A resonant resource

Secularism may be a hallmark of contemporary society but the intersectionality of faith, politics and public policy is enduring, argues Tim James in this review of God & Menzies.

God & Menzies: The Faith that Shaped a Prime Minister and his Nation by David Furse-Roberts is a wonderful new book and addition to any library, particularly for those interested in politics, faith, history or public policy. 

It also represents an invaluable resource for those engaged in policymaking and law. 

This review of God & Menzies explores this new volume from a practical point of view and with a focus on policy and law. 

Naturally, as its title suggests, this book is a precious gift for those immersed in, inspired by or simply interested in faith and philosophy. It offers unique depth, detail and understanding in relation to the religiosity of Menzies, his party and nation. It provides a rich history of the religious underpinnings and faith development of our longest serving Prime Minister and the influences upon him and his faith.  

It’s a courageous book, comprehensively researched and beautifully written by Furse-Roberts, who further distinguishes himself in this work as one of our nation’s finest writers of history and politics.

In a special tribute to the book and its author, the Prime Minister, the Hon Scott Morrison MP, has provided a thoughtful and strong foreword. Former Deputy Prime Minister the Hon John Anderson AO in a forthright afterword rightly declares that the book will never be surpassed for its detail and scope. Both sets of words reveal how much this book means to these two leaders, and indeed to millions of Australians of faith. 

A key observation of the book is that Menzies’ faith was practical, grounded and well informed, rather than evangelical or deeply pious. 

Similarly, this book review seeks to be practical, grounded and well informed.

This review seeks not to detail nor dwell on religious issues but rather upon the insights and implications for how policy is decided, people persuaded and laws made. 

In these essential respects God & Menzies is an invaluable resource for anyone engaged in policymaking and law. The wisdom, understanding and value of this book applies to history as much as it does to the present day and indeed our future. 

Two-thirds of Australians today are people of faith. They believe in a god and state to their government (via the census) that they identify as religious. While this is markedly fewer than the figure during Menzies’ period (in 1966 fewer than 1% of census respondents declared no religion) and unquestionably far more diverse (back then 88% of people identified as Christian), faith is very much a part of the Australian culture, community and commitment to one another. 

It may not be popular to say so in a modern, secular society, but faith, community and national character are inherently intertwined, always will be and can neither be ignored nor cast aside by those making, shaping or interpreting public policy or law.  

Prime Minister Scott Morrison provides this perspective in his foreword:

“As David Furse-Roberts observes, though Menzies’ world-view was secular in the classical sense, it was not conceived in a spiritual and moral vacuum.”

God & Menzies confirms that secular leadership is strengthened and well-served by faith. 

Among many illustrations of this key point, the example in education stands out. Furse-Roberts notes Menzies’ respect for the liberal tradition that public education must be “free, secular and compulsory”, but this meant that “secular” education needed to be neutral, not divorced from religion. The book of course gives due weight to Menzies’ views, decisions and actions in education, including in his landmark reform funding faith-based schools. 

The point here is that government and policy making today should be secular, but not in a “spiritual and moral vacuum”.

MRC Executive Director Nick Cater strikes upon this straight up in his preface:

“Separation of church and state in Australia is a tribute to the wisdom of the nation’s founders. Freedom of belief is akin to freedom of conscience. Freedom to deny the existence of God is no less important than freedom to worship a deity.”

Policy and law makers, and advisers, who understand and act upon the balance and benefits of this foundation, namely faith being a core feature of our country and character whilst maintaining a secular state, will stand out. 

Given that faith matters in the making of policies and laws, who better is there to learn from than the most successful figure in Australian political history?  Times have changed, yes, but fundamental principles and values are enduring and Menzies was a master at getting the balance right. 

God & Menzies outlines how a secular state and its leader can be strengthened by faith and how that can be a source of unity and positivity over division. It demonstrates how Menzies’ faith shaped and positively served a wide area of policies and programs from foreign affairs, housing, taxation, industrial relations, education and defence to mention but a few. 

In the final chapter Furse-Roberts concludes by reflecting on how Menzies’ faith-infused leadership and Liberalism offers support and solutions in current debates and developments including religious freedom, education and identity politics. 

Now is the ideal time for this book for many reasons. 

Interest in faith as a consideration and driver of politics, law and policy is on the rise, despite (or perhaps in response to) the surge in secularism of recent times. 

There’s heightened recent interest in the intersection of law and religion which God & Menzies informs and which another new book Australian Jurists and Christianity by Geoff Lindsay and Wayne Hudson focuses on. A further recent book by Greg Sheridan, Christians: The Urgent Case for Jesus in our World, is sparking interest in matters of faith well beyond the personal domain and in to the public square. 

Religious freedom is a key deliverable for Australian policy makers following the Ruddock Review and time is running out to deliver the reform required. The themes and messages in God & Menzies offer substantial ballast towards bringing this reform to a clear, principled and sound conclusion. 

The 2019 federal election demonstrated that faith matters electorally. Many have noted that the result reflected a growing view that parties, policy makers and people contesting elections should think twice before asserting a secularism that sees no place for religion in the public square. Those in our polity who are hostile to or ignorant of faith would be well advised to read God & Menzies. Communities and citizens want leaders of conviction and courage, and there can be no doubt from Menzies’ example that his faith was a key foundation for his remarkable and successful leadership. 

Furse-Roberts, a qualified lawyer (among other credentials), has built a comprehensive case of Menzies’ faith, its foundations and effects on personal and national leadership as well as legacy. His legal training is further evidenced in his use of a rich array of sources, each one perfectly referenced. The author’s introduction “Why God & Menzies” outlines the book, its purpose and profit for the reader in clear terms. Each chapter commences with a Menzies quote that so aptly thrusts the chapter’s theme into view. The book also contains precious historical photos of key figures from Menzies’ life, faith and leadership. 

That Menzies himself was a successful barrister before entering politics is also explored and his time in the law provides insights into his thinking, relationships and subsequent leadership. 

This is an important book for Australia and is a uniquely Australian story that should be told and taught. It’s no coincidence that there is a God & Churchill book in the UK and that other major figures in politics including Lincoln, Reagan and Eisenhower have had such books written about the role of faith in their lives and leadership. 

Faith is overwhelmingly a force for good, unity and strength. Reflecting this in policy and law is a considerable contemporary challenge. God & Menzies reminds us of what can be done and also lights the way forward through timeless principles, sentiments and words that the world needs today. 

God & Menzies: The Faith that Shaped a Prime Minister and his Nation by David Furse-Roberts can be purchased here.