Posted on 09/23/2006 3:40:04 AM PDT by Aussie Dasher
Treasurer Peter Costello has defended Pope Benedict XVI over his controversial comments on Islam, saying the violent reaction was about the stifling of free speech.
In an address to a Christian gathering in which he attacked the efforts of Islamic extremists to force their views on nations, Mr Costello urged his audience to read the Pope's speech and wonder at the violent reaction.
It's the second time in recent months the treasurer has opened up on the subject of Islamic extremism, earlier calling on those who would introduce sharia law to Australia to look for another country in which to live.
"How can one religion exercise the freedom to speak on its values, its faith, without prompting a violent response from other religions?" Mr Costello told the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) national conference in Canberra today.
"It can only happen where we all accept a set of rules - the right to freedom of speech without receiving violence in return, with rights respected and enforced by a state, neutral as between the claims of various schools.
"At the international level it can only occur where the international order is observed by a series of nation states who recognise each other and respect these rights internationally."
Pope Benedict has expressed regret three times in the past week for the reaction to a speech in which he quoted 14th century Byzantine Emperor Manuel II Palaeologus, who spoke of the Prophet Mohammed's "command to spread by the sword the faith he preached".
Mr Costello said churches were burned in Palestinian territories, the Pope was burned in effigy in Pakistan and extremists in Iraq called for a war against Christians, in the wake of his comments.
"No doubt the fire bombers on the West Bank and the demonstrators in Pakistan would claim that their actions were incited by the 'insult' of the Pope's speech," he said.
"But one can't help thinking that there are some people who love to find an insult and have no concept of proportionality when they do so.
"We are moved to think that there are other agendas here. And one of those agendas is to stifle free speech and legitimate open inquiry."
Labor's treasury spokesman Wayne Swan, who also spoke to the ACL conference, said it was a bit rich for Mr Costello to be telling other countries how to run themselves when there were many problems at home.
"I wouldn't be talking to the world about how they ought to be behaving," Mr Swan told reporters after the speeches.
"I've not chosen to do that. I think that's a matter for diplomacy. I think that's where it's best left."
In his speech Mr Costello praised the example of modern Turkey, a largely Islamic population which was given the status of a secular state by the former leader Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
"I have argued that the separation of church and state is good for both and, further, consistent with Christ's teachings," he said.
"I believe that a secular national state can be adopted by Muslim societies and, what is more, that doing so will lead to greater technological and economic progress."
Australian Democrats leader Lyn Allison later said Mr Costello's comments on separation of church and state "would be laughable were they not so dangerous".
Senator Allison said the coalition had cynically exploited religion over the last decade because Australia had only a "notional" separation of church and state.
"If Mr Costello wants Australia to be truly secular he should hold a referendum at the next election asking Australians to enshrine the separation of church and state in our Constitution.
"The Democrats expect that the voting public would say yes but could his government live with the consequences?"
"If Mr Costello wants Australia to be truly secular he should hold a referendum at the next election asking Australians to enshrine the separation of church and state in our Constitution.
"The Democrats expect that the voting public would say yes but could his government live with the consequences?"
Senator Allison should read the Constitution - Section 116 to be precise.
LOL! I'm sure he's not a big fan of mozzies, either!
It'd probably be easier to find someone to read it to dear Lyn...
When these bozos call for sectarian war they would only appear infinitely stupid if they would at least add some advice as to how we will know the war has started.
Good morning Aussie!
Great response by Mr. Costello! Who's this Swan guy? He sounds like one of our own in the lefty Senate. Just pick one.
Gotta love Australia!
Yeah, Swan is a lefty goose. Allison is worse. We got 'em, too...
Amazing that anyone needs to defend the Holy Father when he obviously has been proven to be right!
I am proud of the bold statements various Australian leaders are making in the face of militant Islam. I wish our own leaders in the USA were so bold.
Remember the Abbott and Costello where they were in Arabia?/
"I've not chosen to do that. I think that's a matter for diplomacy. I think that's where it's best left."
Are you sure he's not an American Democrat? Coward.
Extended Family BTTT.
Peter Costello will be our next Prime Minister. There's a fair chance his deputy will be current Health Minister Tony ABBOTT!!!
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