runner, I find it interesting you see so many posts as the product of atheists attacking christianity, and you make the point that the western world has arisen from christian tradition.

Nobody is disputing that this is true - but it doesn't need to be proclaimed in every post. Although I'm a secular person, that doesn't mean I'm ungrateful to the christian tradition, I just don't think we need that superstition anymore, and I don't see why we need to proclaim it's greatness at every turn, simply because we arose from it.
By the same token, Christianity was a product of the jewish faith, but I don't insist you proclaim its glory at every opportunity.
I don't actually see as many posts glorying atheism (except from West) as I do extolling the virtues of christianity.

The issue boils down to this - OLO is about discussing a wide variety of topics, but so many end up being about religion, simply because some people can't set their religious aspect aside to discuss other matters. In some cases it may be that their religion infuses every element of their life and they can't separate it, in other cases it may be simple preaching or proselytising. Either way, it interrupts discussion of other matters.

GOOD.... we are actually making some progress here.

Frank... you said:

[The policy of multiculturalism encourages people to explore points in common.]
Then:
[The policy of multiculturalism encourages people to explore points in common. That's why I can't understand the virulent opposition to it. The idea that multiculturalism emphasises points of difference is a distortion.]

Now here is the exact point at which we diverge. I totally accept that MC "SHOULD" be about finding points in common, but that in itself is not adequate. Based on our history we do actually have an identity. But rather than harp on that.. let me just say my primary objective is that we attain an 'Australian' identity.

When you say the MC we are usually attacking is in your understanding a distortion of the real thing, I both agree and disagree. In some cases yes, but there are some principles which irritate the stuffing out of me. I fail to see why in a country where we do have a primary language, and a primary culture (and we do) that our police have to have a book which tells them how to operate differently for each and every culture inhabiting our land. This to me is plain stupidity and is also denying that there is any kind of prevailing culture here.

On the issue of how you formed your views on Christianity.. Frank.. I can see an inkling of where ur coming from there, and thanx for sharing what you did. My standard response is.. don't re-crucify Jesus because of the sins of those naming him as their Lord. Saying 'Jesus is Lord' and living it.. are 2 different things. Thats also the reason I refer and point to scripture as I do.. to get back to the real deal :)

BRONWYN.....
I feel sad that you believe I 'hate' refugees..and Muslims. I've demonstrated in my interaction with FH that I don't hate Muslims and regarding refugees.. what I hate is stupid POLICY which gets us into the mess.. The refugees will take the line of least resistance.. and I admit.. I don't have a lot of sympathy for those who were in Jakarta having a big mac one day and then struggling in a leaking boat the next saying "Oh look at me.. how awful is this". Whats awful is country shopping. But 'hate' ? thats way too strong to attribute to me.

RATIONAL... now..before I finish with you Brony... lets re-visit just for a brief moment your continued assertion that our faith is 'irrational'......
I'd love you to provide actual 'evidence' of this apart from actually 'asserting' it.

A good starting point would be the veracity of Pauls letters and Lukes Gospel and Acts, and the internal and external witness to them in terms of admissable evidence in a court of law.

I've referred to Simon Greenleaf a giant among the legal fraternity, and while I didn't get his background completely correct in a previous post, he nevertheless had the absolute respect of his peers in the Harvard Law school. He (even as a Christian) subjected the New Testament documents to the rules of evidence, and concluded that they were a very strong case. Now..had he simply 'confirmed what he already believed' he would have been ridiculed and become a laughing stock. That he did not....is testimony to his integrity.

So..in the face of the actual evidence (rather than ideological dogma which seems to be where ur coming from)... it is entirely rational and reasonable to believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Now... I don't expect to engage with you in a running battle over this, I simply make the point and leave it with you :)

Until someone can show REAL irrationality in our foundation, I see no reason to adopt a different course.

TRTL

I appreciate that OLO discusses a wide variety of topics. I have been guilty of diverting as have others. Everyone however does come from a viewpoint whether it is biblical, socialism, athieism, communism, feminism, capitalism etc etc. I realise that some have a mixture of world views however the responses from the likes of CJ Morgan, Frankgol and others are just as predictable as myself or others who share a biblical view. I am not ashamed to say that I desire all people to come to salvation in Christ. Rudeness or interrupting others opinions was and never will never my intention.

Boazy: "...I simply make the point and leave..."

If only you would. Then we could get back to talking about intrusive godbotherers, rather than to them :)

Actually, if they just made their point and then left, we wouldn't need to be having this discussion.

BD, I notice you haven't responded to my question. Maybe you missed it so I'll ask again.

Having been around OLO for so long you're in a good position to comment on the commenting community here. I've noticed that as commenters who view everything through a religious lens have moved in to OLO, others have moved out.

You must have noticed that many of your old sparring partners have gone and that there's generally less comment than there used to be. I would like to know whether you've noticed this and what you have to say about the suggestion that it could be because every topic ends up being about religion?

I'm not suggesting that it's the only reason, but I do think it is a factor. What say you?