Christchurch is a most excellent city - since I'm already looking for a job, I'm tempted to extend my search to include Christchurch.
However, I think Auckland is the place to be for now, especially since we have a child on the way, and the necessity for being in close proximity to parents is rather great.
It really is farcical to witness the red-in-the-face, spitting-in-your-face, failing-to-save-face responses to the front-page article in Saturday's NZ Herald. I am referring to this article from Monday's Herald, and these responses from a number of readers in today's Herald.
Most of the people who have expressed their opposition to Bishop Vercoe's statements have apparently done so in a knee-jerk, reactionary fashion and some, it seems have made little-to-no reference to the original article, and have simply taken the opportunity to leap up on their soap-box, and sing their same old song, at the top of their lungs, hoping to drown out the voice of reason.
Words like 'homophobia' have been directed at Bishop Vercoe. A phobia, by definition, is an irrational fear. Bishop Vercoe shows neither fear, nor irrationality.
The Bible, which just so happens to be the foundation document of Christianity, states in no uncertain terms (unless you're especially creative with your interpretation) that God is not pleased with homosexual behaviour. New Zealand's most senior representative of a Christian denomination would be a liar to advocate that which is plainly written against in the Bible. What do these people expect?
Also, its not as if Bishop Vercoe has the authority to dictate over the life of those in opposition to his statements. If you don't like what he says, or what he stands for, then stay away from the Anglican church - its that easy!
Witi Ihimaera issues a poorly conceived statement. One Herald reader picks up on this in her response as published yesteryear:
Maori author Witi Ihimaera, who is gay, said he was extremely saddened by Archbishop Vercoe's views: 'They were the sort of comments I would have expected to hear coming out of Noah's waka, and not from the head of the Anglican Church in New Zealand.If you take a step back, I think you'll see that the pro-homosexual movement are far from being an oppressed minority. I would venture to suggest, based on my observations, that it is they who are the oppressors - forcing their agenda into politics, education, health, and many other areas of our society, but violently opposing anyone who dares question them. Now tell me who is acting irrationally and in fear?
If the pairs of animals coming out of Noah's Ark were of the same sex, we would have been a bit stuck breeding subsequent generations. The archbishop's comments would have been quite in order after the Flood. - Jenny McKechnie, Hillsborough.
Ah well, it will all come out in the
