GZ Tan,

I am not sure what is 'evasive'in the very straight answers above.
Islam for Muslims is the truth just like the Bible is for you.

We don't judge each other for one day we will be all judged.

Collision or co-operation is a choice. Sounds like you are making a self fulfilling prophecy out of the book of revelations.

Take care my friend and maybe one day I will buy you a coffee after Ramadan is over :)

Peace,

Dear Rex
Australian culture, as I've often said, is something we 'live' rather than itemize. It is quite distinguishable from other cultures, but like language, we don't consciously think of the grammer each time we make a sentence.
Rather than give a long list of specifics, can I recommend you do a search on this ? I guarantee it will reveal much that helps.

Such a simple act as 'Shaking hands' (more of a Western).... our 'best and FAIRest' awards, (quite 'Australian')... etc.. what we do at births, marraiges and deaths. Clothing/Dress, how we address older people, younger people, Male Relatives, Female relatives, opposite sex..its all culture.

Dig dig dig :)

Don't tell me you never started at the top of the topic Rex. Well don't be lazy, I'm not going to waste more than this post on you. OLOs restrictions make it difficult for me to cover everything i have to as it is.

I suggest you look at the definition and write a 50 word or less definition of our culture. i'd be quite pleased if you can, because I'll use it in the future so far on this topic it's taken me at least 1500 words and i haven't covered every aspect of it.

David is right in respect that there is a lot of info on the Net if you really cared to look. I gather you fall into the category of thinking there is no Ausdtralian culture. Sorry, I disagree.

It is interesting that when we feel threatened we are spurred to define something that is simply the way that we live as a nation, diverse as it may be.

One of the most important things about being "Australian" is that we are free to post or air our comments without (most of the time) being insulted or ridiculed.

All cultures and beliefs have their positives and negatives and we should recognise that. Some cultures however, will never be compatible with others and I think that the powers-that-be should recognise that. I remember a quote from an American academic that Alan Jones said (yes I am guilty sometimes of listening to journalists) that the best way to destroy a nation was to implement multiculturalism because of the old saying "united we stand, divided we fall".

It is also interesting how current events have changed the nature of the debate. Years ago it was differences within Christianity that created controversy, the Catholic/Protestant debate. What we also have now is the public/private debate.

Although Australia does have its own culture and it is as diverse as any other, what we are seeing in Australia now is the increase in division between sections of the community. Perhaps the threat of a loss of culture will bring to the people an awareness of the fact that we all love this country and we are all here for the long haul.

The reason that Australians cannot adequately define what makes their culture unique to them is simply..this was never their country to begin with..ask the Aboriginal pple and they will tell you in a heartbeat what makes Australia their country, no confusion for them..nothing obscure and they could do it in under 50 words or less.

Id imagine it would be very much to do with dreamtime and stories and traditions over eons, thousands upon thousands of years.They have linkage and roots that run very deep steeped in culture and tradition.

White man stole this country form the traditional owners..he has no roots, no culture because this is not his country.Sorry but thats the truth.

further to that ..no roots, no culture equals no soul, no home, no belonging..perhaps the sins of his fathers means that his sons and daughters will atone spiritually for the rape and pillage of a land that belonged to another pple and the destruction of their culture and their roots.