Well written Gary, you have expressed well how most no believers see life. Its a pity that the monotheistic religious can't handle others being more rational and open about how they approach life. In the history of humanity in the last 2000 years, except for one or two, non believers of the world have accepted and put up with the violence of religion in its desperation.

One thing that always amazes me is that on the death of a religious person, there is great agony, pain and suffering by the those left behind or bereaved. Yet they preach the glory and joy of meeting their maker and the pleasures of heaven. Could the outpouring of grief and loss, be a subconscious expression of the depth of fear they hold after death, and the reality that faces them at that time.

AMSADL, “If you are "religious", you have no greater experience of hell, than an atheist does.”
Must disagree, they go through hell everyday, you can see that in their uncontrollable urge to assault people, psychologically, verbally and as we see everywhere, violently. You may be a bit surprised at what the true figures are regarding those incarcerated for violence. In the 80's it would have been about 84% Anglo Celt, now its below 50% and dropping each year. In some jails, its very low and the number that can't speak English, is also growing.

Donnie You shouldn't have to tolerate what you believe to be false ideas and opinions but at least use non-violent and non-forceful means to get your "truth" across.

You don't class forceful conversion or denial of the right of those that feel constantly assaulted by religious verbal rubbish, in all facets of life as forceful. Sorry but most people I know and deal with, don't see it your way.

Well finally even the do gooding left is beginning to see the light.
This is just facism dressed up in the credibility of religion.They are no different from the Stalinists Communists who believed theirs was the only way.Still,there is a lot wrong with Globalisation and the power of multi-nationals.Will we ever get it right?

Our humanity seems to be on an eternal power trip,driven by our own insecurity.

From the "enlightened" Muslim Village

"The fact that he bundles law and culture in one bag, and infers that Australia has a culture distinct to itself, presumably nurtured over a mere 200 odd years of colonial settlement, indicates that the speech is at best confused and at worst misleading."

So, Australia has no culture ?

Curious statement indeed. It might also be described as 'attempted cultural genocide' by first declaring something does not exist, therefore it won't matter if what does not exist is completely quenched and removed eh.

If anyone wonders why I have continually claimed we DO have a culture, and that we need to enhance and strengthen Australian Identity, the above post from a Muslim is a good guide as to why

GW “I couldn't read the article after looking at the picture of the author. “
I admit to having similar reservations but then persevered and read anyway.

Tolerance is about not judging other people. I guess that should apply to their appearance as well as their beliefs.

I would agree with the content of Gary’s article.

The Islamists do lack the tolerance which we have come to expect as part of our culture. All immigrants to Australia need to acquire the attribute as sure as they need to understand that just as we respect other peoples right to find their God in their own way they need to demonstrate or agree to

an understanding of English,
compliance with the Australian legal and political systems and
a willingness to assimilate

The above are just essential and non-negotiable prerequisites to coming here.

Muslims cannot reasonably expect to benefit from a culture of religious tolerance which supports their (minority) right to freedom of religious expression and then demand the non-Muslims be denied that same right of expression.

Excellent item Gary. As a fellow atheist I must applaud every time someone writes what they believe in. Heaven forbid we should really say what we think of followers of religion, but we won't do that as they are entitled to their own beliefs.

Tolerance? From Muslims? Where and when please everyone? From Christians, the same questions really although today they mainly keep it to themselves, except for the infommercials on TV, the door to door converters, the outrage every time someone suggests that the multitiude of different religions exposes the flaw in all religion.

That is, they can't all be right, or are there many Gods, sharing a heaven somewhere. Do they have teams or a union? How do they get on with each other? I guess each religion just deems everyone else's God as fictitious right?

On the go to hell issue I think most beleivers of religions will definitely go to a heaven when they die. After all being forced to obey rules and morals that have no meaning must be hell itself.

There is a wonderful letter of apology written by a Retired US Major General here Thanks to Peter Faris QC.: http://www.farisqc.observationdeck.org/?p=245#comments
Anomie: You are excluded.