Free speech

The issue of free speech raised its head big time this week with the statement made by Israel Folau suggesting gays being destined for ‘‘hell’’.

This of course is a topic that is highly controversial and will have views in support or otherwise on both sides of the discussion. We have already seen a number of high profile personalities line up to state their views about Folau’s statement.

This is a good thing as this should not be an occasion for suppression of free speech which unfortunately in our daily lives we are now seeing more of.

We have not heard the last of this matter and as more public statements are made it is important that the media strike a balance that does not infer any bias that might undermine or deter a citizens right to free speech.

The role and responsibility of the media to make sure this issue is reported in an evenly balanced way encompassing all sides of the debate cannot be overstated.

Poetry, said Auden, makes nothing happen. The same is true of newspaper columns. I know so. For I’ve written several thousand of them and they’ve had much the same influence on the world as clearing my throat has – and the gentleman at the back saying that’s how they read may sit down.

This week, however, I happened to go into town and saw a sight that made me wonder whether, perhaps, just for once … but let me begin at that ever-popular location the beginning.

After the earthquakes of 2011, the centre of Christchurch was cordoned off. Because I could no longer go there I lost interest in what happened there and to the debate about how to rebuild it I contributed nothing.

When the authorities asked for submissions and suggestions, I neither submitted nor suggested. In my apathy I chose to take no part in the political life of the city, and thus became what the Ancient Greeks called an idiot.

So, though it may seem to me, from my recent wander though the rebuild, that the new city centre will be substantially uglier than the old one, I amin no position to criticise.

And though it may seem to me that every developer has hired the same architectural firm, to wit Messrs Bland, Korprut, Krohm and Glasse, I amin no position to criticise. And though it may seem to me that the rebuild lacks a single bold idea for the people to grasp and cleave to, I amin no position to criticise. And though it may further seem to me that having been given a chance to create something startling, fresh and distinctive, Christchurch is now in the process of failing to take that chance, well, I amstill in no position to criticise.

But then I turned on to Worcester St, looked up and and saw a sight that made my heart sing like a lark. It was the cathedral.

Now, my record of being rude about religious organisations is, I