Hello Phil!
Java is a good language to learn for many reasons.
For one, its platform independent. This means you can run Java applications on PC, MAC, Linux. Basically any operating system. Java is also used in things like washing machines, fruit machines etc.
Java is reasonably easy to learn compared to C or C++. The Java language derives much of its syntax from C but has a simpler object model.
You can write console based applications, stand alone desktop applications, web applets and more.
Having a good grasp of Maths is an advantage in all programming languages but it is not essential. It all depends on what you want to code and how advanced you want to get.
As I suggested in your other post, check the SUN Java Tutorials.
This will help explain object oriented programming and hopefully you will see the advantages in this.
Java is a very popular language and is growing steadily. If you want a career in programming then Java is definitely the way to go.