News from New Zealand

A national statement (whatever that is) was released which says that New Zealand has no state religion. The response from some religious groups has been ... odd.

At the weekend Destiny Church and Vision Network of evangelical churches expressed outrage that the statement said there was no state religion.

What is there to be outraged about? As the Commissioner for Race Relations pointed out, this 'outrageous' statement about NZ not having a state religion is not some new law. It's just a statement about the way things are.

...the State seeks to treat...all faith communities and those who profess no religion equally before the law. New Zealand has no state religion.

"It's a statement of fact as far as I know."

I can't be the only one who is puzzled by the reaction. Where is the outrageous bit? Were the evangelicals so ignorant of law that they thought NZ did have a state religion? Maybe they are outraged that the groups consulted when drafting the statement included Rationalists and Humanists. Ouch.

I suppose the evangelical churches could be outraged because they don't want to tolerate and respect the human rights of other religions, or of non-religious people, but to suggest such a thing would be unkind, and probably intolerant, so I won't.

But that's not all! The evangelicals are not the only ones objecting to this statement, and this story made me sit up straight and go, "Eh?"

Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims at a national forum in Hamilton yesterday all objected to the word "tolerance" in a draft National Statement on Religious Diversity.

(That's the bit where I said, "Eh?")

This statement came from a Buddhist:

Ms Buchanan said: "Tolerance is a low virtue. I don't want to be tolerated, I want to be respected and understood. Tolerance is what I do when I have a sore tooth."

Oh, I see. She has a point, don't you think? Well, except for the tooth bit. (Is it only me? When I have a sore tooth I don't tolerate it. I go to the dentist.) But aside from that, I think she is right, and I have decided to demand respect and understanding, too. NZers should be instructed to respect and understand ME. And if you insist on placing me in some sort of group (because you have to have a group to be respected and understood, or even tolerated, apparently), WE EXPATS demand to be respected and understood. There should be special classes at school just so that children can learn all about how wonderful expats are so that we can get the respect and understanding we are entitled to. We're sick of going home, telling people about our marvelous adventures, and seeing eyes glaze over. It isn't fair.

Yes, that's what I want, I mean, demand, because haven't you noticed? NOBODY RESPECTS ME! IT'S SUBTLE, BUT I CAN TELL, YOU SNEAKY KIWIS YOU! I SAW YOUR FACES WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING. YOU PRETEND TO BE NICE BUT UNDERNEATH YOU DON'T RESPECT ME! I DEMAND RESPECT. OH, AND UNDERSTANDING, TOO. AND WHILE YOU'RE ABOUT IT, LOVE! YES! I DEMAND TO BE LOVED!

And if you want to know why I am entitled to these things, I have an answer ready.

BECAUSE.

It's all the answer you're entitled to.