...
November 9, 2025 at 6:16 AM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
At the inquiry into cults, journalist Richard Baker questioned whether ‘advancing religion’ should remain a blanket justification for concessions, suggesting instead a public benefit test to ensure groups demonstrate genuine contribution to society. www.parliament.vic.gov.au/news/society...
#auspol
Understanding the coercive practices of high-control groups - Parliament of Victoria
www.parliament.vic.gov.au
November 8, 2025 at 3:34 AM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
The ABC reports that the West Australian government is in "advanced negotiations" to take over the Catholic St John of God Mount Lawley Hospital and is creating a fund to help purchase the facility and fund other hospital upgrades. Read more: www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
#WApol
WA government to buy private hospital, scraps $1.6b convention centre facelift
A major upgrade of the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre is axed to help pay for three major Perth and Mandurah hospital projects under a $1.5 billion health infrastructure fund.
www.abc.net.au
November 7, 2025 at 8:54 AM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
In #Rationale magazine, Eli Alshanetsky writes on the increasing use of artificial intelligence by university students and the need for education institutions to build open systems that keep human judgment at the center.
rationalemagazine.com/index.php/20...
Where does human thinking end and AI begin? - Rationale Magazine
The latest generation of artificial intelligence models is sharper and smoother, producing polished text with fewer errors and hallucinations. As a philosophy professor, I have a growing fear: when a ...
rationalemagazine.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:01 AM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
At the Christian prayer breakfast this week, Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said that the “principles and values that Jesus lived by underpin the role of Australia’s first law officer” and claimed that “our values and faith” guide lawmakers. Read more: rationalist.com.au/australias-a...
#auspol
November 5, 2025 at 6:40 AM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
Speaking at the Christian prayer breakfast at Parliament House on Monday, the Albanese government’s new attorney-general, Michelle Rowland, said the “principles and values that Jesus lived by” underpin her role. Read more: rationalist.com.au/australias-a...
#auspol
Australia’s Attorney-General says Jesus’ “principles and values” underpin her role | Rationalist Society of Australia
The Albanese government’s new attorney-general has told a Christian gathering that the “principles and values that Jesus lived by” underpin her role. Speaking at the Christian annual prayer breakfast ...
rationalist.com.au
November 5, 2025 at 12:48 AM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
A Christian activist calling for the Moyne Shire Council in Victoria to reinstate prayers to the opening of its meetings has waved the Bible in front of councillors and warned of people being a “tool for the Devil”. Read more: rationalist.com.au/councillors-...
#auspol
November 1, 2025 at 4:20 AM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
The ABC reports that the Australian Capital Territory has become the first jurisdiction to pass legislation expanding the liability of churches, sporting groups and other organisations to include the actions of paedophiles. Read more: www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
#auspol
ACT closes 'legal loophole' making institutions more liable for child sexual abuse
Survivors and lawyers welcome the nation-leading legislation, with legal action against churches, sporting groups and others to be affected.
www.abc.net.au
October 30, 2025 at 11:46 PM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
“If we have a stable abode of thought, we take that stability into everything we do and have some shelter from life’s storms.” In #Rationale magazine, Alexander Englert writes about philosopher Immanuel Kant’s simple rules for how to think virtuously.
rationalemagazine.com/index.php/20...
Building a stable ‘abode of thought’: Kant’s rules for virtuous thinking - Rationale Magazine
What makes a life virtuous? The answer might seem simple: virtuous actions – actions that align with morality. But life is more than doing. Frequently, we just think. We observe and spectate; meditate...
rationalemagazine.com
October 30, 2025 at 5:50 AM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
We have called on the New South Wales government to publicly release the minutes for the meetings of its Faith Affairs Council in a timely manner to ensure transparency over the advisory body’s activities. Read more: rationalist.com.au/rsa-calls-fo...
#NSWpol #auspol
RSA calls for transparency over the work of privileged NSW faith advisory body | Rationalist Society of Australia
The Rationalist Society of Australia has called on the New South Wales government to publicly release the minutes of its Faith Affairs Council in a timely manner to ensure transparency over the adviso...
rationalist.com.au
October 29, 2025 at 8:27 AM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Liberal MPs in New South Wales are pushing to change the state’s voluntary assisted dying laws so as to treat aged-care homes like faith-based hospitals – a move described as “a cruel culture war bill”. www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw...
#NSWpol
‘Pits dying people against right-wing religious views’: The push to change NSW’s euthanasia laws
NSW was the last state to pass laws to allow terminally ill people to choose the timing of their death. Now 12 MPs are seeking changes for aged care homes.
www.smh.com.au
October 28, 2025 at 11:29 PM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
In opposing a petition calling for Christian prayers to be reinstated at the opening of Bass Coast council meetings, one councillor has argued that prayers should be left to churches and another has said that he has “as much religion as a cat”. Read more: rationalist.com.au/councillors-...
#auspol
October 28, 2025 at 8:36 AM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
The Age reports that Labor minister Lizzie Blandthorn, who leads the Catholic-influenced SDA subfaction, has raised concerns that her government’s proposed reforms to voluntary assisted dying laws will diminish safeguards for vulnerable Victorians: www.theage.com.au/politics/vic...
#SpringSt
Debate over assisted dying reforms reopens old Labor wounds
Labor and the Coalition have granted MPs a conscience vote on the bill, and parliamentarians are bracing for a marathon debate.
www.theage.com.au
October 27, 2025 at 11:53 PM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
Councillors at two local governments in Victoria have emphatically pushed back against attempts to reinstate Christian acts of worship in government meetings, successfully arguing that religion should not be privileged. Read more: rationalist.com.au/councillors-...
#auspol
Councillors push back against Christian activists’ attempts to re-introduce prayers | Rationalist Society of Australia
Councillors at two local governments in Victoria have emphatically pushed back against attempts to reinstate Christian acts of worship in government meetings, successfully arguing that religion should...
rationalist.com.au
October 27, 2025 at 7:51 AM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
“The basic principle of those who favour authoritarian rule is that everything is political...” In Rationale magazine, Matthew Sharpe writes on the willingness to use language to deceive, divide and demonise in Trump’s America.
rationalemagazine.com/index.php/20...
How authoritarians twist language into weapons - Rationale Magazine
The world finds itself in a cultural setting in which large swathes of democratic countries place their faith in faux salvific 'strongmen', part of whose 'populist' appeal is based on their ability to...
rationalemagazine.com
October 25, 2025 at 1:26 AM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
The West Australian government has confirmed it remains committed to reforming the state’s equal opportunity laws following questions from the Rationalist Society of Australia about the lack of action on religious exemptions. Read more: rationalist.com.au/redrafting-o...
#WApol
Redrafting of WA equal opportunity laws “continuing as matter of priority”, says Attorney-General | Rationalist Society of Australia
The West Australian government has confirmed it remains committed to reforming the state’s equal opportunity laws following questions from the Rationalist Society of Australia about the lack of action...
rationalist.com.au
October 24, 2025 at 12:07 AM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
The Guardian reports that two Christian lobby groups have pushed back against any new laws to protect vulnerable people from cults, with a Victorian inquiry told of a “palpable fear” such laws could affect mainstream churches. Read more: www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
#SpringSt #auspol
Australian Christian Lobby says any new laws protecting people from cults could be ‘very dangerous’
Lobby groups tell Victorian inquiry legitimate churches could be caught up in any proposed crackdown on coercive practices
www.theguardian.com
October 21, 2025 at 10:57 PM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
“Many people in the past have faced situations of living in a nightmare ... hoping for the best but enduring the worst.” In #Rationale magazine, Elizabeth Dangerfield writes on what can be learnt from Stoicism and Buddhism to help endure turbulent times.
rationalemagazine.com/index.php/20...
How to survive in these interesting – and difficult – times - Rationale Magazine
There is a wonderful film called the The Book Thief, which is based on a novel by Markus Zusak, an Australian-German writer. It is about silent courage in times of great danger. Set in a town in Germa...
rationalemagazine.com
October 21, 2025 at 5:32 AM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
In our latest podcast episode, Maria Esguerra, a psychologist and a cult survivor, speaks about the psychological impacts and other harms experienced in religious cults and high-demand religious groups. Listen to the podcast on major podcast apps or here on our website: rationalist.com.au/podcasts/
October 19, 2025 at 5:43 AM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
The ABC reports that amendments to the NT's anti-discrimination laws that have passed the parliament will provide for "an exemption for religious educational institutions to discriminate" by allowing them to preference employees based on shared religious beliefs.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
NT passes anti-discrimination law changes to 'restore' free speech, religion
Northern Territory Attorney-General Marie-Clare Boothby says the changes will protect freedom of expression and religion while retaining protections against hate speech.
www.abc.net.au
October 18, 2025 at 1:08 AM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
“Pinker’s immense insight concerns the way humans use common knowledge to coordinate action and bring about win-win situations.” In #Rationale magazine, Jamie Roberts reviews Steven Pinker’s new book, ‘When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows’.
rationalemagazine.com/index.php/20...
Steven Pinker’s insights on how ‘common knowledge’ shapes our individual lives and societies - Rationale Magazine
I don’t know about you, but ever since I can remember – from my early teens – I have been bemused about the endless rituals we humans perform; and even more so about what can and can’t be said about these rituals, especially when the rituals involve obvious hypocrisies or are illogical. Do you see
rationalemagazine.com
October 16, 2025 at 6:34 AM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
Facing questions in the Senate last week, govt minister Don Farrell pledged to ask PM Anthony Albanese whether he still wanted bipartisan support before tackling the issue of discrimination against staff and students in faith schools. Follow our campaign: rationalist.com.au/campaigns/re...
#auspol
October 15, 2025 at 7:44 AM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
The Guardian reports that the sister of Victorian Liberal MP Renee Heath has, at an inquiry into cults and organised fringe groups, described their father’s church as a “cult” and said so-called “gay conversion” practices may still be occurring in the state.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Liberal MP’s sister says father’s church is a ‘cult’ where ‘gay conversion’ practices may still be happening
City Builders pastor’s daughter tells Victorian parliamentary inquiry into cults of ‘grave concerns’ about church
www.theguardian.com
October 14, 2025 at 11:15 PM
ausrationalist.bsky.social
In a letter to us, the Australian Bureau of Statistics has rejected concerns that the continued use of a coercive and biased religion question in the Census is discriminatory and breaches the country’s international human rights commitments. Read more: rationalist.com.au/abs-chief-re...
#auspol
ABS chief rejects claim Census religion question is discriminatory for assuming every Australian has a religion | Rationalist Society of Australia
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has rejected concerns that the continued use of a coercive and biased religion question in the Census is discriminatory and breaches the country’s internation...
rationalist.com.au
October 14, 2025 at 6:10 AM