Paul.L, your post was not there when I posted my offerings but I had to comment to say that I agree with you that in a perfect world we would have no religious schools.

However, we do have religious schools and if we allow one sect we should, by extension, allow all others unless of course they break the law or refuse to follow the standard curriculum which under the law, requires conformity within certain defined parameters.

The only positive thing about this whole event was that for once a Council showed they were willing to listen to the people, pity it was for all the wrong reasons

Local councillors are mandated to reflect the views and values of the people who elect them into office.

They are not elected to shape the future of a community based on fringe and marginal crusades.

I suggest the councillors of every city listen more to the people who elect them and less to the political lobbyists who seek to apply undue influence and stick them with politically correct values as declared by central government.

I would suggest this applies equally to the pack of ratbags who darken the halls of Melbourne City Council particularly.

<<They are not elected to shape the future of a community based on fringe and marginal crusades.>>
I feel this to be true. Furthermore, Councils should act as a counterweight to the type of things that provoke and inflame marginal crusades. If people’s only knowledge of Islam is Tracy Grimshaw’s interview with an extremist whacko, news of more rocket strikes at Israel, planes into buildings etc., then we have a problem. Councils can balance these perceptions by using their power and infrastructure to raise awareness and heal these fractures. It was mentioned here earlier the many different cultures that have slowly integrated into the diverse “Australian” culture. This is true, but it does not happen without effort. Perhaps this is naive, yet I don’t see inaction being of any use other than letting the problem fester. If there were residents in Camden that would agree to the establishment of an Islamic School, or even residents that wanted more discussion before the final decision was made, how would they have felt raising their hand in that meeting? It would be good to know for sure if there was any objection, but I think we can make a reasonable guess given the ‘we don’t want ‘em here’ talk from the citizens.
This to me is not a council attempting to manage/encourage a diversity of opinions and perspectives on a sensitive issue. It is a council simply overlooking the real problem by rejecting the application on the grounds of X, Y etc.

David
Most of the people said they would object if it were a Catholic School.
It application is outside the approved zone.
Its as simple as that.
I think the people are just annoyed because they feel these people are expecting special favours.
Anyway thats the way I see it.
Foxy You know yourself if you brought a block of land and were told you could not build whatever on it because it was the wrong zoneing- You wouldnt be too happy if the bloke next door was allowed to.
I work with many Muslims but so far what I see was a lack of proper planning in their side.
If its doesnt fit council zoneing then it doesnt so stop annoying the good people of Camden and sell theland to but something that complies.
Then you wont have so many complaints
Simple

NEWSFLASH..... a group of German Immigrants is applying to build a school at Penrith. They acquired land with cash, from 'unspecificed sources'....

It is confirmed that these migrants, have been linked to a revived Neo Nazi group, which appears to be flush with funds.
7 people connected with this group have already been arrested under sedition and terrorism charges.
Some members of this group (which goes by the name of 'MeinKampf Society' have been involved in public flag burning and encouraging violence against those who criticize members of that society.

The group claims they will 'teach the national curriculum'.. but observers worry that 'other' ideas will be brought in by stealth.

They have employed the services of former Lord mayor of Sydney, "Jerome Bigman" who asks "Why should this group of people, who are citizens of Australia, not have a school to educate their children, in an area zoned for schools"?

In spite of mass public outrage, particularly from Jewish groups, Penrith Council maintains "All decisions on this application will be based on PLANNING grounds alone..and 'political or sectarian' aspects will not be considered at all.

"The discussion is about a school, not the Quranic Society!" (Ditch)

Well done Ditch :)

Trust Boazy to make an analogy between Muslims and Nazis. Of course, he'd never do anything to spread hatred, would he?

Godwin's Law, anyone?