Foxy, now we don't have old whatshisname to kick around anymore...

Maybe we could try a variation on Philo's advice on the Total Christ thread http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?discussion=1528#28881 - I've rewritten it to suit this discussion

"I believe for once this subject could be properly discussed by totally ignoring [not reacting] to side issues by fundamentalists and their fairy tales. This then would give a proper basis for understanding how humans perceive the real world."

Although I guess I've already broken that suggestion by posting this here.

R0bert

Late on this one, but I have to say that my understanding is that the prevalence of violent crime in Australian society hasn't actually changed all that much in the past century or so - rather that the awareness of it has, and hence the perception that people are more violent towards each other nowadays.

I think that people are violent towards each other for all the same reasons that they have been for millennia - tribalism, testosterone, competition for resources, xenophobia, patriarchy, greed, lust, avarice etc etc. Some time ago I lived and worked for extended periods with people who attributed all conflict (amongst men anyway) to 'land, pigs and women'. Within their cultural milieu, that was empirically the case - but the distinction with our own culture was typically rather more one of scale rather than essence.

I guess that's why we should all strive to be more civilised in our dealings with one another :)

GREAT SCOTT ! CJ finally seeeees tha layyyt :)

I've been harping on 'difference' causes friction and problems such as: (to quote CJ's newly enlightened condition)

-tribalism (in Christ there is niether Jew nor Greek)
-conflict for resources. (Abraham and Lot)
-Greed (he who exhalts himself will be humbled)
-Testosterone (if you even lust after a woman you have committed Adultery)
-Avarice (easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God)
-Xenophobia (See tribalism)
-etc (See below)
-etc (ditto)

Sounds like CJ has been to Bible study and been immersing himself in Galatians 5

9The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.

The solution/medicaton of course is.. "Life in the Spirit"(Of Christ)

CJ..was all that a freudian slip or do you just agree with me 'on the sly' about MC/PC but just don't like to admit it publically :)

COUNTRYBOY...you forgot to add the things listed in Galatians to the things you approve of in your list of 'contributing to society'.

Oh.. 'inter-racial marriage' ? thats me.

SNAKE on corporal punishment..I agree there.
On 'belief doesn't make you better'...I'd re-think that mate.. Hitler had some curious beliefs about Jews and it made him worse...Mother Theresa had different beliefs...and...

OK you comedians. Hands up those urban dwellers who sleep with their windows open and without security screens.

Reports of weekend violence are almost a common feature of Monday news headlines. In the past 18 months, five young men have died from head injuries after being punched in or outside entertainment venues around Melbourne. In other cases, victims have survived brawls but are fighting for life in comas. Some are hospital-bound with serious brain injuries.

The Victorian Police Commissioner told a recent state parliamentary inquiry that street assaults are on the rise. According to statistics from Melbourne hospitals, admissions for severe stabbings have risen 89% in the past year. Teenagers and people in their early 20s account for a third of stabbing victims.

There are many possible explanations for the rise in stabbings and assaults. Health experts blame an increase in youth binge drinking.

Federal Government statistics reveal risky alcohol consumption among 18 - 24 year old men jumped from 40% in 1999 to 49% in 2006, while rates for women rose from 33 to 36%. Youth workers report an increase
in young people carrying weapons, particularly knives, and social workers say drug taking, youth unemployment, gang cultures, anger management issues and boredom are also factors.

Some blame the negative influence of American blockbuster movies and crime tleevision shows for the surge of violence, others claim police numbers are inadequate.

There are calls for extra police and security guards to patrol nightclub areas, taxi ranks, trains, and an increase in the number of security cameras.

In the CBD there are almost 150 venues licensed to serve alcohol until 3am and later. Some argue allowing bars and nighclubs to open to 5am fuels trouble and violence on the streets and hours need to be revised.

The most dangerous age group is 15 to 24 years, and the incidence of male victims of assault is rising: from 12,786 in 2000-01 to 15,281 in 2005-06.

"What it's come to. We are working on a job where a guy has been kicked and stomped to his head relentlessly. He's going to be permanently retarded." - Anonymous Melbourne Detective, Herald-Sun,
August 8, 2007.