Returning from North West Tasmania last Sunday evening I listened to a very good interview of Peter Jensen, the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, by Monica Attard on the  vexed question of the “Christian vote”. The whole interview is well worth listening to. The following excerpt sets out some parameters in Christian reflection on the platforms of the two major parties – but please read this in the larger context of this non-partisan interview 🙂

Monica Attard: Robert Forsythe, a senior bishop in Sydney, is quoted as saying that Gillard is a “good model for religious freedom”, who most importantly has a clear belief in right and wrong.

 You would agree with that; that she is a good model for religious freedom?

 Peter Jensen: Yes. I believe she is, although both parties have a central platform which is attractive to Christians in different ways.

 On the left side of politics there is a commitment to community, going back historically, which is very attractive to Christians, and what you may call social justice, though I question the name.

 But on the right side there’s a commitment to what you may call individualism, but individual responsibility, taking responsibility for community, that again is attractive to Christians and comes out of a Christian ethos.

 Go further on both sides, however; on the further left of the Labor Party you get a commitment which is a bit like the French Revolution. It’s a revolutionary commitment to civil rights, some of which are unattractive to many Christians.

 And on the right of the Liberal Party you get a commitment to individual freedom without responsibility, which is unattractive to Christians.

 So Christians can quite easily vote across the range and for either party while being very disturbed about any sign on either side that the more – I’ll say extreme views – are gaining prominence.

  Audio and Transcript are available at ABC RN ‘Sunday Profile’ with Monica Attard 8 August 2010.  Also see, A “Christian vote”?