30 April 2013
I've noted in the past that "cultural sensitivity" is a breeding-ground for stupid, and it's being shown again in large doses at the moment.
In schools, people coming to speak - quite rightly - may not start with a prayer.
Unless they choose to recite a karakia, or prayer in Maori. No teacher, principal or school board would dare to try to take on the might of Maori power, no matter that a prayer is a prayer is a prayer, and entreating invisible entities to do something.
Here is a very good article on the process, which is an insidious erosion of New Zealand's secularity.
We have Sikhs who carry knives to school, while cycling without helmets; Maori who spout prayers and enforce changes of layout of State Highway 1, parents who remain unpunished for treating their child's fatal cancer with a battery-charger, and revered figures from NZ's sporting past touting mythical cures brought about by shoving a few magnets in your underlay.
As noted in the article, at a time when science can explain mysteries right through to invisible entities itself - dark matter - and CERN is unlocking the remaining secrets of the atom, it is absurd that people cling to these idiotic beliefs.
What is much worse, however, is granting them podiums and media coverage to reinforce the stupid.
The argument that science is cold and not "spiritual"* is a load of crap spouted by unimaginative, small-minded morons. Have they never looked outside at night and been awed by the splendour of the Milky Way? Have they never looked at APOD? Have they never taken a biology lesson exploring the beauty and wonder of life?
I actually pity the people who are unable to take solace in the beauty and art of nature and must conjure up an invisible sky-daddy for comfort. How depressingly sad that a universe of infinite proportions, variety, beauty and cruelty is not enough for them.
Copyright © Alan Charman