Leigh

I always enjoy reading your posts - even if I do not agree with all of your sentiments.

I enjoy your courage and your passion. You always stand up for your beliefs - despite outrage from others. That is a fine trait.

Islam is peaceful and tolerant they say. How come we Aussies are bending over backwards to accommodate Islam? Why are we losing: Christmas carols in some Schools, Christmas carols in some shopping centres, the Easter Bunny, raising the Australian flag in some schools - and similar traditional "Aussie" things - on the grounds that we offend Islam? Why do Muslim people call themselves Muslim Australians? Why don't they call themselves Australian Muslims?

People of Islamic faith say that they came here because they want our freedom: they say they want to live in a democratic society. If that is so, why are they challenging our laws? Why do they want to change our laws? Why don't they respect our laws? Why do they think that they are above and beyond the average everyday Aussie?

Would like to hear your answers to the above - and other posters of course.

Cheers
Kay

Boaz and Philo,

On slavery (again!) the Quran revealed to pagan arabs when slavery already existed. Here is a sample of what the Quran did to end slavery.

2:177…righteous is he who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the Angels and the scriptures and the prophets; and giveth his wealth, for love of Him, to kinsfolk and to orphans and the needy and the wayfarer and to those who ask and to set slaves free; and observe proper worship and payeth the poor-due…

5:89 Allah will not you to task for that which is unintentional in your oaths, but He will take you to oaths which you swear in ernest. The expiation thereof is the feeding of ten of the needy with the average of that wherewith ye feed your own folk, or the clothing of them, or the liberation of a slave, …

90:11-13 but he hath not attempted the Ascent* Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Ascent is* (It is) to free a slave* and to feed in the day of hunger* An Orphan near of kin* Or some poor wretch in misery.

Freeing a slave became a must for anyone who ever had a slave.

Comparing to your teachings, there is no similar orders or instructions in the NT or OT and a Christian family (even Priests) in North America until 2 centuries ago had a good bunch of slaves (Africans and latinos). Am I wrong?

BTW, insulting God (Quran or bible) is in not following the commandments or rejecting his messengers. I think we are the least to offend BD.
I never understood how you guys hate Islam of all religions even though the Quran glorifies Jesus more than the bible does.
Is it ego?

Kalweb,

Muslims are the least to get offended by your Christmas carols and decorations because we are the only religion that believes in Jesus and his miraculous birth. Christmas (and coptic easter) is a naional public holiday in Egypt which is a majority Muslims.
Maybe you are trying to accommodate somebody else, Don’t know.

FH,

Just from interest, what will happen to those in Iraq (and elsewhere) that continued to kill their coreliginists over ramadan? Isn't there some kind of particularly nasty outcome to that?

If so, how would it be justified?

Also BD, if you find it offensive that moslems only acknowledge JC as a prophet, how do you rationalise the fact that we don't even acknowledge that he existed?

WHY? Why the hell (something else we don't believe in - thus no blasphemy) do we wish to get into this tired old argument?

Fellow_Human,
You claim Mahomet instructed the freeing of slaves in his day. Quote, "Freeing a slave became a must for anyone who ever had a slave."

I ask, "Did Mahomet free his slaves?"

Are you saying Islam from that day outlawed the capture and use of women from enemies as sex slaves. I suggest you begin to educate the Muslim Indonesian Clerics of this fact. Also demand they respect all people with equal justice; not one lienient justice for Muslim Clerics [Barberous Murderers] and converts [Michelle Leslie] and another for Christians [Chapelle Corby], Hindu and kafir who died in Bali.

The practise of equality is the only identification that none are lesser persons or slaves. Christ demonstrated that all persons are equal and asked us to follow him. Those that mistreated, subject as lesser or physical abuse of other people do not follow Christ. It is the practise of a principle of equality and not an edict of law that identifies a follower of God. If you can show in reality that Mahomet demonstrated he did not take enemies as slaves, then we can believe what he said!

This is not the same as Priests having servants in poverty stricken countries. They are not there under duress, but by choice. I have a friend attending my Church who while in Papua New Guinea for 25 years adopted young street boys into his home to do home duties. When he recently returned to Australia these boys and their family came with him. While in New Guinea they received no wages, he accomodated, educated and kept them in return for houskeeping and gardening duties. There is difference between servants and slaves, and it is to do with attitudes of superiority or physical authority and violates the will of the peron serving.

Fellow Human, you might find that a part of the answer as to why some christians hate Islam so much is a fear of competition. There are probably other reasons as well but I've noticed that as a central theme in dealing with any alternative belief system. Their way of the Hellway I guess. Not sure if that is BD's approach but it is probably part of the cultural influence whch has helped form his views.

R0bert

I think the biggest problem Australians have in coming to terms with Islam is that it appears to be a territory within a territory.
An alien country that has set itself up in Australia, making use of all the benefits but giving nothing back. Certainly no sense of loyalty, patriotism or even of belonging.
We hear much of how muslim youth feels marginalised. How else can they feel when they appear to consider themselves superior to the rest of the population.
There is no doubt that their religion teaches them this very false sense.
Most muslim leaders complain that they are being targetted by red necks after every muslim driven atrocity. Doesn't it take a red neck to assassinate innocents in the first place.
Is it racist to throw bombs in crowded places, racist to behead living captives?
Will the real rednecks and racists stand up?