Australia/Invasion Day.

Hi. I am Australian. I am an atheist. I am anti-monarchy, and anti-war. I am a patriot. I do not represent an underwhelmed minority, there is a significant Australia who can relate. Many of which I'm sure were in deep group conversation as I was about the morality of Australia Day.

It seems celebrating the 26th January is becoming increasingly political. Patriotic, yet confused, I will go into detail.

The constitution of Australia condemns the establishment of a state religion. After much reflection upon the place of self-spirituality in contemporary society and the lack of necessity to be tied to a religion to feel such spirituality, I have sided with the humanists and hind-sighted guilt ridden historians: to keep religious devotion out of my life. In 2001, those Australians who identified themselves untied to a religion, didn't comment or whose religion was inadequately described numbered over 5 million. We number a mighty few. This is not to detract from the positive potential religious practice (and the fine people who commit themselves to such routine) has in Australia. Needless to say, my lack of religious patience (and avid anti-materialistic attitude) has seen significant "Australian" periods such as Easter and Christmas overshadowed by question marks of relevance, the same can almost be said for St. Patrick and St. Valentine and their place on our calendar.

Our national ties to the (ridiculous joke that is the) monarchy of England is a wound we have sported for many years. It shows its face in the many wars we have fought in its name; the colonial stain (the project) that is the maltreatment of Indigenous Australians (the subjects) through the ignorant mindset of our superiors over the seas (the wankers); the foolish, obsessive and babyish media frenzy that follows the monarchy in modern times; and the tenuous relationship we have with the British that extends rarely past sporting encounters and Crocodile Dundee. Needless to say, the Queen's Birthday celebration in June every year sees not a grin of recognition grace my face, rather a sturdily pumped clenched fist aimed at the northern hemisphere.

Since 1885, Australia has continually pledged thousands upon thousands of lives to battles overseas that have little or nothing to do with our country. Lives were lost when none should have been. Furthermore, there is lack of recognition that the financial burden of Australian military involvement in this time has resulted in many a stand-still in our growth. This is amongst the most contested topic in Australian contemporary debate - that is, the legitimacy of our place in foreign warfare. It is something I feel most passionately about, but most alone about. Is there far too large a role in contemporary Australia of recognising battles and troopers, treaties and armistice, bullets and bombs? I do not believe enough Australians understand just how fucked the wars were for us as a nation. Relevant to our global growth, perhaps. To our national undiscriminating betterment? Perhaps not. Needless to say, I believe ANZAC day and Armistice day are unreasonable in their expectation to unite a diverse 21st century Australia in celebration.

Now to January 26, 1788. Many Australians are feeling as though they must choose between siding with White Settler Australians who settled and pioneered the land from this day onward and Aboriginal Australians who were invaded, exploited and nearly extirpated from this day onward. I am torn between the two, and afraid I will always sidle with the Original (Indigenous) Australians and their justifiable and valid claims. Now, to my patriotism.

I couldn't agree more with recognition of the inappropriate date on which Australia Day falls, but if we condemn the celebration of such traditions our national identity is at risk. In these exciting times of multicultural Australian expansion, it is important we not lose sight of our rich history, including that of the substantial Aboriginal heritage, but also of universal Australian traits to name a few: independence, diversity, freedom and uniqueness. I hope that I can let off some pro-Australian steam on a day other than David Boon Day in the near future. Until then, bring on November 14 and 52 beers.