Mario Dingli, Sliema
'Offensive' crucifixes
I presume the logical sequel to the recent European Court of Human Rights judgment on the removal of crucifixes would be another court case asking for the removal of the Laferla Cross at Siġġiewi and other crosses throughout our islands because they cause offence to the devil worshipers. I hope that the "learned" judges at Strasbourg had a good night's sleep after their "learned" judgment.
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Brigid Garroni
Nov 8th 2009, 08:59
@Brian Darmanin
Yours is the most sensible comment I've read here. I agree with you 100% and I don't see why a cross hung on a wall should be offensive to anybody - including Maltese non-believers. If they're as agnostic as they claim to be, it shouldn't bother them one way or the other.
Brian Darmanin
Nov 8th 2009, 07:48
Malta is a CATHOLIC country as stated by an entrenched clause in our constitution, thereby agreed to by both sides of the house of representatives, representing the WHOLE of the Maltese population.
And as such THE CRUCIFIXES STAY.
To hell with whatever a European or any other non-Maltese court decides. I do not include Maltese courts because they cannot decide in favour of a case which go against our constitution.
If you come to live in CATHOLIC Malta then you should be willing to accept Maltese traditions, customs and our way of life. Just when one, for example travels to a Muslim country, especially during the holy month of Ramadan, one has to respect that country's traditions and customs by refraining from eating, drinking or smoking in public from sunrise to sunset.
Whoever finds the crucifix "offensive" is free to leave. I guarantee NOBODY WILL STOP YOU FROM EXERCISING THAT RIGHT.
Kurt Mifsud
Nov 8th 2009, 00:16
@Gerry Cowie - Of course I read it and more than once hoping I misread something. It's the usual characteristic, either black or white, with us or against us. In the past it was known as "Killing in the name of God". I am one who is against crucifixes in public places NOT in churches or places where catholics worship their god. That's called "Neutrality". What's better than that? You're not offending anyone in that way, very simple. If I'm dying in the hospital and I'm not a catholic but 100% Maltese paying taxes, why should I be forced to face that pending on the wall? Again I repeat we're not talking about pending other religious symbols here, just plain neutral.
Anyway my point on what you criticised me about was that I'm in favour of the removal of crucifixes and so I fall in the "devil worshipers" category! Pff...
richard galea
Nov 7th 2009, 20:00
How come nobody said a word when Malta accepted a Godless European Constitution?
Is it because we are hypocrites? Cowards? Servile? Idiots?....or too smart for our own good?
Gerry Cowie
Nov 7th 2009, 19:55
@Kurt Mifsud - Did you actually read the letter before you wrote your entry? The writer did not refer to non believers as devil worshippers! Read it carefully! I must say I had to read it a couple of times before I realised that he is trying to make a point about how stupid these things can get. I think the writer was referring to satanists as a cult.
How stupid can this whole thing get? The next thing might be that anything cross-shaped would be banned! Just another way of saying what Mario has said. I am sure he would apologise to anybody who thought he meant something which he did not.
Raymond Camilleri
Nov 7th 2009, 19:16
Mr Curmi can you read and understand news items!? What has a burka got to do with a cross in a state building? Not that I agree...it is not worth the hassle! Some people supporting the cross are using it as a divisive 'weapon' and mixing up other religions in their weak and hate filled arguments! how ironic that a perosn with the lifestyle of Berlusconi or the hate mongers from Lega North are using a symbol of peace to spread hatred and boost their ranks of far-right oafs
Joseph Curmi
Nov 7th 2009, 15:35
Show me your face (remove the burka) and I'll remove my crucifix!
Karl Consiglio
Nov 7th 2009, 15:18
@Mario Dingli,
You just don't get it, do you? Its fine to have a cross on a church or even in a church school and wherever is suitable, but in a democracy its not fair to impose it elsewhere, such as a PUBLIC school, which ought to cater for people of all kinds of religious beliefs, even for those of no religious faith whatsoever. I find your letter immoral on many levels, the world is not made up of God Worshipers and Satanists alone, there are many who find the entire concept ridiculous, and want none of it.
Joseph Meli
Nov 7th 2009, 15:12
Cardinal Giovanni Battista told to a leading Italian daily La Repubblica he could not understand it, and that no one with common sense could have expected it.
"When I think that we are talking about a symbol, the..crucifix, an image that cannot but be the emblem of a universally shared humanity, I not only feel disappointed but also sadness and grief," he said. "The crucifix is the sign of a God that loves man to the point of giving up his life for him [man]. It is a God that teaches us to learn to love, to pay attention to each man and to respect others, even those who belong to a different culture or religion. So how could someone not able to share such a symbol?
Italy now has three months to file a request for a new hearing. A five-judge panel will examine the request, officially known as a referral, to determine if it raises sufficiently important issues for a 17-judge Grand Chamber hearing about this sentence.
Only the Italian Government can appeal to this verdict, but other interested parties can file briefs if the case goes forward.
S. Calleja
Nov 7th 2009, 15:04
There is something else between worshiping God and worshiping the devil. It's worshiping no-one.
The judgement was confined just to classrooms, where you may get students of different faiths, so it wouldn't be fair to just expose a Catholic symbol. Furthermore, some parents might think it beneficial to raise their children free from any particular faith and allow them to choose for themselves when they grow up (since in any case all faiths claim to be the true one - who to believe?).
The ruling does not affect other public places, such as the Laferla Cross, since it is not a classroom (hence educational) environment, and, unlike a classroom, people are free not to go there if it bothers them.
It amazes me how this issue was irrationally blown out of proportion, considering also the fact that religion is something personal that nobody can ever take away from you if you really believe in God.
Edward camilleri
Nov 7th 2009, 13:31
yes why not to this logical sequel! Why should we be dominated by a religion? Crucifixes should stay in churches. There is no place outside for them, especially in public buildings.
Lino Pace Bonello
Nov 7th 2009, 13:18
In its heyday, atheist communism removed Jesus from the crucifix only to burden and crush their subjects under the weight of the cross. In the not too distant past, affluent Europe promoted a merciful and all-providing Jesus, conveniently detached from the harsh relities of the cross. Both ideologies have left, are still leaving ,their indelible mark. Now the European Court has legislated that we desist from displaying both saviour and cross(the crucifix) from our children's classrooms. May i remind the learned gentjemen that to us Christians the crucifix is an object of veneration and not an ornament. It is the culmination of our Faith.
Gerry Cowie
Nov 7th 2009, 10:43
Mario, this whole thing will blow over now. But do be prepared for a barrage of comments from secularist humanists, both from Malta and much further afield, throwing all their old rubbish at the Church! All the recent articles and letters on this subject have received the usual anti-Church diatribes from those who so detest religion that they spend all their spare time desperately - but totally unsuccessfully - trying to attack it. This small number of persons fail to accept that Malta is Catholic, fail to accept that the Church has moved on and fail to accept that Malta is not going to change for them!
Galea. L
Nov 7th 2009, 10:43
I suggest that every church sets up a big Crucifix on the parvis to show them that the vast majority of Maltese citizens are christian and won't be intimidated.
Do they think that they can dictate to us?
Do they think that we are going to remove all the statues on street corners because they are religious symbols?
To hell with them.
Kurt Mifsud
Nov 7th 2009, 10:42
Hey Mr Dingli listen carefully, you're NOBODY to call me and those who don't agree with your religion "devil worshippers". You know there's not only black & white in life... oh yes your religion and most of all the church have taught you "either with us or against us". As I always say religions are the main source of hate and wars amongst human beings. Shame on you for calling me like that and I'm amazed your letter was published when many of my comments which are not half that offensive are either edited or nor published at all
Galea. L
Nov 7th 2009, 10:39
Christians shall prevail and defy them.
Andrew Borg-Cardona
Nov 7th 2009, 10:04
Actually, the logical sequel to the judgement would have been for people to read and understand it, but I suppose that's too much to ask.