On 2 Apr., 03:30, Slip Disc <[email protected]> wrote:
> Simply, there is only so much room on a life boat and then some but
> sooner or later some must be left to drown or the whole boat will go
> under.
>
I have problems with the lifeboat analogy. I don't like the idea of
living in a Fortress Europe (or Fortress America for you transatlantic
cousins). I believe it would be better and more profitable for all
concerned to work on giving people who, overwhelmingly motivated by
poverty and lack of opportunity, set out on the journey to the "golden
West", reasons to stay at home. This, of course, would entail those of
us in the rich countries restructuring the way we look at - and act in
- the world.
At the same time, I do not believe it is unreasonable to require from
those who want to immigrate into our societies a genuine commitment to
our fundamental values and a real intention to integrate - which does
not mean giving up one's own identity. I see a problem here with many
forms and interpretations of Islam, where the requirements of a
divinely-given law (Sharia) do not allow for the acceptance of a
secular, pluralistic societal order. The challenge is for sincere,
moderate Islamic thinkers to develop Islamic viewpoints which
positively embrace the secular, pluralist vision of society.
I would also suggest that the same arguments would also apply fo many
(mostly fundamentalist) Christians. And we need to be more consistent
about our commitment to secularity. Obama's inauguration was bracketed
by prayers and blessing from two Christian clergymen - something
fundamentally incompatible with a secular society. And it is peculiar
that many western nations have major problems (correctly, in my view)
with young Muslim women attending school so swathed in clothing that
you can only see their eyes, while having no problems with Catholic
nuns and priests wearing religious dress as teachers.
Francis
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