by Max Wallace
In this provocative book Max Wallace argues democracies should be republics characterised by constitutional
separations of church and state. Wallace argues the separation of temporal authority from supernatural authority
should be understood as the first separation of powers in a democracy, prior to, and equivalent to, the separations
between the executive, legislature and judiciary. The failure of democracies to fully realise this distinction
constitutionally has seen churches become immensely wealthy as a consequence of their centuries old tax-exempt
status as charities that "advance religion." Their wealth is now a recognisable financial phenomenon
– the Purple Economy.
But, following the French principle, Wallace argues it is not the role of a state to "advance religion."
Ancient exemptions from taxation for the "supernatural" charities who are under no obligation to spend
their wealth on "good works", are not appropriate in the 21st century. They should be treated for tax
purposes the same as other taxpayers. The failure of governments to formalise separation of church and state has
contributed to the significant wealth of supernatural charities largely as a function of the exemptions.
These are effectively concealed tithes on all taxpayers. At the same time church attendance has plummeted.
Central to supernatural proselytising is their lobbying success in achieving more public money for private,
religious schools. Public education has been betrayed by compliant politicians from both sides as they run what
are effectively soft theocracies: democracies compromised by constitutional monarchy and/or supernatural charities
and their tax exemptions.
The Purple Economy is available from the NZARH for $35 + $4.50 postage in New Zealand.
Please contact the NZARH Office for more details.
by Bill Cooke
In the tradition of Voltaire’s Philosophical Dictionary, Ambrose Bierce’s Devil’s Dictionary,
and Joseph McCabe's Rationalist Encyclopedia, this accessible dictionary addresses the contemporary need
for a reference book that succinctly summarizes the key concepts, current terminology, and major contributions
of influential thinkers broadly associated with atheism, skepticism, and humanism. In the preface, author Bill
Cooke notes that his work is intended "for freethinkers in the broadest sense of the word: people who like to
think for themselves and not according to the preplanned routes set by others." This dictionary will serve as a
guide for all those people striving to lead fulfilling, morally responsible lives without religious belief.
Readers are offered a wide range of concepts, from ancient, well-known notions such as God, free will, and evil
to new concepts such as "eupraxsophy". Also included are current "buzzwords" that have some bearing on the
freethought worldview such as"“metrosexual.” The names of many people whose lives or work reflect freethought
principles form a major portion of the entries. Finally, a humanist calendar is included, on which events of
interest to freethinkers are noted.
This unique, accessible, and highly informative work will be a welcome addition to the libraries of open-minded
people of all philosophic persuasions.
The above description is from Prometheus Books.
The Dictionary of Atheism, Skepticism and Humanism is available from the NZARH for $90 + $9 postage in New Zealand.
Please contact the NZARH Office for more details.
by Jim Dakin
The basic meaning of the word ‘secular’ is ‘belonging to the world’, i.e. the natural world as distinct from any
supernatural world that might be envisaged by an adherent of a particular religious belief.
A secular state is one that adopts the principle of complete separation of church and state and in which there is
individual freedom of religious or non-religious belief. In fact, the secular state is neutral as regards the belief
of its citizens and must refrain from favouring any particular religious group.
The purpose of this study is to trace the origins of this trend towards the secularity of the state in Britain and
its gradual development in New Zealand, in spite of occasional reversals.
The Secular Trend in New Zealand is available from the NZARH for $15 + $4.50 postage in New Zealand.
Overseas postage is + NZD$6 postage for Australia & Pacific, and + NZD$9 postage for the rest of the World.
Please contact the NZARH Office for more details.
Seventy Years of Rationalism in New Zealand
by Bill Cooke
Heathen in Godzone is a critical, hard-hitting history that looks at the highs and lows of Rationalism in New Zealand.
We invite you to read the Preface of Heathen in Godzone.
Heathen in Godzone is available from the NZARH for $15 + $4.50 postage in New Zealand.
Please contact the NZARH Office for more details.
The NZARH is happy to donate a copy of Heathen In Godzone free of charge to any public or school library that may wish
to own a copy of this book. Librarians are warmly invited to contact us.
Grey cotton T-shirt with black text.
Available in S/M/L/XL/XXL size $10.00 each plus freight.
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