Sacred text hijacked by nationalism

A major bank over the Anzac week offered fundraising $10 crosses under a quotation, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s country”.

The quote probably references John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends”. The original Greek word phı´los relates to someone dearly loved (prized) in a personal, intimate way; a trusted confidant, held dear in a close bond of personal affection.

1 John 3:16 has a similar quote “By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers”. The Greek word for brother relates to a member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. There is no “country” here.

Sacred texts are frequently subject to agendas; “thou shalt not kill”, is now preferably translated as “thou shalt not commit murder”. The hijacking of sacred text is a profoundly dangerous practice. Nationalism is a toxic, poisonous plant, that grows particularly well under holy watering.

The Herald’s Anzac Day editorial linking a mindless national service to modern resolves of “answering its call” is not helpful to world peace

Russell Hoban, Ponsonby.