Story: Atheism and secularism

Mixing politics and religion

Mixing politics and religion

In this 2007 cartoon, based on the idea of throwing Christians to the lions, United Future Party leader Peter Dunne points out to the lion (representing the New Zealand voters) that it is Gordon Copeland who is the Christian. Dunne felt that support for his party had suffered after his 2002 alliance with the Copeland-led Christian party, Future New Zealand. Overt association with religion has not helped many New Zealand politicians and in some cases it has reduced their political support. Being agnostic or avoiding the issue seems to be more acceptable to most of the electorate.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: DCDL-0003876
Cartoon by Mike Moreu

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Carl Walrond, 'Atheism and secularism - An increasingly secular country', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/cartoon/26205/mixing-politics-and-religion (accessed 26 April 2024)

Story by Carl Walrond, published 5 May 2011, reviewed & revised 4 Apr 2018