It is interesting though that Salam in her article actually creates a wedge between Muslim and other Australians.

She uses the same old 'cultural cringe' stereotypes of Australia. Hanging out in the pub, bbq's and sport. Come on Salam, you can do better than that! Australian culture is a little bit richer than the old Paul Hogan tourist commercials and movies sold to the yanks.

All I got from this is "Muslims are different - treat us the same or we will be upset". If you want to be different that's your choice, but you must accept that by being different, people will treat you as if you are different. Ask you Immams to shave and see what I mean.

fide mae, your points are well made.

I was taking BD to task on the very fact that he had failed to observe the context of the points that were being made: by a Muslim living in a western society. As you yourself point out, they tend to have a broader outlook - not least because they have chosen to make their homes in such a society.

Boaz had decided to overlook this completely, and assumes that every Muslim is obliged to act in a particular way simply because they are Muslim. This totally ignores the position that is adopted by the writer of the article, who is writing in an Australian context.

BD chooses to ignore this simply in order to make his point - "all Muslims are destined to do evil things, it's part of their religion".

Narcissist makes an interesting point too.

>>Australian culture is a little bit richer than the old Paul Hogan tourist commercials and movies sold to the yanks.<<

So how would you stereotype us, Narcissist? Latte-sipping sophisticates? Taciturn bushies? Cosmopolitan cross-dressers?

Unfortunately (for your argument, that is) the reality is that we are still a nation of fifty-by-one-fifty suburban blocks, entertaining at the barbie (my neighbour has one going even as I type this) and drinking with the mates. Until a more convincing one comes along, I reckon Salam has a right to carry on using this to illustrate her Ozzieness.

Pericles,

Islam as a religion advocates supremacy of faith over all "other".

Scripturally the Qur'an condones "Jihad" of any form in advancing the propagation and establishment of the Global Islamic State.

So a true muslim by definition is a Mujahid and gets his/her instructions straight from Allah's word.

Allah and his prophet disregard human immorality, horror and carnage – they even go further and reward such barbaric acts.

Not being involved or interested in Jihad makes a nominal muslim as low ranked as a kafir or unbeliever - and open to similar persecution.

A true Christian is inspired from the bible – the word of God.

Love, justice and God's grace are the main ingredients of our teaching.

War is an inevitable part of life.

Atrocities carried out from the Christian’s side are not the norm.

These people are not true Christians; they have hijacked Christianity for personal gain and power.

Nowhere in the New Testament are we to use force in reaching out and telling people the good news of their salvation in Christ.

So there are fundamental differences between the two revelations – which of course is proof that only one can be the true faith (from the true God).

To add to what 'coach' said, Christians die for their faith moslems kill others for their faith. A world of difference as well Christians have made it to the twentieth century moslems have not left the barbaric, ignorant tenth century yet.
Christians have had a part in all western inventions, moslems have had no inventions to speak of. The reason for the ignorance in moslem countries is their barbaric, priest led religion only as the ordinary moslem is as clever and innovated as any one else.
Christian nations are ruled by law, in the main these nation's cities are clean with all the services. On the other hand moslem nations and their cities - will see for yourselves.
Christian nations have sport, art and literature, moslem nations have the despicable and evil koran.
How many examples are there for any one whether pagan or Christian to open their eyes and see. The only difference is religion. numbat

Numbat,
If you open your eyes and care to look you would find that Muslims have made great contributions to Western civilization - most of which you take for granted.
Religious bigotry - like war - "emboldens the blood and narrows the mind."
Even with all the intolerance and anti-Muslim rants, the hypocrisy of self-righteous, "holier-than-thou" extremist Christians never ceases to amaze and amuse me.
"Worship me or burn in hell for all eternity" - a peaceful and loving God?
It's only an accident of birth and a matter of geography that finds you huddled over a keyboard and not making a bomb somewhere on the West Bank.

allo allo... this thread has shifted to a discussion of BOAZ pov....

Pericles is biting my rear and Fida is raising questions about the applicability of what I'm saying re Muslims in 'Australia/Western' contexts, backed up by Pericles.

Well.. glad you have sought fit to give needed feedback and enable me to clarify a few things.

Firstly, I'm not ignoring the context, neither am I saying as it appears has been put in my mouth by quotes "Muslims are destined to do evil" etc... Hmm.. I'm sure I recall being harangued by one "P" about doing that to him on previous occasions.. :)

My point is this:

Practicioners of Islam in Western countries will of neccessity be 'tame' and moderate mostly, though they have their weird fringe.
Where Islam is the predominant religion, things change. Remember now, I've lived in Malaysia for 8 yrs and the rest of my life in Australia.
In Malaysia I saw both the radical and the moderate. It just depended on the demographics and the particular state. Without question it IS the goal of Australian Islam to convert the country, just as it is our Christian responsibility to present Christ to all and sundry.

I've stated this before, that the essential focus of Christ in life and word, is not aggressive or punative. Islam by history and doctrine is just that.

DAWOOD.. I don't mean to slag at "you", I haven't yet called you a moron or the such like, but I DO mean to critically scrutinize Islam. By highlighting the inherrant problems of Islam, its prophet and raising questions about your reasoning, I'm hopefully engaging in 'corrective action' :) rather than harmful. Total quality control mate.

You seem to be avoiding/ducking reference to the major schools of Islamic Jurisprudence on issues....why ? r u superior in understanding than they ? Are they no longer relevant ?

Paul ruthlessly criticized the 'circumcision party' "watch out for the dogs who mutilate the flesh" (Galatians) I won't do less.