Don't bother me with facts. I've made up my mind.

"Don't bother me with facts. I've made up my mind."

Yes, you make that very clear with your constant Jesus bashing, yet you fail to see that the harm doesn't come from Jesus but from other people. That is probably why you get so uppity about an innocuous democratic tradition yet are oblivious to an abusive exploitation of preschool kids (also ignored by that wonderful fair minded ABC) and the insidious acknowledgement of country/welcome to country that makes me feel very uncomfortable and is possibly unconstitutional.

Fester wrote: What then is welcome to country/acknowledgement of country if not an imposed observance? Do you feel that it is pushed on you? I do.

S. 116 forbids imposing a religious observance. Welcome to country/acknowledgement of country is not a religious observance.

Dear Fester,

Please cite where I have bashed Jesus. The constitution requires Australia to be neutral regarding religion. Government should not favor Christianity over other religions. Government should not favor religion over non-religion. That is not bashing Jesus. There is evidence in the Bible that Jesus did not want to start a new religion.

In Matthew we find: 5:18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass away from the law, till all things be accomplished. 5:19Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 5:20For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven.

The law Jesus was referring to was the law revealed in what Christians call the Old Testament. Jesus was a Jew and remained a Jew. In not following Jewish law Christians have bashed Jesus.

Heaven and Earth have not passed away so those who want to follow Jesus should go to a rabbi for instruction.

I don't think the Bible is a reliable guide to behavior, but those who take Jesus seriously should consider adopting his religion.

Dear David,

I no more think that you would have a beef with Jesus than with Santa or the Easter Bunny. Instead I think you more interested in winding up people of faith. As for welcome to country/acknowledgement of country not being a religious observance, I differ with your opinion:

Example from ReconciliationAustralia.org.au:

"Reconciliation Australia acknowledges and pays respect to the past, present and future Traditional Custodians and Elders of this nation and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples."

It implies a special spiritual connection which strikes me as decidedly religious in its connotations, rather like the Israelites being god's chosen people.

Now what of abusing those preschoolers by making them write "sorry" cards? Is that all hunky dory as well Dave?

Dear Fester,

I agree with you on having school children write sorry cards.