continued

The dear object of my attention was living in Norway and I was living in Connecticut. We spent a wonderful time together until we returned to our homes in Norway and the US. We bid a tearful goodbye at Victoria Station, and we thought we would never see each other again. A couple weeks later I was back in Europe. Philips, the Dutch corporation I worked for sent me to the home office in the Netherlands. I asked them if I could go by way of Norway. That was ok with them as long as I showed up on Monday. We climbed a mountain near her home and looked down on beautiful Lake Øyern. Our evening meal that night included fungi and berries Marie gathered on the mountain. As I went back and forth from the US to the Netherlands I went by way of Norway. Marie came to the Netherlands, and we visited other countries. Eventually Marie came to the US, and we got married. She didn’t particularly like the US and wanted to go back to Australia where she was born, grew up and went to university. Since she came to the US for me I came to Australia for her.

I like the absence of a national identity, the conformity and the lack of conflict in Australia. It's a great place to live although there is too much respect for authority.

Dear Jay of Melbourne,

I agree with you. A while back I was on the editorial board of Social Alternatives and there was an issue with a Marxist guest editor. I suggested having an issue with a fascist guest editor, but the others would not consider it. I left the magazine.

Unless there is a clear and present danger such as inciting a lynch mob I don't favour limitations on speech. The examples you cited did not seem to constitute a clear and present danger. Free speech limited to those who agree with you is not free speech.

Dear David F.,

Thank You for sharing your experiences.

I learn so much from you.

And for that I am very grateful.

It is interesting that the western media feels that it should be free to insult peoples religious beliefs but they dont think that those they have offended should be free to voice their opinions in protest.

Free speech should be used responsibly and should never be used to incite bigotry, racism, hatred and fear.

Dear Crowie,

It is not the western media that is the most insulting to religion. It is almost any religion for other religions. Judaism has no respect for polytheism. Christianity regards the revelation of Jesus as superseding Judaism. Islam believes that all were originally Muslims, and other religions only have part of the truth. Hinduism believes that whatever form other religions take they are really praying to the Hindu Gods. There is an almost universal contempt of one religion for another differing religion.

I see no reason that the media should mute its criticism of religion which is mild compared to the fact that most religions believe they have a truth denied to others. As far as I can see the western media in general caters to religious feelings inordinately because they want the generally religious public to buy what they have to sell.

Crowie,
I am Christian and I expect criticism, offensive portrayal and denial of my beliefs, It does not cause me to protest publicly with placards and fatwa on my opponents. My scripture tells me to love your opponents, feed your opponents, pray for my opponents welfare.

It never tells me to be offended and to the point of taking up firearms and kill my opponents. Such beliefs is based in primitive pagan belief - that "might is right". Christianity tells me that the meek will inherit the Earth. The others will destroy each other. As Jesus said "Those that live by the sword will die by the sword".