So, there's hope for us?

Two of our three main political parties in the UK are led by atheists: Jeremy Corbyn is leader of the Labour Party - and, I hope, will be our next prime minister; while Vince Cable is leader of the Liberal Democrats. Theresa May, current prime minister and leader of the Conservative Party, says she's a Christian and supports policies that have seen a massive rise in homelessness and childhood poverty.

We're "lurching to the right" probably because we're changing economic paradigms again. The associated fear and uncertainty favour conservatism. Then there's the decades old push to make us more afraid. "Be alert not alarmed" was there ever a more disingenuous campaign?

@RobAnybody ahh the world must need more lerts

@Rugglesby Fortunately, apart from a few who vote for Christian right "family first" candidates, I don't think Australians generally allow religion to affect their voting. For Australians, the hip pocket beats the Bible anyway. You know we had an election here in SA last Saturday, and the Christian Conservatives/ Family First party didn't do well.

@David1955 hip pocket and any other instant gratification, oh look a shiny thing, will vote for them. You are right, very few people consider much at all when voting.Makes democracy scary.

@Rugglesby Yeah, but I kind of like the fact that we are a practical people, even if it does lend itself to blatant self interest sometimes. I do wish sometimes we were more a people of Principles. We are, of course, but they are mostly other countries' Principles. (UK, USA etc)

It depends on the principles, doesn't it? The USSR was atheist, but I sure didn't like their principles. I also don't like setting up government as some kind of providential god that all must worship and obey (pay your tithings/taxes).

He has stated he is an atheist? Or agnostic? On the campaign trail, he seems to just imply (meekly and with some prodding) that he is a Jew.

He is a quiet non-practicing Atheist - has been for years.

So when reporters or citizens in a town hall meeting ask him this, he admits it?