Cowboy Joe did not say a lot, but he said much.

Trojan horse ? possibly, in the case of a certain element with warlike tendencies DEFinitely, or the same group having scriptures with CURSE Jews and Christians by name, and claim God is against them, and add to this the following:

1/ The authorization to FIGHT (defensively ?)for this religion.
2/ The example of its founder who clearly showed that 'pre-emptive' attacks on those suspected of forming alliances against him and political assassination/murder are quite legitimate.

One can only conclude that taken together, we have a group which has as its foundation principle:

To make pre-emptive attacks against those who are cursed by Allah, deluded and away from truth, who are never to be taken as friends, and who by nature are hated by Allah, because they, by nature are against Allah's religion and are thus scheming by default how to destroy Allah's people.

Hence we have 13 people in Melbourne and 11 in Sydney who are charged with acting on this very foundation.

One has to wonder, if these are those who were 'caught' how many are there out there who as yet are 'un-caught' but have the same thinking ?

PAUL opens his letter to the Galatians as follows:

Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— 2and all the brothers with me, to the churches in Galatia:

Quite a strong claim ! Not one to be taken lightly.
He continues further, based on this divine authority in verse 8:

[But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!]

CONCLUSION. When it comes to mankind's salvation, there is only one way, and that.. is in Christ. Any distraction, or distortion, or misguiding is viewed in the most serious manner by the Almighty.

Have all the self help courses you like, all the positive thinking, all the meditation, but let it not be said to give 'Salvation'

David_Boaz

You remind us - on the eve of Christmas - that there are 13 people in Melbourne and 11 in Sydney charged with various offences. Have they been found guilty yet? If not, have you ejaculated a little early?

Incidentally, what do you make of Terry Lane's column in The Age today?

I'd wish you a Happy Christmas but I'm not sure you believe in all that pagan nonsense about goodwill to ALL men and women.

Citizenship is a privilege - especially in a high migration country like Australia.

The irony is that a TRUE Muslim will swear allegiance PRIMARELY to the Ummah (One Global Islamic Nation). Citizenship to the country of residency is just expediency – a means to an end :– the establishment of the Ummah under the reign of their Islamic god Allah ism Islam's primary goal.

So to call the Muslim terrorists of London “British Citizens” is cheer stupidity and naivety. They answered to the highest call of religious duty “Jihad” in the name of Allah and the example of their prophet Mohammad.

They acted "lawfully" and in accordance to their highest (Islamic) citizenship. That is why in Islamic circles the bombers are cheered as Heroes and remembered as Martyrs. They exemplify the best Muslim behaviour – to act in what they would call “self-defence” against a non-Muslim target – bringing honour to their god and prophet.

Christmas is the celebration of the birthday of the true God becoming man and living among us.

Jesus did not come to establish an earthly empire but to reconcile us to God His Father and to His Kingdom in heaven.

In Biblical terms, Islam is described as the spirit of the Anti-Christ and false prophethood. Islam goes against everything God has done in Christ on earth.

Islam’s goal is for all to convert to their religion and worship their god Allah.

Islam has no place in a secular democratic Australia – a country that was built (like it or not) on Biblical principles. It is therefore the MORAL responsibility of each Australian citizen to ponder upon the real polytical goals of Islam. (reading the Qur'an is a good start)

Accepting Islam as a “common” citizen among us is committing Australian SUICIDE by ignorance of the FACTS about that religion.

While we can still utter these precious words in relative freedom, I wish you All a “Merry Christmas”.

Dear Helen,

Your statement here :

"Whether we intend it or not, we reinforce a sense of alienation and undermine the sense of community we want to create if we talk in ways that divide people, categorising them as insiders and outsiders, rather than stressing our commonalities as people.",

clearly should be directed to John Howard and all political leaders. It is they, Howard in particular, who seek to divide rather than unite. The total opposite of his job description.

I wonder how many of the commenters here have ever been in a position where they were an immigrant non-citizen living and working (legally) in a foreign country? By the sound of things, probably none. Helen has a legitimate point but there is a deeper issue here .. why is it that Australians jump to assume that non-citizenship implies a person that wants to live in a country but reject everything to do with its culture? I have never met an 'alien' (in itself an offensive term) that not only chose to live here and leave their own country forever but decided to stay because they loved the country and its values. People who don't fit in with with the culture generally leave - its a truly miserable experience otherwise. Most non-citizens are denigrated and demoralized every day by immigration officials as they try their best to obtain citizenship in a country they desperately want to have adopt them as its own. Who then has the greater morality? The country that makes you denounce your own culture to obtain citizenship or the people that want so badly to become Australians?

Audrey, my parents (and their families) were non-citizens working in THIS country, for half or no wages and this is their country of origin, birth and sovereignty.