Gibo,

On another thread I cited the distruction of of the Alexandrian Serapeum by Cristians, acting in a very Taliban manner, under Bishop Theophilus of Alexandria (389 CE). Perhaps, we, likewise have some extreme Islamic elements too.

Herein,while the Temple was being routed, many a Christian would have been at home, at work and or going about their business. Likewise, I sure, that most Muslims will do the same, if let be.

That is not to say, there will not be some fundamentalists. But that is what intelligence agencies are for, to protect us.

Stoking the fires using the differences between two monthesist religions is to be avoided, lest it unnecessarily creates friction, producing self-created, self-fulling results.

The Muslim's Moorish Spain/Cordova was far advanced to the Christian Western until c. 1100. Moreover, they accepted other religions, unlike the people at Camden.

http://www.xmission.com/~dderhak/index/moors.htm

Actually Bronwyn, it appears that is exactly what BD is also saying. I disagree with both of you. It appears to me that the universities (the secular ones at least) have been fac ed with the choice of accomodating either no religion on campus or all religions on campus and have infact decided in the spirit of inclusion to go for the latter.

Hey, gay students, rock climbers and chocoholics often have fellowships/clubs/societies on campus, I don't see a problem with religious fellowships/societies either. They are all lifestyle choices after all and universities generally have an ethos of tolerance.

Indeed Bugsy...

Actually at RMIT there is a separate Queer ZONE.. different from the Spiritual centre. But it's just a room which is used by them at certain times.

Bronwyn.. personally I don't really have a dispute with you about what you said.. The issue for me is equitible treatment for all not "lets have a denomination x special facility".

Me saying "Who can find fault with this" was only in respect of "if" they are going to have a facility for reflection and spiritual expression, that it should be open to all, not just one.

If you wish to campaign for better ways of spending education dollars..I really don't have any argument with that.

For me, as a Christian, we simply don't need ANYthing other than a bit of space.. the Church IS the people.. not the building. So.. a class room, a library, a garage.. a humpy.. no biggy :) we are cool. (as long as not cold)

I sure hope you understand this, because it seems a lot of peole want to project a 'But you want YOUR thingy' deal on us.

The biggest danger in this is not so much from the Muslims but the LEFTOIDS who got 'realllll emotional realllly quick' when I refused to sign their petition. I mean..they were shaking :) trembling with anger and rage... They are not the slightest bit interested in dialogue.. unlike the member of that faith I had already chatted with.. they were determined ideolog's of a most bigoted variety.

The Crazy thing is, I've just finished talking with someone who's religion allows them to just kill or sell as a slave any atheist (in their own lands) and these lefty marxist spoonbills are naively helping them to "express their faith". Most surreal and twilight zone-ish :)

Oh yes, you're just a model of tolerance and equality Boazy.

There is nothing in your post to suggest that your position is based on equality or truly wanting equitable treatment.

Universities look after their students, it's as simple as that. All they want is the space that was promised to them. Nothing extraordinary. They're just a bunch of young adults from various parts of the world here to learn (and learning more than you, obviously), not a bunch of mullahs ready to carry your children off to slavery at the slightest provocation.

Leave them be you old fool.

Hi Bugsy....

there is more to this than you apparently realize.

"They just want what was promised to them"

A visit to RMIT will quickly reveal that there is not much 'real estate' available for separate buildings. If it was, you can be sure that Melbourne CBD property values would dictate something more substatial than a separate meeting place for one sect.

The "Spiritual centre" is part of the overall building complex and not a separate building. It's part of the old Melbourne Jail structure.

If the university "promised" something which is outside the law.. such a promise is invalid. The nature of the request from the group concerned, would have mean't discrimination and denial of equal opportunity to other groups, which of course as you would know is unlawful on a publically funded establishment.

I am indeed intolerant of some things.. ideas, policies etc..no question about that. I will not tolerate an intolerant and discriminatory invasion of public tax payer funded educational establishments by sectarian interests. The same goes if it were a Catholic,Anglican, Orthodox, Hindu or a Buddhist mob seeking an "exclusive brethen" approach to this. If it was my own mob, I would expect extreme criticism and flack from all sides and quite justifiably so.

If you ask me to 'tolerate' the preaching of "Jesus was just a man and no more" in our own church.. yep..I'd be standing up and suggesting the preacher take his heresies elsewhere.

But if that same person knocked on your door to say the same thing, well it's up to you entirely what you do with that.

Nothing wrong with appropriate discrimination and intolerance :) it all depends on context.

Boazy, I find it amazing that you think that this is about discrimination towards Christian or non-Muslim students. Hey, their prayer rooms are non-denominational too, there's room for Sunnis, Shia, Sufis, you name it. Any student can go, nobody stands outside the room with a gun.

You still didn't answer my question about the ACU.

There is no more to this than I realise, regardless of real estate. They just want a room so they can pray in peace, I would have thought Christians would understand that.

But then again, I realise you are hardly a real Christian.