Hi ttbn – Thank you for attempting to believe in what I have to say.I hear your grief. Have you lived or experienced first-hand a Muslim country where you can share some stories? Today I met a 65 yo Australian who spent 7 years in Egypt and loved everything about it – the people, food, religion and more. Each of us has a unique experience that helps shape our views, identity and beliefs. She had first-hand. a positive view of Islam based.
I was born in Australia and my parents weren’t overly religious so why am I practising? Honestly I condemn ISIS and every Muslim relative, friend and Islamic community reject there stance. I would NEVER EVER follow a religion that legitimised the atrocities these barbarians are committing. Do we judge all Christians on Klu Klux Klan? Let us not forget culture. It can further contribute negatively. Mix a non-democratic country, traditional culture and Islam … it doesn’t paint a pretty picture. We owe it to all Australians regardless of background to seek the truth and demonstrate human decency.

Jayb my friend – On the contrary I do fit in. I fit in at work, in the neighbourhood, with other ethnic communities and society and I attended the Tet Festival earlier this month with 10,000 other Vietnamese. I nor any other Muslim I engage with in Australia want to see anyone die, be harmed or suffer.
I don’t recall wanting Australians to be tolerant of Islam… I was hoping for tolerance and respect for all beings; Indigenous, minority groups, disability, refuges, migrants and every other group that makes up Australia or rather are Australians. My intent was to highlight the panelist’s lack of communication skill and knowledge around the topic of Sharia law. Life is challenging as it is without the added discomfort of feeling exclusion.

Joe – I like your sense of humour. I hope Dan is your friend and doesn’t mind your remarks. By the way you’re sounding like me. In your way you too are advocating for Expression of Speech, Equality and Justice for all.

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Dear Runner,

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You wrote :

« secularism with many of its filthy dogmas was never going to dominate for long … It is a Christ hating, inward looking failed ideology »
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I have been wondering, for many years now, what you mean by “secularism”, which you so often decry on this forum. Would you be so kind as to let me have your definition please ?

The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) defines it as follows :

[ The principle of separation of the state from religious institutions.
‘he believes that secularism means no discrimination against anybody in the name of religion’]

Perhaps you could explain exactly what it is that you find so abhorrent about “not discriminating against anybody in the name of religion”. I obviously can’t imagine that you think that religious people, such as yourself, should be discriminated against.

There must be a misunderstanding about the meaning of the word.

Thanks, Runner. It should appreciate it if you would clarify this for me once and for all.

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Dear Joe,

«Anybody who puts the 'interests' of an invented god above those of a single person has taken a step away from being human»

Since the idea of being human is a delusion, taking a step forward from that condition sounds like a compliment to me!

In reality, however, one cannot progress towards shedding their false human identity by working against the interest of others, only by placing God's will (perceived or otherwise) above one's own selfish interests.

But wait a second, I'm starting to see what you mean:
Humanity is an invented god.
Society is an invented god.
The state is an invented god.

- those who put the 'interests' of those gods above those of a single person have taken a step backward from being human and become more like animals!

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Dear Phanto,

«Most religious people act with reason most of the time but when it suits them they reject reason.»

So does everyone, religious or otherwise.

Given the fact that everyone will die anyway,
Given the fact that no memories can survive death,
Given the fact that dying naturally in old age more often than not involves debilitating pains and frustrations as well as burden on others,
Given the fact that humanity itself will die, leaving nothing behind,
Given the fact that while people live they step on each other's toes and compete for natural resources,
if people started to base their acts on reason alone, then they would have taken the most logical conclusion and jumped off the nearest cliff.
The only thing that holds you back from the cliff's edge, are irrational superstitions - perhaps the superstition that human life has a meaning and/or value, or that humanity is heading somewhere better.

«While everyone else is looking for logical solutions to real problems»

Neurotically deluding themselves that their impossible problems have a solution.

Myself at least, I do not adore reason, nor falsely claim to act reasonably while knowing clearly well that I am not.

Hi Sparkyq – Thank you for your comment and I sense your frustrations on many fronts. The problem with the ‘net is that there is too much info out there. Have you ever sought medical advice from Dr Google… there is the good, the bad and everything in between. Dialogue is the preferred form of communication when debating topics and as with every raised debate there is always two sides. Again I highlight the contamination of culture within religion. The religion itself does promote equality and feminism yet many cultures are patriarchal. I respect and am open to the way each person perceives the information they receive and again I suggest people learn from credible sources. Over the years I have shared life experiences which have gone a long way to busting stereotypes.

Dear JBowyer –I enjoyed your comment and yes I do appreciate how Australians are feeling. Why else would I write an article if not to help provide some clarity in writing? I wasn’t supporting either side other than express my desire for the episode to be civil enough to educate, inspire change and rekindle hope. Australians include Italians, Greek, Bosnians, Bangladesh, African, British, New Zealanders and over 200 other countries representing many & religions/non religions. Why should any Australian be scared on a daily basis? Don’t we have more important things occupying our space such as loved ones, health, career, financial survival and work? We should exert effort and care for our neighbours experiencing hardship and focus on building a united front. Am I delusional?

Ttbn – I wouldn’t worry about the whole Muslim community. My focus would be to have positive engagements one on one. Only then will we see a different side. I’m meeting the most awesome people who totally shatter my (unintentional) biases and I’m loving the unexpected realisations.

Hi AJ Phillips – I’m not feeling criticised. Rather I’ve just spend a couple of hours responding to comments in the hope we challenge each others’ thinking. How unpleasant for youth and others to be ostracised and not be accepted for being liberated

Hi again GrahamY - everyone who has commented has a valid viewpoint. If I wasn’t living and breathing a religion that reminded me of humanity I would surrender in a heartbeat. I’m not preaching but in the Prophets last sermon he said, “Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers”. “All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety (taqwa) and good action”. Boxer Mohamed Ali shared his story of Islam and he lived a Islamic way of life promoting civil rights.

Finally Jayb I am able to respond to your post. Thank you for your thought provoking comments. Yes the editor emailed me a day before approving publishing of the article. I had no idea it would be published next day. I wasn’t able to create an account till just few hours ago. Had a long day at work. My apologies for the delay mate. Seriously I didn’t think anyone would comment other than perhaps a like or two.
I admit I can be airy fairy but I’ll take you up on your request to engage with someone on the religion. Would you prefer an Islamic scholar or Imam, a revert, academic, an ordinary community member like me or a fanatical Muslim? Alternatively I am happy to converse (and not debate) with you. BTW – What’s Iftikhar? I’m sure you can teach me much about your beliefs and what has helped shape your views. Should be interesting.

Ahhh, Diver Dan – Are you for real? Be a sport and challenge yourself. Why would any decent person scoff? We all have rights to freedom of expression. My eyes are weary and I had to recheck what you said about them and us. Precisely why I published the article! What can you do to help break the attitudes of ‘them and us’?

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Dear Najla,

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You wrote :

« Islam is the religion I choose to follow because contrary to existing beliefs it teaches Muslims good conduct, social interaction, justice and kindness »
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It does, indeed, Najla. But that is not “contrary to past or existing beliefs”, as you indicate, nor is it contrary to past or existing non-beliefs.

You could have chosen any other religion, agnosticism, or no religion at all for exactly the same reason.

“Good contact, social interaction, justice and kindness” are not just values of Islam. They are universal human values – completely independent of race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

They are the values of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948 as a common standard of achievements for all peoples and all nations, irrespective of their religious beliefs or disbeliefs.

You say you “choose to follow” Islam. May I ask what - if any - religion you “followed” before you made that choice ?

Did your parents bring you up in some other religion, or did they not “follow” any religion at all ?

Do you honestly think that your parents would not have taught you “good contact, social interaction, justice and kindness” if you (or they) had not chosen to follow Islam ? Or do you think that they would have brought you up in those values simply because they are good people ?

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