Religious texts of any faith can’t ever be above the law

When it comes to quoting religious texts, the government should be concerned not just with Islamic and Jewish writings (“Hate speech law’s religious text exemptions anger Jews, Coalition”, January 14). There are many unpleasant verses in John’s gospel regarding the “Jews”, not to mention Matthew 27:25, which has been used to blame Jews for the crucifixion of Jesus. The verses in John were used for centuries by practicing Christians to denigrate Jewish people, something that ceased only relatively recently. My point is simply this: Ancient texts, including the Koran, the Torah and the Bible, need to be read in their historical context and should not be seen as coming directly from the mouth of God. Were the prime minister’s proposed exemption missing from the law, then one could imagine a legal case against the reading of the gospel in churches. Peter Brown, Darlinghurst

Yes, prime minster, we’ve read the Old Testament. Like every religious text, it’s littered with get-out clauses for hate speech and worse: kill witches (Ex 22:18); kill adulterers (Lev 20:10); kill blasphemers (Lev 24:14); kill false prophets (Zech 13:3); kill fortune-tellers (Lev 20:27); kill non-Hebrews (Deut 20:16); kill sons of sinners (Isaiah 14:21); kill gays (Lev 20:13); kill anyone who curses God (Lev 24:16); kill disobedient children (Mark 7:10); kill non-virgin brides (Deut 22:21); kill those who worship the wrong god (Num 25:1-9); kill anyone who kills anyone (Lev 24:17). There should be no religious exemptions for hate speech. Phil Bradshaw, Naremburn

It seems both Islamic and Jewish groups object to Anthony Albanese’s proposed hate speech laws. The rules are devilishly tricky to write, which is why they have been kicked like a can down the road for years. Might I suggest representatives of all religious groups, plus LGBTQI, immigrant and any other interested parties, be locked in a room to agree on a draft, while the government and press indulge in some thumb-twiddling. Neville Turbit, Russell Lea

Albanese’s responses to the media about hate speech exclusions was clumsily worded, but the fact remains that if quoting the Old Testament was excluded from the law, then Jews, Christians and Muslims could direct hate speech at any number of people. Hate speech is hate speech, even when it comes from a religious text. Alynn Pratt, Grenfell

How can you exempt religions from hate speech laws when so much hate speech stems from fundamentalist interpretation of religion? It is high time we stopped letting any religion think it was above the law. Renata Ratzer, Seaford

Calm in a storm

I applaud fellow Jew Dr Max Kaiser’s calm approach and clear thinking in the midst of current polemics (“As a Jew I need answers, not the stifling of free speech”, January 14). Criticism of Israel or the political movement Zionism is not antisemitism. Zionism is not Judaism/Jewishness. Israel does not represent all Jews everywhere. No community (in Australia) can feel safe unless all communities feel safe. Finally, on the matter of our threatened free speech, George Orwell had it right: “If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.” Dr Les Schmalzbach, Potts Point

Having done stints on a kibbutz and a moshav in the 1970s, I have long held an active interest in the politics of the region. The horror of October 7, the devastation of Gaza, tensions in the West Bank and Netanyahu’s policies have made for difficult dialogue with my long-standing Jewish friends, both here in Sydney and the US. I highly commend Max Kaiser for a truly refreshing precis on antisemitism and the dangers surrounding the frames of reference and execution of the royal commission into antisemitism. I believe those concerns were very real for Anthony Albanese, who rightly paused before launching into it. Let’s get the politics out of this fraught issue and tread warily to prevent what could easily become an unedifying spectacle. Bruce Hall, Avalon

An interesting article by Max Kaiser argues the need for free speech in a healthy society. The problem we face, however, especially government leaders, is keeping vulnerable groups safe. Bondi showed that not everyone is safe from hate and extremism. I feel for premiers like Chris Minns and Peter Malinauskas who are in the front line, and even hold some concern for PM Albanese, who has come to the table late. The job of any leader is to keep their citizens safe – and that’s what they are trying to do. Vivienne Parsons, Thornleigh

What a terrific article by Max Kaiser. It covered my worries and I agree with it completely – anti-racism must apply to all groups and singling one out will be very divisive. Time to take a public stance. Jan Garlick, Sylvania

Nationals off target

It’s surprising that the Nationals oppose tightening gun laws (“Nationals and Joyce differ on gun laws”, January 14). Exemptions will be provided for gun use in rural communities, as is appropriate. You would think the Nationals would support the legislation, given it’s directed at limiting the number of guns in our cities and suburbs, where it should be the exception for someone to own a gun, and to increase community safety. The Nationals’ opposition seems to be based on the right to bear arms philosophy rather than community safety. Paul McGee, Cranebrook

It is astonishing that we’re even having a public debate over the proposed strengthening of gun laws. To emphasise that point, the new proposals must be on the right track if people such as David Littleproud and Barnaby Joyce are opposed to them. Tony Doyle, Fairy Meadow

Good riddance

I wish the press would stop talking about the neo-Nazis, who are more about show than strength (“Neo-Nazi group to disband to escape jail ahead of crackdown”, January 14). They are just a group of disaffected young men who talk the talk but don’t walk the walk. They are now disbanded and I am sure ASIO will keep an eye on them. They take pride in getting into the news, so please stop giving them oxygen. John Rome, Mt Lawley, WA

Diplomatic credentials

Surely Joe Hockey cannot be serious (“Peter Dutton for DC posting? Joe Hockey says it’s a no-brainer”, January 14). Peter Dutton has not earned the right to represent Australia as Ambassador to the United States. Ambassadors are required to be non-partisan and represent the Australian government. Dutton’s ministerial roles hardly covered him in glory, his divisiveness as opposition leader saw him lose his seat and he opposed just about everything the government supported. His policy credentials are non-existent. Donald Trump didn’t even know who Dutton was when he was opposition leader.
Geoff Nilon, Mascot

I am at a loss to understand why an ambassador has to be a retired politician (“PM weighs up names to replace Rudd in DC”, January 14). I am aware we have career diplomats who could well serve as ambassadors. These appointments have become far too political and look like jobs for the boys.
Robyn Lewis, Raglan

How refreshing it would be if the prime minister appoints an experienced career diplomat to the key role of ambassador to the United States of America, you know, someone professionally trained in the art of diplomacy.
Frederika Steen, Chapel Hill

I suggest the prime minister seek out a suitable candidate for ambassador to Washington who has successfully raised a petulant and disruptive child.
Barry Lamb, Eastwood

End the marriage

I’m sure I’m not alone in seeing a little irony in Trump’s protestations and threats recently delivered to the authorities in Iran (“Iran protests: Trump says ‘help’ on way”, January 14). Certainly, the number of protesters reported killed in the USA is lower than in Iran, but the principle is exactly the same. Both represent the repression of free speech in very violent ways. Trump’s masked ICE agents differ little from the religious zealots of Iran’s ayatollahs. Perhaps there is a minor sliver of difference in that Trump is, at least in part, motivated by attempting to distract the people of America from his own mendacity and lack of morality, while the Iranian theocracy is driven by what is essentially religious bigotry. It really is time for Australia’s government to at least start to examine disengagement from the hitherto sycophantic following of America in adventures which have usually ended badly for the junior partner – Australia. William Hardy, Cumbalum

It’s excruciating watching Trump destroy the United States, but his egregious behaviour around the world demands action. Sadly, our government is too entangled with the US to employ boycotts as it did with Russia when it invaded Ukraine. But we citizens can. I have already stopped buying most imports due to the negative effects of transport on the environment. This has helped reduce my purchases of American goods, but I am becoming more diligent about not knowingly contributing to the US economy. Think globally, act locally. Marilyn Lebeter, Smiths Creek

People being shot in the streets. No legal recourse. Mad leader who thinks they are always right. USA or Iran? Take your pick. Philip Dowle, Wickham

Climate commitment lacking

One of the disturbing features of the catastrophic weather events that have happened in the past week – heatwaves and deadly bushfires in Victoria and massive flooding and cyclones in Queensland – is how rarely the media links them to climate change. Samantha Selinger-Morris’ article is one of the few exceptions (“‘Climate whiplash’ is our new normal”, January 13). Nothing makes it clearer than comments by David Bowman, professor of pyrogeography and fire science at the University of Tasmania, who said that “we’re absolutely certain” that the climate is changing because of increased greenhouse gas pollution. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is recalling parliament early to deal with hate speech and gun law reform, which is understandable given the tragic loss of lives at Bondi, but where is his government’s sense of urgency on climate change, which for many Australians will be the most serious issue they face in their lifetimes? Where is Labor’s commitment to a “climate trigger” in our environmental protection laws? And where are the joint press conferences by the PM and Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen, not only extending sympathy and support to victims of the fires and floods, but also reminding all Australians of the “diabolical” and “escalating” role of climate change in these catastrophic events? Rob Firth, Red Hill (ACT)

Excellent news that coal power use is in decline across much of the globe (“‘Historic’ coal power fall in both China and India”, January 14). As Australians suffer ever more bushfires, floods and heatwaves, this dirty, climate‑heating fossil fuel that kills thousands every year should already be consigned to the past. Yet, our government has just approved another coal mine extension in Queensland to operate until 2039. This is a baffling and reckless decision that defies science, common sense and the lived reality of millions of Australians. Shame. Amy Hiller, Kew (Vic)

Correspondent Dick Clarke writes of the difference between controlled burns and wildfires (Letters, January 14), but there was a period before human arrival in Australia during which most of our unique plants and animals evolved. They haven’t significantly changed in the last 65,000 years. In the pre-human period the only source of fire would have been lightning (and infrequent volcanic activity) during dry periods, with the possibility that those fires were at times large and intense. Unfortunately, humans have contributed to a drying Australia and provided significantly greater sources of fire, particularly in the last 250 years. We can’t use Aboriginal models of burning to save us in an increasingly deteriorating climate, which is primarily the responsibility of modern humans.
Neil Reckord, Gordon (ACT)

Racquet abuse

Billie Eder makes some pertinent points in her article about the bad behaviour and meltdowns of tennis players (“We love to hate a tantrum, but where would tennis be without them?” January14). While the racquet abuse, the swearing and umpire and spectator criticism might make headlines and be a focus of the media, for most lovers of the sport this behaviour is gross and embarrassing. Fines issued to curb such behaviour mean diddly squat to players earning millions of dollars a year from prize money and lucrative endorsements. Remember the golden era of tennis in the 50s, 60s and early 70s? Can anyone imagine the likes of Laver, Rosewall, Emerson, Court or Goolagong destroying racquets or inviting the crowd to “kiss my arse”? Call me old-fashioned, but give me good manners and sportsmanship over tantrums and petulance any day. Robert Hickey, Green Point

Rabbit habit

Influencers have shown us that slogans encourage new behaviours. I suggest that to solve the rabbit problem we use the slogan “make eating rabbit a habit”, and encourage those keen shooters who want to hold on to their guns to shoot rabbits for the sake of the nation (“Australia defenceless against feral rabbit boom”, January 12). Helen Bersten, Lindfield

Dog in a million

To Richard Glover, it was with great sadness that I read about the death of your precious friend, Clancy (“Goodbye to a brave, sweet soul who taught me the meaning of character”, January 14). With all that is just horrific on this planet at present, it was this news that caused me to shed tears. I so enjoyed the columns written by Clancy. I have just acquired an eight-week-old pup and am starting the journey again for the sixth time, knowing that the joy of companionship outweighs the sadness of eventual separation. My thoughts are with you. Pam Ayling, West Pennant Hills

I was saddened to read of the death of Richard Glover’s beloved kelpie, Clancy. Dreary Saturday mornings were often uplifted by reading Clancy’s first-person (dog) accounts of his master’s misadventures. Clancy’s literary style was so unique that I suspect some of Glover’s other Herald columns were, in fact, Clancy plagiarisms. Col Burns, Lugarno

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