MULTICULTURALISM – CAN IT WORK IN AUSTRALIA?

WHAT IS CULTURE? WHAT IS CULTURE? Culture (Cambridge Dictionary – noun)Culture (Cambridge Dictionary – noun) The way of life, especially the general customs and beliefs, of a particular group of people at a particular time…The way of life, especially the general customs and beliefs, of a particular group of people at a particular time…

WHAT IS MULTICULTURAL/ISM? WHAT IS MULTICULTURAL/ISM? Multicultural (adjective) Including people who have many different customs and beliefs: Australia is increasingly a multicultural society. Multiculturalism (noun) the existence of several cultures within a society, especially as they relate to one another in immigrant receiving nations.Multicultural (adjective) Including people who have many different customs and beliefs: Australia is increasingly a multicultural society. Multiculturalism (noun) the existence of several cultures within a society, especially as they relate to one another in immigrant receiving nations.

Monoculturalism Monoculturalism Melting Pot Melting Pot Multiculturalism Multiculturalism

‘A culture is largely a reflection of the dominant belief systems’ of the country of origin… ‘A culture is largely a reflection of the dominant belief systems’ of the country of origin… Look at India to see what a predominantly Hindu culture looks like…Look at India to see what a predominantly Hindu culture looks like… Look at countries like Thailand and Cambodia to see what a predominantly Buddhist culture looks like…Look at countries like Thailand and Cambodia to see what a predominantly Buddhist culture looks like…

Look at countries like Malaysia, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia and Iraq to see what a predominantly Muslim culture looks like…Look at countries like Malaysia, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia and Iraq to see what a predominantly Muslim culture looks like… There are no ‘Christian Nations’, just some nations where there is a higher percentage of Christians like USA, South Korea, and some emerging African Nations like Ghana…There are no ‘Christian Nations’, just some nations where there is a higher percentage of Christians like USA, South Korea, and some emerging African Nations like Ghana… Australia is a secular nation with a Christian foundation in the Westminster system and common law…Australia is a secular nation with a Christian foundation in the Westminster system and common law…

WHAT ABOUT AUSTRALIA? WHAT ABOUT AUSTRALIA? Australia’s multicultural policy promotes acceptance of and respect for our cultural diversity. It embraces our Australian-grown customs and the heritage of indigenous Australians, early settlers, and the diverse range of migrants now coming to this country. It supports the right of each Australian to maintain and celebrate, within the law, their culture, language or religion.Australia’s multicultural policy promotes acceptance of and respect for our cultural diversity. It embraces our Australian-grown customs and the heritage of indigenous Australians, early settlers, and the diverse range of migrants now coming to this country. It supports the right of each Australian to maintain and celebrate, within the law, their culture, language or religion. The freedom of all Australians to express and share their cultural values is dependent on our abiding by mutual civic obligations. All Australians are expected to have an overriding loyalty to Australia and its people, and to respect the basic structures and principles underwriting our democratic society.The freedom of all Australians to express and share their cultural values is dependent on our abiding by mutual civic obligations. All Australians are expected to have an overriding loyalty to Australia and its people, and to respect the basic structures and principles underwriting our democratic society.

These are the Constitution, parliamentary democracy, freedom of speech and religion, English as the national language, the rule of law, acceptance and equality.These are the Constitution, parliamentary democracy, freedom of speech and religion, English as the national language, the rule of law, acceptance and equality. PRINCIPLES PRINCIPLES The government's aim is to build on our success as a culturally diverse, accepting and open society, united through a shared future, and a commitment to our nation, its democratic institutions and values, and the rule of law. This vision is reflected in the four principles that underpin multicultural policy:The government's aim is to build on our success as a culturally diverse, accepting and open society, united through a shared future, and a commitment to our nation, its democratic institutions and values, and the rule of law. This vision is reflected in the four principles that underpin multicultural policy:

Responsibilities of all - all Australians have a civic duty to support those basic structures and principles of Australian society which guarantee us our freedom and equality and enable diversity in our society to flourish;Responsibilities of all - all Australians have a civic duty to support those basic structures and principles of Australian society which guarantee us our freedom and equality and enable diversity in our society to flourish; Respect for each person - subject to the law, all Australians have the right to express their own culture and beliefs and have a reciprocal obligation to respect the right of others to do the same;Respect for each person - subject to the law, all Australians have the right to express their own culture and beliefs and have a reciprocal obligation to respect the right of others to do the same;

Fairness for each person - all Australians are entitled to equality of treatment and opportunity. Social equity allows us all to contribute to the social, political and economic life of Australia, free from discrimination, including on the grounds of race, culture, religion, language, location, gender or place of birth; andFairness for each person - all Australians are entitled to equality of treatment and opportunity. Social equity allows us all to contribute to the social, political and economic life of Australia, free from discrimination, including on the grounds of race, culture, religion, language, location, gender or place of birth; and free Benefits for all - all Australians benefit from productive diversity, that is, the significant cultural, social and economic dividends arising from the diversity of our population. Diversity works for all Australians.Benefits for all - all Australians benefit from productive diversity, that is, the significant cultural, social and economic dividends arising from the diversity of our population. Diversity works for all Australians.

CAN MULTICULTURALISM WORK IN AUSTRALIA? CAN MULTICULTURALISM WORK IN AUSTRALIA?

A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE GOD LOVES ALL PEOPLEGOD LOVES ALL PEOPLE John 3:16 (NIV) “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NIV) “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV) The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV) The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

God instructs his followers God instructs his followers To love all people…To love all people… John 13:34, 35 (NIV) “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34, 35 (NIV) “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Romans 12:9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Romans 12:9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

God instructs his followers God instructs his followers TO LOVE ALL PEOPLE…TO LOVE ALL PEOPLE… TO LIVE AT PEACE…TO LIVE AT PEACE… Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

God instructs his followers God instructs his followers TO LOVE ALL PEOPLE…TO LOVE ALL PEOPLE… TO LIVE AT PEACE…TO LIVE AT PEACE… TO SHARE YOUR BELIEF WITH GENTLENESS AND RESPECT…TO SHARE YOUR BELIEF WITH GENTLENESS AND RESPECT… 1 Peter 3:15,16 (NIV) But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.1 Peter 3:15,16 (NIV) But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

Questions… Questions…