Excellent article, Scott.

You'd think that universal values would be bleeding obvious....

Now watch the usual suspects squabble.

morality is the privilege of the 'successful' with a full stomach. There is no such thing in survival situations like Sudan among starving.

So first question, are we heading to a survival situation...bet we are, with energy sources depleting, powerful countries using flimsy but morally superior images to attack weaker for resources, eg currently Libya, to growing population needing more energy, to feminist doctrine of one world rule, which universally appeals to women, and keep producing children to control now...and on...

so only "no longer 'us and them'; it's all 'us' now!" do I agree with completely...and something else...

where ever you go in the world...'basic humanity' eg when hungry got to find food, safe place with roof when need to sleep, want to feel safe in your own body space...is 'universally' common...even in Sudan. And I find if I connect with the most uneducated tribal isolated person at this level...we already have a common ground to build a meaningful relationship on...now that is definitely worth something...

sam

Sorry, but there is a HUGE gap between 'exclusive claim to specific values' and 'universal values';

I note that most of the "Universal values" sprouted by the UN really don't correspond to what most in the world see as important.

The most obvious example is the religious defamation:
One large minority (mostly first-world and western countries) value freedom of speech above all others.
Another large minority consider it evil, and feel that anyone who says something negative about their theology must die or be thrown in jail.

Could somebody point out the universality in that?

And I'm not even mentioning all of the domestic moral contrasts between western and middle eastern countries yet.

'Thus 'mateship' is a nationalist-mythical variation on the Christian commandment to 'love thy neighbour', derived from the religious-mythical Old Testament;'

How ignorant can one be!

In an increasingly globalised and interdependent world, it's important to be clear about what we stand for. In Australia, we stand for rule by a government elected by the people; for the rule of law; for equality of all before the law; for freedom of speech, association and religion; for individual property rights; and for toleration in the sense that people can believe whatever they want provided they do not coerce others to hold those beliefs.

We hold these values because of a fundamental belief in the rights of individuals. "We hold these truths to be self evident. That all men are created equal." Our response to all international and domestic situations has to be tested against these values.

"How ignorant can one be! I dont know runner....alot:) See, when it comes to religion, the cats out of the bag and the human mind will never fall for such lies again. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXzladhscMQ&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BaGHKe5oi0&feature=related

And around and around we go.

The bible has served its purpose! Yes it has taught man through the ages with the in-hanceings of our seperations from the nature-world, and seeing what man-kind is doing to the earth because of religion.....well...I think its now working against us all.

These dogmas now plague our world and whats the grandest point of them all is..........it all started when man when through the evolutionary processes and the wakening minds from the animal transitionals to us.

If religions just stopped at helping the poor and not helping themselves...I wouldn't have a problem. However, they have not done this, hence why they are a cult/club to were one must surrender one,s IQ just to join.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3_qelW5qp4&feature=related

Aussie, Christian or universal values?

Of course its universal values! The sharing of religious values started 50.000 plus years ago.......but is this religion right.....!

IMO.....not even close.

LEAP

Not one religion has made all