The Australian Muslim Debate

MUSLIMS and CHRISTIANS

There is a debate in Australia going on about this and I thought it relevant to Christians in other places, so I have summarised it here.

[An original interview can be seen at http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2005/s1444603.htm]

Mainstream Muslims met with the Prime Minister to pledge loyalty to Queen and country.
The Prime Minister said that there would be a crackdown on terrorists.

Among the points made by leaders were:

The land cannot operate under both Australian law and Islamic (Sharia) law.
Its laws were made by Parliament, and if immigrants didn't like parliamentary law, independent courts and democracy - then they could leave.
If people did not want to live as Australians or to understand and abide by their values they were invited basically to "clear off"!
'IMMIGRANTS not AUSTRALIANS MUST ADAPT' was one headline.

This provoked from the Politically Correct enthusiasts the accusation that such patriotism was offensive to others.

In response it was claimed that:

Australia's sovereignty and identity were being diluted by the 'multi-faith' society.
That it had its own society, language and lifestyle which had been developed over 200 years by the 'struggles, trails and victories of millions of men and women who have sought freedom.'

(The place of Christianity was stated unambiguously as follows, and readers are invited to see how much or how little applies in their own situation.)

Most Australians believe in God.
This is not some Christian right-wing political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women on Christian principles founded this nation, and this is clearly documented.
It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools.
If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.
We will accept your beliefs [editorial comment: meaning, of course, that they will accept the people who hold them] and will not question why.
All we ask is that your accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.

If you are not happy here then LEAVE.
We didn't force you to come here.
You asked to be here.
So accept the country YOU accepted.

John Richards writes:

This is not presented here to make readers agree, but to present them with an example of the way some leaders are reacting against these important issues.

No nation will have the same background as another or face an identical problem, but that does not mean we cannot learn from the stimulus of others who are grappling with similar difficulties to our own.

In the meantime

– do not aggravate your local situation.

– take active steps to love and affirm those of other faiths.

– be careful not to 'go with the crowd' when it assumes that what is true of a few is true of all.

Terrorist forces grow in their influence and power mostly because of the exaggerated comment and love of sensationalism of the ordinary non-terrorist and his/her average media!