Si Gladman
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Si Gladman
@sigladman.bsky.social
92 followers 79 following 42 posts
Executive Director, Rationalist Society of Australia; Editor, Rationale magazine; Host of ‘The Secular Agenda’ podcast.
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Reposted by Si Gladman
ausrationalist.bsky.social
In our latest podcast episode, Jane Morris, of Dying With Dignity Victoria, speaks about the new amendments to Victoria’s laws that improve access to voluntary assisted dying for terminally ill people. Listen to the podcast on major podcast apps or here: rationalist.com.au/podcasts/
#SpringSt
December 20, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Reposted by Si Gladman
ausrationalist.bsky.social
We’re seeking a commitment from Opposition Leader Sussan Ley that her party will not push to introduce any religious criteria or test for immigrants, following comments from an MP wanting ‘faith’ made an ‘Australian value’ that immigrants needed to support. More: rationalist.com.au/rsa-question...
RSA questions Opposition Leader over Liberal MP’s call for immigrants to support ‘faith’ as an ‘Australian value’ | Rationalist Society of Australia
The Rationalist Society of Australia is seeking a commitment from the federal Opposition Leader, Sussan Ley, that her party will not push to introduce any religious criteria or test for immigrants ent...
rationalist.com.au
December 20, 2025 at 5:17 AM
Reposted by Si Gladman
ausrationalist.bsky.social
Non-religious councillors will now have to excuse themselves from the meeting chamber if they don’t want to be subjected to forced acts of religious worship at Oberon Council in New South Wales. Read more: rationalist.com.au/non-religiou...
#auspol #NSWpol
Non-religious councillors to “remove themselves” if they don’t want to participate in prayers | Rationalist Society of Australia
Non-religious councillors will now have to excuse themselves from the meeting chamber if they don’t want to be subjected to forced acts of religious worship at Oberon Council in New South Wales. The c...
rationalist.com.au
December 18, 2025 at 6:32 AM
sigladman.bsky.social
It’s funny that the Christian Right think they own ‘Australian values’. They are out of step with modern secular values! They have opposed the most important social reforms in recent history (VAD, equal marriage, abortion rights). Christianity is set to fall below 40% at next year’s Census.
#auspol
December 17, 2025 at 5:38 AM
sigladman.bsky.social
Andrew Hastie is arguing now that “theology has public consequences”, but since he was elected he has refused to answer media questions about how his Christianity — and belief in Intelligent Design / Creationism — will influence his politics and policy making. Ironic.
#auspol
December 16, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Reposted by Si Gladman
ausrationalist.bsky.social
The ABC reports that hospital managers and executives in New South Wales will be barred from blocking abortions because of personal beliefs, under new guidelines proposed for public health services across the state.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...
#NSWpol #auspol
NSW hospital execs could be barred from blocking abortions on religious grounds
Hospital managers and executives in NSW will be barred from blocking abortions because of moral and religious views, according to a document obtained by the ABC.
www.abc.net.au
December 15, 2025 at 6:52 AM
Reposted by Si Gladman
ausrationalist.bsky.social
In a submission to Oberon Council in NSW, we have called on the council to remove acts of religious worship from its formal meetings and have warned that deciding not to could expose it to legal risks. Read more: rationalist.com.au/rsa-outlines...
#auspol #NSWpol
RSA outlines legal concerns over prayers in Oberon council meetings | Rationalist Society of Australia
The Rationalist Society of Australia has called on a New South Wales council to remove acts of religious worship from its formal meetings and has warned that deciding not to could expose council to le...
rationalist.com.au
December 14, 2025 at 1:08 AM
Reposted by Si Gladman
ausrationalist.bsky.social
In a submission, we have raised concerns about alleged election activities of religious charities with charitable status for ‘advancing religion’ and called for the charities regulator to have the power to take action when charities “step over the line”: rationalist.com.au/charities-re...
#auspol
Charities regulator needs power to act during elections, RSA tells parliamentary inquiry | Rationalist Society of Australia
The national charities regulator needs enforcement powers to take action against charities that “step over the line”, especially during election campaign periods, the Rationalist Society of Australia ...
rationalist.com.au
December 12, 2025 at 4:45 AM
sigladman.bsky.social
Oh no! The ‘war on Christmas’ has begun! Sydneysiders have “erupted in fury” because a Christmas tree says “happy holidays”😂🤣 www.news.com.au/lifestyle/re...
December 10, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Reposted by Si Gladman
ausrationalist.bsky.social
Documents reveal that in early 2024 the Bureau of Statistics made a compelling case to the Albanese govt for changing the Census religion question, including to remove the bias. Yet, the ABS will re-use the biased question for the 2026 Census. Read more: rationalist.com.au/exclusive-ab...
#auspol
December 6, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Reposted by Si Gladman
ausrationalist.bsky.social
Nine newspapers report that the organisers of the Brisbane 2032 Olympics have adopted a church slogan – “Believe. Belong. Become” – as the “Games vision”.
www.theage.com.au/sport/brisba...
#auspol
Brisbane 2032 Olympics adopts church slogan as ‘Games vision’
Organisers unveiled “Believe. Belong. Become. Brisbane 2032” as the motto for Australia’s third Olympics after consultation including 40 workshops. It might sound familiar.
www.theage.com.au
December 6, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Reposted by Si Gladman
ausrationalist.bsky.social
The Bureau of Statistics will ask Australians completing next year’s Census to answer a religion question that it criticised and made a compelling case against re-using in a private briefing with the Albanese govt, documents obtained under FOI laws show: rationalist.com.au/exclusive-ab...
#auspol
Exclusive: ABS criticised biased Census religion question, rejected church’s concerns about change | Rationalist Society of Australia
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) will ask Australians completing next year's Census to answer a religion question that it criticised and made a compelling case against re-using in a private b...
rationalist.com.au
December 4, 2025 at 7:29 AM
Reposted by Si Gladman
ausrationalist.bsky.social
We have written to new Victorian Opposition Leader Jess Wilson seeking clarity on whether the Liberal Party is planning to return religious indoctrination to class time in public schools if it wins the state election next year. More: rationalist.com.au/rsa-calls-on...
#SpringSt
RSA calls on Victorian Liberals to be clear on scripture policy | Rationalist Society of Australia
The Rationalist Society of Australia is seeking clarity from the Victorian Liberal Party on whether it is planning to return religious indoctrination to class time in public schools if it wins the sta...
rationalist.com.au
December 2, 2025 at 6:43 AM
Reposted by Si Gladman
ausrationalist.bsky.social
A coalition of non-religious, ex-religious and pro-secular groups is seeking answers from the Albanese government on how it will address ongoing discrimination against non-religious Australians in government institutions and programs. Read more: rationalist.com.au/coalition-of...
#auspol
Coalition of groups questions Attorney-General over Australia’s treatment of non-religious people | Rationalist Society of Australia
A coalition of non-religious, ex-religious and pro-secular groups is seeking answers from the Albanese government on how it will address ongoing discrimination against non-religious Australians in gov...
rationalist.com.au
November 29, 2025 at 5:54 AM
Reposted by Si Gladman
ausrationalist.bsky.social
The AFR reports that barrister Rachel Doyle SC has criticised the involvement of the legal fraternity in Catholic Red Masses, saying it risked creating a perception of connection between the secular institution of the law and the religious institution. Read more:
www.afr.com/politics/fed...
#auspol
November 28, 2025 at 2:03 AM
Reposted by Si Gladman
ausrationalist.bsky.social
At Oberon Council in NSW last month, Councillor Ian Tucker made the case – unsuccessfully – for moving prayers from the formal business of meetings so that council could no longer impose religion on himself, colleagues, staff & members of the public. More:
rationalist.com.au/councillor-c...
#auspol
November 27, 2025 at 3:16 AM
Reposted by Si Gladman
ausrationalist.bsky.social
NSW councillors who chose to have acts of Christian worship retained in formal govt meetings over the option of holding prayers in private have argued the decision was about “returning spirituality in the community” but “not about pushing any religion”: rationalist.com.au/councillor-c...
#auspol
Councillor claims observing prayers in meetings “not about pushing religion”, as Oberon keeps prayers | Rationalist Society of Australia
Councillors who chose to have acts of Christian worship retained in formal government meetings over the option of holding prayers in private have argued that the decision was about “returning spiritua...
rationalist.com.au
November 26, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Reposted by Si Gladman
ausrationalist.bsky.social
Members of the public have raised concerns about issues of coercive control in religious charities with the national charities regulator, a state parliamentary inquiry examining cults and fringe organised groups has heard. Read more: rationalist.com.au/charities-re...
#SpringSt #auspol
Charities regulator confirms allegations raised with it over coercive control | Rationalist Society of Australia
Members of the public have raised concerns about issues of coercive control in religious charities with the national charities regulator, a parliamentary inquiry examining cults and fringe organised g...
rationalist.com.au
November 22, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Reposted by Si Gladman
ausrationalist.bsky.social
The Age reports that leaked recordings from the Exclusive Brethren’s Strive 26 conference this week have revealed the church’s leadership swinging back at the Prime Minister's labelling it a cult and discussion on plans to deal with a tax office probe.
www.theage.com.au/national/we-...
#auspol
‘We’re not a cult’ and a call for $250 million: Inside Exclusive Brethren’s rallying call to members
Leaked recordings reveal the church’s leadership swinging back at the prime minister labelling it a cult and how it plans to deal with a tax office probe.
www.theage.com.au
November 22, 2025 at 1:28 AM
Reposted by Si Gladman
ausrationalist.bsky.social
The charities regulator has told a parliamentary inquiry into cult groups that some religious charities’ exemptions to reporting requirements and governance standards “significantly impacts” its ability to act when public concerns are raised about charities: rationalist.com.au/charities-re...
Charities regulator tells cult inquiry of “significant impact” on its work due to religious charities’ “reduced” obligations | Rationalist Society of Australia
The nation’s charities regulator has told a parliamentary inquiry into cult groups that some religious charities’ exemptions to reporting requirements and governance standards “significantly impacts” ...
rationalist.com.au
November 16, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Reposted by Si Gladman
ausrationalist.bsky.social
When the ACT’s Legislative Assembly passed laws to ensure religious institutions will be vicariously liable for the actions of clergymen – & other organisations similarly for their volunteers & people in positions akin to employment – Shane Rattenbury took aim at those who opposed the move.
#auspol
November 12, 2025 at 5:57 AM
Reposted by Si Gladman
ausrationalist.bsky.social
We are seeking answers from the West Australian government on the status of the pilot program that allows a government school to directly hire a wellbeing support worker instead of outsourcing to a religious agency. Read more:
rationalist.com.au/rsa-question...
#WApol
RSA questions WA government about schools wellbeing pilot program | Rationalist Society of Australia
The Rationalist Society of Australia is seeking answers from the West Australian government on the status of the pilot program that allows a government school to directly hire a wellbeing support work...
rationalist.com.au
November 11, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Reposted by Si Gladman
ausrationalist.bsky.social
At the inquiry into cults, journalist Richard Baker questioned whether ‘advancing religion’ should remain a blanket justification for concessions, suggesting instead a public benefit test to ensure groups demonstrate genuine contribution to society. www.parliament.vic.gov.au/news/society...
#auspol
Understanding the coercive practices of high-control groups - Parliament of Victoria
www.parliament.vic.gov.au
November 8, 2025 at 3:34 AM
Reposted by Si Gladman
ausrationalist.bsky.social
At the Christian prayer breakfast this week, Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said that the “principles and values that Jesus lived by underpin the role of Australia’s first law officer” and claimed that “our values and faith” guide lawmakers. Read more: rationalist.com.au/australias-a...
#auspol
November 5, 2025 at 6:40 AM
sigladman.bsky.social
Christian lobbyists are struggling to understand how numbers work. Freedom for Faith’s Mike Southon has told Christian radio 50% of the population is Christian. But it was 44% in 2021 (with an ABS question that inflates religion!). It's likely to fall below 40% next year.
#auspol
November 5, 2025 at 2:09 AM