{"id":15128,"date":"2024-12-31T18:05:31","date_gmt":"2024-12-31T07:05:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rationalemagazine.com\/?p=15128"},"modified":"2025-01-09T13:46:15","modified_gmt":"2025-01-09T02:46:15","slug":"rationales-top-reads-of-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rationalemagazine.com\/index.php\/2024\/12\/31\/rationales-top-reads-of-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Rationale\u2019s top reads of 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"

In 2024, the Rationale<\/i> magazine had another big year of publishing high-quality articles on a wide range of important topics, while reaching thousands of readers across Australia and the world.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So let\u2019s take a look at the 10 articles that resonated most with our readers \u2013 according to our readership data.<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2025, <\/span>Rationale <\/span><\/i>will continue to help serve the mission of the Rationalist Society of Australia by providing a platform for rationalist thinkers to share their opinions on important issues. See below to find out how you can support Rationale<\/em> or contribute your own articles or letters.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are the top reads for 2024:<\/span><\/p>\n

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1. What to expect when leaving a cult or toxic group<\/i><\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

In August, <\/span>Clare Heath-McIvor<\/b> \u2013 a former member of her family\u2019s Christian dominionist church \u2013 wrote about the psycho-emotional strains one experiences when leaving a cult, high-control religion or toxic group, and the many other challenges they face.<\/span><\/p>\n

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2. Reaching for the mountain tops in Tom Tate\u2019s kingdom<\/i><\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

In March, <\/span>Si Gladman<\/b> \u2013 Editor of <\/span>Rationale<\/span><\/i> and Executive Director of the Rationalist Society of Australia \u2013 investigated the \u201ckingdom assignments\u201d of Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate and his ratepayer-funded \u201cspiritual advisor\u201d and Seven Mountain Mandate advocate Sue Baynes.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

3. If you want peace in Palestine, don\u2019t start from here!<\/i><\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

In January, <\/span>Ian Robinson<\/b>, President Emeritus of the Rationalist Society of Australia, wrote on the Israel-Hamas conflict and the two radically different perceptions of what has occurred over the last 100 years in the so-called Holy Land.<\/span><\/p>\n

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4. Jordan Peterson, Greg Sheridan and the Christian myth<\/i><\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

In March, <\/span>Paul Monk, <\/b>Fellow of the Rationalist Society of Australia, examined the differing views of <\/span>Australian<\/span><\/i> columnist Greg Sheridan and psychologist, author, and media commentator <\/span>Jordan Peterson on Christian biblical stories, and how these positions overlapped at Peterson\u2019s Association for Responsible Citizenship.<\/span><\/p>\n

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5. Anzac Day: Misconceptions and the real meaning of commemoration<\/i><\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

In April, <\/span>James Fodor<\/b> reflected on Australia\u2019s involvement in the Gallipoli campaign of World War I and the misconceptions about Anzac Day commemorations.<\/span><\/p>\n

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6. Why I\u2019m speaking out about discrimination in Christian schools<\/i><\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

In March, <\/span>David Patterson<\/b> \u2013 a former staff member in the Christian Schools Australia network \u2013 wrote on how discrimination had been institutionalised in faith-based schools, enabled through exemptions to anti-discrimination laws and funded by the taxpayer.<\/span><\/p>\n

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7. The dismissal: Truth at last<\/i><\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

In January, <\/span>Geoffrey Barker<\/b> wrote about the investigative work of Professor Jenny Hocking in revealing a c<\/span>onspiracy involving Queen Elizabeth II and others to support and encourage Governor-General Sir John Kerr’s dismissal of the Whitlam government.<\/span><\/p>\n

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8. When my church joined an international cult<\/i><\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

In April,<\/span> Rhys Hagan <\/b>recounted his personal story of returning to his family\u2019s church after time in the military only to find it had joined a radical, international network that sought to indoctrinate the broader community.<\/span><\/p>\n

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9. Think again about America\u2019s decline and the emerging new order<\/i><\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

In March, Paul Monk<\/strong>, as part of our \u2018Mulling over America\u2019 feature series, responded to claims that America was in relative, and even, absolute decline, and that the world was heading for a better multipolar world order.<\/span><\/p>\n

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10. The psychology behind irrational opinions<\/b><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

In April, Manfred Kets de Vries<\/strong> examined how helping others recognise their cognitive biases could help them avoid the pitfalls of stupidity and nurture a more thoughtful and informed society.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

How to get the most out of <\/b>Rationale<\/i><\/b> in 2025<\/b><\/h2>\n

If you enjoy reading <\/span>Rationale<\/span><\/i>, there are many ways to access our articles and contribute to the content we publish.<\/span><\/p>\n