Reading a number of other threads has got me thinking: what kind of social norms do we want for our country in the future? I’m pretty sure that a degree of tolerance of difference and freedom of thinking and belief is very high on the agendas of just about anyone who is likely to be reading this thread.

A site like OLO gives us the freedom to vent, to put our own ideas into public space, and to challenge and be challenged.

A common theme on many threads is the tension between the ideals of a coherent society and that of one which provides space for expressing differences in ways of living, belief, values, and life experience.

What do people see as the essential differences between multiculturalism, pluralism, secularism and any other kind of hey-we’re-not-all-the-same-but-that’s-okay-ism?

What are the rules of engagement?

What is non-negotiable?

Point 1 - Having once been both a weekly church goer for over 12 months and a weekly mosque goer for over 12 months, I reckon a true christian and true muslim are more likely to have more in common than an irreligious "western" man and a christian western man.

Point 2 - In my short 40 years I reckon "mainsteam" culture has changed so much that yesteryear's "western" man has less in common with today's western man than todays muslim.

It is quite plain that "multiculture" is an abysmal failure. Society has deconstructed into tribes, each with their own failures and few successes.
There is crime, violence,religious intolerance and the free and easy Australian way is under deep threat because of the same tribal division.
It is an experiment turned toxic.It is our way of life that is now being called immoral.....by those who's religion excuses the most dreadful butchery now going on in the world today.
It is an experiment that will only lead to terrible anguish, all in the name of the failed utopia of socialism.

It never ceases to amaze me how humans form tribes. Then they brand others as "not one of us".

Yellow Peril
Reds under the bed
evil zionists
murderous islam

Who next?

If our leaders promote similarities and not differences things may change. But the politics of fear are alive and well and nothing has changed.

Indeed,

If given a choice to move to a more appropriate nation in the world somewhere which one would they choose?

It doesn't exist...

Mickijo, society has not deconstructed into tribes, it never evolved out of them. People have a deep-seated need to belong. Those that have a strong family background and deep sense of self will be better equip to tolerate and live with the difference of others. You can see Western vs Muslim (as opposed to Christan vs muslim - very interesting), catholic vs protestant, white vs black, pom vs mick, Greek vs croat, and so many more permutations that they are immeasurable. It is human nature to seek out those that are similar to you. It is comforting and uplifting to be surrounded by those with similar opinions and beliefs that understand why you are a certain way. The question is whether these tribes can co-exist in close proximity, and if so, then how long will the peace hold.