Getting Into The Holy Spirit

by Matt Price - Sunday Telegraph

Before farewelling Parliament for the summer break, John Howard made his annual valedictory speech.

In most respects, it was similar to the nine others he's delivered as Prime Minister: tributes to colleagues, acknowledgements to opponents, thanks to the hundreds of parliamentary staff who pamper and pander to MPs.

But this year, Howard did something he's not done before. He spent a large slab of his speech reflecting on the religious and spiritual dimensions of Christmas.

In the past, Howard has paused to nod at Christianity before wishing everyone well over the holidays. On Thursday, we got a mini-sermon.

"This is, of course, an occasion of the year that celebrates the birth of the most significant figure in human history, Jesus of Nazareth," Howard said.

"It is an occasion to acknowledge the spiritual component of our lives."

The PM noted religious faith was not compulsory.

"One of the driving philosophical forces of Christianity is individual choice and free will.

"For my part, I have endeavoured, completely inadequately, to live as best I can according to the basic tenets of the Christian religion."

Howard noted that most Australians preferred to keep their religion to themselves. But he went on: "It does not alter the fact that there is a deep deposit of spirituality in this country which is a very, very strong force for good.

"For all the brickbats that have been hurled at the Christian churches and for all their failings and for all the failings, personal sins and indiscretions of some of their members, it remains the fact that the Christian religion is the greatest force for good, progress and dignity of the individual in this nation.

"There is no force which is greater for the enhancement of individuals and liberation of the human spirit."

All of this, and there was lots more, was most unHoward-like. The PM is a Methodist-turned-Anglican who attends church irregularly.

He is also a shrewd politician with finely tuned radar. Howard was being sincere about his beliefs, but the very public expression of support for Christianity coincides with the increasing influence of religion on politics.

The popularity and reach of pentecostal church groups is growing. At least three of the Liberal Party's new MPs relied on church support during the campaign. Deputy PM John Anderson is a deeply religious Anglican, and Peter Costello attended a Hillsong celebration in Sydney before the election.

Concerns about religion and politics have prompted Labor MPs to address their relationship with the Church.

Last week, Kevin Rudd convened the first meeting of the Faith, Politics and Values caucus working group, attended by more than 20 MPs.

They have agreed to re-convene next year and meet every sitting fortnight to tackle ways of improving Labor's image and increasing the party's attraction to voters interested in values.

On Monday, Rudd spoke at the National Prayer Breakfast in Parliament House. With the PM and senior ministers in the packed audience, Labor's foreign-affairs spokesman opened by warning the congregation to be "sceptical when you hear politicians implying that God is on their side".

Rudd and other Labor MPs are concerned that the Government is subtly exploiting a religious advantage.

As a firebrand backbencher, Mark Latham, an admitted agnostic, attacked church leaders and expressed doubts about organised religion.

Liberal strategists believe Howard's Christian beliefs and respect for religious institutions was a significant positive for the Coalition at the election.

Australia remains an irreverent and secular nation. Concerns about church relations didn't stop Labor MPs giggling at a skit gently ridiculing Tony Abbott and Cardinal George Pell at last week's caucus drinks.

Nor is there any hint that religion will wield the influence here that it does in the US.

But Howard's speech, and the restless mood in caucus, tells you something is shifting. If God moves in mysterious ways, neither side of politics wants to be left at the altar.