Muslim nations 'should separate church and state'

I sure would like to hear more comments like this coming from the non-Muslim world. Why we've put up with Muzzie's "My Allah is better than Yours" attitude for this long is beyond me.

More anti-dhimmitude from Australia, where it is getting to be quite a common sight. From Australia's ABC News, with thanks to Rosie:

Federal Treasurer Peter Costello has called on Islamic societies to disconnect church from state.

Mr Costello has said Islamic states should adopt a secular view free of all religion, in an address to the Australian Christian Lobby at a Christian Conference in Canberra today.

He also says Muslim societies should allow robust debate, after reaction to comments made last week by Pope Benedict XVI that sparked outrage across the Islamic world.

"How can one religion exercise the freedom to speak on its values, its faith, without prompting a violent response from other religions?" Mr Costello said.

"It can only happen where we all accept a set of rules, the right to freedom of speech without receiving violence in return."

Mr Costello says separating religion from government allows religious freedom.

"Now, I have argued that separation of church and state is good for both and further consistent with Christ's teaching," he said.

"I believe that a secular, national state can be adopted by Muslim societies and what is more, in doing so, will lead to greater technological and economic progress."

The federal Opposition says Mr Costello should not be making comments on international politics. Labor's treasury spokesman Wayne Swan says Mr Costello should leave the political comments to Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer.

But Australian Christian Lobby managing director Jim Wallace says Mr Costello was merely expressing his views.

"We've got to be free to say what we believe and to criticise, if necessary, any ideology or faith," he said.

"I think it doesn't help for us to allow ourselves to be intimidated into either silence or denial about the reality of ideologies or faiths that are out there."

Read it all.