by Adam Churchill

Created on: October 31, 2009

While my own religion is not anywhere close to the Christian faith, or any faith that loosely resembles Christianity, I believe that in most of the "English" world, ie: the countries that use English as a primary language, use the bible, not necessarily as a religious tome in the courts, when swearing a person in.

Instead, I believe, that because most of these countries were built on Christian values, that the book symbolizes the country, it's values, ethics, and most importantly, it's citizens.

Save Australia, I find it somewhat disheartening that this is actually called in to question. This isn't so much an "Is it right that we make everyone do it with the holy book of our' religion" question, as a "Is it right for people who immigrate to this country from one of worse conditions, and fewer rights, to have the right to question how we do things, and, more importantly, is it right for these same people to question how we do things?"

I am fairly certain that this likely will spawn hate-mail, citing "Racist" charges, but sometimes I have to wonder what these people think they are doing, when they come to our' country, asking for refuge from their' own' country's laws, and lack of freedoms, and then try and turn our' country into a near-mirror of the one they just left?

It has been a tradition of this country, and most others in what either is now, or used to be, part of the United Kingdom, to swear people in to court sessions using the Bible. But the bible doesn't strictly stand for Christianity. Not anymore. It may be interpreted many ways, but it stands for a simple belief: That there may be a peaceful way of living.

Feel free to criticize me, stipulating that the bible has started many wars, or that it is a "Christian themed religious relic". I'll be glad to debate you. Let's start with the bible wars thing. The book itself, is incapable of being the instigator of war. The bible itself is a piece of literature. An in-animate object, which we, the people, have to interpret how to view it. Some people mis-interpreted it, and started wars upon other countries, based on their' beliefs. Some people mis-interpreted it, and burned "witches" at the stake. Some people mis-interpreted is, and murdered their' wives, or sons, or neighbours, because "God told them too", but the book itself, is not at fault.

So in summary, I will steal a quote here from the Australian Prime Minister:

"Immigrants, Not Australians, must adapt. We speak predominantly english, and our' country was founded on Christian Beliefs. We don't ask you to convert, when you come within our' borders, only that you learn the language, and accept that our' beliefs are what make us different from the country you are seeking refuge from. If you want to live under religious laws, or laws of another country, stay in the country the practices, and enforces them."

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