ࡱ> xzw%` 0$bjbj"x"x <,@@*TTTTTTTTZVZVZV8V V TVVVVVXXX$h%hTXXXXXTTVVHYYYXdTVTVYXYY>@TTVV `zϏoZVxXd~8ӊ0Xdp\TXXYXXXXX@Y^XXXXXXXTTT6V$TTT6VTTTTTTTTT  Dear Sir/Madam, I appreciate the opportunity the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission has given to the public to offer their comments on the Freedom of Religion and Belief in the 21st Century Submission. I hope you find these useful- 2: Religion and the State the Constitution, roles and responsibilities: Section 116 of the Commonwealth of Australian Constitution Act states that: The Commonwealth shall not make any law for establishing any religion, or for imposing any religious observance, or for prohibiting the free exercise of any religion, and no religious test shall be required as a qualification for any office or public trust under the Commonwealth. MY COMMENTS: In general I agree with the above statement number 2. However, it does not address the point that if a religion goes against the culture of the country to the point of violence or abuse of the citizens, then there is a great cause for "prohibiting the free exercise of any religion." If we make the above statement we are causing ourselves great harm in the next 20 to 30 years when religions which suppress women and make them cover themselves to the point that crossing the road is actually a dangerous action, grow in great numbers due to greater population growth to other religious groups in our societies. For example in the case of Islam. 3: Religion and the State practice and expression The emergence of a multifaith Australia has brought issues regarding religious expression to the fore in debates, politically and culturally. This area is about balancing the expectations of faith-based organisations with civil society organisations. MY COMMENTS: Regarding accommodation of needs of religions, I think government should treat faith schools like any other school, rather than special funding for them. I think that it is best for children to mix together with children from other cultures. The government is leaning to far sometimes to meet the needs of the loudest voices in society. Such a Moslem schools. It becomes an elite society, rather than children being a part of the society and all working together. Our governments need to be strong in this. I don't see Buddhist or Hindu communities forming major factions of schools separate from society. Australian Society is already very generous in their support of religious groups, the Catholics and Protestants have found some very central pieces of land for schools along the way. I think that it is up to the religious community to internally express their beliefs, rather than trying to take over and pressure the governments for funding and support of their beliefs. Since September 11, the world has become aware of terrorist activity of individuals from Islam background. It seems now the Australian Government is trying to over compensate to say that we are not targetting Islam after such an event, as Islam is saying that that was "extremist" behaviour. I am very concerned that if the government bows down to this pressure, the rest of Australian society will loose their freedom. I apologise if I sound extreme in my views. I have observed in Germany and Holland and now in the UK a loss of freedom for many citizens, particularly the women. Whereby the Sharia laws are now being passed that Moslem men can have more than one wife. Does this work in with our present society in Australia? If this is allowed we have gone too far in accommodating a religion, to the cost of quality and standards of our own society. Equality of gender is also an essential aspect of Australian Society. I would say that it is fine that men do dominate a lot of aspects of the working life and activity in the societies. But when men outrightly limit their women's freedom and rather than protect them, abuse them, then once again I wouldn't support a government who accepts this. If you read the Koran it states "stone the non believers." Every citizen who is not Moslem is classified as a non believer, and this is criminal behaviour. 6: Technology and its implications: MY COMMENTS: Regarding Media and Press: Unfortunately far too many people are scared to really express how they feel about different religions. They hope they will breathe and it will all be over. The press is very biased in their representation of religions. Unfortunately we rarely have glimpses of other religions other than Islam. This gives one religion power that if they complain they will gain rights in Australia and it is working for them. 7: Religion, cultural expression and human rights: In a country as multicultural as Australia, freedoms of cultural expression, religious expression and human rights need ongoing exploration. This section is about gaining a deeper understanding of how effective Australia's current human rights framework is, and if tensions between human rights, religious expression and cultural expression are of concern. MY COMMENTS: The cultural aspirations and human rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders should be in a high position of priority in Australia. More articles in the paper, more expressing their opinions and if peoplefrom a non Indigenous background were allowed to learn the stories of the Koori culture, it would be a great benefit. To give respect to the cultures who aren't as loud, yet who are what makes our Australian culture. Recommendation on female genital mutilation: R3.12 The federal Attorney-General through the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General should encourage the development of legislation in Queensland and Western Australia specifically prohibiting female genital mutilation. MY COMMENTS: I agree. No religion should go against the culture of the country in which they are living in. Recommendations on anti-witchcraft and fortune telling laws: R3.13 The federal Attorney-General through the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General should encourage Queensland and Victoria to repeal legislation criminalising the practice of witchcraft, fortune-telling, sorcery and enchantment.R3.14 The federal Attorney-General through the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General should encourage Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, the Northern Territory and Tasmania to repeal legislation criminalising the practice of fortune-telling. MY COMMENTS: I agree to the repeal of the legislation criminalising the practice of fortune-telling and witchcraft. Recommendations on incitement to hatred on the basis of religion and belief: R5.1 The federal Attorney-General through the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General should encourage the States and Territories to repeal laws creating the offence of blasphemy or to abolish the common law offence of blasphemy, as appropriate. MY COMMENTS: I agree. I think that religions can have their own beliefs, but don't expect others to see the world in the same way. I truly hope Australia never allows what has happened in Denmark, where a journalist was being sued for writing a comedy article about the Moslem prophet Allah. A healthy sense of humour is essential in any society and others don't have to take on the beliefs of a religion which does not support their views or freedoms. I look forward to reading the review in 2010. Will there be a mailing list that people are informed of the papers completion. Warm regards, Michelle Corby      PAGE \* MERGEFORMAT 1 @ < o  [ F!$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$heh mHnHu h_hejh_heUhw[jhw[U hV/h* h 5\h  $$$$$$$$$$$$$gd@0gdqgdmLgdV/ $$:&P 1h:pqBP. 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