Random Play by Graham Reid

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Random Play: We . . .the People?

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  • Mark Easterbrook,

    Beautifully put, Graham.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 265 posts Report

  • kirsten,

    maybe if we just ignore him he'll go away?

    The media gives Tamaki and his brainwashed church-goers far too much attention.

    wellington • Since May 2007 • 1 posts Report

  • Michael Stevens,

    Amen.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 230 posts Report

  • Stephen Judd,

    Intolerance is a, you should pardon the word, fundamental part of his religion. All other gods are false gods. Various kinds of sex behaviour are sins. And so on.

    He can't follow his religion and be tolerant, otherwise it would be a different religion....

    maybe if we just ignore him he'll go away?

    ... and that's why he won't go away if ignored.

    I suspect Tamaki's more effectively promoting the cause of a secular society than many a person who actually sets out to do so.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report

  • Grant Stone,

    What would Jesus do?

    Kick Tamaki's arse, for a start.

    Auckland • Since Dec 2006 • 30 posts Report

  • Anne M,

    Woohoo Graham!

    Since Nov 2006 • 104 posts Report

  • andin,

    While I applaud your sentiments, I must say about myself I feel as if I am of the Christopher Hitchens train of thought on the subject of religion. Specifically that it is a dangerous hangover from the infancy of our species along with tribalism and many other cult like groupings far to prevalent in present day society. And the sooner we are able to live without it the better.

    The obvious caveat here is that it doesnt appear as this will be happening any time soon. And it seems that the likes of Bishop Brian have hides thicker than 20 rhinoceros' or is that called Faith.

    raglan • Since Mar 2007 • 1891 posts Report

  • David Cormack,

    I suspect Tamaki's more effectively promoting the cause of a secular society than many a person who actually sets out to do so.

    Exactly, if we give tools like BT airtime his ridiculous message is shown to be the ramblings of a retardo that they are meaning more people will become "englightened" and move away from fundamentalist claptrap like Destiny.

    Suburbia, Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 218 posts Report

  • David Cormack,

    And not only that but I apparently hate grammar
    If we give tools like BT airtime his ridiculous message is shown to be the ramblings of a retardo that they areFULLSTOP Meaning more people will become "englightened" and move away from fundamentalist claptrap like Destiny.

    Suburbia, Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 218 posts Report

  • Che Tibby,

    What would Jesus do?

    Kick Tamaki's arse, for a start.

    ahhh... but tamaki is jesus you see.

    consequently, such a kicking would require a level of contortionism so extreme and bizarre as to have brian banned from his own church.

    the back of an envelope • Since Nov 2006 • 2042 posts Report

  • Grant Stone,

    I was going to start the whole 'well I didn't vote for him' thing from Monty Python & the holy grail. Then I remembered the Destiny political party. He takes all the fun out of everything.

    Auckland • Since Dec 2006 • 30 posts Report

  • Brent Jackson,

    Well said Graham.

    I'm with andin on this one.

    Cheers,
    Brent.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 620 posts Report

  • simon g,

    Add me to your people, Graham.

    I *think* we are, as you suggest, the silent majority. And if Tamaki & co won't go away, and our wretchedly superficial media won't ask him any difficult questions (Investigative journalism? Informed interviewers? Ha!), then we just have to hope that the more people see and hear of the attacker, the more they will want to defend the values and people attacked. Give him enough rope, and all that.

    Maybe if he got into Parliament ...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report

  • Nobody Important,

    The Speaker of The House has sent a letter to MP's floating the idea of removing the Prayer from the opening of each Parliamentary session. And sadly the politicians are already falling over themselves to declare they don't have a problem with it and it should stay. Including John Key who was on Campbell Live earlier this week admitting that he was not religious (brave of him I thought, and it made me feel better about him)(less so today, obviously).

    The Prayer finishes with the words "... in Jesus Christ, our Lord..." to which I say "WTF!?". JC is not my lord and saviour and I know he is not L&S for many politicians so why are they so hypocritical in saying it? I really wish they would take this opportunity to get rid of it - but I know they won't. It's just too easy to shrug and say "What''s the harm?"

    expat • Since Mar 2007 • 319 posts Report

  • 81stcolumn,

    The silent majority....

    I feel a misquote coming on to do with sleeping giants etc etc.

    Thanks Graham

    Nawthshaw • Since Nov 2006 • 790 posts Report

  • Felix Marwick,

    Sunlight is the best antiseptic.

    Also this is an organisation that wants political power. Best it gets as much scrutiny as possible. Of course that doesn't mean blindly regurgitating their every statement.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 200 posts Report

  • rodgerd,

    Well according to the census data that came up in the t'other thread it's nearly 50% identifying as non-religious under 35-ish, so it seems like only a matter of time.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 512 posts Report

  • Stephen Judd,

    On Natrad this evening I caught the tail end of an interview with Paul Morris of VUW, advocating the teaching of different traditions' texts and beliefs in schools, in a comparative sort of way. He seemed to think this would be a good thing, lead to understanding, etc. I thought it was charmingly naive.

    As an atheist, I don't want my children's heads polluted with religion. And if I belonged to one of the many sects that claims exclusive truth, I'd probably be equally cross. Not to mention the potential for people to claim that their faith is mispresented...

    Unfortunately the growing tendency to make public events more bicultural, which in principle I applaud, has also provided a back door for Christianity to reappear on formerly secular occasions, since karakia and other manifestations of the spiritual play such an important part in traditional Maori culture. I'm sure that's one source of tension Tamaki can and will exploit in future.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report

  • Ben Austin,

    Tamaki has direct control over a seemingly effective organisation that has representation in most of the major urban centres in NZ.

    He has been keeping him and his platforms in the media this last few months, taking populist positions which go down pretty well with a lot of people. Opposing s59 reform, defending the prayer in parliament (lol), 'protecting' the Christian heritage of this nation are exactly the type of issues which appeal to a lot of people because they are emotive. Tie this in with the daily MSM references to Islam, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, and Iran and well, it practically markets itself really.

    If it wasn't for National sucking all of the centre-Right + social protest vote into its fold so effectively this last while I'd be pretty dammed worried that Destiny could get really close to the 5% mark next election, if they contest it.

    Personally if I was Brian I'd be desperately trying to entice an electorate MP before the Electoral Integrity legislation is revived. If he could get himself a pet Dunnoanderton on his side he would be set.

    London • Since Nov 2006 • 1027 posts Report

  • Grant Stone,

    Can we relabel Tamaki now?
    As I understand it, you can't be a bishop unless that's conferred by a pope, archbishop or patriach. So if he can't be a bishop-

    I think 'Darth Tamaki' has quite a nice ring to it.

    Auckland • Since Dec 2006 • 30 posts Report

  • dc_red,

    Darth Tamaki and Darth George

    “Always two there are, a master and an apprentice”

    Wonderful writing Graham.

    With regards to the Parliamentary Prayer, my opinion (as a citizen and relatively informed voter) probably counts for nothing in the TV3/Destiny-led climate, but for what it's worth, I acknowledge no one, and no thing, as "my lord".

    Such subservience is unbecoming in my view.

    Oil Patch, Alberta • Since Nov 2006 • 706 posts Report

  • Jackie Clark,

    You bring a tear to the eye, Graham, you really do. Thanks for your eloquent writing.

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report

  • Kim Wilson,

    I can only repeat Jackie's post above. Thanks Graham.

    Nth Canty • Since Dec 2006 • 28 posts Report

  • Venetia King,

    I'm surprised this post hasn't excited more comment, so I wanted to put my hand up and agree with Graham as well.

    Perhaps he put it so well that there's nothing else to say :)

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 117 posts Report

  • Ben Austin,

    Venetia, I suspect Tamaki has put the hard word down on the PA readership, such is the extent of his power.

    London • Since Nov 2006 • 1027 posts Report

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