This week a man faced rioting charges in a Sydney court and he refused to obey the custom of rising to his feet when the magistrate entered the courtroom. He claimed that this was because of his " religious beliefs ".
As so often happens in this tolerant country, the court bent over backwards to accommodate this unreasonable claim. He was brought into court well after the magistrate entered and removed before the court formally adjourned.
This man is a Muslim - and there is nothing in the Koran that justifies a refusal to show respect for the institution of a court. It just so happens that in this instance, the magistrate was a woman. It is also relevant that the reason this man was facing court was his participation in a religious riot that took place last year because of a short film showing on the Internet. It is alleged that this film insulted Islam, and despite the fact that it was made in another country and had absolutely nothing to do with Australia, Muslim rioters attacked police and damaged property in the streets.
Individuals are free to interpret religion in their own way and many Muslims refuse to show respect to any woman in authority. It is drawing a long bow to claim that the Koran decrees that respect will not be shown to a woman who happens to preside over an institition that delivers justice. The vast majority of Islamic followers have no problem obeying this custom - and when new citizens obtain that treasured citizenship certificate they solemly promise to obey the laws of Australia and be good citizens.
Perhaps this is a good time to re-think the path to citizenship, and perhaps we can learn something from the changes that have taken place to our driving license laws. A long time ago, applicants needed to pass a practical driving test - and were then granted a full, unconditional driving license. Driving standards were so hap-hazard that it was decided degrees of license were needed - and hence we now have " provisional " driving licenses.
New drivers are accorded a "red " license for a period of time, after which they are elevated to " green " - and finally, having served their apprenticeship and attained driving skills - they are granted a full unrestricted driving license.
Citizenship is a valued award that is granted to those who make solemn promises on a bible or a Koran to follow our customs and obey our laws. Sadly, some applicants lie - and have no intention of following those obligations - such as the young man who refused to follow the custom of the court on spurious religious grounds.
It would reasonable to require citizenship to follow a similar path to the red and green provisional periods of the driving license regime. Just as a new driver needs to prove that they know the rules and intend to obey them, a new citizen should have the task of living peacefully and lawfully in the community to earn - rather than just be given - the greatest reward that Australia bestows on those seeking to live in this lucky country.
It is when somebody who has gained that important piece of paper and lives protected by the security it offers - deliberately insults and disobeys the customs of their new land - that the entire question of citizenship awards needs a re-think.
As things stand - citizenship seems to be a one sided award !
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