Yep
You're right Syed.
Here's an answer: Let's ban all public holidays. Whew no more penalty rates!

I agree with the article, there is no such thing as 'secularism' - thank God.

We live in a liberal democracy that is based upon the idea of the inherent worth and value of the individual. This is a direct result of the influence of Protestant Christianity in Great Britain and its ex colonies, including the USA.

For an excellent discussion of this jump to

http://www.abc.net.au/rn/relig/spirit/stories/s1554286.htm

which is 'The Spirit of Things' on Radio National, this program discussing the church and state. The transcript hasn't appeared yet but you can listen to the audio.

Kevin Rudd and John Anderson both provide cogent arguments as to why a Christian MP should not leave his or her faith outside the door of the Parliament.

Also why Christinity (and not multiculturalism) is the bedrock of a liberal democratic form of government.

Syed Atiq ul Hassan, An excellent article that is well thought out. I agree with you about the glaring difference between what is supposedly a secular state, yet is under the control of a specific religion.

The problem, is that we have to get over the metronome mob, to have any chance of a satisfactory outcome, not much chance of that I'm afraid.

There is only one answer for this country, remove all aspects of religion from our parliaments, restrict religious teaching and practices to places of worship. To satisfy everyone, we should allow each religion a couple of days a year to celebrate and make them universal holidays, that everyone can enjoy.

There is no other option, other than to follow the current path of all religions into despotic conflict, which it appears you are all champing at the bit to get into.

Syed

I enjoyed you article, I note that the usual "Islam is evil posters" will disagree with anything you have to say.

I must point out that our head of state Queen Elizabeth II is also the head of the Anglican Church and has the power to dismiss an elected Government in Australia. I admit that this power in limited by convention, but it could theoreticlly happen.

If we have to rely on the head of a major religion for stability in our parliaments how can we claim to be a secular society. Britain the supposed source of all things good, does not pretend to have a secular state. It has a state religion.

Alchy.

Of course we need to remove religion from politics, but this unfortunately is impossible. From Mannix to Pell to Hillsong politicians need votes.

We could start by making groups like the lyons forum illegal, or at least make them publicise their membership. I do not like being ruled by 15 front benchers who meet once a week to pray and plot.

The fact that certain national holidays fall on Christian holy days may have initially been a "non-secular" idea but they have since been hijacked by the Gods of Secularism, Santa and the Easter Bunny. That those of Christian faith celebrate the birth of their Messiah on the 25th, and His resurrection during the Easter period is now just coincidental and the terms "Christmas" and "Easter" are now nothing more than advertising slogans.
So don't feel too bad that your Islamic or Hindu holy days are not acknowledged with public holidays because they would likely receive the same bastardisation.

Dear anti-christian secularists,

You are so irritably allergic to any christian notion that maybe you deserve the alternative religion that is coming to you sooner than you know.

Can you afford to wait to prove us wrong?

In an islamic dominated state your head will be rolling in the gutters faster than you can utter ridicule. If you are not sure ask a true muslim how much they tolerate atheists, humanists, animists and so on...at least they are told to respect the people of the book (Jews and Christians) not that this is much comfort I can assure you…

It is fun perhaps for you to dream of an Areligious state but that is not to happen... there will always be a dominant religion - the question is which one??

I hope and pray that our politicians are taking note of these opinions and are deeply moved to reality; start approaching the situation wisely instead of their tiptoe don’t offend them rituals.

Islam loves a secular country especially if it is pro multiculturalism. We might as well present it (oz) to them now and avoid the suspense.