Costello in bed with the odious Catch The Fire ministry

[Gozu]

http://blogs.crikey.com.au/pollytics/20 ... they-will/

[Leaping Lindner]

Costello's affiliation with the Catch the fires ministry is hardly new. Neither is the fact that these guys are nut bags. I notice that now Costello is desperately trying to distance himself from them. Just a pity the guy didn't have the brains not to get involved with them in the first place.

[Gozu]

Yeah I know much like Howard with the Exclusive Brethren he's been in bed with those nutters for awhile. I wasn't sure if to put it up as I didn't want to offend everyone with that guy saying the Vics deserved the bushfires because they were being punished by god. The sad thing about the credibility of Peter Costello is that it's only now that he's trying to distance himself from them despite all the crazy statements from this fruit loop in the past.

[am Bays]

Yeah I know much like Howard with the Exclusive Brethren he's been in bed with those nutters for awhile. I wasn't sure if to put it up as I didn't want to offend everyone with that guy saying the Vics deserved the bushfires because they were being punished by god. The sad thing about the credibility of Peter Costello is that it's only now that he's trying to distance himself from them despite all the crazy statements from this fruit loop in the past.

*Bump*

Looks like the "nutters" have found a new patron....

http://www.news.com.au/national/brethren-schools-to-get-70mfunding/story-e6frfkvr-1225818224755

[Dogwatcher]

Any politician involved with those sort of groups has questionable taste.

However, what is the difference between cults like the Bretheren and Scientology and any other religion?

[Psyber]

Yeah I know much like Howard with the Exclusive Brethren he's been in bed with those nutters for awhile. I wasn't sure if to put it up as I didn't want to offend everyone with that guy saying the Vics deserved the bushfires because they were being punished by god. The sad thing about the credibility of Peter Costello is that it's only now that he's trying to distance himself from them despite all the crazy statements from this fruit loop in the past.

*Bump*
Looks like the "nutters" have found a new patron....
http://www.news.com.au/national/brethren-schools-to-get-70mfunding/story-e6frfkvr-1225818224755

It appears that no government wants to upset those who are organised enough to stir up even a small section of the public at election time when small differences may determine an election result in some seats.
It is a sad state of affairs, but I thought it was fairly obvious back when Howard was doing it too - and it probably explains Peter Costello's behaviour referred to above.

Any ideas how to avoid our governments being vulnerable to this kind of pressure?

[Jimmy_041]

Yeah I know much like Howard with the Exclusive Brethren he's been in bed with those nutters for awhile. I wasn't sure if to put it up as I didn't want to offend everyone with that guy saying the Vics deserved the bushfires because they were being punished by god. The sad thing about the credibility of Peter Costello is that it's only now that he's trying to distance himself from them despite all the crazy statements from this fruit loop in the past.

*Bump*

Looks like the "nutters" have found a new patron....

http://www.news.com.au/national/brethren-schools-to-get-70mfunding/story-e6frfkvr-1225818224755

[Gozu]

Absolutely disgraceful. Yet another attempt to lock in the Christian vote which we're all seeing with the internet censorship. Like Psyber said it certainly is a sad state of affairs unfortunately once again straight out of the Mike Rann playbook.

[Jimmy_041]

Yeah I know much like Howard with the Exclusive Brethren he's been in bed with those nutters for awhile. I wasn't sure if to put it up as I didn't want to offend everyone with that guy saying the Vics deserved the bushfires because they were being punished by god. The sad thing about the credibility of Peter Costello is that it's only now that he's trying to distance himself from them despite all the crazy statements from this fruit loop in the past.

*Bump*
Looks like the "nutters" have found a new patron....
http://www.news.com.au/national/brethren-schools-to-get-70mfunding/story-e6frfkvr-1225818224755

It appears that no government wants to upset those who are organised enough to stir up even a small section of the public at election time when small differences may determine an election result in some seats.
It is a sad state of affairs, but I thought it was fairly obvious back when Howard was doing it too - and it probably explains Peter Costello's behaviour referred to above.

Any ideas how to avoid our governments being vulnerable to this kind of pressure?

Yes - quite simple - if the religious organisations want to get involved in the political side of society - tax them at the same rate as the corporate tax.

Watch them run a mile then............

[Gingernuts]

Absolutely disgraceful. Yet another attempt to lock in the Christian vote which we're all seeing with the internet censorship. Like Psyber said it certainly is a sad state of affairs unfortunately once again straight out of the Mike Rann playbook.

You'll actually find Gozu that most Christians are as concerned by the Bretheren as you are. Giving money to them will do nothing in securing any Christian vote.

I think it's more about the money and influence of this group in particular, rather than an attempt to secure the 'Christian vote' in general. It's well circulated that members occupy positions from which they could make life difficult for any political figure that displeases them.

[Gozu]

Absolutely disgraceful. Yet another attempt to lock in the Christian vote which we're all seeing with the internet censorship. Like Psyber said it certainly is a sad state of affairs unfortunately once again straight out of the Mike Rann playbook.

You'll actually find Gozu that most Christians are as concerned by the Bretheren as you are. Giving money to them will do nothing in securing any Christian vote.

I think it's more about the money and influence of this group in particular, rather than an attempt to secure the 'Christian vote' in general. It's well circulated that members occupy positions from which they could make life difficult for any political figure that displeases them.

I know that a lot of Christians are also concerned about the Brethren. Given the fact they're an extremist cult, pefectly understandable. But a lot of Christians also like seeing fellow Christians being looked after & this might have a bit to do with their links to the Hillsong mob. The only "direct" aspect of buttering up EB would be to do with their pro-Liberal smear campaigns they get involved in and we all remember their extreme pamphlets attacking the Greens in Tasmania/Labor in NZ a few years ago.

This in of itself might not be an attempt to lock in the Christian vote but the internet filter most assuredly is. This is about trying to keep the EB from starting up their smear campaigns come election time again.

[Gingernuts]

Absolutely disgraceful. Yet another attempt to lock in the Christian vote which we're all seeing with the internet censorship. Like Psyber said it certainly is a sad state of affairs unfortunately once again straight out of the Mike Rann playbook.

You'll actually find Gozu that most Christians are as concerned by the Bretheren as you are. Giving money to them will do nothing in securing any Christian vote.

I think it's more about the money and influence of this group in particular, rather than an attempt to secure the 'Christian vote' in general. It's well circulated that members occupy positions from which they could make life difficult for any political figure that displeases them.

I know that a lot of Christians are also concerned about the Brethren. Given the fact they're an extremist cult, pefectly understandable. But a lot of Christians also like seeing fellow Christians being looked after & this might have a bit to do with their links to the Hillsong mob. The only "direct" aspect of buttering up EB would be to do with their pro-Liberal smear campaigns they get involved in and we all remember their extreme pamphlets attacking the Greens in Tasmania/Labor in NZ a few years ago.

This in of itself might not be an attempt to lock in the Christian vote but the internet filter most assuredly is. This is about trying to keep the EB from starting up their smear campaigns come election time again.

Yep, agreed. I also agree on the internet filter being a play for the wider Christian vote. I personally have a problem with any organisation who wishes to compromise an individual's freedom of choice, Christian or otherwise.

[Leaping Lindner]

To quote Pete Townsend
"Meet the new boss......same as the old boss."

[Gozu]

"Peter Costello's $600 million Cambodian crusade":

http://www.crikey.com.au/2010/01/25/pet ... n-crusade/