Couldn't Help Noticing

Tolerance for all (except you)

In an effort to get this one into the Australian, I put on my serious tone of voice...

Dear editor,

The crisis in the European Commission over the non-appointment of a Roman Catholic commissioner for his Roman Catholic views is far more than mere political correctness. It is an appalling example of how quickly and easily the secularist creed of tolerance for all reverts to a blinkered and all too human prejudice. Events such as these put paid to the idea that fundamentalism in its modern sense is the preserve of those who believe in God.

Yours etc.

Certain simple truths

I have recently had cause to re-read Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte, which is always a pleasure. This time I thought I would start with Charlotte Bronte's own preface, written while she was using the male non de plume of Currer Bell. I couldn't help but be reminded of a certain Dean of a certain cathedral and a certain squabble involving the Church of England.

Having thus acknowledged what I owe those who have aided and approved me, I turn to another class; a small one, as far as I know, but not, therefore, to be overlooked. I mean the timorous or carping few who doubt the tendency of such books as Jane Eyre; in whose eyes whatever is unusual is wrong; whose ears detect in each protest against bigotry—that parent of crime—an insult to piety, that regent of God on earth. I would suggest to such doubters certain obvious distinctions; I would remind them of certain simple truths.

Conventionality is not morality. Self-righteousness is not religion. To attack the first is not to assail the last. To pluck the mask from the face of the Pharisee, is not to lift an impious hand to the Crown of Thorns.

These things and deeds are diametrically opposed: they are as distinct as is vice from virtue. Men too often confound them; they should not be confounded: appearance should not be mistaken for truth; narrow human doctrines, that only tend to elate and magnify a few, should not be substituted for the world-redeeming creed of Christ. There is—I repeat it—a difference; and it is a good, and not a bad action to mark broadly and clearly the line of separation between them.

The world may not like to see these ideas dissevered, for it has been accustomed to blend them; finding it convenient to make external show pass for sterling worth—to let white-washed walls vouch for clean shrines. It may hate him who dares to scrutinize and expose—to raze the gilding, and show base metal under it—to penetrate the sepulchre, and reveal charnel relics: but hate as it will, it is indebted to him.

Consistent Muslims

One word: unpublished. (SMH)

Dear editor,

Muslims want to follow the example of Mohammed, just as Christians want to follow the example of Christ.

Irshad Manji criticises Muslims for taking their faith so seriously as to threaten her life, but does she really have any basis for asking them not to, apart from happening to dislike what their faith teaches? Why not just join a less violent religion?

Yours sincerely, etc.

Snaky tails

I've read the story of Moses, Aaron, and the Egyptian sorcerors before, and seen the kids' book illustrations of how the Egyptians produce snakes from their staffs and Aaron produces one from his. After a bit of snake kung-fu, Moses' and Aaron's God-given snake wins the day and gobbles up the others. You can read the original in Exodus 7:7-13.

What I've only just noticed is that the Hebrew word for Moses' snake—tannin—is equally well translated by the word “monster” (eg Ps 74:13). To the little maggots produced by Pharaoh's magicians, Aaron produces some sort of hyper-anaconda!

Enough to terrify the bravest Pharaoh. But his heart remains hardened. Miracles won't convince someone who won't believe the word of God that Moses speaks.

Pick a card, any card

Some may have noticed from the advertising and the sales of Christmas paraphernalia in shops, that Christmas will soon be here.

Our Christmas card selection is ready, so that the type of people that get their Christmas cards organised and sent out early can do their thing. Which leaves all the guys to wait until the last minute, do it all in a frantic hurry, so that your Christmas cards arrive just in time, if not after Christmas. Anyway, I just provide the links, what you do with them is up to you.