An Australian MP has raised eyebrows by claiming the global financial crisis is an act of God.
By Bonnie Malkin in Sydney
James Bidgood, who is already facing criticism for selling photographs of a protester threatening to set himself alight outside Parliament House, appears in a DVD arguing that God is punishing the world with recession, rising unemployment and economic instability.
In the undated speech, reported by the Australian newspaper, he says that Christian marches in London caused the October 1987 stock market crash.
"When Christians pray, God does things", he said. "In 1987 there was another march for Jesus. That took place in April. And guess what happened in October 1987? The stock market crashed. All property values lost one third of their value and over a million people lost their homes."
Mr Bidgood, a Labor MP from the state of Queensland, went on to say God has played a role in the current economic downturn.
"I believe what is happening today is as much to do with God in economics bringing judgment
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/australia/3566499/Global-financial-crisis-an-act-of-God.html