examinator

You are kidding yourself if you think any debate does not have a religous philosophy behind it. Some think that they are more intellectual than others because they think their opinions are secular based backed by science. This is of course nonsense as science neither proves or disproves God or religion.

It interesting that even many heathen (with no time for any religion and a hate for god botherers like me) can plainly see that Islam is not good for any country. In every secular or Christian country where Islam has a foothold there is strife (mainly between the secularist and Islam). Islam tolerates nothing but its own dogmas in countries ruled by Sharia law but wants to impose these values in other countries.

The failed socialist are to gutless to do anything about their failed 'multi culturalism', They want the Australian population to say 'sorry' to our first people but would not consider saying 'sorry' to the Australian population for their 'head in the sand' policies in regards to immigration. People who share a love for freedom should be welcome here with open arms to help build this nation. People who want to impose Sharia law should be told to buzz off. They have soiled their own countries where no one wants to live or visit and want to do the same here. They need to change their views not those living here.

Passy: "That's racism, viking13."

No it's not. Racism is the assertion that your race is superior to theirs and acting accordingly. I oppose the madrassa in Camden on religious and cultural grounds, and am married to a fantastic Asian woman. Am I therefor racist? It's worth noting the superiority complex that many Muslims hold (their religion, Arab culture etc superior to all others. Does that make THEM racist?)
As to "unAustralian" I have more in common with a Muslim worker than I do with an "Australian" boss."

Bully for you. I'd hate to be a boss whose Muslim workers insisted on a prayer room and wandered off to pray at odd (and changing according to the moon) times during the day.

"Practising Catholic women wore it as a sign (mistakenly in my view) of reverence."

They did? Everywhere, or just in church on Sundays?

"Surely we could say the same about Muslim women?"

No. They wear hijab everywhere either because forced to, or to allow themselves to feel superior to the non-Muslims. A "badge of difference" if you like.

"I was taught by nuns..."

If the nuns left the order they could cast off those outfits. They are allowed to go out in mufti, too. I've met a few nuns who didn't dress like that, also. Nuns' outfits frankly don't worry me because the Catholic church isn't connnected with terrorist bombings nor is it claiming it will "take over the world".

If I lived in Camden and Hindus wanted to start a large school, I'd be concerned about them too, not that I hate or fear Hindus, but Camden has a character which would be changed forever by an influx of any non-mainstream ethnic or religious group.

The danger of course with Webby and Joannes comments are that they represent a real world religio/political position which has found expression in some pretty dark periods of history.

I hope that these expressions of 'our way or the highway' are not lost on Pericles... who should by this time realize that when I express the exclusive truth of Christianity, it can encompass believing Catholics and any or pretty much every major protestant denomination.

FH.. "my God is better than yours"? nope.. it's about truth and falsehood.. plain and simple. If Jesus is "the Way" then there is no 'other' way..its not a matter of degree.

You should know by now that Islam views the Lord as a prophet though in reality He is Son of God.

"Son of God"
or
"merely a prophet"

Those 2 ideas a absolutely not compatable. To we disciples of Christ, reducing the Lord of Glory to a mere man, is utter blasphemy and is on the same level as 'shirk'... and 'shirk' is considered the 'ultimate crime' because it claims that calling the Lord the Son of God is "ascribing partners with Allah"

There is no escaping this great gulf and divide. Your 'purity' is to us blasphemy and our purity is to you blasphemy/shirk.

To me, the credentials are on the side of He who calmed storms, raised the dead, walked on water, and forgave sin by his own authority.

http://www.everystudent.com/wires/radical.html

If Catholic schools are teaching that there is only one true Church, and that it is 'them' and that all outside it are heretics etc.. then one might also wonder what would eventually happen if Catholics did control our government.
The similarities between Islam and Catholicism are scary.

-Huge beaurocratic structures.
-Caliph=Pope
-Religious purity demanded.
-Political clout enforces rules.

"if the Son sets you free, you shall be free indeed" John 8:36

"The Son"...."The Father" The Spirit. One.. yet 3.

viking13, the problem I have with your analysis is that Hitler took much the same approach to Jewish people - ie he distinguished them in part because of their supposed religious and cultural differences.

In fact with many of the discusssionss on this site you need only change muslim to jew and you've got Hitler's arguments to a tee. I'd go so far as to say that they are proto fascist arguments.

We're not racist but ... we just don't like people who are not Christian, don't assimilate (supposedly), have a different religion, have different customs and so on. Looks like racism to me, but maybe my defintion of racism is different to others and their approach to muslims is not racist but some other form of pathetic discrimination.

I remain unconvinced.

Runner,
All I can say is that it's a pity that your understanding and life is so blighted by stereotypes, Threats,ill informed lables (I'm not a socialist if anything I'm a secular humanist of sorts...Look it up), religious dogma, and blinded by fear. I might suggest that throwing insults hardly equates with debate and assertions with reasoning.
Amen

Examiner

You write:
'All I can say is that it's a pity that your understanding and life is so blighted by stereotypes,'

I say its a pity that you do not address the issues that are raised. You ramble on about your fear of population growth and global warming ignoring the threats of Islam and the establishment of Islamic schools in Australia. May I suggest your stereotyping is as good as anyones. The fact that I commented on socialism and you took it personally exposes how sensitive you are. No threats were made to you or anyone else despite your accusation.