Currently Param Satya is applying for permanent residency in Australia. She is on a bridging visa while she does this. Initially she was on a religious worker visa, sponsored by ISKCON in Brisbane.
It's taken almost two years since we first put the application in. A series of mishaps and lost documentation, the need to get documentation from Perú (a torturous affair), and the last minute addition of Prahlad and myself to the application have made it stretch out waaaaaay looooonger than it should have.
In the time since we initiated the process the process has changed. An "Australian Values" statement has been added to the application. I'm just printing it out now so that we can sign it and add it to the application form.
I mention this to underscore the point that I made in the analysis of Richard Dawkins vs Josef Al-Khattab - cultural diversity and multi-cultural integration are prominent themes in the environment today, as our globalized world increasingly flattens.
Rigid cultural inflexibility and especially proselytizing on the basis of cultural practices (what Al-Khattab was doing) is not acceptable to modern persons. However, you are free to retain your culture, and to adopt the cultural practices of others if you choose. This provides the window of opportunity to go in, and means that members of minority cultures, such as myself and Bhakta Corey (now initiated as Caitanya das BVKS), are free to practice our faith and live according to our cultural values within the host culture without being persecuted in countries such as Australia and the US.
We are free to retain our own culture, others can not challenge our right to practice our own culture, others have the right to adopt and participate in our culture.
The only restrictions are that we respect the rights of others to practice their own culture, and that we participate in the meta-culture of Australia as described in the statement below. It doesn't require us to break any of the four religious principles, so it is not incompatible with our spiritual practice.
If Krishna Consciousness really is superior, then it should be able to win on its own merits. We welcome a situation like the one described in the Australian Values, because it gives us a fair opportunity to compete in the open market of cultural ideas. Now it's just up to us to embody the principles.
Here's the Australian Values statement that we have to sign:
I confirm that I have read, or had explained to me, information provided by the Australian Government on Australian society and values.I understand:
- Australian society values respect for the freedom and dignity of the individual, freedom of religion, commitment to the rule of law, Parliamentary democracy, equality of men and women and a spirit of egalitarianism that embraces mutual respect, tolerance, fair play and compassion for those in need and pursuit of the public good;
- Australian society values equality of opportunity for individuals, regardless of their race, religion or ethnic background;
- the English language, as the national language, is an important unifying element of Australian society.
I undertake to respect these values of Australian society during my stay in Australia and to obey the laws of Australia.
I understand that, if I should seek to become an Australian citizen:
- Australian citizenship is a shared identity, a common bond which unites all Australians while respecting their diversity;
Australian citizenship involves reciprocal rights and responsibilities. The responsibilities of Australian citizenship include obeying Australian laws, including those relating to voting at elections and serving on a jury.
If I meet the legal qualifications for becoming an Australian citizen and my application is approved I understand that I would have to pledge my loyalty to Australia and its people.
Madhava Gosh I am glad you
Madhava Gosh
I am glad you have come to this realization:
"Rigid cultural inflexibility and especially proselytizing on the basis of cultural practices (what Al-Khattab was doing) is not acceptable to modern persons"
and that you have acted upon it by acknowledging this:
"Australian society values respect for the freedom and dignity of the individual, freedom of religion, commitment to the rule of law, Parliamentary democracy, equality of men and women and a spirit of egalitarianism that embraces mutual respect, tolerance, fair play and compassion for those in need and pursuit of the public good;"
and thus understand why the "women are less intelligent" statements need to contextualized.