Answer is simple if you follow the example of Jesus
“Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone.” Jesus’ example tells me we can be both personally merciful in protecting the vulnerable from self-righteous bullying, and also challenge people to “go, and sin nor more” (“Progressive Anglicans ‘devastated’ by church split”, August 18). As I remain in the Anglican Church of Australia, and also support those in the new diocese of the Southern Cross, in this Jesus will be my benchmark. Sandy Grant, Anglican Dean of Sydney
The idea the diocese of the Southern Cross and Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) supporters have moved “beyond classical Anglicanism” is laughable. There are few things more classically Anglican than believing that marriage is between a male and a female. We could also point to GAFCON member’s views on the Bible, the atonement and the resurrection. Those critical of Richard Condie and Glenn Davies need to look in the mirror and ask, who moved? Nigel Fortescue, Senior Minister Christ Church St Ives
I am a woman and therefore not entitled to teach men about God’s word, at least not in the Anglican diocese of Sydney. Therefore, I am wrong in believing that Jesus welcomed all who came to Him. So is it a fact that a person created neither wholly male nor wholly female means that that person was not created by God? I remain a Christian and I continue to worship in a Sydney Anglican Church. Jennifer Blackman, Wentworthville
While some Anglicans may be upset by the latest split, it is somehow reassuring to see the tradition of Christian schisms is alive and well. A tradition which history tells us started immediately after the crucifixion. The Christian Encyclopedia estimates there are now about 34,500 separate Christian churches. So, well done, Southern Cross Anglicans, there’s now 34,501. Keep up the good work, guys – and keep those women and “others” at bay. Brian Haisman, Winmalee
As clinical social worker, I have researched the effects of evangelical Christianity on people’s lives, and I agree that there is immense pain for the LGBTQI community whenever an Anglican speaks.
The mental health implications are immense. There is a tragically high rate of suicide among Christians who identify as LGBTQI, and this “line in the sand” that defines their relationships as being intrinsically sinful will only make this worse.
When I was a member of a Sydney Anglican church, I was told that quelling the issue of women in leadership was just the thin end of the wedge. The main problem was always seen as extinguishing both queer identity and relationships, both understood as major threats to traditional male authority and control. Josie McSkimming, Coogee
Disaster management needs urgent attention
As someone who lives just metres away from the Tweed River, which experiences many minor floods, we rely on the internet to give us advance warning of increasing river heights further upstream so we can plan to pack up our cars and leave in good time (“Overwhelmed SES turned off system logging calls for help during record event,” August 18).
In the major floods earlier this year, there was a total failure of the local internet and mobile phone towers leading up to the flood. This was the main cause of so many families being trapped in their homes in the middle of the night – they had no access to critical river height information.
This was not a one off failure, it happened with the floods from Cyclone Oswald in 2013 and Cyclone Debbie in 2017. Local residents are reliant upon an emergency information system that has repeatedly failed in moderately adverse conditions. This failure should be given top priority by any task force aiming to reduce loss of life and property from floods in the Northern Rivers and elsewhere. Tony Snellgrove, Tumbulgum
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It is horrifying to learn that our State Emergency Service was so overwhelmed by calls for assistance during the recent floods that it “turned off its job deployment system in some areas”. Something is rotten indeed in NSW. Kerrie Wehbe, Blacktown
The premier is correct in expressing his concerns about future floodplain development in the Hawkesbury/Nepean region (“Up to 40,000 residents risk flood by 2040”, August 18). It is what he doesn’t say that needs to be considered. Each new house built in flood-prone land represents an extra future cost to the broader community through the requirement of additional mitigation works, land swaps and buybacks. In addition, the establishment of precedents will have ramifications for those areas threatened by climate change-induced sea level rise, unacceptable risk from wildfires and even areas rendered unlivable due to prolonged drought. Roger Epps, Armidale
It’s difficult to understand the continuing pressure to raise Warragamba Dam, because doing so won’t stop the flood plain from flooding. The Nepean, Grose, Colo and other rivers and streams are not caught by the dam and will, especially with more extreme rain events expected, cause the same flooding as we have recently seen, or worse.
Current estimates put the cost of raising the wall at $1.4 billion which, as with most major projects, would probably end up at well over $2 billion. It would also take many years to build. The sensible thing to do is to cease all flood plain development and use the money to relocate existing homes from the flood plain. There is no time to waste. John Burke, Wahroonga
First step to equality
Oh, that I could write as clearly as Teela Reid (“Turnbull never was the referendum messiah”, August 18). I see now that the referendum question of supporting a First Nations’ Voice is a first step, not last. I liken it to white women gaining suffrage in 1902 being the first step on our continuing journey to equality. Jenny Forster, Manly
Back from the dead
Plans to genetically resurrect the thylacine sends a false promise that should a species go extinct there’s no need to worry because scientists can bring it back (“Furry tails or science?” , August 17). The problem is that humans and other invasive species now dominate the world once needed by thylacines. Whatever might emerge from the lab really has no hope in the wild now.
More importantly, the demise of the thylacine has long carried an important message about the impacts of humans on the natural world. Should de-extinction succeed, conservation will become a toothless tiger. No amount of human impact on the natural world will matter any more if extinction isn’t forever. Prof Peter Banks and Prof Dieter Hochuli, The University of Sydney
Early education
It is of vital importance that we understand the absolute necessity of high-quality early education and care as the underpinning foundation of all calls to stimulate women’s workforce participation (“Childcare crisis hitting productivity”, August 16). No woman will feel comfortable and empowered to make their best contribution to their working day if they are not totally confident that their child is receiving high-quality early education and care. Shortfalls in the early education and care field will remain (and worsen) if the field continues to be undervalued and underpaid. Their efforts are vital to the future of our Australian community. I would frequently say to my students – you will never be paid what you are worth, but you play a large part in shaping the future of all of our citizens – whether they be doctors, solicitors, nurses, teachers, retail staff or cleaners. Donna Busuttil, Bass Hill
Shame on Swans supporters
In the light of the booing and abuse of Collingwood footballer Jack Ginnivan at the SCG on Sunday, Sydney Swans’ coach John Longmire’s call to supporters to show respect for AFL players is a welcome intercession in the ongoing vilification of this teenager by supporters and the media alike (‘Respect all players’: Longmire speaks out on Ginnivan booing”, August 17).
Swan’s supporters in particular should be thoroughly ashamed of their behaviour given it was exactly that sort of boorish victimisation that drove their champion Adam Goodes prematurely from the game he loved. John Pick, Cremorne
Cancel culture
I join your correspondents in supporting Richard Flanagan and Salman Rushdie on the importance of freedom of ideas, and total condemnation of the brutal attack on Rushdie (Letters, August 18). However, suggesting that cancel culture is more generally practised by the left “while the right uses it to disparage the extreme left’s despotic tendencies” lacks some balance. There are some on the so-called left who are censorious, but it wasn’t the left which traditionally sought to prevent blasphemy or unpatriotic utterances, banned serious literary works like Joyce’s Ulysses and Lawrence’s Lady Chatterley’s Lover, prosecuted Oz magazine, hounded Yassmin Abdel-Magied out of Australia with vile abuse and threats, denied a visa to Chelsea Manning and prosecutes whistle-blowers. Al Svirskism, Mount Druitt
Pop poets
I have no wish to re-ignite the perennial discussion as to whether writers of pop songs can be considered poets, Con Vaitsas, but seriously, Chuck Berry (Letters, Aug 18)? If you want literary excellence, try John Keats. For heartbreaking insights, read Emily Dickinson. John Christie, Oatley
Nowhere to play
“Go outside and play!” a mantra heard years ago by most children; a time when children ran home after school to play and usually outside until called in to tea (Letters, August 18). One wonders, as Cat Stevens sings, with the fashion for large houses sporting small manicured lawns, “Where do the children (of today) play?” Patricia Slidziunas, Woonona
Double bogey
You can forgive Saudi Arabia’s appalling record on women’s rights (“Saudi activist gets record 34 years in jail for critical tweets”, August 18) as they are doing a great job with world golf.
Geoff Teys, Chippendale
Proudly pedantic
Your correspondent applauds Melbourne company Akaysha for making grid-scale batteries (Letters, August 17). Ten out of ten for saving the planet, but the spelling makes me grind my teeth. Am I alone in my pedantry? If so, I am prepared to be secretary and to hold every role in Pedants Unite (thanks for the idea, Scott Morrison). I shall never surrender. Eva Elbourne, Pennant Hills
The digital view
Online comment from one of the stories that attracted the most reader feedback yesterday on smh.com.au
Twiggy Forrest drove first humanitarian grain shipment out of Ukraine
From Yossarian: ″So nice to read a positive story about this tragedy for a change and to see a billionaire doing something really, genuinely practical and helpful with all his resources. Twiggy is really earning and building a reputation as a solid, good guy.″
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