Thread by @Monocotyledon

Dear Twitter and its resident journalists,

I have a question. Has anyone asked #ScottMorrison how old he thinks the Earth is? It is relevant in relation to his understanding of ecology, geology and the release of greenhouse gases through the burning of fossil fuels.

1/11

Morrison's church, Horizon, is a member of the Australian Christian Churches, formerly known as Assemblies of God. It therefore believes in #creationism.

2/11

Their doctrine: 'We believe that the heavens and earth and all original life forms, including humanity, were made by the specific immediate creative acts of God as described in the account of origins presented in Genesis..."

3/11

"...and that all biological changes which have occurred since creation are limited to variation within each species."

Source: acc.org.au/about-us/doctr…

4/11

So either our Prime Minister believes what his church preaches, or he believes in the science. Which is it? It can't be both. If it is the former, there are some burning (sorry) questions for him to answer.

5/11

If, as he now reluctantly claims, he accepts that climate change is real, what does he think is causing it? Where does he believe the fossils that have become coal and oil came from? How long ago does he think they were laid down?

6/11

Does he think that climate change is ordained? His god's will? Does he expect Jesus to return and the millennial reign to begin? If so, does he believe that it is unnecessary for us to take action to limit climate change?

7/11

Now some might suggest that Morrison's religious beliefs are his own personal business and we have no right to question them. He himself, however, made them part of his public persona by inviting media cameras into his church to film him praying.

8/11

This is the man who, in his maiden speech as an MP, spoke of "the immutable truths and principles of the Christian faith" and aspired to "transform" our nation, a country which, he asserted, "is not a secular country".

9/11

He also claimed that our Constitution "guarantees freedom of religion, not from religion". As an aside, I note that his proposed "religious freedom" bill alarmingly seeks to test that notion.

10/11

So I want to know -- and I know I am not alone -- where science fits into Morrison's worldview. He resents his religion being portrayed as extremist, but if it is in denial of basic science, that is what is it.

And we deserve to know, because he is running the show.

/End