Al-Baqra Verse No:34
2:034 Khan:

"And (remember) when We said to the angels: "Prostrate yourselves before Adam.". And they prostrated except Iblis (Satan), he refused and was proud and was one of the disbelievers (disobedient to Allah)."
Catholics and Prostratants can bow down flat on the floor with angels which could take a while in crowded courtrooms but at least it's not with Satan.

Dear Foxy,

First, please leave out the Shariah/Islam/terror bits: having had that many conversations between us in the past, you should be quite aware that I do not support any of that, also that I acknowledge and strongly support the rights and liberties of others, including to live without being maimed or bombed. I oppose the Saudi "sovereign" control over the Saudi peninsula in the same manner that I oppose the Australian "sovereign" control over this continent.

When I mentioned the sovereignty of God, I did not mention any laws, certainly not any man-made laws who attempted to represent God. We have discussed the issue of laws in the past, where we seem to disagree. We could also discuss religion some other time, but right here and now my issue was with sovereignty and I rather keep to that topic.

«A person who does not acknowledge the supremacy of civil law laid down by democratic processes should not come to Australia.»

My claim has nothing to do with the incidental fact that Australian law happens to be civil and democratic, but rather, what right has a group of people - any group regardless of their religion or culture, to block the way and dictate who else and/or under which conditions, may enter one's of God's blessed continents?

«We are asking all our citizens to subscribe to a framework that can protect the rights and liberties of all.»

Fair enough, but now you are talking about "citizens", which is an internal affair within your society/group. I am not inclined to interfere, but what I was referring to was the relations between your particular group and other people.

«The rule of law is necessary for us all to live in cohesion.»

It seems that you have a goal to live in cohesion. This is fine within your own group, assuming everyone in your group wants the same.

The rule of law might perhaps be necessary for cohesion, but it is not necessary for us all to live in peace. I rather live in peace.

Dear Ttbn,

Thank you for the sympathy.

BTW, I am all in favour of courtesy, dignity, decorum and good manners.

---

Dear JBowyer,

I have every respect to a Magistrate as an individual, made in the image of God. I just have no respect for what they represent - the power of the state.

Dear Philip S.,

I work part-time as a volunteer in an aged-care
facility. There is a wide mix of nationalities
there. I bow to many of the elderly ladies on a regular basis
usually accompanied by words that I have learned
from them like, "Buona sera," or "Yassou,"
or "dzien dobry," or "Zdravstvuyte."
And I get some lovely endearments in return accompanied
by great big smiles.

Dear Shadow Minister,

I feel that we have more in common than we probably
realise. Still I'm sure that there will be times
when we shall still disagree on things. But that's
what makes it interesting.

Dear Yuyutsu,

I respect your opinion.

I have no wish to argue with you.

It's all fairly simple really. You're not standing to show your respect for the presiding member of the judiciary, rather it's what he or she represents. Not the individual, though some individual members of the judiciary, might like to think it's all about them? It's our laws that preserve good order, equity, and the egalitarian standards for our nation, that's what we all must respect. If not, we should seek to have those laws repealed of amended, through the peaceful processes of Parliament.

"I bow to many of the elderly ladies on a regular basis
usually accompanied by words that I have learned
from them like, "Buona sera," or "Yassou,"
or "dzien dobry," or "Zdravstvuyte."
Excellent . If they demand a bow when you enter their chamber is that a part of your duty? A crim could bow to Your Honour and mutter "Fifty grand in the brown envelope" . Lawful people obey laws without regular bowing and who bows to the arm of the law - the guy with the breathalyzer ?