The People’s Letters Page

Here is this week’s People’s Letters Page…

Dear Editor,

The Humanists’ Association of Ireland asks that ‘the privileged position of religion in State-funded schools be removed’. (The People’s Letters May 5th)
It is well to remember that parents are the primary educators of their children as well as being major taxpayers in enabling state departments, including that of education to function.
The role of the State is essential but subordinate to that of parents and supplies the many requirements for the educational system to function which parents cannot provide themselves: schools, curriculum content, teacher training and so on.
Such provision is the same for religious instruction as well as for all other subjects. Irish history and culture is richly sourced in religious belief and inspiration as the 1916 Proclamation and the preamble to our Constitution attests.
In a broader context Irish Christian missionary involvement was a major contributor to the salving of and re-educating, religiously and secularly, a barbarously threatened European civilization in the 5th, 6thand 7th centuries. Having survived setbacks, our Christianly sourced missionary witness today, both lay and religious, in the most impoverished areas of the deprived world is one of which we are all justly proud.
This role involves them in the provision of schools and academic education as well as teaching culinary skills, midwifery capabilities and agricultural training projects.
This constant and truly humane support, often involving life-long commitment to those seen as their neighbours, is offered in the context of belief in all peoples’ God -given entitlement to equitable and just living conditions. Some of them have risked and lost their lives in hostile dictatorships in so doing.
Of course all the children of the nation need be accorded their educational rights. Perhaps the now highly successful gaelscoil movement, seeking party in education with the majority English languages ones, could be a template for those seeking a secularized schooling environment.

Colm Ó Tórna

Dear Editor,

The Darkness into Light events had a special resonance his year because we seem to be all making that journey. Months of lockdown, akin to a form of martial law, and the disturbing necessity to avoid our fellow human beings have pushed people to the limits of their endurance…or maybe beyond.
These dark times we’ve been living through must surely give way to brighter, happier days as we emerge from what has been a prolonged living nightmare.
For anyone already contemplating suicide this past year and a half must have been especially dark. With better days ahead, though, I believe there’s everything to live for.
No problem, no challenge, is worth ending one’s life. There’s always help and advice. Anyone who picks up the phone or talks to a trusted friend will find that the situation wasn’t nearly as insoluble as it seemed. There’s always a way out, a way back. No question about it.
Apart from finding a way out of the crux, dilemma, or adversity (whatever it was), staying alive has the merit of averting lifetimes of grief for those left behind.
In my opinion, one of the most powerful arguments for choosing life over death in any consideration of suicide is the testimony of people who have had near death experiences (NDEs) after unsuccessful suicide attempts.
NDEs are controversial in that people differ as to what they mean. Do we really cross to the “Other Side” and meet loved ones? Is it proof of a world elsewhere? Or is something else happening?
But what interests me is the fact that, according to research, the overwhelming majority of people attempting suicide who had an NDE were relieved to have survived. They became utterly convinced that life was, after all, worth living.
That leaves me thinking that suicide is not the best option, no matter what the problem might be, or however overpowering or irresolvable it might seem.
Soon, the stifling darkness of the Covid era will have passed. Just think how glorious will be that emerging light of recovery.
Death will catch up with us soon enough! Right now, we can get on with our lives, and if there‘s a problem we can reach out. Every time.

Let’s give life a chance!
Thanking you,
Sincerely
John Fitzgerald

Dear Editor,

A female pugilist (Katie) and a professional horse whipper (Rachael) are being put forward as role models especially for young girls.
The brutal nature of boxing and horse racing renders obsolete the qualities of empathy, kindness and tenderness.
Role models cannot be carved from activities where to win means hurting your opponent or to ride an animal into the ground.
While a boxer operates a free will approach to taking part in a toe-to-toe bout the same cannot be said for the horse.
For them there is no throw in the towel act as the whip hand is never far away.
Inflicting pain on a human or an animal under the guise of sport devalues the impact of role models to mould a person’s approach to life.
A role model that inspires a person to mine their potential represent a vista that proves hard work and perseverance still matter in our vapid influencer driven culture.
Role models should not be figurines displayed in a hurt locker.
Throwing shade over one of life’s guiding principles; if you can be anything in this world, be kind.

Yours,
John Tierney

Dear Editor

I refer to your article in the Northside People of the 12th May ‘Malahide: Locals fed up with recent violent behaviour.’
Following more shocking incidents in the town captured on video last week did anyone hear anything of real substance from our local politicians? The town is being overrun with feral youngsters in tracksuits who think they can do and say whatever they want.
Why are they free to terrorise the local community and where are the Gardai to deal with them? And more importantly where are their parents?
Are we just supposed to accept this behaviour and say ‘oh well’?
A minority are causing mayhem and running amok on a regular basis yet the local Garda station closes at 9pm. I read recently that Malahide has 40% less police than is the current EU average yet we have had to endure massive austerity cuts to Garda numbers. Maybe it’s time to take a different approach and take the law into our own hands.

Yours sincerely,
Name and address with editor