Scott Morrison at centre of ABC row over religion

THE new Prime Minister has been plunged into controversy over his religious beliefs following a parody song on the ABC.

AUSTRALIA’S new Prime Minister Scott Morrison is at the centre of a row over his deeply held religious beliefs.

The Pentecostal PM, whose faith is causing some concern among Liberal MPs, was lambasted on ABC show Tonightly on Monday — triggering fierce debate on social media.

The TV satire program - which was recently cancelled by the ABC - skewered Mr Morrison over the perceived contradiction between his religious beliefs and his controversial actions as immigration minister.

Host Tom Ballard referenced the leader’s congregation, where worshippers are sometimes so overcome they start to speak in tongues.

“To show us how our new PM’s faith fits in with his politics, we’ve actually managed to get some Christian rock musicians who regularly perform at Morrison’s church.”

The skit from Tonightly that has caused offence.

Would you leave the Prime Ministers' Faith alone please..? Do we still live in a Country that believes in Freedom..?

— Rob (@mollythepuddyc1) August 29, 2018

Is this for real ? If true, ABC should hang it’s head in absolute shame.

— John (@John01511202) August 29, 2018

Introducing her double act with Wyatt Nixon-Lloyd, comedian Bridie Connell said the pair were “The Shadow Ministers” and began by explaining: “Scott Morrison could not be more Christian, right? Every act he does, is so Christian.”

The pair then sing: “Jesus made the animals like kangaroos, And he also said to lock the kids up on Nauru.

“I am Jesus’s son and I’m Jesus’ daughter and there’s nothing more Christian than closing the borders.

Hey kids check out this AWESOME cool Christian band who play at @scottmorrisonMP's church all the time to get the low down on the whole Jesus/refugee thing, yeah? Sweet #tonightly #RefuJesus pic.twitter.com/XJUGxdSn39

— Tom Ballard (@TomCBallard) August 28, 2018

“We love Jesus, Jesus, but not refugees-us, if you wanna win votes then you gotta stop boats.

“To do what pleases Jesus deny them all visas — and you can’t get more Christian than that.”

The song later runs: “ScoMo is under the spell of Jesus’s charm, and the kids are on safety watch for self-harm.

“If Jesus was a refugee, we’d say, ‘f*** off, we’re full.’”

One Twitter user responded to the clip: “Would you leave the Prime Ministers’ Faith alone please..? Do we still live in a Country that believes in Freedom..?”

Another accused the ABC of “ridiculing Scott Morrison’s faith”, while one said the broadcaster should “hang its head in absolute shame.”

Fascinating how politicians can be so selective as to when their Christianity informs their decisions. Happy to evoke bible when refusing to vote for marriage equality yet teachings of Jesus seemingly irrelevant when denying medical care to refugee kids? https://t.co/UD0zVXXFEw

— Tom Clarke (@TomHRLC) August 28, 2018

Others replied that the video had clearly “hit a nerve” with some Liberal voters.

The clip has had thousands of shares on Facebook. “This song is so irreverent. I’m sad that so many people have seen it,” wrote Emily Claire Donaghue.

Jared Archer called it “abhorrent” and “garbage” that was “completely disrespecting the views of many Australians and faith”.

Martin Jujou said he found it “ironic that abc is quick to make fun of Christians with a bad video — but would never dare to with Islam. Double standards.”

Mr Morrison’s faith come into the spotlight since he won the party’s leadership spill.

The Liberal leader is one of 2000 worshippers at Horizon Church in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire, some of whom believe in “divine healing” for health and wellbeing.

The former immigration minister, known for enforcing the Stop the Boats Operation Sovereign Borders policy, said in his maiden speech that his “personal faith in Jesus Christ is not a political agenda.”

Tonightly host Tom Ballard.

Many saw a conflict in this, with Human Rights Law Centre director of campaigns Tom Clarke tweeting: “Fascinating how politicians can be so selective as to when their Christianity informs their decisions. Happy to evoke bible when refusing to vote for marriage equality yet teachings of Jesus seemingly irrelevant when denying medical care to refugee kids?”

A senior Liberal source this week told news.com.au Mr Morrison would be encouraged to downplay his religion as PM.

Geoffrey Robinson, a senior lecturer in social sciences at Deakin University, added: “If I were Morrison, I’d be careful about appearing too religious and pushing it too much.

“Those ‘heart on the sleeve’ declarations of religious faith make some people a bit uncomfortable. There’s something of a suspicion about religion in politics.

“But I’m sure Morrison is fairly well aware of these kinds of considerations.”

An ABC spokesman told the Daily Telegraph the skit did not attack Mr Morrison’s religion but was “a satirical way of examining the relationship between such beliefs and government policies on asylum seekers.”