May 24, 2007
The relationship between religion and society is becoming tense. A liberal Australia separates religion from the state and yet speaks loudly of integration to Christian-Judaic values and in practice doles out large measures of racism, condescension, and neglect to headscarf-wearing Muslim women born in Australia.
The debate is often framed in terms of "modern" secular liberals against "traditional" Islam, even though the young Muslim women are Australia-born.The state may insist on keeping religion out of the public sector, but it also supports Christian religion. Supports rather than accommodate certain "public" forms of religion.
Underneath this lies a religious opposition to state authority. The conservative secular state cannot tolerate Islamic religious opposition to its authority.
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