|
Issue No. 162 | 22 November 2002 |
A Capital Idea?
Interview: Life After Keating Industrial: That Friday Feeling Bad Boss: Begging to Work Organising: Project Pilbara Unions: Off the Rails International: Brazil Turns Left Environment: Brown Wash History Special: Learning from the Past Corporate: Will the Bullying Backfire? Technology: Danger Lurks For The Passive History: In Labour�s Image Politics: Without Power Or Glory History Special: A 'Cosy Relationship' Culture: Blood Stains the Wattle Satire: Iraq Pre-empts Pre-emptive Strike Poetry: The Executive Pay Cut Review: Time Out
Drivers Pack Down For World Cup Howard Shrugs off Spanish Shame Hunted Teacher Tells of Colombian Terror Cole Bias Appeal Still On Cards Extra Care To Beat Terrorist Threat Strains Increase for Aged Care Trades Hall Welcomes Bracks IR Regional Job Loss Fear At Unis Canberra Get In On Outworkers ACT Hounding of East Timorese �Shameful�
Month In Review The Soapbox The Locker Room Indigenous Postcard Bosswatch
WTO Fallout Internet Surveillance Research Offensive Clowns
Labor Council of NSW |
Tool Shed Nile-ism and Other Lifestyle Choices
***** The Reverend Fred says the chador, the headscarf worn by Islamic women, could be used to hide explosives and is a perfect disguise for terrorists concealing weapons. He has called for the scarf to be banned in public places such as shopping centres and the Opera House. In these militaristic times it's not surprising that the paranoia levels are hitting the top end of the Richter Scale, but Fred's loopy assertion has gone right off the end of the meter. His comments will fuel racial tension in this country and give a green light to those brave individuals that like to abuse women wearing the chador. Thankfully, Premier Bob Carr had the wit to recognise that women going about their daily lives are not at the forefront of the terrorist threat. The Independent Education Union called on Fred Nile to resign while Islamic leaders want an apology. Dick Shearman, secretary of the union representing teachers in Christian, Islamic and Jewish schools, labelled Rev Nile's comments "a disgrace that does not befit a Member of Parliament." "There is nothing Christian about this attitude; it is divisive and plays into the hands of extremists. All Australians should be appalled by this attitude - this is stuff from the fringe." The Christian Democrat MLC remained unapologetic. "This is not Iran where you don't have free speech," Reverend Nile said. No doubt he will next be calling for all those that support wearing the chador to get back to Iran where they belong. The Reverend Fred came to prominence during his days with the Festival of Light, a rabid "Christian" group that spread their peculiar form of misery - consistently opposing such demonic institutions as Sydney's annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras with a prayer vigil. Nile is also on the record backing other discredited beliefs such as creationism and homosexuality being a "disease" that can be "cured". As Fred's no-brainer continues the process of dismantling religious freedom, or at least limiting it to a certain brand of muscular Christianity, no doubt the usual ratbag element will be cheering from the sidelines. To illustrate how Nile's comments provoke extremists in Australia, Prime Minister John Howard showed great leadership by saying that he had no opinion on the statement. "Fred speaks for the views of a lot of people," Mr Howard said. Why stop at the chador? Those Catholics have always been a bit suss - after all many of them have sympathies with Irish Nationalist groups. That Sikh bus driver may not be so innocent after all, eh Fred? And what about the Buddhists? What's under the orange robes, eh? So now we have the warrior-priest off to fight the crusades right here in sunny Sydney. This is why we need leadership that can bring Australians together, rather than tearing them apart. Sadly that leadership is lacking. As a result we end up with the "my god can beat up your god" rhetoric that most of the secular world has spent 500 years trying to escape. One wonders at the depths of ignorance and the darkness of a heart that would lead a "Christian" to stoop to this sort of vilification. The Anglican Bishop of South Sydney Robert Forsythe summed it up pretty well: "I think all Christians are embarrassed when other Christians say things that are unhelpful like that".
View our Gallery of Tools Nominate a Tool!
|
Search All Issues | Latest Issue | Previous Issues | Print Latest Issue |
© 1999-2002 Workers Online |
|