I know this is long, but its interesting and very important to a lot of people.
See also http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/australia.asp
Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were
told on Wednesday to get out of Australia, as the government targeted
radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks.
A day after a group of mainstream Muslim leaders pledged
loyalty to Australia and her Queen at a special meeting with Prime
Minister John Howard, he and his Ministers made it clear that extremists
would face a crackdown. Treasurer Peter Costello, seen as heir apparent
to Howard, hinted that some radical clerics could be asked to leave the
country if they did not accept that Australia was a secular state, and its
laws were made by parliament. "If those are not your values, if you want
a country which has Sharia law or a theocratic state, then Australia is
not for you", he said on National Television.
"I'd be saying to clerics who are teaching that there are
two laws governing people in Australia: one the Australian law and another
Islamic law that is false. If you can't agree with parliamentary law,
independent courts, democracy, and would prefer Sharia law and have the
opportunity to go to another country, which practices it, perhaps, then,
that's a better option", Costello said.
Asked whether he meant radical clerics would be forced to
leave, he said those with dual citizenship could possibly be asked to move
to the other country. Education Minister Brendan Nelson later told
reporters that Muslims who did not want to accept local values should
"clear off. Basically people who don't want to be Australians, and who
don't want, to live by Australian values and understand them, well then,
they can basically clear off", he said.
Separately, Howard angered some Australian Muslims on
Wednesday by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's
mosques.
Quote: "IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It
Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are
offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks
on Bali, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of
Australians."
"However, the dust from the attacks had barely settled when
the 'politically correct' crowd began complaining about the possibility
that our patriotism was offending others. I am not against immigration,
nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by
coming to Australia." "However, there are a few things that those who
have recently come to our country, and apparently some born here, need to
understand." "This idea of Australia being a multi-cultural community has
served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. And as
Australians, we have our own culture, our own society, our own language
and our own lifestyle."
"This culture has been developed over two centuries of
struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have
sought freedom"
"We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic,
Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish
to become part of our society .. Learn the language!"
"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, and will not question why.
All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful
enjoyment with us."
"If the Southern Cross offends you, or you don't like "A
Fair Go", then you should seriously consider a move to another part of
this planet. We are happy with our culture and have no desire to change,
and we really don't care how you did things where you came from. By all
means, keep your culture, but do not force it on others.
"This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we
will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done
complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our
Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take
advantage of one other great Australian freedom,
'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'."
"If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you
to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted."
See also http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/australia.asp
Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were
told on Wednesday to get out of Australia, as the government targeted
radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks.
A day after a group of mainstream Muslim leaders pledged
loyalty to Australia and her Queen at a special meeting with Prime
Minister John Howard, he and his Ministers made it clear that extremists
would face a crackdown. Treasurer Peter Costello, seen as heir apparent
to Howard, hinted that some radical clerics could be asked to leave the
country if they did not accept that Australia was a secular state, and its
laws were made by parliament. "If those are not your values, if you want
a country which has Sharia law or a theocratic state, then Australia is
not for you", he said on National Television.
"I'd be saying to clerics who are teaching that there are
two laws governing people in Australia: one the Australian law and another
Islamic law that is false. If you can't agree with parliamentary law,
independent courts, democracy, and would prefer Sharia law and have the
opportunity to go to another country, which practices it, perhaps, then,
that's a better option", Costello said.
Asked whether he meant radical clerics would be forced to
leave, he said those with dual citizenship could possibly be asked to move
to the other country. Education Minister Brendan Nelson later told
reporters that Muslims who did not want to accept local values should
"clear off. Basically people who don't want to be Australians, and who
don't want, to live by Australian values and understand them, well then,
they can basically clear off", he said.
Separately, Howard angered some Australian Muslims on
Wednesday by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's
mosques.
Quote: "IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It
Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are
offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks
on Bali, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of
Australians."
"However, the dust from the attacks had barely settled when
the 'politically correct' crowd began complaining about the possibility
that our patriotism was offending others. I am not against immigration,
nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by
coming to Australia." "However, there are a few things that those who
have recently come to our country, and apparently some born here, need to
understand." "This idea of Australia being a multi-cultural community has
served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. And as
Australians, we have our own culture, our own society, our own language
and our own lifestyle."
"This culture has been developed over two centuries of
struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have
sought freedom"
"We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic,
Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish
to become part of our society .. Learn the language!"
"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, and will not question why.
All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful
enjoyment with us."
"If the Southern Cross offends you, or you don't like "A
Fair Go", then you should seriously consider a move to another part of
this planet. We are happy with our culture and have no desire to change,
and we really don't care how you did things where you came from. By all
means, keep your culture, but do not force it on others.
"This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we
will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done
complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our
Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take
advantage of one other great Australian freedom,
'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'."
"If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you
to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted."
