Just to be contrary and difficult, I don't understand why people complain that politicians listen to churches as if that is somehow an ethical challenge. Politicians are free to listen to groups of workers and employers, and weigh their opinions in parliament when making law. Politicians are free to listen to groups of scientists and those who follow them, and weigh their opinions in parliament when making law. Politicians are free to listen to groups of people who have certain hobbies and socialise in common.
Why can't they listen to religious people? They do comprise a significant proportion of our population, after all. Is it just because you don't agree with them? That's only a good reason not to vote for them, not to wish for them to be disenfranchised.
And especially in the case of Tony Abbot and other "faithful" politicians, would you prefer them to be dishonest? If their opinions cause you offense, don't vote for them. But don't ask them to lie.
I suppose my point, much more concisely, is that any polity that excludes people and opinions on the basis of religion is fundamentally unfree. I would prefer to live in a country with freedom of religion for everyone, including politicians and voters and lobbiests, than one which denies people political involvement just because they believe certain shared myths.
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