uedThe old Greeks believed young boys were like pre-women and subjected them acts that we would now regard as barbaric. ,Not to mention and the fact that later the Greeks developed an idea of democracy that regarded slavery as normal and women as, well, not even worth a mention. Given that our culture is fairly well founded on Greek culture and thinking: did we throw the whole of our connection to those foundations in the bin because of these negative aspects. Fair go the dingo.

Overall, I think, Indigenous cultural heritage is worthy of respect just as I think our Greek cultural heritage, especially in the academic area, is a great plus for Australian culture.

By the way Boaz, you didn't reference your claims about barbaric behaviours - so it is hearsay. Your hero Bolt would dismiss your claims as lies and attack the whole missionary "industry" as a scam - if you were indigenous.

So Boaz when an indigenous person gives their first hand account of white fella barbarianism, because it doesn’t fit in with your “Christian “ schema, you rationalise away their truths with a thinking that conveniently regards Australian indigenous people as unreliable witnesses. Why is that Boaz? Because your first appeal is always to your political position – not the true Christian heritage.

Neil Hewett

You ask, "What criterion determines the type of society or culture that best promotes human advancement?" Openness would be one criterion along with an ability to engage in critical thinking. Where exactly do these qualities exist in a closed, pre-literate society?

I'm talking about human advancement which rids us of archaic practices such as subincision, tooth excision and human sacrifice and one which uses scientific method as an attempt to explain the world around us rather than the accumulated dross of 4,000 or 40,000 years of superstition. And social advancement which strips away gender apartheid - which after all is the hallmark of Anangu society - and allows men and women to achieve things which previously they weren't allowed to.

Sustainability is obviously a good thing but the sustainability offered by pre-1788 Aboriginal society is that of the hunter and gatherer culture which is not an option for people in the 21st century.

As for language evolving from worldview ... I think you read far too much into my nom de plume. But perhaps I should point out that Neil Hewett is an anagram of "The Wet Line" and "The Wee Lint". But I don't read anything into that, would you?

SP

There is much discussion at present about the cultural dictates if immigration; with a general weight of support to ‘accept the core values of the country that is claimed to be called home, or come not at all’.

Hypocrisy, in consideration of our colonial past.

As a people, we celebrate the achievement of longevity in life and marriage; despite the hardships along the way, that perseverance has prevailed. It is a social and cultural expression of regard … for the love that underpins the relationship.

What could be more loving, than the relationship of Australia’s indigenous people and their living cultural landscape? A relationship that has endured longer than any other surviving human culture in the world.

So why is it so despised and by so many? Why is it not upheld as Australia’s greatest human treasure?

Existing under law to preserve and protect all Australians in an equal dignity, why does the Commonwealth of Australia confer indigenousness perpetually to the lesser standing?

Donna lamented the greatest sorrow of all is for the loss of knowledge that we so desperately need to save this earth of ours. To save ourselves.

We are each of us conflicted with of our own undisputable mortality and the fundamental instinct to survive. Religions have been built over the millennia to deal with this conflict and none provide salvation as sustainably nor rewardingly as the custodians of our precious country, since time immemorial.

Are Donna and Neil Hewett going to set up a "mutual admiration" club?