Poirot and david
I am not in disagreement with your POV.

The biggest way governments have dampened dissent (probalby not deliberately with that purpose) is fear, not of the terrorist variety, but the financial type. Housing affordability, rental costs and debt is a huge burden, one that generally does not encourage legitimate discourse or ruckus, people are far too preoccupied with paying off a mortgage or paying for rent/food/school etc.

Individuals need to recognise this themselves and get out of the consumerism cycle, but meantime many on low incomes are finding it difficult, even without luxury items on the shopping list.

Philo, that was a limp wrist-ed insult what was I on?
Sure you do not want to add the child like build a bridge and get over it.
What evidence do have any minister in any past or present Australian government, in any portfolio used brain washing in any form.
Who told you we live in Soviet Russia.
Or communist China.
Come Philo do you truly hold the view any one ever intended to use this band aid on society as a weapon against its people.
Do you have nightmares about waking up in Nazi Germany?
RESPECT strange that such a word has launched so many fears.
We have had ministers for almost every thing, this window dressing has seen an ex footballer who you seem to think has the task of brain washing us.
If the only outcome is more education for life, for every day mixing with others, for understanding while some groups may not please you respect is worthwhile, we will all be better for it.
What am I on Philo? reality it is hard for some to take but a great trip, try it.

"modern" civilisation is in decline - the signs are all around us - and declining standards in personal integrity is just another part of it.

spinner quite true for some, far too many, but not all of us.

Is that because we have been over populated by third world countries, superstitious world views and governed by dictators who supress individual freedoms?

Philo wrote: "Is that because we have been over populated by third world countries, superstitious world views and governed by dictators who supress individual freedoms?"

Dear Philo,

Let's have a little tolerance. Christianity is a superstitious world view. Many Christians make up the population of the third world. Dictators such as Franco have based their dictatorship upon their Christianity.

However, I believe that, in spite of their support for dictators and the superstition of Creationism Christians are human beings who can be shown the error of their ways, are susceptible to enlightenment clearing away the superstition that beclouds them and open to the possibility of being fully human. Christians should have full civil rights and treated in every way as equal to other human beings.