...democratic rights a large percentage of their populations until well into the second half of the last century. Most democracies have sought to exercise unrestrained power backed by violence overseas both as imperialists and as guardians of their own material interests.

Cardinal Pell's attempt to interpret growth in population rates in terms of belief in a "benign God" is ridiculous. Poor people have high birth rates probably as a hedge against high infant mortality rates. As primary health improves in poor societies, population growth soars.

All the above notwithstanding, there are serious problems for Western democracies with burgeoning Muslim populations. For the reasons George Pell gives, it is not possible to review Islam's underpinning texts: the Koran and the sayings of the Prophet--the Hadiths.

I cannot endorse George Pell's partial solution--get religion. That sounds like a call to the barricades rather than an invitation to the path of enlightenment. However, I do believe that we should use the Islamic challenge to re-examine much that passes for normal in Western democracies. Much entertainment is openly pornographic and destructive of the family. Advertising is often depraved in its portrayal of the individual. We've lost contact with the numinous when describing everyday miracles--the smile of a child, the colour of the ocean, the resilience of the poor.

Muslims are crying out for us to recognise the mysteries that surround us and to stop continually pleasuring ourselves. Maybe their prayers--and those of Cardinal Pell--will...

NOTE: All illustrations and photos have been removed from this article.



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