BOAZ David, I find so much of what is so good in your post.I commend you for it. It's just that some of the bloggers let passion and raw emotion get in the way of reason.
You argue for integrated and just communities unaware of the offending nature of emphasizing the community appendages but choose to be merely Australians intent on getting the best for their loved ones, for being the best themselves and contributing to the common wealth of Australia as Australian and not as indigenous Australians or Catholic Australians or Muslim Australians. We shouldnrt needto refer to "mosque" or "temple" or "church"but as a place of worship.Having said that lets remember that if the word church or mosque is used it isout of habit or even as a sort of short hand and not meant to emphasize anything in particular...and should be left at that.Being understandind and tolerant are worthwhile civic virtues to embrace wholly,dont you think?
Cheers.Keep up the good postings,mate. There's a good Aussie word to use on Australian-born and migrant newcomer alike.

Socratease

Love your posts John Greenfield.

They say more about you than any amount of rational, reasoned, thoughtful and constructive discussion possibly could.

socratease, I agree about hope as a mindset/heartset – to protect us from despair and bitterness and disappointed expectations. But, on its own, it doesn’t do anything of more substantial value than that. And it certainly shouldn’t lead us to deny facts. We should also be wise, would you agree?

While I like your account of your relationship with the Muslim geologist, I don’t think the Islamist critics online need to hear it. My impression is that that they, too, know some Muslims and like them well enough. They/we have made it clear that we are concerned about some ideas and some trends. Very, very concerned. I think you and CJ Morgan are mistaken to call if vilification of people, and to accuse us of hating (which seems to be what you’re now doing, although you started out calmly enough).

Paul.L (thanks for your note) is very good with the facts. He says, for example, “Previous generations of Muslim Australians were decidedly more moderate than today’s young Muslims”. What does hope do with this? Paul suggests a course of action – moderate Muslims exposing extremists. Hazardous work, but do you have a better idea? I wish I could solve the problem by being nice to the Muslims I meet, or engaging in organised dialogue. I do this, it’s easy, but it doesn’t achieve much for the broader picture, and it certainly doesn’t slow the extremists down.

Pax,

John Greenfield

Your every post proves the point of Keysar on another post and of Mustafa.

Unfortunately your represent a section of Australian society which is arrogant, self centred, miserablist,uneducated and racist. Two hundred years ago it would have been the same sentiments against Aborigines. A hundred years ago against the Chinese and Aborigines. 75 years ago against the Jews and Aborigines. Fifty years ago against Southern Europeans and the Aborigines. Thirty years ago against the Vietnamese, Chinese and Aborigines. Ten years ago against Muslims, Asians and Aborigines.

Now? It seems, as Howard recedes from memory, his heritage is racism against all who are not white Anglo-Saxons. You exemplify the fading light of yesterday so well.

Your diatribe against Lebanese Australians is enlightening. Most Lebanese in Australia are Christians. Presumably that is of little import to you. They are all wogs in your bitter twisted little mind.

Passy, once again I'm with Pericles.

Greenfield is a prolific troll around the blogs, but he is redeemed by being so good at it. As Pericles suggests, Greenfield's own drivel says more about him than any of us could :)

Goodthief,what else can I offer what you would accept of "sunstantial value" ?Me,or anyone else,for that matter.Individually ...little that would be dramatic. There's no magic and immediate remedy.These trhings are evolutionary and take a lot of time to mature and last long enough to become permanent.
But things are happening,goodthief. At levels where it is important but unobserved by ordinary people unless they know where to look for it.In every state in every community there are multicultural meetings taking place involving ALL ethnic and religious communities.These are at university levels and government levels.Churches are running similar meetings of an out-reach description. The individual can extend the hand of friendship by meeting with these people when the opportunity presents itself.Its easy enough to even smile at those passing by and greeting them in any way oone is comfortable with.It isnt hard to be nice .
The mosques in Australia are all teaching tolerance and acceptancre. The earlier torris outpourings of bigoted and radical conservatives like Benbriks have been silenced forever.Its unbelievable that Australian University, Griffith, or is it Griffen, could have stupidly begged the Wahabis for millions to fund their projects.It has angered MUSLIM community leaders who know best what the Wahabis are capable of!!

Muslims are writing novels,leading articles and letters to the editor of national newspapers supporting tolerance and acceptance. It IS all happening...but slowly and cautiously so that there can be no rushed agreements from which misunderstandings can arise later on.

The trace of anger you detected in part of my previous post was due to what I still genuinely feel about the Wahabists and racist bigots who preach hate.I wont hide my true feelings about them.There can be no compromise from me.
I feel a new and happy and strong Australia is in its nascent stage.We should welcome it.

Socratease.