It's time for us to make sure of
that!!
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."
He continued to say, "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."
Referring to the national flag,
he commented, "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."
His closing comments were, "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."
Maybe if we circulate this
amongst ourselves, American citizens will find the backbone to start
speaking and voicing the same truths!
<http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/Australia.asp>
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