Is this a godless nation?

Colourful Queensland MP Bob Katter will be heading to Church this Easter. But it's not for every MP. Picture: Russell Shakespeare Source: News Limited

Nine out of 10 Americans believe in God
Gillard the fifth Aussie PM to admit to not believing
Is Australia a godless nation?

On Easter Sunday millions of people around the world are heading for church to celebrate Jesus' resurrection from the dead.

Across this nation, Australians will overwhelmingly be meeting up with family and mates and perhaps fretting about whether they stocked up on enough booze.

Australia's church attendance rates are historically among the lowest in the world, around nine per cent, rising slightly at Christmas and Easter.

Is Australia a godless nation, and does leadership have anything to do with it?

In the United States, where no man has ever been elected to the office of president unless he is a Christian and a regular churchgoer, more than nine out of 10 Americans believe in God.

Julia Gillard is the fifth Australian prime minister to publicly admit to not believing in a Christian God, after John Curtin, John Gorton, Gough Whitlam and Bob Hawke (an agnostic). Ms Gillard told news.com.au that, over Easter, she will be spending some time with family in Adelaide.

However, a survey of federal MPs and senators ahead of the Easter weekend shows that Canberra is not as godless a place as it might seem.

More than 80 per cent of the federal politicians who responded said they believed in God and would be attending at least one church service this weekend.

Only four of the politicians – Greens senators Lee Rhiannon (NSW), Adam Bandt (Vic) and Larissa Waters (Qld), and Liberal senator Simon Birmingham – outed themselves as non-believers.

A Godless Easter... NSW Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon.

Tasmanian MPs Independent, Andrew Wilkie and Dick Adams said mind your own business.

Senator Sue Boyce (Qld) and Climate Change Minister Greg Combet refused to comment.

Maverick Queensland politician and enthusiastic Christian, Bob Katter, said Australians should not necessarily believe federal parliamentarians who said they were Christians.

"Australia is a very secular society, which isn't necessarily a bad thing," he said.

"Australians may not be very religious, but as they long as they 'love their neighbour' at Easter – wish their mates well – that is the main thing.

"There are plenty of politicians who piously pray in Canberra and go off to Christian breakfasts who are then asked to make a stand for their fellow man on an issue and they turn their backs on Australians who need help.

"I'd rather have an atheist who looks after his mates than someone paying lip service to Christianity."

Believe in God

Australian senate:
Senator Eric Abetz (Lib, Tas), Senator Chris Back (Lib, WA) Senator David Feeney (ALP, Vic) Senator Mark Furner (ALP, Qld), Senator Ian Macdonald (Lib, Qld), Senator Bridget McKenzie (Nat, Vic), Senator Dean Smith (Lib, WA), Senator Ursula Stephens (ALP, NSW), Senator Matt Thistlethwaite (ALP, NSW).

House of Representatives:
Karen Andrews (Lib, Qld), Bob Baldwin (Lib, NSW), Jamie Briggs (Lib,SA), Teresa Gambaro (Lib, Qld), Steve Georganas (ALP, SA), Natasha Griggs (CLP, NT), Bob Katter (KAP, Qld), Shayne Neumann (ALP, Qld), Graham Perrett (ALP, Qld), Tanya Plibersek, (ALP, NSW), Michelle Rowland (ALP, NSW), Kevin Rudd (ALP, Qld), Janelle Saffin (ALP, NSW), Bruce Scott (Nat, Qld), Alan Tudge (Lib, Vic), Bert van Manen (Lib, Qld), Maria Vamvakinou (ALP, Vic), Joe Hockey (Lib, NSW).

Don't believe in God:
Senator Lee Rhiannon (Greens, NSW), Senator Larissa Waters (Greens, Qld), Adam Bandt (Greens, Vic) and Senator Simon Birmingham.

Wouldn't say:
Treasurer Wayne Swan (ALP, Qld ): "Easter is a chance to take a bit of extra time with my family and friends, and head to church with my wife on Easter Sunday. This time of year's always busy for me as we pull the Budget together so it's safe to say I'll be putting in a bit of time working through the numbers over the weekend."

Bernie Ripoll (ALP, Qld): "Easter is a special time of year for many people of faith across the world and it is an especially well enjoyed break for Australia's longest weekend."

Senator Nick Xenophon (Ind, SA): "The Greek Orthodox Easter is on May 5, which is great, because the Easter eggs are on special. Please ask me again then!"

Climate Change Minister Greg Combet (ALP, NSW)

Mind your own business:
Andrew Wilkie: "My spiritual views are a private matter and unrelated to my role as a Member of Parliament."
Dick Adams: "I have my own personal beliefs and respect other's beliefs in whatever God they believe in."

Uncertain:
Senator Peter Whish-Wilson (Greens, Tas): "I am still a journeyman on this one, but definitely not in any traditional sense cooked up by human beings".