The High Price of Heaven

The High Price of Heaven examines the influence of religious institutions on Australian politics and society during the late 20th century. The book focuses on the Catholic Church's impact on policy decisions and social attitudes across issues like sexuality, censorship, and education. David Marr investigates key figures in Australia's religious establishment and their connections to political power structures through research and interviews. He traces the development of church-state relations from the 1950s through the 1990s, documenting specific cases where religious groups shaped legislation and public debate. The book combines historical analysis, investigative reporting, and policy critique to explore tensions between secular democracy and religious authority in Australia. Through this examination of faith and politics, Marr reveals enduring questions about morality, freedom, and the role of religion in public life.

This book has very limited online reviews and ratings available. Only a few readers have shared their views across major platforms. Readers noted Marr's research into religion's influence on Australian politics and society. Multiple reviews mentioned the book's examination of the Catholic Church's role in shaping policy debates around sexuality, censorship and education. A few critical reviews found the writing polemical and the arguments against religious institutions overstated. One reader on Goodreads felt Marr focused too heavily on Catholic influence while neglecting other denominations' impacts. Available Ratings: Goodreads: 3.67/5 (3 ratings, 0 written reviews) Amazon: No listings found LibraryThing: No ratings or reviews Note: The scarcity of online reviews makes it difficult to present a comprehensive view of reader reactions to this 1999 book. Most discussion appears in academic contexts rather than consumer reviews.

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🔹 David Marr wrote The High Price of Heaven (1999) after spending years investigating the influence of religious institutions on Australian politics and social policy. 🔹 The book explores how church leaders attempted to block reforms in areas including gay rights, censorship, and IVF treatment in Australia during the late 20th century. 🔹 Marr's research revealed that religious organizations spent millions of dollars on lobbying efforts to maintain censorship laws well into the 1990s. 🔹 The author faced significant backlash from religious groups after publication, including attempts to discredit his research and prevent him from speaking at various venues. 🔹 The book's title references both the literal cost of maintaining religious institutions and the metaphorical price paid by society when religious doctrine influences secular law.