To temper my previous unremitting harshness toward Straits Times Forum letter writers, here is a Magical shout-out to Harvey Neo: a draught of hope in a desert of hatefulness.The Archbishop John Chew - the holy text of whose church speaks again and again of compassion and kindness - could take a leaf from Harvey Neo's book.
If there is to be any consensus on 'mainstream values', it must be built on respect, empathy, compassion and tolerance. The family should reflect such values and not be used to draw divisive lines.(Interested watchers should note that Chew has previously promoted an anti-gay stance as part of the ongoing conflict among international Anglican leaders. Back in 2006, controversy arose over the "Kigali communiqué" from Anglican churches in the Global South. To save your having to wade through the masses of circumlocutory bullshit in that text, basically Chew and his allies threatened to take their toys and go home unless other Anglican churches adopted anti-gay poses. But the document gave the impression of being endorsed by at least one church that later disavowed support of it: a statement on this by Archbishop Ndungane of the Church of Southern Africa was met by a somewhat watery response signed off by Chew. It all became pretty big news. So this guy isn't just a stinker on the domestic stage.)
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Before it gets eaten by internet gremlins, here's Neo's letter:
ReplyDeleteDec 1, 2009
Respect those outside traditional family
I REFER to yesterday's report, 'Unite against alternative values, Anglicans urged'. Do people actually marry in the belief they will be divorced some years down the road? Who chooses deliberately to be a single mother? Who wants to be a homosexual and be vilified as an enemy of 'mainstream values'?
For many divorcees, ending the marriage is the only way to continue to lead a fulfilling life. In many such cases, love and support from family members and friends are precisely what is needed to get them through difficult times.
A single mother often needs the help of her extended family and friends to raise her children. Love for a child born out of wedlock is no less than that for one born within the 'classical' family structure.
The gay man can be a filial son, a loving uncle, a steadfast friend, a doting godfather and an accommodating colleague.
If there is to be any consensus on 'mainstream values', it must be built on respect, empathy, compassion and tolerance. The family should reflect such values and not be used to draw divisive lines.
Harvey Neo