Dear Shocker,

Nobody is suggesting that Australia's past is
"irrelevant." On the contrary, history allows
us to see the present in a new light. It highlights
the particularities of the status quo and suggests
affinities between what was and what is.

At present, Australia is one of the most ethnically
diverse societies in the world. More than 42 per cent were
born outside Australia or have a parent born outside
Australia. Seventeen per cent speak a language other than
English at home.

Of course multiculturalism continue to have different
meanings for different people. Hidden anti-migrant
prejudices may not be voiced in public until they are
highlighted by some well-publicized event, such as
Pauline Hanson's 1996 maiden speech in Australian Parliament,
or the recent "Reclaim Australia," rallies.

Some Australians still believe that a "unique Australian
society and identity emerged in Federation and ...this
identity should be the basis of immigrant assimilation."

When discussing migrants, however, especially non-British
migrants people are sometimes tempted to lump all
newcomers together and treat them as one homogeneous species.
Nothing is further from the truth.

Australian immigrants vary a great deal in their ethnic
backgrounds, religions, and educational levels. Their current
social and educational needs are not homogenous either.
People have settled in Australia for various reasons:
asylum-seekers, refugees, economic, change of lifestyle,
adventure, family reunions and so on.

The early months after arrival in a new country call for
the greatest adjustment, not only for the migrant, but also
for the local people who interact with the migrant.
Since Culotta's humourous exposure of the problem, the
literature on this topic has been growing rapidly.

Anyway, as Peter Costello states,

"The political and cultural institutions that govern Australia
are absolutely critical to the attitude of harmony and
tolerance. Within an institutional framework that preserves
tolerance and protects order we can all celebrate and enjoy
diversity...
But we could not do that without the framework which
guarantees the freedom to enjoy this diversity."

Hi Shockadelic

Yep. Pretty much all the main characters in the Bible, OT and NT, were Jews, including Jesus and the disciples. Paul didn’t convert “from” Judaism, he came to believe that Jesus was the Messiah promised in Judaism. He remained a Jew. The complete separation of Christianity from Judaism came decades later. But these characters and their stories, both OT and NT, are intrinsic to Christianity.

I agree the Crusades were a long time ago, but they illustrate the point that Islam is not unique in being misrepresented to promote violence, and also that it is possible for the religious consensus to shift.

You ask if insurance companies would treat left-handed drivers differently if they cause 37% more accidents. It would depend on their assessment of risk and its significance. Black cars are significantly more likely to be involved in accidents than white ones, but they are treated the same by insurance companies.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-12/dark-cars-hard-to-see/4880246

In Australian experience at present (not necessarily elsewhere or at other times) most terrorists are Muslims, but the vast majority of Muslims are not terrorists. I am much more likely to be murdered by a white male than a brown Muslim

The moment our Australian culture is changed by 'Merry Christmas' being slowly dropped and substituted with 'Happy Holidays' - as it has in some US states, for fear of 'offending' the disciples of a barbaric religion who treat women as unequal - is the moment we have lost the culture war . . .
As for Peter Costello's baffling babble - he is a politician; ipso facto he is a liar.

Foxy, if you want to copy/paste someone's brochure, please cite the reference.

"When discussing migrants, however, especially non-British migrants people are sometimes tempted to lump all newcomers together and treat them as one homogeneous species."

I'm not.
It's precisely because they're *not* homogenous that is the potential danger.

The more "diverse" the greater the fragmentation.
The greater the social fragmentation the higher the probability of serious catastrophes, perhaps total dissolution into chaos.

If you have 2 ethnic groups, 2 need to get along.
If you have 12, there are 132 relationships that need to be civil/tolerant (12 x 11).

If you have 6000, there are 35,994,000 relationships (6000 x 5999) that need to be "harmonious".
How likely is that?

Even if they were homogenous, the sheer numbers are ridiculous.

Pauline Hanson's election and popularity should have sent a message to the Tweedles.
Yet in the subsequent 19 years, under both parties, another 2.8 million immigrants arrived.

Yes, 2.8 MILLION.
A million, then another million, then almost another million.
In one generation.
And your kind wonder why the sentiment has turned.

"Some Australians still believe..."

And it doesn't take too much "some" to shake the world (Your pal Jesus started with just 12 guys).
What revolution or civil war was ever started by the majority?
It's always a small fervent core that gets the snowball rolling.

That "some" does't need to be large in number to make a big impact.
Keep the immigration engines running at full steam ahead and see what "some" Australians do.

Rhian "I am much more likely to be murdered by a white male than a brown Muslim"

Ooh, clever.
It that because there's 30 white males in Australia for every brown Muslim?

"it is possible for the religious consensus to shift."

And when these atrocious incidents disappear from the Muslim world, we'll know the shift has occurred.
Don't hold your breath.

Cody, "Happy Holidays" arose from the preponderance of adherents of that other backward oriental religion in the greeting card, film/television and publishing industry, watch any Hollywood Christmas movie and you'll see a menorah in the background at some point.

Way to go Shock. You could also add the AEC and the two major parties conspired together to make sure Pauline would not be elected again. Don't, however, expect anything to through to Foxy. She is a near six foot tall blond super model who also happens to be a librarian and a Grandmother at the same time, so of course she knows more than anybody else.