Christian faith should be recognised at hospital

CHRISTIANOPHOBIA is alive and well in our city as witnessed by the SDHB’s decision to install a multifaith chapel in the new Dunedin Hospital in place of the existing Christian chapel (ODT, 6.10.20).

Doesn’t the project director, Hamish Brown, realise that the term ‘‘multifaith’’ is actually an oxymoron? Also, contrary to public opinion, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism and so on do not share the same deity.

That’s a fallacy. In fact, a Muslim would be highly offended if told his god was no different to the god of another religion.

I agree with the Rev Richard Dawson’s argument that the Christian church pioneered hospitals (with their chapels), as well as universities (including Otago’s) and orphanages. Does this heritage and service to the community mean nothing?

The first clause in the Magna Carta, which is enshrined both in English and New Zealand law, states: ‘‘The English Church shall be free, and shall have its rights undiminished, and its liberties unimpaired.’’

Alex Aitken

Woodhaugh

Dunedin Railways

HEAR, hear, John Farry. I agree with every word of his piece (Opinion, 12.10.20).

We must keep Dunedin Railways functional, and never sell off any of its assets. Any costs accrued in the current Covidmothballing would have a strong say to a good share, with pleasure, of my rates.

The only thing I’d add: Why not use the train for a reinstatement of the Mosgiel suburban service?

Whoever forms the next government would be, as I gather, in favour: explicitly from National’s Chris Bishop; and implicitly from Labour, whose aim to decarbonise public transport would be well served by electrification of this short route.

OK, Dunedin Railways would need to acquire an electric locomotive, but KiwiRail could come to that party with a vintage model.

R. Gardner

Waverley