The two new political parties vying for the votes of freethinkers in Australia have merged. Both the Freedom From Religion Party and the Secular Party had the aim of “keeping religion out of politics”. In particular, our joint aims may be described as separation of religion from the institutions of state, neutrality between religions, and protection of human rights from religious interference.
While these aims describe modern secularism, the phrase “freedom from religion” neatly encapsulates them. We continue to endorse, of course, the more commonly used term “freedom of religion”, of which secularism is the primary guarantee.
As a result of the merger, the Secular Party has adopted “Freedom from Religion” as the primary slogan or sub-heading, and Frank Gomez has been appointed Vice President of the Secular Party.
Aug 20, 2007