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Today just about anything and everything may be objected to as ‘sending us back to the Dark Ages’, including restrictions on subsidies for renewal energies, growth in faith schools, acts of terrorism, destruction of art works, the popularity of right-wing parties in Europe, the rise of superbugs, and denial of global warming. The Dark Ages have become proverbial.

For at least four years, a copy of the Noble Qur’an was placed for public use in Canberra Airport's prayer room.  This particular edition of the Qur’an, printed in the millions by Saudi Arabia, has very disturbing footnotes, which promote an aggressively radical interpretation of Islam not very different from the doctrines and practice of ISIS.  It is disturbing that this particular Qur’an was selected for the prayer room. (After this article was published, the Qur’an was removed.)

Last year I received a hand-written letter from 'Patricia', responding to something I had written on changing Ausralia's marriage laws, in which I argued that society should support the norm of marriage as a couple raising their own biological children.  I enjoyed reading Patricia's thoughtful letter, which was clear and well-expressed. Here is her letter and my reply.