Perfect!!

[MichelleandCraig 1]

All I have to say Mike is prayers for your wife...I hope things are going to be alright. Happy Easter, if you celebrate..if not, have a great day anyway! M &C

[Fuzzness 2]

in Canada, at least where I am at, the general view is that we embrace cultural diversity instead of making every immigrant assimilate. are we wrong in doing that?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

The Treasurer's essential point, by my reading, is this:

... there are some clerics who have been quoted as saying they recognise two laws. They recognise Australian law and Sharia law. There's only one law in Australia, it's the Australian law. For those coming to Australia, I think we ought to be very clear about that. We expect them to recognise only one law and to observe it.

[...]

I'd be saying to clerics who are teaching that there are two laws governing people in Australia, one the Australian law and another the Islamic law, that that is false. It's not the situation in Australia. It's not the situation under our Constitution. There's only one law in Australia. It's the law that's made by the Parliament of Australia and enforced by our courts. There's no second law. There's only one law that applies in Australia and Australia expects its citizens to observe it.

He is saying Sharia law does not apply in Australia. For many Muslims, I expect them will be fightin' words. I'd like to see how this plays out. Keep us tuned, Mike.

in Canada, at least where I am at, the general view is that we embrace cultural diversity instead of making every immigrant assimilate. are we wrong in doing that?

That's a question only Canadians can and should answer. It's their country, they oughta run it the way they see fit.

[Fuzzness 2]

in Canada, at least where I am at, the general view is that we embrace cultural diversity instead of making every immigrant assimilate. are we wrong in doing that?

That's a question only Canadians can and should answer. It's their country, they oughta run it the way they see fit.

thank you!

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

in Canada, at least where I am at, the general view is that we embrace cultural diversity instead of making every immigrant assimilate. are we wrong in doing that?

That's a question only Canadians can and should answer. It's their country, they oughta run it the way they see fit.

thank you!

yw.

I presume you're willing to grant voting Americans the same courtesy for their own country?

[luvaLimey 0]

Would you mind citing your source and/or providing a link to this peice?

http://www.treasurer.gov.au/tsr/content/tr...ts/2005/123.asp

Thanks!

and my $.02: when you immigrate to a new country, you should be prepared to live by the laws of that country. If it's a country whereby laws can be changed by the voice of the people, by all means go about the legal ways of getting petitions signed, having your representatives propose new legislation, etc... but until the laws are changed, live the laws as they are in the books.

(well, except silly things, like speed limits)

[Fuzzness 2]

in Canada, at least where I am at, the general view is that we embrace cultural diversity instead of making every immigrant assimilate. are we wrong in doing that?

That's a question only Canadians can and should answer. It's their country, they oughta run it the way they see fit.

thank you!

yw.

I presume you're willing to grant voting Americans the same courtesy for their own country?

of course. even if i dont like it. fair is fair, right

[mikeize 0]

I KNOW! Remember how well the English got on with the Aborigines in terms of accepting the native languages, customs and religions? Just goes to show the superiority of Christian values, I guess, that they were so appreciative of the opportunity to live in a new country that they so deferred to the existing culture.

-mike

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I KNOW! Remember how well the English got on with the Aborigines in terms of accepting the native languages, customs and religions? Just goes to show the superiority of Christian values, I guess, that they were so appreciative of the opportunity to live in a new country that they so deferred to the existing culture.

Faced with a more aggressive culture, they failed to stand up for themselves. See where that display of passivity/tolerance got them? What is 'moral' for you today may not always be in the best-interests of your tomorrow. Just a thought.

[iceyspots 0]

No problem. I certainly accept. Didnt mean to ruffle your feathers, but Im a firm believer that if you move to a foreign country that you had better assimlulate yourself into the local culture. You need to learn the language and obey the laws of you new adopted homeland. If you want a good job, then you should groom yourself like the locals and dress in a manner that is acceptable in the home country, and not make yourself up in a manner where ppl stare at you and dont want to be in your presence.

If you try to set up a separate culture and use customs that are contrary to the laws of your new country, then you are always going to have a problem, and you would be better off in going to some place where they accept your value system.

Have a nice day.

Mike

Moving to another country... yes people should learn the language... if people want to be able to function they should learn that country's language to adapt. If they want to keep their native language, there's plenty of time to do that in the home, at family gatherings, and what not.

Obeying the laws, definitely. Laws are put into place to keep public order, if you do not like the laws where you're living, nobody is forcing you to stay there or to even move there in the first place.

Now, about the job thing... I say, as long as somebody is dressed conservitavely and properly.. and they are free of smells and odors.. then they should get a job, although, given that they meet all the qualifications for it.

Religious dress is religious dress... There are different norms in different islamic countries, but the rules are pretty general. So just because someone wants to move to a different country, doesn't mean that they have to abandon their religious beliefs on dress.

I cover everything on my body, except my hands, face and feet... This is my religious belief, it's not about the dress that is a norm in my home country, after all, america IS my home country.

People are going to stare at you if you are different in any way. If you have a big nose, two heads, or if you have a piece of toilet paper stuck to your shoe. Who cares if people stare? Diversity is what makes society shine-- Wouldn't life be boring if you lived in a country if everyone was the same?

IMHO - If a certain religious group wants to practice their value system, they can do it within their own community, but definitely they cannot force their beliefs onto the larger society when they are a minority.

[sparkofcreation 0]

in Canada, at least where I am at, the general view is that we embrace cultural diversity instead of making every immigrant assimilate. are we wrong in doing that?

See, personally, I was taught in school that America was the same way, that our value as a country comes from appreciating others' diversity and from being a "salad bowl" of cultures, religions, races, languages, etc. I think some people (::points upward: should have paid more attention in elementary school.

And for f***'s sake, IT'S NOT A CHRISTIAN COUNTRY!! The Founding Fathers were deists and Unitarians and Congregationalists for pity's sake. Has no one ever heard of the Jefferson Bible? Geez.

Oh, and by the way ... in my state, Spanish is an official language. Most likely because the Spanish speakers have been here for 400-500 years and the English speakers for only 150.

Edited April 16, 2006 by sparkofcreation

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

If a certain religious group wants to practice their value system, they can do it within their own community, but definitely they cannot force their beliefs onto the larger society when they are a minority.

What about when they are a majority?

[MrMrsKnight 0]

in Canada, at least where I am at, the general view is that we embrace cultural diversity instead of making every immigrant assimilate. are we wrong in doing that?

We all do in theory.... and my dream if for everyone to practice that!

Here in Brazil, most of the time, that's the rule we live by too and I'm proud of that.

If you choose to live in a place, you automaticaly choose to follow the laws (at least it should be that way), but that doesn't mean you have to lose your essence and forget about your culture.

[Jaylen Brit 0]

Interesting article Mike - thanks for posting it.

Its VERY Aussie in tone - lived there and man I can HEAR it! lol

They make a reasonable point - perhaps badly worded, and of course, not sparing any sensibilities there - perhaps I might have worded it more gently if it was me, I dunno - Im not a politician thank G.

I think tho he IS reflecting popular views there - whether we agree or not - personally I agree with him mostly - he isn't saying 'don't be a Muslim' he's saying be one but don't say you have 2 laws, or that religious law is above secular law - and also be one if you wish but don't try and force others to think the way you do if they decline to...

I don't think that's unfair.

If I travel to Saudi I am expected not to run thru the street drinking alcohol, eating pork or beef not killed in the halal way and yelling 'all muslims must die or should worship jesus immediately' because of local laws and customs, which i am happy to abide by.

I don't think anyone, even the outspoken bloke quoted, would say 'don't be a muslim' cos its a valid belief system same as any other around and respectful, peaceful worship harms no-one.

[iceyspots 0]

If a certain religious group wants to practice their value system, they can do it within their own community, but definitely they cannot force their beliefs onto the larger society when they are a minority.

What about when they are a majority?

The same rule applies, if they are the majority, and they make their own laws and rules.. Then the people who wish to move there should conform to the language and laws.