david f,

<<A divergent interest is the presence of Christianity in Australia and Islam in Indonesia. It would help if the inhabitants of both countries were to free themselves from religion.>>

Are you inferring you have no religious beliefs yourself?

How are you going to 'free yourself' from any kind of religious belief. Are people who claim 'no religion' really free from religious beliefs?

Peter,

Can the nation of Myanmar in South-East Asia be a 'good neighbour'?

Human Rights' Watch 2018 made this assessment of what is happening in Myanmar (formerly Burma):

"More than 14,500 Rohingya (Muslims) fled to Bangladesh between January and November 2018 to escape ongoing persecution and violence in Myanmar, joining almost 1 million others from 2017 and previous years in precarious, overcrowded camps. Conditions remain dire for the estimated 500,000-600,000 Rohingya still in Rakhine State. Refugees who arrived in Bangladesh in 2018 reported continuing abuses by Myanmar security forces, including killings, arson, enforced disappearances, extortion, severe restrictions on movement, and lack of food and health care. They also reported sexual violence and abductions of women and girls in villages and at checkpoints along the route to Bangladesh. Returnees to Myanmar faced arrest and torture by authorities. Over 4,500 Rohingya remained stuck in the Bangladesh-Myanmar border “no-man’s land,” subject to harassment by Myanmar officials and regular threats via loudspeaker to induce them to cross into Bangladesh", http://www.hrw.org/world-report/2019/country-chapters/burma

This murderous regime does not need our neighbourly support to continue its slaughter.

However, Australia does need to provide asylum for these refugees fleeing persecution and violence.

With this kind of information about this regime, I'm not of the view that Myanmar is doing what needs to happen to make it a good neighbour.

Most of our neighbours are cupboard lovers. They will be our friends as long as we keep paying them.

Why on earth we ever gave aid to Indonesia who has more multi millionaires & billionaires than we do, is a total mystery to me.

It is impossible to buy friendship. You can buy smiles & handshakes, but watch your back if there is a better offer. We would be better off keeping our money at home, & using it to build some real strength.

Dear OzSpen,

I have no religious beliefs myself. I do not believe in the afterlife, deity, deities, the messiah, nirvana, reincarnation or any of the other religious concepts that only exist in the human mind. I do not approve of suppression of religion as has been tried by various tyrannies. Hopefully as humans think critically they will free themselves from religion, but it is doubtful. If both Christianity and Islam disappeared it is likely that new forms of superstition would replace them as Christianity and Islam replaced the polytheistic superstitions. I think the best we can do is to separate religion and state so religion will not have its baleful influence on government and government will not use religion as another means of control.

better off keeping our money at home
Hasbeen,
Totally along my sentiments also.

david f.

<<I have no religious beliefs myself. I do not believe in the afterlife, deity, deities, the messiah, nirvana, reincarnation or any of the other religious concepts that only exist in the human mind.>>

You say you have no religious beliefs and then give some of them:

When you 'do not believe in the afterlife' you state that you have some kind of belief about what happens at death.
No deities? Do you worship any idols of materialism, sexuality, etc
By nature, human beings are egocentric, self-centred people. Do you say you do not have religious beliefs that support me, me and me?
You don't believe in nirvana or reincarnation, but what do you believe happens at death?
You say 'religious concepts ... only exist in the human mind'. There you have a very religious belief.

<<If both Christianity and Islam disappeared it is likely that new forms of superstition would replace them>>

You can't help yourself. Here you give us some more of your beliefs:

Religion amounts to 'new forms of superstition'.
From where did you gain that belief?

<<I think the best we can do is to separate religion and state so religion will not have its baleful influence on government and government will not use religion as another means of control.>>

That's the worst we could do because everyone of us has a world and life view through which we look at the lens of life. You have one and so do I. In a land of free speech, we need to speak up for the oppressed with a holistic world view.

Biblically, this is stated as: 'Speak up for people who cannot speak for themselves. Help people who are in trouble. Stand up for what you know is right, and judge all people fairly. Protect the rights of the poor and those who need help' (Proverbs 31:8-9).

You and I cannot operate in society without expressing our world views. Both you and I have done it in our posts.