God Bless the Australian Christian Right! By James Reed
In the court of public opinion, the Australian Christian right stands unjustly vilified, accused of importing foreign populism and threatening the nation's pluralistic fabric. Outlets like The Conversation, in their May 1, 2025, article, "The rise of right-wing Christian populism and its powerful impact on Australian politics,"
paint groups like the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) as a menacing force, adopting U.S.-style tactics to impose a religio-ethnonationalist agenda. This narrative, dripping with urban elite condescension, misrepresents a legitimate movement rooted in Australia's Christian heritage. As their advocate, I assert that the Christian right has an unassailable right to shape the nation's future, equal to any secular or progressive faction. Their values, grounded in a 2,000-year-old faith that predates and will outlast modern Australia, deserve a seat at the table—not scorn from a Left-leaning establishment that dominates discourse. The public debate is unfairly tilted, and it's time to restore balance.
The Christian right, exemplified by the ACL, represents a significant constituency—43% of Australians identified as Christian in the 2021 census. Their right to advocate is as sacrosanct as that of feminist collectives, Indigenous activists, or the secular intelligentsia penning critiques in The Conversation. Democracy demands diverse voices, yet the Christian right faces a double standard: their advocacy is labelled "populist" or "divisive," while progressive causes are lauded as enlightened. This hypocrisy must end.
Christianity is no newcomer to Australia's story. Since 1788, it has shaped our laws, ethics, and institutions—from the sanctity of human life to the welfare systems rooted in Christian charity. Unlike the transient ideologies of today's urban Left, Christianity has endured empires, revolutions, and secular tides. It existed before modern civilisation and will persist even if Australia "collapses into ruin." This resilience grants the Christian right a moral authority that transient progressivism lacks. Their vision—family, faith, community—offers a time-tested antidote to the cultural fragmentation peddled by elites who sneer at tradition.
The Conversation claims the ACL mimics U.S. populism, citing ties to CPAC and Jordan Peterson's Alliance for Responsible Citizenship (ARC). This is a distraction. The Christian right's agenda springs from local soil, addressing grievances ignored by Canberra's secular gatekeepers. Religious freedom, for instance, is under siege: Victoria's 2021 conversion therapy ban and proposed anti-discrimination laws threaten Christian schools' ability to hire staff aligned with their ethos or teach Biblical values. A 2022 ACL survey found 68% of Christian voters feel their beliefs are targeted—a perception The Conversation dismisses as paranoia, but which fuels legitimate activism.
Cultural shifts also drive their cause. Mandated Acknowledgement of Country rituals and gender-neutral policies in schools alienate traditionalists who see their Christian heritage eroded. When Family First critiques these as "divisive," they're not importing Trumpism—they're voicing a desire for a cohesive national identity. Otherwise weak Peter Dutton's April 2025 call to curb "overdone" cultural protocols resonates with 55% of Australians who, per a 2024 YouGov poll, crave stronger cultural unity. The Christian right isn't chasing foreign scripts; they're defending their vision of Australia against a progressive overreach that brands dissent as bigotry.
The Left's dominance in academia and media—78% of Australian academics lean Left, per a 2023 Institute of Public Affairs study—skews the debate. Outlets like The Conversation, funded by universities, amplify progressive dogmas while framing the Christian right as a threat to pluralism. Yet pluralism requires balance, not the suppression of one side. The ACL's australiavotes.org.au, criticised as divisive, is no different from GetUp!'s Left-wing campaigns. If secular elites can lobby for gender reforms or climate mandates, why can't Christians push for religious exemptions or pro-life policies? The Left's outrage reeks of elitism, assuming their values are Australia's default while traditionalists must beg for scraps.
The Conversation warns of a "religio-ethnonationalist" takeover, but where's the evidence? The ACL's budget, estimated at $2 million annually, is dwarfed by secular NGOs like GetUp! ($10 million+). Australia's secular majority (30% non-religious) and multicultural policies ensure no Christian theocracy is imminent. Meanwhile, the Left's own fearmongering—labelling dissent as "far-Right"—mirrors the divisiveness they decry.
The Christian right's strength lies in its moral clarity, rooted in a faith that has guided humanity for millennia. Unlike the relativism of progressive ideologies, their principles—life, family, community—offer stability. Their opposition to abortion, euthanasia, or same-sex marriage isn't blind dogma but a consistent ethic of human dignity. In a society grappling with mental health crises and social isolation, these values resonate. Globally, Christianity grows—2.6 billion adherents by 2050, per Pew Research—while in Australia, it remains the largest religion despite decline. This endurance mocks the Left's assumption that secularism is inevitable.
The Christian Right's critics ignore history. Rome fell amid moral decay, as Edward Gibbon argued; Christianity preserved civilisation through the Dark Ages. Today, when rapid cultural shifts spark anxiety, the Christian Right offers a bulwark against chaos. Their critics, safe in urban enclaves, dismiss this as fearmongering, but a 2023 ABC study found 62% of Australians feel media ignores their values. The Christian Right speaks for this silent majority, not just a fringe.
The Australian Christian right deserves a fair hearing, not caricature as a populist bogeyman. They advocate for real concerns—religious liberty, cultural cohesion—ignored by a Left-leaning establishment that monopolises discourse. Their right to exist is non-negotiable, their influence legitimate, their vision vital. The Conversation's alarmism exposes its bias, framing progressive ideals as Australia's soul, while sidelining a faith that built it. If Australia is to avoid ruin, it needs the Christian right's moral anchor, not the Left's sanctimonious lectures.
Let the ACL and their allies speak. Let their voters—millions strong—shape policy. And let the urban elite step off their pedestal and debate as equals. The Christian right isn't going anywhere, and neither is the Christian faith that sustains them. In this unbalanced arena, their voice is not just justified—it's essential.
Electoral/political comment authorised by Arnis J. Luks
13 Carsten Court Happy Valley South Australia
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