Just a question and I wanted to see what people thought. With all the problems worldwide, which is largely due to racial and ethnic conflict and has roots on religious levels, is Australia due for a large scale of conflict? Seeing as though we are a very multicultural nation, which has those of Aussie, American, Arabic, European and Asian people, is it possible global issues will cause troubles on our own soil?

Congratulations on the first post of the forum since it has been open to everyone, not just beta testers.

I think we are already seeing influences of international conflicts on domestic events - take the current terrorism trials. So I'm not sure what you are asking. Is it whether we will have a civil war anytime in the foreseeable future? I don't think so.

BTW, we're doing a feature on what makes someone an Australian in a month or so, but I can't see why "American, Arabic, European and Asian people" who live here can't be "Aussie".

Umm, very broad but generally how Australia's 'Australianess' or sense of collective identity, is in a constant flux, I consider it doubtful.

The riots in Sydney were a basic wake-up call for all Australians and the more recent Lebanese/Israeli war demonstrations around the Australia appeared to show constraint to protect what our 'multicultural' Australians favour in our 'lucky country'.

We can 'judge' incidents contained within these occurences of 'cultural' support but the bigger picture is that 'free speech' is at work within abidence of this Country's laws. Let's not forget that many 'white' european/Australians have used to their advantage in past European related conflicts, eg Colonialist Wars, then more recently the anti Vietnam movement and now this.

Warm regards to all, Driver1961.

Epithemous YES.. we are already seeing this.

Cronulla was local, but in a sense connected on the Leb Muslim side to the world wide conflict between Islam and 'The West' but not in a major way as most of those young thugs were just that... thugs. Probably don't think much about other places.

Demonstrations.... ah..now thats a different thing. The Palestinians and various Muslim groups are being exploited by the Socialist Left, as can be seen by who the organizers of these rally's are.
The police were so worried about my safety and public order at the demo last week, they said this:

"I do not intend to become a punching back between you and a couple of thousand emotionally disturbed Palestinians who will try to rip you to pieces.. if its easier to arrest you, we will do it"

I was considering bringing an alternative message to their rally, and even playing their game by attempting to hijack it myself. Wisdom saw me through, and I just observed and had a few stimulating convo's with various organizers and promoters, some of whom have written for the Green Left Weekly.

At least now I have a better idea of what can and can't be done.

We are at war withoutselves on an important front...
the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act... is a Nazi document.

I am planning to demonstrate this by standing outside RMIT with a poster saying "Muslims are?" with a large question mark over a panel that must be opened in order to see 'what' they are.
Then, will be listed the following:

1/ Cursed by God

2/ Deluded

3/ Away from the truth.

4/ Perverse.

When any Muslim sees this, they might well consider they have been 'vilified'.. which would be great, so they then sue me, and THEN... I will just show that all I did was substitute "Muslim" for what the Quran says about 'Christians'. Hence, they are judging their own holy book.

Continued....

The "Point" of course, is to show just how hypocritical and misguided is such a law. Specially when it is misused, and is ensures nothing more than selective discrimination against Christians for speaking their mind.

I don't care in the slightest about being described in negative ways by other religions or lefties, because I value the freedom to speak MY mind and heart on important issues. Good for me, good for them.

Christians were charged with 'drinking blood of child sacrifices and eating babies' during Roman times,

I'm also considering another approach. Stand with a Cross on my T-Shirt, but with the more compassionate Biblical attitude that those outside Christ as like lost sheep, and the Good Shepherd is diligently searching for them.

And have a co-worker with a Crescent on his T-Shirt, with the Quranic description of Christians listed (like the previous post) as 'perverse.. etc'

Should make for interesting discussions with passers by. (Like last time I did something along these lines)

The main Battle fronts are:

1/ Multi Culturalism vs "Australian" Identity

2/ Morality and its foundation. National Ethics.

3/ Migration, Resettlement and 'Conditions of Entry'

On the migration, we need to emphasize WE HAVE a culture, and if anyone wishes to come here, they are expected to embrace it, and if they have religious prohibitions about the way we do things....DON'T COME.

Is there a war ? You betta believe it ! Failure to address these issues, will result in Tribalism and ethnic conflict of the worst kind.

Thank you Graham for the message. To make my term clear, is it possible people will split along ethnic lines? The reason this caused a concern for me is that it is known people will naturally rival themselves with others and side themselves with what they understand, this circumstance being racial similarities. We have suburbs within Sydney and Australia that have heavy ethnic populations and this can also be a reason for concern. As you said about the Arabic, Asian American etc who cannot be Aussie, this is not what I meant and apologize for the way I bought this over. They can be Aussie; it would be great for them to be Aussie and maintain their own unique characteristics, which makes this country so great.