Political Correctness Gone Mad
Hospitals in my home state of New South Wales (NSW) Sydney, Australia successfully treat and heal thousands of people every year, with patients and visitors of all faiths, finding solace in their Christian hospital chapels.
Differing faiths that attend these chapels have no trouble with the Christian icons on display, such as the crucifix, Bible and images of Christ, as so many share common ground with Christianity.
Unfortunately in the name of political correctness, judgement calls made to assist or protect people of different faiths can backfire, offending all faiths.
One such decision was recently made by one of Sydney’s leading Hospitals, which came under intense fire from all quarters for removing all religious icons from view within the Chapel because, as it was increasingly being used by people of a variety of faiths, they saw it as their way of “moving with the times” with a non-denominational chapel best suiting their needs.
In other words, fearing they would offend other faiths by displaying Christian icons, they had them removed. Better safe than sorry, I presume!
Considering the chapel has been in use by a multitude of faiths apparently without complaint since it was built in 1968 after being funded by Christians, whoever was responsible for making this decision has erred in judgement and shown themselves to be out of touch with the general consensus.
Even the leaders from the non-Christian sectors have come together and expressed their dismay at the decision in the media, whilst adding there were no requests from them for the religious icons to be removed, nor would they be offended to see images of the cross.
The sayings, “If it’s not broken, why fix it?” and “one sandwich short of a picnic” now comes to mind!
With news that some hospital chaplains fought hard to have the ruling overturned, the decision has incurred the wrath of Federal Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull who described it as “political correctness gone mad”; with the NSW Opposition and Shadow Minister for Health, Jillian Skinner adding that it was “bureaucratic madness”.
In response to overwhelming condemnation there is now a glimmer of hope on the horizon, as the New South Wales Government will now ask a public chaplaincy committee, made up of religious leaders from all faiths, to review this decision.
One hopes this fiasco doesn’t carry onto other hospitals to the detriment of the multitude of different faiths that now use hospital chapels to pray, to grieve and to give thanks.
To be continued…
Differing faiths that attend these chapels have no trouble with the Christian icons on display, such as the crucifix, Bible and images of Christ, as so many share common ground with Christianity.
Unfortunately in the name of political correctness, judgement calls made to assist or protect people of different faiths can backfire, offending all faiths.
One such decision was recently made by one of Sydney’s leading Hospitals, which came under intense fire from all quarters for removing all religious icons from view within the Chapel because, as it was increasingly being used by people of a variety of faiths, they saw it as their way of “moving with the times” with a non-denominational chapel best suiting their needs.
In other words, fearing they would offend other faiths by displaying Christian icons, they had them removed. Better safe than sorry, I presume!
Considering the chapel has been in use by a multitude of faiths apparently without complaint since it was built in 1968 after being funded by Christians, whoever was responsible for making this decision has erred in judgement and shown themselves to be out of touch with the general consensus.
Even the leaders from the non-Christian sectors have come together and expressed their dismay at the decision in the media, whilst adding there were no requests from them for the religious icons to be removed, nor would they be offended to see images of the cross.
The sayings, “If it’s not broken, why fix it?” and “one sandwich short of a picnic” now comes to mind!
With news that some hospital chaplains fought hard to have the ruling overturned, the decision has incurred the wrath of Federal Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull who described it as “political correctness gone mad”; with the NSW Opposition and Shadow Minister for Health, Jillian Skinner adding that it was “bureaucratic madness”.
In response to overwhelming condemnation there is now a glimmer of hope on the horizon, as the New South Wales Government will now ask a public chaplaincy committee, made up of religious leaders from all faiths, to review this decision.
One hopes this fiasco doesn’t carry onto other hospitals to the detriment of the multitude of different faiths that now use hospital chapels to pray, to grieve and to give thanks.
To be continued…
19 comments - care to make one?:
Total load of bollocks!
"Political Correctness" is just PC-speak for some idiot somewhere making these decisions without a brain to call his/her own!
Oh, your insightful article. :)
Health informationHumor & Fun World
Hi Jayne! "Total load of bollocks", you hit the nail on the head with that remark.
Take Care,
Peter
Hi Skywind and thank you. Take Care, Peter
Peter:
I am so angry about this PC movement (worldwide) that I can hardly respond to your post. Even over here where we supposedly have the model of free speech and due process, it's becoming a madhouse of political correctness. PC has literally permeated every phase of American society, from the privacy of our homes all the way to the highest levels of our government. I can't stand it.
You have a beautiful country, but I hear things on the news from time to time that lead me to believe that your future is in trouble. Australian culture seems to be going down the same path as the rest of us - disappearing into thin air. It's the with all western societies, France, Germany, England...and so on.
It seems to me that there is widespread hatred for Christians and Christian values. Every Christian icon, everywhere, just like you hospital, is under attack to be removed so that they cannot be seen - even accidentally. It doesn't make sense.
Hang in there.
Hi Peter!
Well, after the climb it's all down hill from there. First, I believe that everyone has the right to choose what they follow.
That said, Most of the hospital chapels I've been to around here are non-denominational. They are literally a darkened room with benches and a podium--not very comforting at all. You would not know it was a chapel if it weren't for the sign on the doors. Personally I don't mine looking at icons I don't follow.
I'm tired of hearing about demands. You know, these come from people who never do anything but rule from an armchair.
Try to have a good day.
Hi Swubird. For someone who states they can hardly respond to this perplexing matter, you have certainly said quite a lot; thank you.
You're not the only one cranky, as it has been reported that a Catholic priest has taken offense with the hospitals decision by returning to the alter the Bible and cross for the recent Good Friday celebrations.
PC has its place when it acts on what the majority want, but the Hospital in this case has got it wrong as clearly, going by all reports and comments I've read in the media, the persons they are trying to protect are not offended whatsoever by the placement of the christian icons within this chapel.
So why did they enforce this poor directive? A: It appears they have presumed too much and ended up with egg on their face!
Actions like this one make minority groups vulnerable to hate campaigns as reported in one newspaper here, "The Daily Telegraph": religious leaders fear "The decision to ban Christian symbols in the Royal North Shore Hospital chapel could incite rage against other faiths".
Going on today's violence here and around the world this decision could make things worse and that's the last thing we want right now.
Take Care,
Peter
Hi The Muse. I believe people take comfort and gain strength in seeing the icons in chapels, as they remind them of what matters most in a time of need.
Yes, whoever you follow is found all around you, but still, seeing your religious symbols in a place of worship adds that extra boost that is needed.
If it does that, why get rid of them? Let's hope they overturn this ridiculous decision.
Take Care,
Peter
Hey Peter,
LOL I loved the Einstein image LOL...he is (or rather, you are) right!
Now, about this article: very interesting indeed!
As you know, I am not a Christian. But I have no issues whatsoever with entering in a place with Christian icons; for I enter peaceful places to talk to God and not to mind the icons. God is everywhere.
Yet, I know some Christian groups that would not enter a Catholic church, or a Buddhist temple, because they would find it an offense to their faith (since those places have icons which is considered idolatry) *nodding*. I think it is ridiculous. If one is in need of talking to God, and it bears Him in its heart, icons and which religion that place represents the most should not matter.
Plus, why would the Western countries retrieve Christian icons from their chapels? If we go to other countries where other faiths prevail, they will not retrieve their symbols and icons because of us - and they don't have to. God is everywhere.
I agree with the opposition leader "Political correctness gone mad" indeed!
Peter, excellent! It is the only word that comes to mind to describe this post!
Cheers
Hi Peter,
I'm dead against all this haggling for the "best" portrayal of God. God is God, and all the cultural symbols really point to the same "Greater Power." So why do we need to quibble about it? Or what's worse: make war?
I agree that PC has run amuck. Let's all be tolerant and embracing in our lives. Morality is the bottom line, not a particular belief system!
Hope you are well and all healed, Peter.
Peter, excellent post again. You know this actually makes me angry. We have same issue here, like there was once objection how the Christmas tree is going to be called, prayers are being removed from public schools. The difference between your people, and my people is that they actually want us to do this. Sad, sad ....things are changing I guess. Anna :)
PC sucks, never did like it, since I like to say what I mean, not what I think I should say, I have never been Politically Correct, reminds me too much of life sucking vampire idiot politicians, which I despise,lol.
Remove the Christian icons of the hospital from which the majority of patients draw their strength from, I'd be saying "BITE ME" don't like the icons go down the road mac!!
Hi Max! Einstein and Socrates seem to be my best two buddies lately. Odd though, considering I'm so dull!
You and I and I'm sure thousands, perhaps millions like us, have no problem whatsoever with entering places of worship alien to us.
To remove the icons as they have, is religious censorship at its worst. Yes, they have excuses but all of them are poor and misguided.
The free thinking worshippers have had the rug pulled from under them by the narrow-minded who are totally out of touch with the real world and apparently hell bent on thinking for us which they have no right to.
Take Care,
Peter
Hi Lynda! Yes, you're quite right, why quibble about it! Just put it back as it was and all this drama will be at an end.
Unfortunately the trouble this has caused may be enough to turn people away from entering this place of worship. Now, how sad is that?
Take Care,
Peter
Hi Anna and thank you! It's making thousands of Aussies angry too! What are they thinking by removing religious traditions hundreds of years old.
Brave men and woman have fought and died in order to uphold and keep these traditions. To have them removed like this is enough to make us all cringe in disbelief.
Take Care,
Peter
Hi Bob! I couldn't have put it better. Yes indeed, PC sucks! On that, we might pass the hat around to get you over here to set them straight. Oh! Don't forget to bring your camera. I'll supply the telescope!
Take Care,
Peter
Hi Peter!
"Einstein and Socrates seem to be my best two buddies lately. Odd though, considering I'm so dull!"
You are nothing of the sort! I find you extremely interesting and fun! :D
"To remove the icons as they have, is religious censorship at its worst. Yes, they have excuses but all of them are poor and misguided."
I couldn't agree more with you! Apparently, nowadays, it is chic to practice religious censorship under the flag of politically correct *nodding*. What is it with some politicians and religion? Leave it alone!
"The free thinking worshippers have had the rug pulled from under them by the narrow-minded who are totally out of touch with the real world and apparently hell bent on thinking for us which they have no right to."
Hear, Hear!! Just the other day I was telling someone that once we vote for politicians, that is it...we cease to have a voice, because they do and say things that go against our personal convictions - and then all we can do is to be sorry for having voted for that representative *nodding*. It is sad...
Take care, my friend...
Hi Max and thank you for the vote of confidence!
There is no "elegance by virtue of being fashionable" in this case as all and sundry, including the pollies, over here are up in arms over this issue.
To date, I have failed to find a single mind that agrees with what they have done!
You would think this would be enough to do away with the current inquiry and to return the chapel back as it was, and to put the money that it will cost to far better use.
Take Care,
Peter
you don't have to be Einstein to work out that he was a Socialist; but it helps if you've evolved past the Neanderthal stage
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