o sung wu,

Total agreement, mate.

david f,

Maybe we could also do away religious themes at Xmas as not all Australians are Christian?

Certainly, the various religious holidays should be abolished.

Dear o sung wu,

I do not advocate Christians losing their Christian principles. It just seems to me that Christian religious services to commemorate a war which was not fought for Christianity nor were all those who fought on our side Christian is inappropriate. It would be appropriate to have a service in memory of those Christians of good will who opposed that stupid, tragic war.

Dear Is Mise,

Religious holidays are religious holidays. Anzac day is not a religious holiday.

Religious holidays are religious holidays. Anzac day is not a religious holiday.
david f,
Agree again, why the need for perverting everything with religion ?

Hi (again) DAVID F...

All wars are stupid and tragic. Nevertheless, men and women are sent to those wars irrespective of their religious proclivities or none. They have no say. As a serviceman or woman, you're directed, as to what and where you'll serve, without any input or discussion from yourself.

What I'm trying to say David, and very badly at that, Australia is a Christian Nation. It was founded on Christian principles, Christianity prevails in our Government, Courts of Law, our Military, police and civil service. In fact, just about all areas of our existence where religion plays some part. Of course, there are other minorities who've aided us in times of conflict, for which Australia's most grateful. However, for the reason's I've articulated herein, I see no fundamental reason to change.

Dear o sung wu,

In no place in the Australian Constitution is Christianity mentioned or endorsed. Christianity is the majority religion in Australia, but the laws are not based on Christianity. They are based on English Common Law with some influence from the US Constitution. English Common Law is based on precedent not religion. The mention of religion in the Australian Constitution is in S.116 which states:

The Commonwealth shall not make any law for establishing any religion, or for imposing any religious observance, or for prohibiting the free exercise of any religion, and no religious test shall be required as a qualification for any office or public trust under the Commonwealth.

The US Constitution has almost the same wording in regard to religion. The interpretation of the law by the US Supreme Court and the Australian High Court are different.

In Australia there is government aid to religious schools and chaplains in the public schools. In the US this would be illegal