Someone sent a letter to a friend so as to be 'funny' yet at the same time to highlight the danger such ideas can be - and - how so very easily such words could destroy a person if directed to someone for malicious purposes.
The letter is a "spoof" and meant to highlight 'nonsense', and therefore, it needs to be taken in such a manner, but nonetheless it carries a greater truth.
The spoof letter started this way:
"I wanted to send some sort of holiday greeting to my friends and colleagues, but it is difficult in today's world to know exactly what to say without offending someone. So I met with my lawyer yesterday, and on this advice I wish to say the following:"
This first part of the 'spoof letter' illustrates "for a man to pay a compliment to a woman in the work place, one's lawyer being present might be a good idea".
I recall in 1992 when Melbourne was in the hunt for hosting the 1996 Olympic Games (which was ultimately won by Atlanta) I met with Melbourne's Heads of Churches representatives to explore the possibilities of a broad Church Olympic outreach.
One denominational representative was a female member of Clergy whose sole aim it appeared was to ensure that every sentence uttered was exclusive of all non-feminist non-sexiest language. Seeing men and women, boys and girls won to Jesus for Salvation was not on this member of Clergy's agenda. This attitude frightened me and I noted in my journal - "the fear of public attack and ridicule this woman bought to that meeting. It forced 'Salvation' as a secondary issue."
It was a culture shock, as I, a national ministry leader, found myself in an unquantifiable battlefield as this agenda over arched everything else. I felt that from my perspective, it's effect was to curtail evangelism as it might well deter and put-off well-meaning and otherwise effective evangelists. It wasn't the Christianity I recognised.
The letter continued:
"Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non-addictive, gender neutral celebration of the summer solstice holiday practised with the most enjoyable traditions of religious persuasion or secular practices of your choice with respect for the religious/secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practise religious or secular traditions at all."
This convoluted sentence champions the non-committal nonsense that is required in this very dangerous situation where there are those who would wish to see any expression of Christian evangelism in the public arena sent to Coventry (as it were).
Not until you see it in this light do you begin to understand the nature of fear, when saying anything at all meaningful.
It is becoming even more evident from this the difficulty anyone has in making sensible yet critical analysis of Islam.
The letter again continues:
"I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar 'new year', but not without due respect for the calendar of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make our country great (not to imply that Australia is necessarily greater than any other country) and without regard to the race, creed, colour, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishee."
This demonstrates what we have got ourselves into by having to make such platitudes to protect ourselves from egregious and combative opponents to common sense and the function of good-will.
In conclusion the letter states:
"By accepting this greeting, you are accepting these terms: This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for her/him or others and is void where prohibited by law, and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher. The wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year or until the issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher."
Led on a dangerous path
The "spoof" is just that, it's ridiculous and silly, but it nonetheless illustrates a greater truth, that Australians by common consent and with the support of the legislators and the judiciary need to put "such-as-this" behind them.
There is need for "freedom and protection of our life style". The nation enjoys its well-being but the threat of being constrained at every quarter is ever present. At least there are some media and political people speaking for the majority of the nation.
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html