My first impression on reading this is that this woman is an idiot, short and simple. This is just easy political point scoring of the lowest order. Defending one group by attacking another. How liberal and democratic of her. No wonder there is such low regard for politicians, real estate agents and clergy with such unqualified opinion coming out so regularly. It recalls to mind Paul Keating, as PM, quoting back to the then opposition leader (Hewson) words which were used to describe the government, "Cheats and liars and scumbags." What has changed?
From The Australian:
Koran 'no match for violent Bible'
Samantha Maiden
29 November 2005
MUSLIM extremists may use the Koran to justify their terror attacks, "but when it comes to good old-fashioned violence, the Judaeo-Christian God is hard to beat".
NSW Labor MP Julia Irwin -- considered a serial offender on religious issues by her own party -- ignited a new controversy yesterday as she described devout Christians as "happy clappers" and said the Bible was more bloodthirsty than the Koran.
Attacking what she claims is a culture of fear faced by Muslims living in Australia, Ms Irwin, a Catholic convert, hit out at the violence of the Old Testament.
Her outburst sparked an immediate rebuke last night from Kim Beazley -- but Ms Irwin refused to back down, arguing she was "speaking the truth".
"Those who refer to Muslim fundamentalists may choose to quote from the Holy Koran and there are passages that might be taken to show a vengeful God," Ms Irwin told federal parliament.
"But when it comes to good old-fashioned violence, the Judaeo-Christian God is hard to beat.
"If I was to take those verses as written, I could easily associate any Christian fundamentalist with a dangerous and extreme mindset. But we are more likely to associate the term Christian fundamentalist with psalm singers and happy clappers."
Quoting from the Old Testament in the Bible, she drew attention to passages from referring to murders, massacres and God ordering Moses to "loot from their houses all their silver and clothing".
"And if that is not enough, the story continues as Moses ... is urged to hack women and children to death, rip unborn babies from their mother's womb and level the cities," she told parliament. "The virgins are taken at God's command for the pleasure of his holy warriors."
Mr Beazley told The Australian Ms Irwin was "trying to take a stand against extremists, which is important".
"That could have been made clearer in the speech," he said. "It is important that we do not lose sight of the positive messages in both religious books -- of respect for one another."
Her speech drew an angry reponse from other Labor MPs although foreign affairs spokesman Kevin Rudd, a committed Christian, said he would not add to Mr Beazley's comments.
Speaking to The Australian last night, Ms Irwin admitted her "happy clapper" gibe might offend some Christians. "I think some would find that offensive but I would encourage them to read my speech," she said.
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