In 2004 many Christians objected to the National Gallery of Victoria's display of "Piss Christ".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piss_Christ

Many Muslims object to any depiction of Muhammad – especially in cartoon form.

In 2007 a Muslim woman police recruit in London refused to shake the hand of Sir Ian Blair, Commisioner of Police, on the ground that it was against her religion to do so.

See:

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23382478-details/I+cannot+shake+your+hand,+sir.+I%27m+a+Muslim+and+you%27re+a+man/article.do

Thornley Heath leisure centre in Croydon, London, has gender-segregated Muslim-only swimming sessions:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-421414/You-swim-wear-Muslim-dress.html

Both Muslims and Christians have objected to their children being taught evolution at school.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2004/11/30/MNGVNA3PE11.DTL

http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1193049191450&pagename=Zone-English-Family%2FFYELayout

The world's most influential Sunni scholar, Yusuf al-Qaradawi, even issued a fatwa against Pokemon because, so he said, it promoted Darwinian evolution.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yusuf_al-Qaradawi

See also:

http://www.harunyahya.com/presentation/collapse_in_europe/index.html

Sikh "militants" forced The Birmingham Repertory Theatre to abandon a play

http://www.expressindia.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=39911

Despite the objections of the Christian churches blasphemy laws have largely disappeared in Western countries. Now the UN has passed a "defamation of religion" resolution. Are laws against defamation of religion blasphemy laws by another name:

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0811/S00421.htm

A Muslim worker refuses to sell a bible to a customer:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-508263/Muslim-M-S-worker-refused-sell-unclean-Bible-book-grandmother-customer-claims.html

I could go on:

Some Christian nurses and doctors refuse to participate in abortions. Some Catholic doctors even refuse to tell rape victims about the option of "morning after" pill.

Islam only permits abortion under certain circumstances. Some Muslim doctors and nurses refuse to participate in abortions except when the requirements of shariah are met.

OK, let's not pretend we can get away with no accommodation.

How far should a secular multi-cultural society go to accommodate religious sensibilities?

Steven you have been brave in starting this thread I think speech is never free when it comes to this subject.
And do I get any rights?
Without reserve I blame religion for most of the worlds problems.
Want no special treatment for any of them.
Hope one day we can let go of the straw and live without fairy tales to hold on to.
My answer is no further than we have gone, back in fact, my beliefs seem not to matter to religions, only fair, theirs do not matter to me.
But impact far too much on my life.

Dear Steven,

How far should a secular multi-cultural society go to
accommodate religious sensibilities?

Only up to a certain point. Religious laws are not recognised
and have no legal status in Australia. However,
if you go to a mosque, and they ask you to take off your shoes
- you would, out of respect, do so. If you're asked to cover your head - you would do so. After-all that's the least one does -
out of courtesy. Respect other's customs. So equally
people living in our culture - should respect our traditions.

People are entitled to their own religious, political,
or social beliefs in their own private lives -
But they should not force these
beliefs onto others and contravene the rules, laws,
and customs of the society in which they are living.

For example - an Arab who was used to riding a camel
through the desert would not be able to do the same
on the main street of a Western City (without a special
permit - for a special event).

I guess what I'm trying to say Steven is - people can
practise customs and rituals as long as they are not
in conflict with the laws of the country in which they
happen to be living.

Foxy,

Let's test what you wrote using specific cases.

Do you think there should be gender segregated Muslim only times at public swimming pools?

Do you think doctors and nurses working in public hospitals should be exempted from assisting with abortions if it offends their religious sensibilities?

Should Christian or Muslim parents be able to demand a biology curriculum that excludes evolution for their school-age children?

Should Holocaust denial be illegal?

Supposing the route of a gay pride march passes through a predominantly Christian or Muslim area. Should the residents be able to insist that the march takes an alternative route?

Should the National Gallery of Victoria have excluded "piss Christ" from their exhibition?

Should publication of Muhammad cartoons be prohibited?

Should Muslim policemen be permitted to grow beards?

Should a Muslim female police trainee be permitted to avoid shaking hands with a man?

Should a Muslim policewoman be permitted to wear a veil while on duty?

Should there be laws that ban remarks that followers of a religion find hurtful? (Blasphemy laws)

Belly,

I agree. If it were possible I would make no concessions to religious sensibilities?

Dear Steven,

The answer is no to all of the questions
you asked me. But that's only my humble
opinion.

As I wrote earlier - in my opinion - people are entitled to
their own religious beliefs - but they
are not entitled to insist that society
caters to their beliefs in the public domain -
such as public hospitals, public service, public schools,
national galleries, police force, et cetera.
Although, as with everything in a deomcratic
society - they can lobby and apply political
pressure - as is often done by the various
groups of our multi-cultural society.

I agree with Foxy except these ones:

“Do you think doctors and nurses working in public hospitals should be exempted from assisting with abortions if it offends their religious sensibilities?”

Yes.

“Should Christian or Muslim parents be able to demand a biology curriculum that excludes evolution for their school-age children?”

Yes.

“Supposing the route of a gay pride march passes through a predominantly Christian or Muslim area. Should the residents be able to insist that the march takes an alternative route?”

They should be outlawed completely.

“Should Muslim policemen be permitted to grow beards?”

Yes.

“Should a Muslim female police trainee be permitted to avoid shaking hands with a man?”

Yes. Inshala, she has come so far already why push it.