Enter Joe Hockey on the religious debate...

Joe Hockey, who I think will one day have a crack at the top job of Prime Minister has layed out his religious credentials 'In defense of God' and it is fascinating.

Part of the extract::

One reason why Christian faith has declined in the West is because of the reliance placed on a literal reading of the testaments. Such an approach has tangled the Christian faith in a confusion of contradictions.

By encouraging literalist analysis of the Bible, many churches have inadvertently invited people to question the validity of a faith that seems to be based on questionable facts or outdated prescriptions.

I think this is pretty spot on. That the evangelical church has lost the ability to sell the 'Mystery' That there is one box, that if you fit in it you have to believe in such a way. If you have 'grays', you are not encouraged to speak them out, and are discouraged to do so, under the threat of been cast as a black sheep.

So, fundamentalist churches have increased, to much applause by those who inhabit them. (I suspect mainly by people, within the walls who like the security of boxes). The Western Church including Australian belief in Christ and overall Church attendance has declined.

Is there a way of stemming the tide? Well I think there needs to be honesty. That there needs to be a more than just tolerance. Actually loving people who have a slightly warped view to yourself.

It will be interesting the rest of Joe's speeches. I would also be interested in his personal spiritual practices and how much that informs his decisions in life...