Keith,

Multiculturalism 'works' in some places and contexts, but Australia is not one of those contexts, because we really don't have a multicultural culture here.

In India there is a certain amount of multiculturalism. Various religious groups have their own religious courts and tribunals that deal with issues of marriage, paternity, divorce and maintenance amongst each group. These courts and tribunals have the force of law. There are specific rulings that deal with cross religion and cross cultural marital and divorce issues, and the adherents of each religious group are bound by the rulings of these courts, even if they may be better off being dealt with under the rules and courts of another religious system. Hindus are dealt with by Hindu tribunals, Islamics are dealt with under Sharia law, etc.

This is true multiculturalism. It is only if Australia adopts a variety of Family Courts or Federal Magistrates Courts to deal with divorce, marital and parenting issues that we could claim to have at least a resemblance of a multicultural society.

So can you imagine Australia having a Family Court of Australia, a Sharia Family Court of Australia and even a Rabinical Family Court of Australia?

In Canada people in Quebec have their law matters dealt with under the Eurpoean system of law, instead of the common law system that handles the rest of Canada. A similar system applies to residents of Louisiana (yes, great Cajun music and food - Cajaun being a corruption of Acardian - those of French culture who sought a paradise on earth). These French origin of laws goes back to Napoleonic codes - which has a legacy in Louisia having a multicultural society.

So yes, multiculturalism works after a fashion, in some places. Australia is not multicultural, it just pretends to be.

I believe it would benefit everyone to look deeper into this problem, past race, past multiculturalism. There is a deeper problem, and no one wants to text it, or bring it up, and I believe it is time we do. The problem is with some Muslims (whether they are twisting the Koran or not) are wreaking havoc, around the planet. This should be the real issue. I don't text these words in hate, or out of anger, just reality must be told.

Jeff

Missi Mud

yeh they are the no 1 problem in most countries of the world.

Hi Mississipi whatever, I do agree that Muslims are a problem wherever they go, it is a mindset of culture and religion, hey, but spirituality is something they no nothing about, their religion is political.
On the other hand, multicultralism still has it's problems, the thing is that people can come to host nations without having to learn the language and, yes set up tribes or suburbs, with nothing but their shops, and language is not on. So on one hand you have immagration, and multiculralism, it should be immagration withut multi-culti mind set. Learn the language, intergrate and become part of the commnity, hey, I would be called a racist even with this remark. Live by the countries rules, surely all those that come here would not allow that multi-culti mindset in their own countries, respect and blend in, become an Australian by demonstrating that you love the culture of our country, and respect our history, as short as it may be, but it is ours, we have created this appealing place for them to come. Assimlate and speak our language.

Bluerock, Here is a study that disproves your and Danny Nalliah's assertion about enclaves and integration. But perhaps it feels better to hold on to comforting myths about immigrants and suburban enclaves?

Quote:

"
"What we found was that Australia is right in the middle (compared to other nations) - most areas comprise a host society/migrant mix," Forrest says. "Our cities are the least segregated of all Western countries. Segregation is minimal because of our wide mix of ethnicities, from over 240 different birthplace areas. You get areas that are highly migrant, but a whole range of nationalities are living there. Very rarely does any one group dominate."

http://www.pr.mq.edu.au/macnews/ShowItem.asp?ItemID=145

Hi everyone

I think that what some arguements of are missing is a clear understanding of what "multiculturalism" means.

A culture doesn't just mean the food that is offered at a non-Aussie takeaway, it means & includes the dress codes, the rituals, the religious practices & the codified laws of a said judicial system or belief.

My deceased wise dad once said at the beginning of my long music career, & before I could drive, "When the guys drop you off after 'a gig'it isn't necessary to honk their horns as they leave, waking the whole neighbourhood!" They were simple words of wisdom which showed an empathy towards others, but decried the 'innocent' habit of fellow teenagers. But he insinuated much more.

When one invites another into one's home, the invitee doesn't have an inalienable right to move all the furniture & establish new rules for living. The invitee is a guest. That guest ought to be respectful of the rights of the person who invited them.

Within Australia we have invited many persons & nationalities who have abided by our laws. They have integrated into a multi-national society - society has benefitted from such an embellishment. But they have conformed nonetheless in gratitude for our extended hand of hospitality.

Multiculturalism doesn't equate to multi-ethnicity. Multiculturalism insinuates that all cultures are equal. It denies the right to the host to dictate to the guest a standard of behaviour acceptable to the host.

For my part, I don't particularly want an Islamic imam telling his congregation how they ought to behave within Australia. I don't want a person to swear in court upon the Qur'an & its standards rather than the standards of the Holy Bible.

I am not anti-racial - I have a Chinese non-Christian daughter-in-law. But she respects Australia for what it is. She doesn't try to convert us it into a little-China or into an anti-Christian philosophy. There lies the difference.

Sadly, Islam seeks to convert the world. And that's where multiculturalism fails because it supports that premise that all cultures are the same.

Cheers all