Loudmouth, since you didn't actually say JayB's "Muslimpox" was a good thing. I'll put you down as being opposed.

JayB; one of your leading supporters has now broken ranks and condemned your "Muslimpox", but I'm sure there still is plenty of the 'Usuasl Suspect' who actually support you. Come in Runner, what's your opinion on the 'Muslimpox'? Yes or no!

Foxy,

"This is Australia. It is not the Middle East." Really? I would also say, don't judge a book by its cover.

Some look at people by their skin colour, voice, or racial background and other types of things they may wear or are different about them (like a disability) and make so many judgements or have assumptions that are just not true about that person.

One time I had a personal doctor, who I read in my local newspaper had committed suicide. It was a shock to think he would do that. I just didn't think doctors, who are so pro-life would do that. I was wrong and he wasn't wearing a burqa.

By the way, people can be deprived of their identity without wearing a burqa. Unfortunately, people who wear clothes like this get easily targeted (harassed or patronised as unintelligent) as a result and others get left out (in terms of help) as a result.

And don't forget, people can leave this country if they don't like what it is supposedly about. We are however a DEMOCRACY. That includes the right of a woman to wear a burqa - and you don't like one - don't wear one.

Paul,

Don't get too far up yourself - most people on OLO think for themselves, and exhibit a vast range of idiosyncratic perspectives. I've never thought of any grouping of OLO contributors so much as individuals each pushing her or his own barrow, utilising the freedom to explore their own notions about any topic.

To be honest, I get mixed up between JayB and Jay of Melbourne, and perhaps you do too. Given the uniqueness of the experiences and standpoints of each of us, it seems that the wonderful thing about OLO is that none of us agree fully with any other, and that's fine, that's freedom of thought and freedom of expression. Wonderful.

Mind you, as an old leftie, it's also been an indication for me of the ridiculousness and impossibility of ever expecting everybody to agree with One True Path, One True Belief, One True Ideology, One Good Society. Good people disagree, that's how they are. I suspect in the One Good Society, they would be shot. So a pox on it.

Joe

Good post Nathan. I like Foxy's posts quite a lot, she has some interesting insight, however I'm very disappointed with her stance on certain types of Muslim headgear.

Foxy, I believe when people come together because of shared culture, fully accepted by all sides, then that is a good thing. However, that will NEVER, EVER lead to understanding/tolerance/acceptance of difference. There will always be difference in the world, and unless we learn to tolerate difference, peace and understanding will never fully happen. Some people don't want that or couldn't care less about that.

Take your stance on the burqa for instance. Your interpretation of why it exists is most definitely not the interpretation that many Muslim women have. Now, I believe what I say next is vitally important -- the goal towards peace and understanding and humane behaviour is NOT to convince the other side that they are wrong in their interpretation (this applies to both sides), but to simply put a view forward in the hope they will understand one's perspective. And if they still disagree with that perspective, then the road to peace and understanding is to allow them "their" perspective, even though it's not your perspective (this applies to both sides).

People dream of humanity being as one, and believe this is the way to peace. Not so, because of the incredibly huge diversity amongst humanity. Finding ways to live in peace, fully incorporating this diversity, even though you may not agree with the conclusions, interpretations and perspectives of others, is the ONLY way that humanity can ever live in reasonable peace and cooperation.

Tolerance of difference is the key. I'm a hard line gnostic atheist and I'm VERY critical of religions and god beliefs, but these Buddhists, Christians, Jews, Wiccans, Muslims, Hindus etc have every right to believe and live as they choose (non violently of course), and they have every right to equally criticize me for my atheism. I think that type of thing is the core to tolerance and peace. It's all about the tolerance of difference, because humanity will never be as "one".

Paul,

I think Jayb's post should be taken with a large pinch of salt!

I agree with May May in that although I will never agree with the stance some Muslims take on covering their women with full length clothing, I will always defend their right to wear it if they so choose.

The few women in Australia who may be forced by their families to wear the Burka would be even more disadvantaged if they were not allowed to wear the garment in public. They would no doubt be confined to their homes.

I would hate to see any woman wearing a burka being a target of hatred out in the community, but I am sure some nasty bigots out there would use this current unrest re these garments to have a go at these women.
These people are cowards...