The Forum > Article Comments > Acknowledging differences > Comments
Acknowledging differences : Comments
By Abe Ata, published 16/1/2006Abe Ata: Can the grievances of Anglo Australian and Australian Muslim communities be reconciled?
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Posted by keith, Tuesday, 17 January 2006 8:39:30 AM
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David Boaz, i am not worried that you have two heads, i have long feared that you have none. The issue is not as simple as you seek to make out.I suggest that you spend an extended period in a country foreign to your upbringing. Try to learn the lingo, and the customs, and like every Ozzie abroad we will find u in Earls Court (London), 8 Mile Creek Hotel (New York) , or in Raffles (Singapore). You are hanging out in these places for the comfort off being with your own. We are no different to the Lebanese or any other ethnic group.
Posted by hedgehog, Tuesday, 17 January 2006 10:28:42 AM
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Hamlet (&Keith)
I appreciate your thoughts. Islam, like other religions have those who follow it literally, contextually and/or spiritually. Here is a good link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherman_Jackson Dr Jackson wrote few good articles on spirituality in Islam. Little Buddy, Your statement “Islam is about obedience and conformity” reflects a poor understanding of Islam and the Quran. In fact, I don’t recall a Holy book pausing every few verse to encourage believers to think and reflect except for the Quran. The ‘problem’ you keep referring to is because fantasies about Islam is your preferred option. You don’t want to see Islam as Muslims see it and practice it. Have a look at above link or get the Pickthall or Dawood ‘meanings translation’. Peace, Posted by Fellow_Human, Tuesday, 17 January 2006 12:30:02 PM
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F.H. -not 'Muslim Bashing' this time.. I was pointing out some issues which we would be reluctant to accept in cultural terms. No offense moit :)
HEDGEHOG I don't think you have read many of my posts, because if u had, u would know that I spent 8 yrs in Borneo, am married to an Asian, have mixed children. I've had good training in anthropology and speak English, Indonesian, Malay, and a Tribal language of Borneo. I hardly think I've been 'sheltered' as ur post suggests. But thanx for the encouragement. A BEAUTIFUL AUSTRALIAN EXPERIENCE.. TODAY ! Went down to my business associates factory, (He makes electric motors) He is of Greek Cypriot background, and his partner in business was a German. But today, just me an he, and along comes 'Peter' also a Greek Cypriot. I'm sitting there with my friend, and he and Peter speak back and forth in English. Peter has a strong accent. He is from the Cypriot association of Vic, coming to collect a donation from my friend. I deliberately ask him "Pete, if I was not here, would you and *beep* be speaking English" ? he replies "No way, it would be Greek full on". Now.. how beautiful is that ? Just out of respect of the Aussie culture, they both speak English. Its simple good cultural manners. I go, and they revert to Greek. No drama. While we are chatting, *Beep2* the chinese receptionist brings up some coffee. All within the frame work of the prevailing culture. NOT as some legal taskmaster, but as a binding uniting framework for all of us to share in as free people. The Cypriot association is planning some wine tasting public event.. all are welcome, they will have some Aussies of Cypriot background in Cultural dress. They are working on a youth drop in centre. All are welcome. No government funding, just good will from the community. The owner of my gym is Anglo, married to a Turk, the manager is Armenian. They leave their histories behind, and blossom here... as Australians.. because, it is Australia. Posted by BOAZ_David, Tuesday, 17 January 2006 4:44:39 PM
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FH,
>>...In fact, I don’t recall a Holy book pausing every few verse to encourage believers to think and reflect except for the Quran<< Sorry I could not leave this one alone. Has it ever occurred to you that maybe it is that every fifth sentence or so doesn’t make any sense and the reader goes what the…and starts reading again to find it even more incomprehensible? This is why you are encouraged to memorise it instead of studying it intelligently (or Allah forbid even start questioning its content). Posted by coach, Tuesday, 17 January 2006 10:44:42 PM
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Hello Fellow Human
Thank you for your'e honesty, I do agree with most of what you said. But unfortunately wherever Islam is there is problems, I guess you try to live by some of the goodness that is printed in the Koren, but I fear that may Muslims don't. Regards bluerock Posted by bluerock, Wednesday, 18 January 2006 12:05:01 AM
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I think your heart is in the right place but segmentation according to religon gets too complex.
How do we include the Irish Mickey-doos and Proddies in a movement towards Harmony? What about Athiest Irishmen? When you talk Christian Community you've got more components than the ingrediants of one of my mum's fruit cakes. And some of them want to be left in peace. Their peace. What about me? I'm probably agnostic...should I be left out of this harmony venture?
How are you going to deal with Shi'ite and Sunni differences and harmonise them with those among us who are satanists?
The Solomans wisdom would fail?
Nahhh to hard.
It's easier to say: Let's have our religious differences. And when we share those differences in public, which is the way with most religious belief systems, lets do it without emphasising those differences to greatly. ie don't ram down my throat how good is your religion.
Then let's have a common civil and criminal law. If there are issues groups have with those codes then by all means form pressure groups and work for change. But in the meantime live within the structure of our common society.
We've gotton along fine and become tolerant Australians in the last 50 odd years without compartmentalising by religion. Hell, I was the first member of my clan to ever set foot in a non-catholic church and that was only 40 years ago. We've all adapted to the changing Australian culture. It's worked well.
Why change a successful formular. Especially when we've watched other societies divide on religious lines with absolutely dire consequences. We shouldn't experiment with such a highly emotive mixture. Let's deal with this in our usual Australian way.
There's the rules, they are for us all and they ensure not just protection but also relative harmony. Or laws aren't just obeyed through fear of punishment they are also obeyed because of fear of the unseen consequences that may follow non-adherence, or because commonsense simply dictates adherence. Unfortunately that commonsense is our communities view of commonsense and the commonsense of the immigrants.