Well, my column last week certainly caused a stir. If I’d have known I’d cause that much drama I’d have done it months ago. I had to go to the doctor for the stress! I asked him “Doctor! How can avoid this level of stress in my life?” He replied, “Stop writing in the paper about Margaret Court!”
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Seriously, now that my doctor has you all in stitches, let me say that I am, like you, passionate about freedom and equality.
If we do not all possess freedom of speech then that is inequality and we are not free.
When two men in a bar argue to reach boiling point, they will often agree to both step outside to physically fight, even if they’re drunk.
Why? To hurt each other more?
No; the opposite - so that no one bangs their head on something and dies; so that the loser loses the fight but not everything else he’s worked for.
However, in the wild, when animals fight, they usually fight to the death and rob their adversary of everything they possessed. I once conscientiously opposed a boss who believed his views were so superior to mine that he retaliated by robbing me of job, reputation and even my home. So when I saw how commentators wanted to strip Margaret Court of her legacy and anything or anyone she is associated with, just because they believe their beliefs are so superior to hers, it reminded me again that we are men and women created equal and in the image of God. Such a disregard for the equality of all people’s beliefs is beneath the dignity of the human person.
We here in Albury-Wodonga have seen how horribly things can get out of hand when people are attacked instead of their arguments.
The front page of The Border Mail honorably reported on Tuesday that Dr Pieter Mourik has finally admitted to being at the heart of the online slurs against Dr Roland von Marburg and his wife, Anna von Marburg. This particular case has brought me great personal sadness. Dr Mourik has conceded that he actually authored posts with photographs that were critical of the von Marburgs.
This has been such a senseless and ugly affair and I hope the von Marburgs and indeed everybody involved on all sides, can now find peace.
The Facebook page in question that abused the von Marburgs is paradoxically called “Rights to Privacy Albury” and I am thankful for the von Marburgs’ sake that Dr Mourik has acknowledged the page published untrue and offensive material and photographs.
Dr Mourik has also admitted his actions encouraged others in a campaign directed at damaging the professional and personal reputations of the von Marburgs.
Even if we believe someone’s argument is wrong, even evil, we should tear their arguments to shreds not them to shreds. In honest debate you always play the ball, not the player.
The recent terrorist attacks in London displayed to the extreme what can happen when someone believes their beliefs are so superior to the beliefs of others that they can rob others of their rights, even the greatest right of all, the right to life.
To end on a happy note … actually, it’s a sad note, I want to wish Fr Kevin Flanagan my very best in his retirement. Congratulations on a massive 54 years! If I was half the priest you are Father I’d be very short (lol) and a very great priest and a very great gentleman.
FATHER BRENDAN LEE