Bill Hayden

Bill Hayden, a prominent Australian politician, served as the 21st governor-general of Australia. For 80 years he identified as an atheist. Born as the first of his parents, who married a few weeks after his birth, Hayden's father was an American seaman who jumped ship while in Sydney a shortly before WWI. Following his fathers death, Hayden joined the Queensland Police Force to support his mother and younger siblings. Hayden initially held far-left views attempting to join the Communist Party, but was refused membership due to his affiliation with the police. Overcoming initial resistance to his membership in the Labor party, Hayden eventually became the one of the youngest members of the federal parliament. Subsequently, he served as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade before being appointed Governor-General of Australia. Despite his lifelong atheism, Hayden experienced a profound personal transformation later in life. At the age of 85, inspired by the compassionate example of Christians, particularly Sister Angela Mary Doyle, he was baptized into the Roman Catholic Church just 5 years before his death. Reflecting on his decision, Hayden remarked: “There’s been a gnawing pain in my heart and soul about what is the meaning of life. What’s my role in it?” Apparently, while a bit late in life, William Hayden found his role to play in the Christian Story, which might raise the question: Can someone living 80 years as an atheist still go to heaven?