[Angus]

Originally Posted by NettoSuperstar!

Correction we ARE a predominately secular population and it is our educated values and HUMAN compassion (not to mention market forces) that has allowed us to accept different cultures....and WE do on the whole ALL share common HUMAN values, goals and aspirations....not really much to do with being christian at all...most religions share the same kinds of morals and values anyway

I would agree with you to the extent that human compassion is not exclusive to christianity, but the point I was making was that this country has historically always been predominantly christian and it is undeniable that the Church and State have always had a strained relationship. Whilst other cultures do of course share common HUMAN values, the political and social expressions of those values do not always translate into tolerance of other cultures and faiths, and in fact often try to surpress any alternative views or criticisms. Some immigrants from those more oppressive cultures often bring with them those intolerant attitudes which do not sit well with the host society. To deny that there are cultural tensions and dissidence in society is dangerous and blinkered and so far has prohibited positive government intervention to promote integration rather than segregation.