The term "fundamentalist" was originally coined to refer to certain Christians only.

Not involved in violence?

As well as having a firm grip on influencing US politics and a vested interest in maintaining certain foreign conflicts, there are several individuals serving terms in USA prisons for blowing up abortion centres and murdering health workers.

I'm also curious about this strange convergence of statistics -

The US "bible belt" contains those States with the lowest household incomes, the lowest average IQ and the highest national rates of sex and violent crimes.

It's OK to point an accusing finger at one group to maintain your moral superiority over them but extremists are extremists no matter where they come from and what they claim to believe, and they are all potentially dangerous.

Democracy is based on the premise of settling differences through a process of open debate. A democratic government that shuts down whole categories of speech, (and worship) will immediately find itself in alien territory, walking the same path as tyrants.

The communists who seized control of countries following World War II would not tolerate dissent; that's why my family ended up in Australia. For centuries, dictators have filled their jails with people whose ideas and beliefs were judged dangerous, provocative, or likely to incite violence against the prevailing order.

More recently, despots in many countries have used the threat of terrorism as an excuse to silent violent and nonviolent opponents alike.

Having said that however,freedom of speech and belief must be weighed against the possibility that inflammatory words will lead to incendiary actions, a sequence for which there is also much precedent.
The old saying about free speech is that it does not extend to yelling "Fire!" in a crowded theater.

We live in a crowded theater now, and I think it fair to proscribe public speech that is clearly intended to promote violence.

No matter what your religious belief - the duty of every citizen is to share and support the values that sustain the Australian way of life. Those who break that duty and try to incite hatred or engage in violence against our country and its people have no place here.

The real victory over terrorism will come not through silencing anyone however, but through the amplification of more reasoned voices in each religious community. In this battle, every ally (families,
neighbourhoods, communities) can make a difference.

TAX DOLLARS FOR RELIGOUS SCHOOLS.... I agree with Steven and CJ on that point.. "except" where said religious schools are actually open to the public :) then..I see no reason not to support them with tax dollars.

But I prefer a totally Christian environment for education, but that also has its drawbacks.. young Christians who have not known anything but the 'christian friendly' educational and social process can get a bit of a shock when they goto a secular university. Unless of course the Christian educational institution has deep wells of apologetics studies, where upon the tables would be entirely turned. It would be Christian 'lions' among the secular 'lambs' :)

Here is an interesting 'madrassah' you may like to comment on.
(unless its the same one mentioned in the article)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Luce

"BATTLE CRY"
http://teenmania.org/corporate/index.cfm

Teen Mania’s Mission Statement
To provoke a young generation to passionately pursue Jesus Christ and to take His life-giving message to the ends of the earth!

Our Core Values

Faith
We receive direction, provision, and motivation directly from God and His Word to take the Gospel to the World.

Integrity
We are who we say we are; and we always do the right thing, regardless of expediency.

Relationships
We have servants’ attitudes, and we go to heroic lengths to meet the needs of others.

Vision
We dare to dream as big as God dreams and believe that with God on our side, we can achieve the impossible.

Excellence
We demand of ourselves uncompromising quality and strive to be people who demonstrate excellence in everything we do.

BD's COMMENT.. Hmm.. I can't actually see a down side to this :)

Woah, CJ...you say "they would be quite entitled to seek to change the law to conform to their mediaeval religion. That's called democracy."

I'm sorry, but that's a very narrow, limited type of democracy.
Democracy, for it to have any use, is much more than the rule of the majority. I couldn't care less if 99.9% of the population of Australia think that, for instance, "criticising Islam" or "teaching evolution" should be illegal. That is not something that can safely be decided by majority vote. The right to free speech is an absolutely fundamental tenant of a working democracy, that should NEVER be up for popular vote.

Country Gal

You raise an interesting point as to whether a Christians should or should not go to war. I am sure you would have mixed opinions even among Christians. Some would argue for the common good going to war is necessary to combat evil (eg Hitler,Hussein etc). Others would prefer the UN approach to sit on your hands and allow million to do die by dictators. I prefer the individual check his/her own conscience on this as their are no conclusive Scriptural direction as far as I can see. Quite a complex issue. The point is that No Christian could honestly get any delight out of hurting another human being. This could not be said for the often violent earth worshipers who love to rebel and hurt others in the name of peace. Again they are a far greater threat to peace than some 'fundamentalist Christians'. Just ask any policeman.

runner

not many religious can look at themselves objectively and while there are a few who can; you are not one of them, your quote: "The point is that No Christian could honestly get any delight out of hurting another human being."

I guess the Crusaders, Witch hunters and of course in contemporary times: ordained paedophiles, Ku Klux Klan, Gay-bashers, abortion clinic terrorists - self righteous christians the lot and I guess not one took pleasure in their subjugation of others.

Yes they are the minority of christians, but yes, they are as dangerous as any other fundamentalist of any religious stripe.

Believe what you want, runner, but don't tell huge porkies like you continually do, that ALL Christians are peaceful and loving because it simply isn't true.

It is this type of hypocrisy from you and BD and others that makes secular people angry.

You would achieve far more good bringing your religious brethran into line when they do behave badly. You might just achieve some respect for a change as well.