Costello in Religious Rapture

[Jessica Blue]

How did I miss this?

http://theage.com.au/articles/2004/07/05/1089000094172.html?oneclick=true

What's it all about? Has the heir apparent to the Liberal Party crown, Peter Costello gone mad..or is he indulging in some political opportunism? I hate to use that terrible term, but this just seems so...un-Australian. It reeks of American-style mass religious frenzy. I find it disturbing in a Federal Treasurer. I hope this isn't shades of things to come...


"The church is fast becoming an emerging religious powerhouse in Australia, with thousands of recruits and some influential figures taking more than a passing interest."


Mr Costello, clapping and shuffling to the beat, embraced the euphoria of the occasion and praised the Hillsong Church for promoting the "values that made our country strong"...


Overhead a giant multi-media display showed heavenly images and tracts from the Bible.

Yuk!

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200407/s1154350.htm

It is in fact the fastest-growing religious experience in the country.

The new Pentecostal preachers know it, the mainstream churches know it and, increasingly, the nation's politicians know it, too.

Uniting Church minister David Millikan says Hillsong illustrates a change in Australian Christianity.

"What we see at Hillsong is the beginnings of a whole new shift in Australian Christianity," Dr Millikan said.

Churches like Hillsong have a lot of money and they have a lot of political power and Mr Costello urges a return to the Christian faith.

"We need a return to faith and the values which have made our country strong," he said.

Mr Costello's remarkably passionate opening address to the Hillsong conference in Sydney last week was public affirmation of the growing political influence of this new spiritualism.

And what are the values of the HIllsong church?

The message is a thoroughly modern one and one that sits neatly with the aspirations of people who live in suburbs like this. A powerful part of that message is the gospel of prosperity.

If you believe in Jesus, the Church says, he'll reward you here on earth as well as in heaven.

'The Howard Government at prayer'

Mr Houston is also the author of a book called You Need More Money. It's a Christian gospel that sits easily alongside today's dominant political paradigm.

"The church isn't about money but I do believe it is about equipping people to live lives that are bigger themselves," he said.

"And if we have nothing, there's nothing we can do. If we have a little, we can help a little. And if we've got a lot, there's a whole lot we can do."

Dr Millikan says that is the message Hillsong promotes.

"Hillsong says that if you come to Jesus, then Jesus offers you, in fact promises you, that you will have a prosperous life, you'll be healthy, you'll be wealthy, your marriage will flourish, you'll have a good sex life, your business will flourish and you will be a prosperous winner in this society," he said.

"Now, that is the religious version of exactly what the Howard Government is saying to us, and what they are holding out as the idea for Australian society.

"So in that sense, Hillsong is the Howard Government at prayer."

Sounds more like a financial motivational seminar than a church.

 

[Zep]

Just another little quote from the ABC article:

"The mainline churches are more problematic," he [Uniting Church minister David Millikan] said.

"The mainline churches ask questions about refugee policy, about welfare policy and, see, the Howard Government has a very troubled relationship with people who question or argue about the justice or equity of what's happening in Australia.

"They'll never get that discussion from Hillsong."

Just what Peter Costello wants - people who don't argue with him and do things HIS way.

 

[Roadtoad]

Just what Peter Costello wants - people who don't argue with him and do things HIS way.

Sounds like he's a relative of George Bush.

 

[Zep]

Sounds like he's a relative of George Bush.

Oh, he'd LOVE to be a relative of either George Bush.

 

[a_unique_person]

I can see him at the side of his bed, saying his good night prayers, '.... and thank you , god, for those wonderful votes....'

 

[Jessica Blue]

Just another little quote from the ABC article:Just what Peter Costello wants - people who don't argue with him and do things HIS way.

It seems to be a church unburdened by any form of social conscience. It's all about *success theology* and personal acquisition.

My god...it is the Liberal Party!