Church horror exposes divided communities

I am a supporter of multiculturalism (Church Horror, April 17), but it is also naive for anyone to think that there are no deep divisions among races and ethnicities in Australia. It is only the rule of law, along with community leaders, that has helped to avoid any major violent confrontations so far. Ancient and recent prejudices, whether from religious scripts or social media, have all contributed to this issue. Con Vaitsas, Ashbury

How ironic that the Wakeley rioters turned on the police, who in this country provide them with the kind of protection they sought when they fled their ancestral countries. The only way to redeem themselves would be a public apology and community-supported prosecution of the offenders. Allen Greer, Sydney

In the best of worlds, there would be no live-streaming of incendiary sermons. Nor would a crowd of angry people rush to the scene where a troubled teenager has committed a violent act. The leaders of various faiths, along with the prime minister and premier, must be congratulated for urging calm and, above all, tolerance. As an immigrant myself from a troubled country, I understand it’s difficult when there’s historical trauma, but acceptance not division is always the better way. Alison Stewart, Riverview

There is no place for lynch mob mentality in this multicultural, multi-faith country. Tuesday night’s rioters should be, in the cold light of day, hanging their heads in shame. I noticed one of the rioters who smashed a police car had the cool-headedness to cover his face. Says it all really – cowards, the lot of them. Genevieve Milton, Dulwich Hill

I certainly hope that the values displayed by the chants of “bring him out”, the attacks on police and the destruction of police vehicles are not the values that riotous crowd are trying to protect. Geoff Wannan, Dawes Point

Although it was a horrific act, was it really necessary to call it terrorism so quickly? To the general public, this word connotes that the community is under attack at that point in time. To that particular faith community, it caused considerable fear. The riotous behaviour is inexcusable, but I think the police commissioner could have handled the initial attack more sensitively. Michael Blissenden, Dural

Once again, Sydneysiders are left reeling, not just over a violent act inside a church but also the senseless response of the crowd gathered outside. I’m struggling to understand just how preventing police and paramedics from doing their jobs, attacking them and trashing police vehicles helps the cause of a Christian community. It is hypocritical to condemn the violence of the bishop’s attacker yet condone the violence of the crowd as some have done; both deserve condemnation from community leaders. Kerrie Wehbe, Blacktown

What is it with different religions? One does not hear that a group of atheists has attacked another atheist. Zuzu Burford, Heathcote

For this atheist, the only words that make sense right now are from Martin Luther King Jr, who said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Colin Hesse, Marrickville

Boomers owe the younger generation a happier future

Our children’s happiness may be our most fervent wish, but we are failing them (“Our happy place? It’s complicated”, April 17). The latest World Happiness Report reveals that, unlike in many other countries, the happiness of young Australians is declining. Bloated house prices are destroying their dreams of owning a home, certainly one with a backyard. And the deteriorating climate and natural world are adding to their concerns. As a Baby Boomer, my younger life was free of such worries. It is clear that our policies to populate and consume more are aggravating the housing and environmental crises. Such policies may have served us well in the past, but they are now part of the problem. If we persist with them, we will be the first generation ever to wreck the happiness of our children. Ian Penrose, Kew (Vic)

The timing is uncanny. Two major incidents in the past few days have sent ripples of sadness and unease throughout our whole community. Even if they do not have an immediate impact, trauma, anger and fear are somehow infectious and can linger long past the news headlines. Not one of us is an island – our sense of well-being absolutely depends on how family and neighbours are feeling. We need a basic level of confidence that others are safe and well and that the most vulnerable in our midst are cared for. No use simply lamenting Australia’s slide down happiness league tables. Governments decide priorities and can take concrete measures. What’s most relevant in the coming federal budget? There is time to re-examine and improve the mental health provision. For all our sakes. Margaret Johnston, Paddington

It is unsurprising that “under 25s and over 60s are the most satisfied” in this survey. The majority of the older group grew up being well aware of their good fortune in not having to be part of the Depression and two world wars. I hope the younger group, yet to face the reality of such difficult times in Australia, will never have to. Joy Cooksey, Harrington

I browsed through this world happiness report and wondered if there was any scientific basis to come up with a ranking. India is ranked 121 and here is the kicker, just as an example – Pakistan is ranked 113, Myanmar is 103 and Venezuela is 83. Compared to India, all these, as do many other countries, have economic issues with huge inflation, violence, law and order etc. What it says is that the ranking is biased, or the survey questions are push polling type, or answers don’t seem to sync with the data available publicly. I don’t see Indians lining up to migrate to Myanmar or Pakistan, but the reverse is certainly true. Mukul Desai, Hunters Hill

Extend pricing enquiry to banks

It is good to see supermarkets being called into question (“Gloves are off in this fiery Senate inquiry cage fight”, 17 April), not least because of the suppliers, who are being squeezed while the supermarkets report enormous profits. The price of so many items is beyond comprehension, and I’ve never felt so unable to do a “regular” shop. However, focusing on supermarket bosses alone is, at another level, inconsistent. There are other industries that could easily be held to the same account. The most obvious are surely the banks, which make enormous profits at our expense. As a result, while I feel anxious going to the supermarket these days, I now feel sorry for the scrutiny they are receiving because of the inconsistency it represents. Kim Millar, Coogee

Maybe supermarkets, with their extraordinary high return on equity, are just indicative of a culture that pervades our so-called fair land. No doubt many are experiencing a little price gouging from landlords, most of us revel in the growth in the price of our home, many I hear bemoan paying capital gains on their second house and lord forbid we discuss the many negative impacts of negative gearing. Meanwhile, in the past week, I have walked past at least five people living in their cars. Jill Napier, Phegans Bay

Let’s have more inquiries into pricing – yesterday I was dazzled by the number of specials at my local supermarket. Margaret McCabe, Bawley Point

With the supermarkets making so much money and having a return on investment three or four times more than the banks, perhaps the banks should consider turning their rural branches into supermarkets rather than closing them? Chris Hennessy, Ballina

Religious tolerance

The Anglican Rector of Albury, Father Peter MacLeod-Miller, (Letters, April 17) makes it all sound so easy – just love each other’s faith and celebrate their festivals. It might work in a country town, but a large, multi-ethnic city like Sydney is much more complicated. We are divided geographically, ethnically and have a multitude of faiths, the largest group by far are different Christian denominations. It is much more complicated than a small town, and the political ramifications are also complex. Religiously, Sydney is also more conservative than the area he represents. Vivienne Parsons, Thornleigh

The sensible approach of Fr McLeod-Miller should be applauded. Overt intolerance can often lead to a violent reaction from those who are targeted. Why is it that some religious preachers think that they can justify themselves by denigrating the beliefs of other faiths? Then they expect the law to protect them when their hate speech provokes violence. The kind of respect and peaceful association referred to by Fr McLeod-Miller is the attitude at which all of us (religious or non-religious) should aim.Derrick Mason, Boorowa

Too often religious leaders preach self-righteous intolerance. It led me long ago to humanism and atheism. But if there was a church leader I would listen to, it is Fr MacLeod-Miller. He wrote the letter I was preparing to draft. Peter Hull, Katoomba

Recent happenings in Australia and the call by religious leaders for calm, reminds me very much of the experience while visiting Mauritius in 2012. Religious faiths in this community welcome members of other faiths to celebrate with them on important religious occasions, which are often designated a public holiday. We could learn and benefit considerably from such an approach here in Australia. Bruce Clydsdale, Bathurst

Power to me

I have recently increased the number of solar panels on my roof, added a Tesla battery, replaced the gas hot water with a heat-pump system and bought an EV (Letters, April 17). My power bills are now zero – in fact a $3 credit last quarter. And, in addition, I have saved more than $500 in petrol during that period. I have harvested a lot of sunshine and saved the environment a lot of CO2. Even so, it is probably at best just break-even financially considering my capital expenditure. But don’t worry about me, I’m a Boomer, so I can afford it. At 73, I’m hoping I will live long enough to see the payback. The other substantial but hard-to-quantify advantage is the huge feeling of smug superiority I get every time I drive past a service station or inspect my apps to check the charge of my car and house batteries. Ah, bliss! Ian Morris, Strathfield

Now’s the time for you to join in.

The government’s push towards subsidised solar panels and hot water systems is fraught with inequity. People who own, or are paying off their houses, have access to generous government subsidies to help them to cut down on their energy usage and save money. Meanwhile, renters and apartment dwellers are denied access to these money-saving programs. The result, with apologies to Midnight Oil, “The rich get richer and the poor get the picture.” Eric Sekula, Turramurra

Home early

Very well done to Marija Rathouski on overcoming difficult circumstances and becoming a homeowner at such a young age (“From homelessness at age 15 to owning a home at just 22”, April 17). I, too, have a family member, who, although having a happier upbringing, worked all his school holidays and saved. After getting full-time employment, he was able to purchase a unit at 21 and upgrade to a house at 23. It takes determination, perseverance and some sacrifices, but it can be done. Heather Johnson, West Pennant Hills

Lehrmann the movie

There will be a movie, right? Can I suggest Sarah Snook as Brittany Higgins and Johnny Depp as Bruce Lehrmann? Judge Lee, that’s a no-brainer, Brian Cox from Succession. Suzi Miller to write the screenplay and Bruna Papandrea to produce it. Haven’t figured out Lisa Wilkinson yet. Angie Miller, Bondi Junction

Sarah Snook: Time for a home-grown role?

Did we just witness Peter Dutton going back into the lion’s den to retrieve Lehrmann’s shoes (“Dutton says Higgins should apologise to her former boss”, April 17)? John Matheson, Kangaroo Island (SA)

Not too late

Your correspondent (Letters, April 17) will be pleased to learn that the magnificent “omnishambles” from The Thick of It’s Malcolm Tucker, was word of the year back in 2012. Jennifer McKay, Ashbury

Emerald City sparkle fades

Ben Groundwater’s very neat piece on Radelaide and other Australian cities (“Adelaide no longer wants to be nicknamed ‘Radelaide’? Too bad”, smh.com.au, April 17) eased the despondency that living here in $¥Đ₦€¥ brings. John Bevins, McMahons Point

Road to ruin

The upcoming closure of the T3 rail line has disaster written all over it (“$73m to run replacement buses during rail closure”, April 17). Surely the replacement buses should be electric, not filthy diesel? Peter Miniutti, Ashbury

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