Jonathan Young
A proposal for religion
One would have to inquire if it is reasonable for us to ask that in Aotearoa, where by law we grant freedom of religious practice, that it comes with the condition that perhaps the holy books folks use as their doctrine could be updated and edited so as not to include hate speech, persecution of a person from another religion, persecution of a person because of their gender, and persecution of a person because of their sexual orientation.
This, I believe, is a reasonable request if, indeed, we all want to live in paradise as opposed to residing there when we die.
Compliance with this request would demonstrate a reciprocal intent to accept the freedoms and quality of life that’s on offer here in New Zealand.
D R Meyers, New Plymouth
Moral integrity?
I wonder about the moral integrity of the millions of people who viewed the livestreaming of the Christchurch Mosques massacre, or copies of it afterwards.
Surely they knew this wasn’t entertainment. A modern version of the spectators at the Roman Colosseum watching gladiators butcher each other.
Begs the question: how civilised have we become?
Kevin Murphy, New Plymouth
Some things need to change forever, some things must never change. Aotearoa New Zealand has made progress by building a more just, respectful, and socially inclusive society. We started by honestly owning up to not honouring the Treaty, by admitting fault, acknowledging grievance, bringing measures of restitution; and committing to a stronger course as a nation. Restoring mana to iwi has been a long journey and there are still plenty of voices saying we have a long way to go. There is still a long way to go, but the direction of travel is right.
This has contributed to a change of culture that has lifted Ma¯ ori and non-Ma¯ ori alike. The same can be said regarding attitudes to other faiths and cultures. These things must never change.
Last Friday, one single man driven by hate and prejudice rejected all of that and more. A white supremacist with a myopic view of life sought to inflict his belief on the Muslim community, on Christchurch and on our country. His monocultural view is an echo of some of humanity’s worst of times, littered with conflict.
We were shocked by the power and horror of that hate, and that it happened to us here. Yet according to some, it has happened before. Not far from here – not that long ago.
Some things must change forever.
Our future is not just in our hands – it is in our hearts and in the words, we speak every day. Words can tear down or build up. Ask any couple.
Our future is not just in our hands – it is in our hearts and in the words, we speak every day.
Martin Luther King put it so well. ‘‘Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.’’
Our acknowledgement and celebration of one another’s uniqueness forms the collective light that defends our Kiwi way of life against the darkness of ignorance and prejudice.
As a region, we celebrate the Multi-Ethnic Extravaganza every year. That is one way to grow the light. But going further than that, by connecting with people from different ethnicities and faiths to include them into your circle of kindness, whether that is as an acquaintance or a friend, will grow the light.
Prejudice is pre-judging people; none of us like that. You can grow your world by learning the truth about others and their culture. That happens best over a meal and a conversation. You discover you are the same in so many ways. Each have stories, each their hopes and aspirations; each their loved ones, all long to be loved and included and want to make a positive difference, and they probably have better jokes!
We inoculate our society against darkness, by being light – not by being darkness back. Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.