Joe Aquilina-St John, Mellieħa
Hypocritical attitude over crucifix stance
I very rarely watch Xarabank - it has all the right ingredients for a top show but it invariably ends up with Peppi Azzopardi losing control and the panel end up talking and arguing in a cacophony of degrading behaviour.
I did, however, tune in to last Friday's Xarabank when the recent European Court of Human Rights decision on the crucifix in an Italian school was discussed. Apart from the atheist and the priest holding tightly to a crucifix, while at the same time insisting it should not be hung in public places, the majority of the panel and audience - and it seems from the letters pages in the media, the majority of Maltese - vehemently oppose the ECRH ruling, stating this is a Catholic island and the crucifix is an integral part of our life.
My immediate reaction to this? What hypocrites we all are! We call ourselves Catholics; we defend the hanging of the crucifix in public places...
...then you simply can't walk anywhere in public without hearing someone interspersing his speech with a string of profanities, denigrating God and the Blessed Virgin.
Legend says St Paul "washed" the venom from Maltese snakes...too bad he did not wash our tongues as well!
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Dr Francis Saliba
Nov 28th 2009, 22:16
@KurtMifsud
If, as you say, belonging to the majority does not mean anything, how much less meaningful is it to belong to a minority! Democracy, which in practice means rule by the majority with respect for the rights of minorities, is generally accepted as the least objectionable of all forms of government. Have you any better ideas?
Dr Francis Saliba
Nov 28th 2009, 20:30
@KurtMifsud
I am used to be called intolerant whenever an opponent loses an argument and when he is reduced to personal insults e.g. hypocrite. It gives me great satisfaction.
Kurt Mifsud
Nov 28th 2009, 20:06
@Dr Francis Saliba
And btw, being part of the majority means nothing. The majority don't want to pay taxes. And many majority issues in the past led to the extinction of entire civilizations and killing innocent people. I tell you: "A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows public opinion."
Kurt Mifsud
Nov 28th 2009, 20:02
@Dr Francis Saliba
Your intolerance leads to hypocrisy, that simple! Because it contrast to what you actually believe in. You won't find this in the dictionary but I can try to draw it for you if you want.
A bare wall does not mean atheism. You can look for "neutral" in the dictionary!
Dr Francis Saliba
Nov 28th 2009, 10:35
@ClintCassar
Please read my comment carefully before venturing to reply. You would then realize that the “majority” to which I belong is the one that insists that we do NOT REMOVE the crucifix from our public life. This active removal of the crucifix, and its substitution by a blank wall, would be a conscious move away from the public profession of our official Catholic faith and culture in the direction of subservience to the demand of a noisy minority of atheists. It is only a figment of your imagination that I said that EVERY place without a displayed crucifix is a symbol of atheism. Some hope!
Dr Francis Saliba
Nov 27th 2009, 22:53
@ClintCassar & KurtMifsud
Don't invent new meanings for "hypocrisy" - stick to the dictionary definition. When I criticise it does NOT mean that I am intolerant and "hypocrisy" is NOT synonymous with "intolerance". Use words properly.
The removal of a crucifix that is already there, and insisting that a wall be kept bare of all religious symbols, as you are desiring, is nothing else but the imposition of atheistic belief and symbolism.
Ian Galea
Nov 27th 2009, 22:12
@ GiovDeMartino ... U jekk inhalluh hemm jonqos id-dagha?!?
Clint Cassar
Nov 27th 2009, 22:03
@ Dr Francis Saliba
If you consider every place without a crucifix on display to be displaying the symbol of atheism, then you are definitely in the minority and not the majority, as you so much like to brag about (almost as if trying to convince yourself).
A bit of objectivity would be nice. A place devoid of any religious symbol is indeed that....no religion is being represented, which is the way it should be for non-religious public places.
If you need a crucifix on display to remind you of what religion you practice, then further comment would be unnecessary.
Kurt Mifsud
Nov 27th 2009, 22:01
@Dr Francis Saliba
Because it's been there for a long time doesn't mean it's good. Then swear because swearing has become Maltese culture as well.
Hypocritical attitude simply because by your behaviour you're being intolerant, which contrasts to what you believe in (accept everybody). Oh no worries, I don't blame you. Not even your leader Ratzinger accepts everybody since he declared that only catholicism leads to salvation, and that gays are a treat to the human race as much as the destruction of rain forests to Earth
Dr Francis Saliba
Nov 27th 2009, 21:07
@KurtMifsud
Please learn the meaning of “hypocritical attitude” and only then will you be able to comment logically. I am one of the majority of Maltese citizens that have expressed opposition to the REMOVAL of the crucifix from our public places. I have never said anything different and I have not said one thing and then acted differently. Therefore I am not one of those with a hypocritical attitude. Neither do I feel any need to ask you “Why does it bother you?” Removing the crucifix from where it has always been within living memory actually means removing the symbol of the official religion of Malta and replacing it by a nihilistic void, the symbol of that quaint “religion” called atheism.
Ray de Bono
Nov 27th 2009, 18:54
Very well put! THE MALTESE CRUCIFIX CULTURE, like Maltese FESTA CULTURE is one based on symbolism, objects that are attributed mystical powers...Jesus as the Lord has revealed Himself to man, and has died on the cross, BUT He is RISEN...Faith and symbolism is a mine field where the first is driven by belief + hope, whilst the latter by short-sighted ignorance mostly associated with primitive cultures... I cannot agree more: We defend the hanging of the crucifix in public places......then you simply can't walk anywhere in public without hearing someone interspersing his speech with a string of profanities, (and obscenities), denigrating God and the Blessed Virgin...blah, blah...blah...Quo Vadis?
Ray de Bono
Nov 27th 2009, 18:53
Very well put! THE MALTESE CRUCIFIX CULTURE, like Maltese FESTA CULTURE is one based on symbolism, objects that are attributed mystical powers...Jesus as the Lord has revealed Himself to man, and has died on the cross, bur He is RISEN...Faith and symbolism is a mine field where the first is driven by belief + hope, whilst the latter by short-sighted ignorance mostly associated with primitive cultures... I cannot agree more: We defend the hanging of the crucifix in public places......then you simply can't walk anywhere in public without hearing someone interspersing his speech with a string of profanities, (and obscenities), denigrating God and the Blessed Virgin...blah, blah...blah...Quo Vadis?
j n ebejer
Nov 27th 2009, 18:47
If Mr St.John considers himself a hypocrit, swears, and that is a problem to him, he could do an effort an refrain. But he should not presume each one of us has that type of problem, as he has done with his sweeping statements.
As if anyone who has not commented on the crucifix issue or is a non cathloic cannot be a hypocrit or swear just even more. Live and let people discuss and air their views-without judging them on their creed or vices.
John Mifsud-Navarro
Nov 27th 2009, 17:48
I would like to say bravo and Hallelujah to Fr Mark Montebello for the beautful article he wrote concerning the Crucifix. In as much as it is provoking, but right to the point. I hope
every Maltese in Malta reads and realizes that the Holy Cross (Crucifix) is not something we can redifine as that of same-sex marriage is not a civil right issue. Is not about 'abortion, it's about the crucifizion of Jesus Christ on the cross. It is about what is right and what is wrong. May God be with you Father Mark Montebello.
victor pulis
Nov 27th 2009, 17:17
@Alfred Grech
As i am one always willing to learn can you please quote Acts 31:18 as my bible only reaches to Acts 28.
Clint Cassar
Nov 27th 2009, 16:20
What I find amusing is that the same institution that cried out over the "censorship" issue when the Crucifix debate arose are the same people who are now trying to censor Fr Montebello.
Too bad their brains weren't washed either!
v zammit
Nov 27th 2009, 15:44
@ Alfred Grech
Where is Acts 31:18? Three new chapters....?
GiovDeMartino
Nov 27th 2009, 15:16
Tghid jekk innehhu l-Kurcifiss jonqos id-dagha? Iwiegeb xi hadd?
Erin Ciantar
Nov 27th 2009, 14:45
Using the majority as a defence to keep the crucifix in classrooms is missing the point of the judgement completely.
renald williams
Nov 27th 2009, 14:43
our God Creator Jesus, became our sinless human mediator and advocate, so as to intercede for us, and be the Saviour of us All sinners. We should start reading His New Testament so as to improve our soul and our surroundings
Emanuel Cilia Debono
Nov 27th 2009, 14:26
Blasphemy is a crime in Malta. To blaspheme is abhorrent for those who believe in God. The fact that too many people blaspheme in public shows that the law is not being applied as it should. This does not justify however the removal of crucifixes from public places. Would one be justified by the same reasoning to repeal parking regulations because too many people fail to observe them?
Secondly. Mr. Aquilina St, John's assertion of hypocrisy implies that who uphold the hanging of the Crucifix are the same people who blaspheme. The implication is gratuitous.
Kurt Mifsud
Nov 27th 2009, 13:54
@Dr Francis Saliba
If you're one of those who agrees that it should be hung in public places then you're one of them, cause you want to make this country your (catholic) own. This country belongs to me as much as to you. Do what you want at home and in your private places, I'm not visiting there. But public is for everyone. And please don't ask "Why does it bother you?" It's better to have a plain wall than a symbol for every religion
Maria Vella
Nov 27th 2009, 13:48
Prosit Joe. I like to quote a saying in Italian which in my oipinion suits many Maltese Mangia Santi e Cacca Diavoli We are always very ready to project ourselves holier than the Pope. The most important thing for us is how we are seen. I believe that rreligion is a very private and individual thing. It is not the showing off of any symbol that makes one religious or not. I t is our behaviour, the tollerance we should have towards all people no matter what race and colour and so on and so forth. To those who get offended with the truth about ourselves, I am sorry but I have to go back to Italian, La verita' offende.
Jeremy J Camilleri
Nov 27th 2009, 12:57
Its not solely about blasphemies I guess....but hatefull, vengeful comments....etc etc...
Franco Farrugia
Nov 27th 2009, 12:46
I agree with the letter, wholeheartedly, too.
We are living in bad times, when Church and State are hand in hand, colluding with each other in hypocrisy!
Kenneth Cassar
Nov 27th 2009, 12:33
@ G Psaila:
"What I object to is his last sentence ...... "too bad he did not wash OUR tongues as well!"".
You needn't object. He is being as generic as when we say something such as "The Maltese are a generous nation" when we know that some Maltese people are definitely not generous at all.
That he was being generic is evinced by the fact that he used the word "our", which if taken literally, would include him. Now, if he were one who utters profanities, he wouldn't be complaining about it, would he?
Ian Galea
Nov 27th 2009, 12:30
@ Raphael Zammit - "if you don't like europe the way it is i simply suggest you either leave or adapt." ... It might escape your reasoning but there is a remote possibility that, among the people that are in favour of the removal of the crucifix, there might be non-catholics who are as MALTESE as you are!
Kenneth Cassar
Nov 27th 2009, 12:28
"You cannot accuse those who protest that the crucufix should be retained on classroom walls to have a "hypocritical attitude" unless you have some proof that they are the same people who utter blasphemies and obscenities. Quite frankly I do not think that they are the same people at all".
You would be wrong. I have at least five such people at my workplace. Of course, this is not to say that all the people who protested utter blasphemies and obscenities. But then again, Joe Aquilina-St John never said this, did he?
Dr Francis Saliba
Nov 27th 2009, 11:43
@Joe Aquilina St John
You cannot accuse those who protest that the crucufix should be retained on classroom walls to have a "hypocritical attitude" unless you have some proof that they are the same people who utter blasphemies and obscenities. Quite frankly I do not think that they are the same people at all.
G Psaila
Nov 27th 2009, 11:06
@ Kenneth C
No problem with his own opinion. What I object to is his last sentence ...... "too bad he did not wash OUR tongues as well!" Some people's tongues don't need washing.
Jeremy J Camilleri
Nov 27th 2009, 11:00
Well said Joe Aquilina ST John....
Kenneth Cassar
Nov 27th 2009, 10:50
@ G Psaila:
He IS speaking for himself. He is giving his own opinion. Is there a problem with that?
G Psaila
Nov 27th 2009, 10:42
@Mr Aquilina-St John
"......too bad he did not wash OUR tongues as well!"
Speak for yourself please!
v zammit
Nov 27th 2009, 09:58
More to the point is that the inhabitants of Malta treated Paul and his men with unusual kindness and they made them all welcome. At first they thought he was a murderer (because of the viper incident) and then changed their mind and began to say he was a god (Acts 28, 1-6). The characteristic and extremities are all there, biblical if you wish.
Alfred Grech
Nov 27th 2009, 09:35
Joe, in fact in Acts 31:18 it states that St Paul took the venom out of the viper's tongue and put it in the Maltese people's tongue :))
Christian Sciberras
Nov 27th 2009, 09:34
Agreed. That's what I've always said.
A wooden cross doesn't do a difference. The deference is in its carrier.
Raphael Zammit
Nov 27th 2009, 09:23
@joe aquilina, i truly agree with you... but, the priest holding tightly on to the crucifix doesnt represent the catholic community, at least he did represent my views... I do not agree that the crucifix should be removed from our schools, when i was a boy i lived for 5 years in a non catholic community, but their signs and values never bothered me as long as i wasn't obliged to believe in them. I cannot understand why for a couple of people a whole nation has to oblige to their views... if you don't like europe the way it is i simply suggest you either leave or adapt. I wouldnt imagine telling turkey to remove their minarets because they are not in line with my views!!