Doug Mataconis · · 5 comments

The new Prime Minister of Australia says she will not fake her religious belief for the sake of getting votes:

Julia Gillard conceded today that she is not a “religious person” and declared she would not “pretend” to be for the sake of votes.

The Prime Minister appeared caught by surprise this morning during a radio blitz to lift her profile when asked how she would court the Christian vote and whether she believed in God.

“I’m not a religious person,” Ms Gillard told ABC radio.

“I was brought up in the Baptist Church but during my adult life I’ve, you know, found a different path. I’m of course a great respecter of religious beliefs, but they’re not my beliefs.”

“I am not going to pretend a faith I don’t feel. And for people of faith the greatest compliment I could pay to them is to respect their genuinely held beliefs and not to engage in some pretence about mine. I think it’s not the right thing.”

Ms Gillard said she “never thought it was the right thing for me to go through religious rituals for the sake of appearance. I am what I am. And people will judge that”.

“For, you know, people of faith what I would say to them is I grew up in a Christian Church, a Christian background, a Baptist Church, I won prizes for catechism for being able to remember Bible verses. I am steeped in that tradition but I’ve made decisions in my adult life about my own views.”