How It Should Be!

My mother-in-law sent me an email that really struck a cord with me. The email outlined a lot of things that I have already been thinking, but never bothered to write about because there really wasn't any "delicate" way to word what I have to say. It wasn't a topic that I could delve into without a great deal of emotion. I have decided however, that I better start writing, and screw the idea of being "delicate". Anyone who knows me, knows I have never been "delicate" a day in my life anyway...

Have you heard about how a member of the Australian government has voiced his thoughts on how Muslims of that country, who wish to live under Sharia Law, should be handled? If not, you need to. You can read an article about it here.

The article states that The Federal Treasurer of Australia, Peter Costello, believes that there is no room in Australia for Sharia Law, as it is a secular State much like our own, and that those wanting to live under Sharia Law need to leave Australia and pursue this lifestyle elsewhere. As immigrants to Australia, they need to adjust to an Australian way of life. Australia doesn't need to adjust to theirs.

To all of you who read this blog, all I can say is, IT IS THAT SIMPLE! This shouldn't be up for discussion in Australia, The United Kingdom, or in the United States, or any other country that governs with a secular body. This is our home, it is what we made it to be, and from what I gather, the MAJORITY of us would like, very much, to keep it free of Sharia Law. If Sharia Law is something that this particular group of people want, they shouldn't come to the United States, the United Kingdom, or Australia looking for it, to have it, or to create it. They should go to a place that already lives and governs by it.

By it's very nature, Sharia Law is not secular, as our government is.Sharia Law doesn't believe in a separation of church and State. Also, Sharia Law is not conducive to the freedoms we enjoy, of which we all pride ourselves in having. It is also not a bedfellow to the religious tolerance the United States was founded on. It is completely against tolerance of anything different, or contrary to the religious teachings of this one religion, and more probably one mere sect of this one religion. (After all, there are a number of Muslims who have lived here peacefully, and without incident in the past.)

Some may argue that my above statements weren't too tolerant toward to Muslim religion, but I would disagree. The Muslim religion isn't where I have a problem. I have a problem when my religious freedoms, or any of my other freedoms, are taken away from me, and that is exactly what would occur if Sharia Law was one I would have to live under. Hear me when I say this, Your freedoms stop where mine begin! In other words, you can have all the freedom you want, as long as you aren't infringing on my rights and freedoms. The minute you start to get in the way of my freedoms of religion, and/or speech, and my right to pursue happiness as see fit, we are going to have a problem.

This concept doesn't just apply to Muslims wishing to live under Sharia Law. This applies to any immigrant. If you come to this country, do not expect us to bend to your ways. You can keep you culture, share your culture, do the same with your language, and pray to whatever god you like or no god at all, but don't expect the rest of us to do this too.

There also needs to be an attempt to acclimate to our society if you wish to survive. Learn the language, and realize, to survive here you may have to make some life changes. For example, if you can't eat pork due to your religious practices, then you need to pack a lunch for your kids, and start reading labels at the store, not petition the school board to ban pork. Not only that, but if you work in a grocery store, and can't handle alcohol, tobacco, pork, or something eles that store may sell, maybe you to rethink your occupational choice. This goes for you taxi cab drivers too.

Another example, if your religion doesn't allow you to recite the pledge of allegiance, then teach your kids to respect the fact that the rest of us will do so, and that they need to show respect while we stand, put our right hands over our hearts and recite the words. After all, you would want us to show your children respect by not making them do so.

Don't think that you can never learn English, and have the rest of the country cater to your needs. I will tolerate a reasonable learning curve, and be the first to encourage you to hang on to your language and teach your children, but don't walk into my place of employment and ask me for a job application in Spanish and then proceed to look at me like I have three eyes when I haven't the first clue what you are saying. I wouldn't got to Mexico, Spain, Iran, Germany, France or any other country to LIVE, and expect them to learn English for me.

You chose to be here, and if you don't like the way we are, or can't adapt well enough to survive, then you can always return from whence you came. Am I drawing the proverbial line in the sand? You bet I am. If you know what is good for you, don't cross it. As long as you stay on your side, I will stay on mine.