Warning about Family First

**Susan Mac** · 19-11-2007 20:27

Am still investigating Family First. Still think that I like them, but need to do a LOT more research. Don't want to have to vote on Saturday because I still don't understand politics enough...

To comment on someone's earlier post, Family First don't want to make abortion illegal. While they do oppose abortion, what it appears to me is that they want is to make sure abortions at all stages of pregnancy is not legalized.

I don't see how overtly Christian parties such as Family First are any more guilty of mixing religion and politics than an (what I see as being) atheistic party such as the Greens. (Maybe they aren't, that's just my understanding...) Whether you think it or not, everyone has religious beliefs, just not necessarily organised religion.

**Mr. Ogyny** · 19-11-2007 20:27

Originally Posted by 4boys2love

Mmmm...... well everyone has a right to a place in parliament, I guess it is us, the voting public to decide who we want!

I actually disagree with that. Australia was not set up as a theocracy. Churches and groups with overt Church affiliations shouldn't be in government. Family First scares me for it's fundamentalism. They bill themselves as a "family friendly" party, but that only counts if your family consists of mum, dad and 2.4 Christian kids. When groups like that take power they move legislation that slowly ostracises what they consider the fringe (also known as sinners) and that scares me.

**forbetoel** · 19-11-2007 20:32

Originally Posted by They

I actually disagree with that. Australia was not set up as a theocracy. Churches and groups with overt Church affiliations shouldn't be in government. Family First scares me for it's fundamentalism. They bill themselves as a "family friendly" party, but that only counts if your family consists of mum, dad and 2.4 Christian kids. When groups like that take power they move legislation that slowly ostracises what they consider the fringe (also known as sinners) and that scares me.

Your preaching to the converted.

But I do agree that all groups have the right to try and gain a place. Democracy is the only way of stopping who we don't want. The problem is Family first are hiding behind their banner, so people will vote for them on name only.

I am a Catholic, but these guys are scary, and are using their name to get a leg up....no-one knows what they really have in store. They are further to the right than the liberal party, and the liberal party are getting their preferences...SCARY!

Susan...keep looking into it, it may be right for you

**Mr. Ogyny** · 19-11-2007 20:37

Originally Posted by Susan Mac

Am still investigating Family First. Still think that I like them, but need to do a LOT more research. Don't want to have to vote on Saturday because I still don't understand politics enough...

To comment on someone's earlier post, Family First don't want to make abortion illegal. While they do oppose abortion, what it appears to me is that they want is to make sure abortions at all stages of pregnancy is not legalized.

I don't see how overtly Christian parties such as Family First are any more guilty of mixing religion and politics than an (what I see as being) atheistic party such as the Greens. (Maybe they aren't, that's just my understanding...) Whether you think it or not, everyone has religious beliefs, just not necessarily organised religion.

Atheists don't, hence the name a-theists. It is actually one of the most annoying fallacious arguments you can mention to an atheist. A non-belief does create a belief. Glad I could clear that up.

**Susan Mac** · 19-11-2007 20:50

You can't say that you believe in nothing. To me that's ludicrous. Atheist means believing there is no god, not believing in nothing.

**jenkinsdakota** · 19-11-2007 20:58

Being atheist means you don't believe in God, but there are many Gods. Many Atheists do not believe in the Abrahamic God of the Bible and Koran but Muslims and Christians may be atheists because they do not believe in, say, Xenu.

**Mr. Ogyny** · 19-11-2007 21:14

Err, no. Atheists do not believe in any god. They are anti-theist. That is really how simple that is. They have applied rationality to the universe and decided that god does not have a place. That is it. No gods. And believing in no gods does not mean they believe in something akin to a religion. I believe in the existence of my computer, my wife, my children, this amphorous concept we call a country. Atheists are not amoral.

**xkwzit** · 19-11-2007 21:39

Let's get back on track. Feel free to open a new thread to debate what athiest actually means, but let's keep this one for talking Family First.

Cheers

**Allegra** · 20-11-2007 03:24

Originally Posted by Susan Mac

Family First don't want to make abortion illegal. While they do oppose abortion, what it appears to me is that they want is to make sure abortions at all stages of pregnancy is not legalized.

So they oppose abortion - don't want to make it illegal, but want to make abortion illegal?

confused...

I will never knowingly vote for a political party who dares, to dictate to me, my rights over my body!

**sockstealingpoltergeist** · 20-11-2007 09:20

Originally Posted by Susan Mac

To comment on someone's earlier post, Family First don't want to make abortion illegal. While they do oppose abortion, what it appears to me is that they want is to make sure abortions at all stages of pregnancy is not legalized.

I don't see how overtly Christian parties such as Family First are any more guilty of mixing religion and politics than an (what I see as being) atheistic party such as the Greens. (Maybe they aren't, that's just my understanding...) Whether you think it or not, everyone has religious beliefs, just not necessarily organised religion.

I did not think that the greens were atheistic? feel free to enlighten me.
Making sure abortions are not legalised sounds anti abortion to me. When a party comes in to things and are extremely religous in any way it worries me. These parties are supposed to be making policies that represent the people, policies made on religion do not do this- in my opinion. I believe in god my self, however i don't want to be governed by someone who wants to minimise others rights in the name of god. Politics and religion are supposed to be seperate other wise the waters get muddier and muddier. I liken it to people who live under an extreme muslim regime (nothing against muslims one of my good friends is one). Every one in that country is forced to live under laws made because of religous beliefs and it is not right. I support someone elses right to be muslim or christian or whatever they like- I just don't want a particular party to have power when they may force beliefs on the rest of us as a way of life.
These are personal beliefs and should remain so.