No dear CeeJay...but I believe my "argument" has merit :)

I find it curious how "reason tolerance and rationality" are associated with
-discrimination,
-lack of equal opportunity and
-intolerance
-personal attacks
-abuse.
-insult. (Poly____)

in the mind of some of my opponents.. all the while having a blissful and unknowing smile (not to mention the glazed eyes and dilated pupils)

Next time, try to show me how 'discrimination' actually equals 'equal opportunity' :) then you might get a bit of traction.
It's not a big ask you know..

"We want to discriminate against you and deny you access to a part of state land" = "Equal and non discriminatory opportunity"

Show me a rational, reasonable, logical, persuasive argument which can make x=y (where x=1 and y=2) and u've won the day :)

Dear Polycarp,

As I said to you in my previous post,
read the book by Tor Hundloe that I mentioned,
and then perhaps you will begin to understand
the point that I was making. My point was to
correct the misconception of Islam that you
seem to be obsessed with.

Instead of speaking only about the fundamentalists
of Islam - (and all religions have
fundamentalists), you condemn all of Islam as others
can equally condemn all of Christianity for its
historical record.

I'll end with this short poem - which I hope
may (or may not) give you food for thought:

"Wouldn't this old world be better,
If the folks we meet would say,
'I know something good about you,'
And then treat us just that way.

Wouldn't it be fine and dandy,
If each handclasp warm and true,
Carried with it this assurance,
"I know something good about you.'

Wouldn't things here be more pleasant,
If the good that's in us all,
Were the only things about us,
That folks bothered to recall.

Wouldn't life be lots more happy,
If we'd praise the good we see,
For there's such a lot of goodness,
In the worst of you and me.

Wouldn't it be nice to practice,
This fine way of thinking too-
'You know something good about me,
I know something good about you!'"

That's such a beautiful poem, Foxy, it think I will keep it.
That means something, because poetry usually causes me to roll my eyes or causes me to feel sorry for the author.

Polycarp,
>>"We want to discriminate against you and deny you access to a part of state land" = "Equal and non discriminatory opportunity"<<
I don't recognise that people here have meant this.

Fractelle said,
"...suitable rooms have been specifically designed for Muslim students and staff, with separate female and male prayer rooms, washing facilities and social spaces. However, RMIT has decreed that outside of Muslim prayer times the rooms could be used by other religions."

I don't think I 'get' what you mean. If Fractelle's statement is true, then what is the problem?

Also, with 'equal opportunity' I would understand it in this context that every religious person has the equal opportunity to practice their religion according to their particular God's rules.
I would add, as long as these rules don't clash with the country's laws and does not violate human rights or interfere with other people's freedom.

Religions are divisive.
Personally I agree that there should not be a place for religion in public places, that it should be a personal thing.
But what do you do when a God dictates a whole bunch of believers that they should congregate somewhere. What do you do when people REALLY believe that they will go to hell if they do not obey certain rules e.g. pray at certain times?

Dear Foxy.

That poem was a wonderful response.

Got a call yesterday morning from the "listeners"
Islamic Luv Poppets they are.
Nothing specific, but a general broadcast. Be aware also that there is much gossip in the grapevines here in Indo and much heresay however ..

"It would be better to stay away from *Boolay* places until further notice."

I know not the truth of it but we have never had such a call and we have been here since early 2006. Of course, the guvna is always receiving reports they say about "ongoing threats" and thus they provide the travel alerts that they do.

If nothing else, I would suggest that it indicates that the clerics are unhappy for reasons mentioned recently in this place.

..

Re the current discussion, Indo is a very large Muslim population but my Islamic friends tell me that Islam remains very much a work in progress. It is very much inter mixed with cultural and other stuff perculiar to Indos.

So, to prattle on about this book says this and that book says that is a bit silly really. It is good for overall health to actually get out amongst the people themselves and see how they actually practice their religion.

Some of these so called priests are more para legals than anything, their fall back lines accross the spectrum being but El Goddo said this thru this prophet or that in this book, and that's God's law and u must believe and p.s. don't forget, only we the male priests truly understand the word and thus u must pay and support us if u want a ticket to salvation.

;-)

!Oh Really!

Please, why not regulate these people and ban indoctrination of children in schools and allow only the teaching of comparative religion until such time as they become adults, old enuff and mature enuff to choose their God concept or not for themselves, without a pre-formed dependency on an agent.

That in my view is the great travesty, that some feel it is their right to claim that an individual should not cultivate a 1 on 1 with their God concept, or lack thereof in the 1st instance. Tis not to say that 1 shld be so self absorbed as to ignore the wisdom or not of others however ..

Seriously, from an academic perspective, if even some of the comments about other modern cultures/religions I hear are indicative, I very much doubt that the old texts are even remotely understood, irrespective of whether or not they are faithful reproductions.

...Adam...