cont'd ...

Islam is one of the world's major religions. It claims the allegiance of a fifth of the entire human population. Many Westerners often think of Islam as an Arab religion, most Muslims are not Arabs. The largest Muslim populations are in Indonesia and Pakistan and there are large concentrations of Muslims in China and the former Soviet Union. Islam is the second-largest faith in Europe after Christianity, and it competes with Christianity in many black African countries.

Over the past decade, religious fervour has erupted in the Islamic world in general and in the Middle East in particular. This fervour has been inspired by fundamentalism and Western interference.

To many Westerners Islamic fundamentalism seems like an almost scandlous return to a medieval morality. It conjures up images of women behind veils, of adulterers being stoned, of thieves having their hands cut off, of public floggings and executions, of martyrdom in holy wars, and in extreme cases, of political fanaticism exemplified in aircraft hijackings and terrorist bombings.

This picture is rather distorted, for its based on what is newsworthy, rather than what is typical.

Banjo in his posts suggests that we should discriminate against what he considers "extreme" cultures that don't fit into our perceived Australian way of life. I've tried to explain that our Immigration policies follow United Nations Guidelines and select immigrants that in their opinion can make a contribution to the Australian nation. The Department screens all applicants according to set criteria that will support social cohesion. which includes obedience to our laws.

People with criminal records or political activism in their countries of origin are basically unacceptable. There is no way of making judgements on the future behaviour once the immgrants have settled. For example, currently, the majority of the residents of our prison systems are not foreign born.

Lexi "Over the past decade, religious fervour has erupted in the Islamic world in general and in the Middle East in particular."

And this is going to abate sometime soon?
How about we avoid people from those backgrounds until the dust has settled?

"To many Westerners Islamic fundamentalism seems like an almost scandlous return to a medieval morality. It conjures up images of women behind veils, of adulterers being stoned, of thieves having their hands cut off, of public floggings and executions, of martyrdom in holy wars, and in extreme cases, of political fanaticism exemplified in aircraft hijackings and terrorist bombings."

No need to "conjure up images".
Those are real events. Happening in the 21st century, not the 6th.

The non-discriminatory policy is *not* based on what's real, but on idealisms that cannot and never have been proven.

Everyone-is-equal-and-all-can-live-together-in-peace is ideal.
Some-ethnicities-are-related-to-us-and-some-aren't is *real*.

Bonus benefit from related-to-us policy: those people have the "skills" everyone claims we have a shortage of.

"People with criminal records or political activism in their countries of origin are basically unacceptable. There is no way of making judgements on the future behaviour once the immgrants have settled."

There is such a thing as *statistical probability*, a concept used routinely in making all kinds of political decisions.

No, you can't tell if a particular Lebanese immigrant will commit crimes, but you can determine if Lebanese immigrants are 27% (or whatever the figure is) more *likely* to commit crimes.
Again, a judgment based on real data, not idealistic fairytales.

"For example, currently, the majority of the residents of our prison systems are not foreign born."

Oh, you're sooooo clever!
What are the *proportional* representations?

Dear Shock...

I wasn't trying to be clever or contentious. I'm a librarian by profession and I base my judgements on doing research and delving into subjects. From memory I believe that of people serving current jail terms - 78% are local born. However, you can Google the subject yourself - or look things up through the ABS, the Australian Year Book, or any other almanacs that give prison stats. Or if you have difficulties - go to your local or state library.

In the meantime, I'd like to Thank everyone who has contributed to this thread. The responses have exceeded my expectations and are appeciated. However as I'm about to go on leave I'd like to wish you all a very enjoyable Easter-break and see you on another thread when I come back. Enjoy your time with family and friends.

All The Best.