I dont know what this fruit tree business is all about but i wasnt attacking the right to believe in (a) god or gods. I was attacking the institution fundamentalist extremists exist in the church we have all regonised it but instead of doing something about it we just accept it, i should also add we only accept in within our own religion musilims tolerate the atrocities commited by extremists because they are fighting in the name of god (actually they're not but i will get to that later). But western society doesnt. Church goers downplay and ignore crimes commited by the members of their institution because they are preachers and i guess that supposed to be sacred or something.
So fighting in the name of god, thats really a style of propaganda, lets use a muslim example instead of a christian one. Al Queda (a group that does not actually exist, only in the mass media, the americans came up with that one) are musilim extremists that follow the philosophy of a Harvard educated muslim name siad kuta (i probally spelt that name completely wrong). Anywho kuta saw the corruption in materialism/consumerism and decided that its practice was anti muslim. In later years extremists decided two things to be anti-muslim is the equavilant of blasphemy and many muslims believe that blasphemers must be killed (this is called a fatwah). On the hand i actually know many muslims who function perfectly fine in a captialist society (although they may not agree with the system they arent about to go blowing things up).
the point of all is that the laws of man are black and white (most of the time) government enforces law and not morality (unless they're insane republicans). Religious institutions enforce morality which is not black and white. the bible (for example) has been not only translated from latin and is not written in plain english (basic) and therefore is open for interpretation by the reader.
it is againist the law to steal
but is it immoral to steal from say a corporation that sell products made in sweatshops?
it is illegal to kill someone
but is it it immoral to kill a repeat rapist/murderer?
it is illegal to murder babies
but is it immoral to murder babies depending on the situation? (i think it is but that is my morality and its not my place to enforce my morals on someone else nor is it the churches or the governments). We get to decide our own morals because we are free ...kind of.
Someone mentioned earlier in this thread "that they are using their culture to protect themselves from the law." religion is part of culture, it's just another way to hide from the laws of man.
I'm sure i missed a bunch of stuff out, but thats pretty much why i believe the rule of god should not apply.
Lastly I dont know all the facts of this case in auckland but i can guarentee that the information the media has given is not correct. Personally i wouldnt based any of my opinions based on information given to me by the media. As for solutions I am a 2nd media student taking alot political science papers on the side, maybe one day when i am proper educate i'll come up with one.
Hey its a nice experience to have a debate on a such sensitive topic and not have it end in a flaming session.