A couple of days ago, I received an email forward reciting a speech given in 2005 apparently by Australian government officials.<\/p>\n
I was a bit alarmed when I read the email, so I did a little research into the contents. I thought others may be interested to know what I have learned, but first here is the email:<\/p>\n
\n\nSubject: Australia Now, Canada Tomorrow HOW TRUE !!
\nExcerpts from an on going debate in Australia.<\/p>\nThis is true and can be checked at http:\/\/www.snopes.com\/politics\/religion\/australia.asp<\/a><\/p>\n
Muslims who want to live under Islamic Shari law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia, as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks. <\/p>\n
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 Shari law or a theocratic state, then Australia is not for you”, he said on National Television. <\/p>\n
“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 Shari law and have the opportunity to go to another country, which practices it, perhaps, then, that’s a better option”, Costello said <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
Separately, Howard angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation’s mosques. <\/p>\n
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.” <\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
“However, there are a few things that those who have recently come to our country, and apparently some born here, need to understand.”<\/p>\n
“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.” <\/p>\n
“This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom” <\/p>\n
“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!” <\/p>\n
“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.” <\/p>\n
“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.” <\/p>\n
“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. <\/p>\n
“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, <\/p>\n
‘THE RIGHT TO LEAVE’.”
\n“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.” <\/p>\nMaybe if we circulate this amongst ourselves, Canadians will find the backbone to start speaking and voicing the same truths !<\/p>\n
This could apply to all of our Immigrants’ both Legal and illegal.<\/p>\n
If you agree , please SEND THIS TO EVERYBODY YOU KNOW!<\/p>\n
If you disagree hit the delete button!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
First off the link to Snopes’ research on the topic is misleading. Yes it is true that there was a press conference, but it is only half true that what we read is what Snopes confirms.<\/p>\n
Halfway through the piece, the article is hijacked by an editorial written by, not a member of the Australian government, but an Australian citizen and published in an Australian newspaper (I was unable to determine the specific paper).<\/p>\n
Some things written in said editorial are frankly, not true.<\/p>\n
\n‘”In God We Trust” is our National Motto.’<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
This is false. As stated in the first half of the article, Australia is a secular state and besides that, they have never adopted any official motto. The closest thing they’ve ever had is “Advance Australia”.<\/p>\n
\n‘We adopted this motto because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented.’<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
I tried, but cannot confirm any such documentation. It is true that there is a large Christian population in Australia, however, it muddies the argument when facts are so wantonly fabricated.<\/p>\n
Please bare with me as I appeal to the Encyclopedia<\/a> for knowledge:<\/p>\n
\n“The mainland of Australia has been inhabited for more than 42,000 years by Indigenous Australians. After sporadic visits by fishermen from the north and by European explorers and merchants starting in the seventeenth century, the eastern half of the mainland was claimed by the British in 1770 and officially settled through penal transportation as the colony of New South Wales on 26 January 1788.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Even if we’re ignoring the Indigenous Australian angle, that still just leaves the penal colony. Maybe it can be argued they were “Christian” prisoners… As for Australia being a religious state, according to Wikipedia’s article on Religion in Australia, the exact opposite is true.<\/p>\n