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• Religion

Exploring the implications of a liberal understanding of freedom for religion in civil society, and analysing religion as a form of social capital in the public sphere. Recent research focuses on anti-Semitism and religious hatred, along with broader questions as to the meaning and value of religion in Australia.

Must Religion be a Threat to Liberty?
Robert SiricoJuly 21, 2008

The arguments for the unity of freedom and unbelief are common cultural currency. We are...

Do Secular Societies Promote Religious Extremism?
Tom FrameApril 7, 2008OP108

In looking at secularism in society, Tom Frame concludes that in a genuinely secular society...

Religion and Politics: Contemporary Tensions
Paul KellyMay 12, 2007OP105

Religion is becoming more important in Australian politics and this will pose fresh opportunities and...

Islam in Pluralist Indonesia
Mohammad Fajrul FalaakhOctober 3, 2002OP83

In this, The Acton Lecture on Religion and Freedom for 2002, noted Indonesian academic Mohammad...

Dangerous Protections: How Some Ways of Protecting the Freedom of Religion May Actually Diminish Religious Freedom.
Robert ForsythSeptember 24, 2001OP78

The 2001 Acton Lecture on Religion and Freedom delivered by Robert Forsyth. Sometimes efforts to...

Playing with Fire: Churches, Welfare Services and Government Contracts
Samuel GreggAugust 14, 2000IA14

Striking a balance between state funding and religious autonomy is the latest challenge for church-based...

AP46 religion
Faith No More? The inadequacy of Australia’s protections for religious freedom
Elisabeth TaylorApril 6, 2023AP46

Freedom of thought, conscience and religion is inextricably connected to the freedoms of expression, assembly,...

Victims of failure – how the COVID-19 policy response let down Australians
Monica WilkieDecember 9, 2020AP18

The government response to COVID-19 has imposed restrictions on Australians unseen in peacetime. As Australians...

Cancelled! How ideological cleansing threatens Australia
Peter KurtiAugust 17, 2020AP13

‘Cancel culture’ campaigns in Australia are intended to erase elements of our history and to...

Rights, Morals, Dignity: Why defending religious freedom matters
Peter KurtiApril 10, 2020OP173

Calls for protections of rights are often made without much reflection on what it is,...

Religious schools
Respect and division: How Australians view religion
Monica Wilkie, Robert ForsythDecember 2, 2019PP27

Religious tolerance is vital for a well-functioning secular democracy. The ability to tolerate even undesirable...

Toxic Mutation of an Ancient Hatred: Left-Wing Antisemitism
Peter KurtiNovember 13, 2019PP25

Antisemitism is on the rise in many Western countries. On the postmodern left, this ancient...

It is time for good people to act 
Julie ClaridgeDecember 24, 2025ONLINE OPINION
What we saw that Sunday at Bondi not only highlighted the immediate and palpable threats...
Australia’s complacency and the Bondi beach shooting
Peter KurtiDecember 15, 2025WALL STREET JOURNAL
Whether Australia responds to the murders at Bondi with clarity or caution will reveal not...
Hanson’s burqa antics dodges hard questions on multiculturalism
Peter KurtiNovember 27, 2025AFR

Eight years after her first burqa stunt, Pauline Hanson pulled it out of the wardrobe...

Tolerance ends where darkest hatred begins
Peter KurtiNovember 12, 2025DAILY TELEGRAPH

Tolerance is often treated as an unqualified virtue. But even virtues have limits. When men...

Back the plan and save Australia from hatred
Peter KurtiJuly 14, 2025DAILY TELEGRAPH
Our Jewish neighbours, colleagues and friends are facing harassment, threats and exclusion in ways this...
When hatred finds a home in our institutions
Peter KurtiJune 12, 2025SPECTATOR

I recently watched the documentary October 8, a searing and distressing film about the aftermath...

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