01 Feb The Abrahamic Fallacy
Introduction The Abrahamic Fallacy is the belief that Abraham is a figure of unity for Islam, Christianity and Judaism. The phrase “Abrahamic Religions” has become very popular as a cover-term for these three faiths. It is particularly popular among Jewish and Christian progressives on the one hand,...
05 Jan The Abolition of Slavery and the Truth of History
The Abolition of Slavery and the Truth of History A Speech Given at the The Gettysburg 150th Commemoration St Peter's Eastern Hill, Melbourne, Tuesday 192019 November Mark Durie A version of this address has been published by Quadrant, see here. Memories shape us powerfully. For all of us there...
11 Dec Lowering age of consent would harm anti-trafficking efforts
by Sam Hailes Reposted from Lapido media A public health official’s bid to lower the age of consent would undermine the fight against human trafficking, warns an Australian professor. Human rights activist Dr Mark Durie said the current law was ‘necessary…in order to prevent the trafficking of children’,...
20 Jun On Mohamnmad Abdalla’s response to Paul Sheehan
On May 27, 2013, Paul Sheehan published a piece "Twisting Islam to Justify Cruelty" calling for a conversation about radical Islamic theology and its Koranic foundations. Associate Professor Mohamnmad Abdalla responsed with "Critical opinion of Islam ignores the fundamental truths", however his response was littered...
20 Jun Violence and Context in Islamic Texts
Recently, the journalist Paul Sheehan, reflecting on the Woolwich beheading of Drummer Lee Rigby, invited consideration of the view of Muslim violence in authoritative Islamic texts. In the Sydney Morning Herald of May 27, 2013, Sheehan observed that the Koran and the teachings of Muhammad...
07 Jun Salafis and the Muslim Brotherhood: What is the Difference?
For western lay people, it can be hard to distinguish one radical Muslim from another. What is the difference between Salafis and the Muslim Brotherhood? Are they really all that different? And why do Western governments seem to favour and even partner with Brotherhood-backed groups,...
02 Jun The Dhimma Returns to Syria
The following report comes from Martin Janssen in Amman, Jordan (original in Dutch). The preceding notes and translation from Dutch into English are by Dr. Mark Durie, an Anglican vicar in Melbourne, Australia, author of The Third Choice, and an Associate Fellow at the Middle...
31 May Islamophobia comes to Canberra
Are we to let our freedoms be shaped by the worst kind of intolerance found in the sharia badlands? How will discrimination among religions based on fear distort human rights? Like student magazines all over the world, Woroni, put out by students at the Australian National...