Religion is a way of living and a path for living, aqvarivs, for the followers if religion is in place.

MichaelK., yes it is, but unfortunately like all things human there is the dark side that one must be for ever vigilant. Religion has been used by the few to beat up the majority and is still used by some for that purpose. Which is why the west has developed a separation between the Church and the State. To protect both from the interference of the other.
Muslim integration is a basic understanding and acceptance of this principle. What we are witnessing is Muslims meeting this dividing line and pushing against it to see how far it will bend in favour of Islamic social rule. The backlash against this pushing is Muslims learning that that line dividing church from state is more of a bow string. Pluck at it and it reverberates until it gradually subsides. However if you keep pushing the line, or plucking at this bow string that divides church from state, the noise will continue until people become so tired of the noise violence erupts. Pluck carefully. Two world wars have been fought by the west to ensure that line exist and is an integral part of democracy. No one should be surprised if a third world war is fought to keep all democratic principles alive and well.

What are we to make of Malaysia- a person ther CAN'T stop being Muslim? What does this mean to Muslims in Australia- can they change their beliefs without persecution?

Dear Aqvar....regarding your 'ecumenical' post.. mate.. you are referring to 'organizational' unity.. the only unity which counts is 'spiritual'... and we have that already between believing Catholics and Protestants.

Jews ? well the biblical view of them is extreme compassion and tenderness.. there is no reason to include them 'organizationally' into some huge super ecumenical movement. Just plain luv em as others.

Muslims.. now that's where it gets difficult.

Jews have no specific teaching against Christians, they simply interpret their own documents in ways which suit their racial, religious, cultural and nationalistic views.

Islam specifically condemns both Jews and Christians. I see no reason whatsoever to 'include' Muslims in any spiritual Biblical event, save that of to evangelise them about the true Grace of God as expressed in Christ Jesus ..Son of God, Messiah and Lord.

It is possible for 'nominal/cultural' Muslims, Jews and Christians to spend time together, to enjoy social company, but only where the spiritual foundation is put aside.

So, connecting this to the topic... it is possible to integrate "nominal" Muslims socially, but there will always be the danger of them becoming 'fair dinkum' about their faith.

My head is still spinning trying to get around the fact that Omar the 2nd Caliph, was married to Mohammad's GRANDchild and Omars own daughter was married to MOHAMMAD! (Yes I can source that)

BOAZ_David, there is no reason for there to be constructed a definitive demarcation between Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. All can be included in the greater 'relations' of Churches. This is what leads to ecumenical understandings and a positive cosmopolitan secular attitude. Defining exclusionary playing fields leads to social disharmony and acrimonious interfaith relationships. Australians ought to be encouraging the government to initiate and define legal means for the expression of Islam as a religion while augmenting and buttressing current secular law to protect the separations between Church and State. The idea is to be proactive while at the same time protecting social and religious boundaries. Building fortresses out of fear of change is what drives the anti-Christian, anti-Jew, anti-Islam rhetoric. Which means we must in the face of no change build more fortresses and propagate the rhetoric of fear to build more fortresses ad infinitum. Eventually, we will inherit the violence championed by the few extremist because that is what will be needed to tear down that religious 'Maginot Line'. I don't countenance self-fulfilling Armageddon like prophecies. There may be one in the Bible but, I see no reason to ensure it comes to pass today. Or any time soon.

With all respect to your opinion, aqvarivs, I dare suggest that recent reinstatement of the institution of chaplains at Australian schools is not “pushing Muslims off the line”.

Absurdity of declaring separation of a state from a church in modern national-liberal Pleasantville – utopia of Australia has been highlighted with both this deed and with practical possibilities of non-Christians to be elected or even employed simply in so-called mainstream positions practically reserved for Anglo-majority only.