Where do your allegiances lie?

I'm in hiding! I don't want to be asked by Australian law enforcement agents whether I'm an Australian first and a catholic second or vice versa.

They asked us that in the 1920's. Being catholic allegedly makes one a citizen of the world via a global "faith community" of catholicism.

Does that dilute one's patriotism? They said it did in the first world war (1914-1918), "Your country needs you" propaganda campaign.

Am I Bob Maguire citizen first, catholic second, or Bob Maguire catholic first, citizen second?
 
The question has bothered me since I saw in the press the insinuation (slightly veiled, I admit) that Australian muslims put global Islam before local loyalty.

We did the same thing to Italians during World War 2. We locked lots of law abiding and peace loving Italians in camps like Bonegilla, Victoria, just because they were suspected of having DIVIDED loyalties. Beware of propaganda. Truth is the first casualty of war.

Who can say whether Israel, Hezbollah, Lebanon was right in the bloody struggle shown on our screens recently?

Yes, if one didn't side with Israel one was presumed to be on Hezbollah's side and, by guilty association, on the side of any dissident critical of Mr Bush and Mr Howard.

That atmosphere is not good for clear thinking. You and I need to maintain the right to think deeply and clearly before we ratify political decisions to destroy lives and property.

If you read or watch the press reports available to Australians, you'll have a fair dose of pro-Israel reports.

As Antony Lowenstein in his very recent book insists, if you're anti-Israel, you're anti-war on terror. Now you're really in a mess. No one wants to listen to you anymore.

Next you'll be questioning the correctness of Australia's (your very own country, remember) treatment of Jihad Jack and David Hicks.

And you don't want to do that because THEY know where you live and THEY may well decide to investigate your own loyalty to Australia, especially when THEY discover your dual citizenship, equal first AUSTRALIA and GLOBAL FAITH COMMUNITY.

What a tangled web we weave. Bob.

Comments

[Amy]

Thank you for this astute encapsulation of what this atmosphere of fear and paranoia can lead to...

Does this mean that to be a most loyal political leader, one should subscribe to "the right religion" or no faith at all?

Clear & deep thinking is so important to making wise decisions, and to tar people of a certain nationality, faith.. or footy team ..with the same brush is dangerous.

I have the "unfortunate" circumstance of being a U.S. citizen, Australian resident, and Roman Catholic.. add one more 'community' and THEY may put me under suspicion.
(Actually, the most unfortunate situation for me -though rare- is, upon disclosing to somebody that I'm American, the presumption that I agree with all of Pres. Bush's policies and decision-making.)

Sorry about the rant..thanks for the Leunig cartoons..gave me a good laugh.

[Fred]

"Truth is the first casualty of war"
Its a very sad but true Father Bob a.k.a. Citizen Maguire or vice versa

[Tim Chmielewski]

I stopped watching the 'proper' news after the second week of the Israel/Hezbolah conflict. I now get all my news from the Chaser's War on Everything, The Daily Show, Late Night with Conan O'Brien and online sites. You don't need to know everything that is happening all the time.

[Ben]

So agree! this is why i moved to canada, the Swiss of North America!

[Jase]

Bah! I'm Catholic before I'm Australian, and proud of it. Come and get me!!!

The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out... without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane, intolerable.
H. L. Mencken

[Anne Digges]

I think my allegiances lie with pinko leftist tree hugger ratbags everywhere

[Steve Hayes]

Well, yes.

Whatever else it means, baptism is becoming a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven. Putting an earthly kingdom (or republic) first means exchanging our heavently birthright for the pottage of this sinful world. Patriotism can so easily become idolatry.

[Ozzy Cynic]

David Hicks - a young, idealistic Australian, who thought it would be a jolly adventure to go off to the other side of the world and fight for his newly-adopted religion.

He's now been sitting in a US cage in Gitmo for close to 5 years after being interrogated and tortured.

In Australia, a killer sentenced for murder doesn't get treated that badly. No-one gets 5 years in a small cage... So why are our politicians merely sucking up to their American political masters? Why didn't they demand his release. At least the Brits did that much for their citizens.

What's the difference between David Hicks' innocent idealism and that of the thousands of young Aussies who volunteered to go and fight for King and Country in World War One.

They all believed they were doing the right thing, and it would be an exciting adventure. They didn't want to miss the fun!

Oh dear. Should I wash my mouth out with soap for voicing such heresy?

[Catherine]

My Name is Catherine Ryan I a quad since birth but a very good supporter of yours I attend the Baptist Church at Alstonville every Sunday and I was wondering where I could get a copy of all your books?
And can you please send me a Photo of yourself and John the other man who does your program please and can you please sign it for me and get John to sign it aswell.
Your in Triple J

[Sonja Forsberg]

Mr Bob Maguire- it's pretty clear where your allegiences are not -When the daughter of a parishener of yours has passed away no less than 3 days prior to speaking with you after a long and protracted illness... When any fool might discern that the child of someone just passed might need at the very least a kind word and some sound advice all you could give her was rudeness and arrogance. Too busy to do the service-No problem. Too busy to return just one of 4 phone calls. Yes hmmm maybe. But too busy to use the smallest modicem of manners or that superior intellect you so clearly like to display to advise her where to turn next? I dunno?
To me you appear to have cleared membership for that much larger club the SCA's of this world.
You could not meet a kinder more considerate and genuinely community minded person than Michelle James who's allegience has always been to other human beings in need. Your lofty views and status I gather are very important to you. Yes it's abundantly clear where your allegience lies.