Letters to the Editor - timesnews@fijitimes.com.fj
Dredge the rivers
I DON'T think we should let Tuidraki do what he told us in the paper regarding the diversion of the Nadi River.
That will be a big waste of funds and no solution to the flood in Nadi. I suggest we leave the Nadi river as it is and let the shops continue to do business as they are.
What we do is get a good machine and dredge the mouth of the river and form new land for the government.
The land could be sold like what the government did for Denarau and recoup the fund spent on the dredge.
The soil coming down from the hills will not directly go to the sea but saved by the dredge and form new lots on the mouth of the river.
Dredges could be organised for Ba, Rakiraki, Tavua and Rewa and they should be on an ongoing project rather than done once and left.
Timoci G Naco
Suva
Dealing with atheists
A TIMELY debate was aired on ABC TV earlier this month relevant to the barrage of letters seen here.
I would recommend the interested readers see the video online or read the transcript at: http://www.abc.net.au/tv/qanda/txt/s3469101.htm
My personal favourites were when the cardinal indicated atheists can go to heaven, and when he implied shepherds had less intellectual capacity.
In case readers are wondering what side of the fence I am on, I believe in God.
It is however very difficult accepting the hypocrites leading most religious institutions, abusing children, buying and selling stolen goods, starting holy wars, condemning other religions, and so on.
I would rather deal with atheists in my everyday business.
SUNDEEP SHARMA
Brisbane
Creation growth
FOR we know that the whole creation grow and travel in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body" (Romans 8: 22-23).
This year we have been devastated by two destructive floods just a month apart.
In the above biblical text, the Apsotle Paul is stating that the physical natural realm of planet earth is under a "prolonged or suden strain" and uttering a deep moan, to make a harsh sound", which the word "groan" means according to the Concise English Dictionary.
In Matthew 24, Jesus summarised those signs of the times that will take place on Planet Earth to help prepare humans for the renewal of Planet Earth, to usher in the eternal Kingdom of God.
Why is creation groaning one might ask?
The biblical answer is man's sin.
Dictionary definition of sin is "an offence against a moral principle, transgression of the law of God, an offence, a fault.
The frequency and intensity of natural disasters not only locally but internationally as well is an information being relayed to us by the world around us.
That as humans, custodians of Planet Earth, we should re-examine our do's and don'ts.
Maybe just maybe we have deliberately overstepped the boundary of law and order that makes creation function naturally as it was intended to.
For instead of constructing or rebuilding Planet Earth for a better future, we humans are systematically destroying our home planet by overusing or misusing our natural surroundings resulting in climate change and other worrying trends that is confornting us and is a bit difficult to solve.
OSEA SIVO NAISAU
Ba
A belief in the unbelievable
MY recent request for credible evidence of Jesus' existence, accomplished what I expected, in that, most, so-called Christians, know next to nothing of the history of the Bible compilation.
Only two responses have been received thus far, one from Korea and one from Fiji. I thank them both.
It seems to me, how ignorant blind faith leads most of the populous by the nose. They seem not to question any thing, sucked into 'The Great Myth of the Age'.
The New Testament, and other manuscripts, incidentally not recorded in the original form until the revolt of 66-74 AD or thereafter.
The New Testament and other manuscripts of the era, offer a portrait of Jesus, and the time he lived, that conformed to the needs of certain vested interests of certain groups and individuals, who had, and to a significant degree, still have, an important stake in the matter, eg. the excising of the 'secret' Gospel of Mark which was one of the many gospels not included in the New Testament, because they contradicted vested interests of the time and still do in our time.
The new Christian religion was primarily orientated towards a Roman audience. Thus the role of Rome in Jesus' supposed death, was of necessity, whitewashed, and guilt was transferred to the Jews.
The role of Constantine introducing Christianity to Rome has been falsified, misrepresented and misunderstood.
Constantine remained a pagan until death in the year 337 having been baptised in his death throws probably not being aware or didn't care of his baptism.
Contrary to tradition, Constantine did not make Christianity the official religion of Rome.
The state religion was in fact, pagan, sun worship, Constantine acting as its chief priest.
Indeed his reign was called a 'sun emperorship' and the symbol Sol Invictus figured everywhere, including the imperial banners and the coinage of the realm. I am not suggesting what one should or should not believe in, that's your choice, what I do suggest is to educate yourselves.
Don't take anything on blind faith. Refuse to be brainwashed. Refuse to have your children brainwashed which is paramount to child abuse.
At the beginning of this year my five-year old daughter was attending a kindergarten in Naitasiri and the first two hours of the first day of the first term she was brainwashed by the local talatala (minister), child abuse in my view.
PETER RAE
Korotogo
The World Easter celebration
Apenisa Naigulevu's (FT 6/4) attempt to discredit the Easter Story of Vaka (FT 3/4) is not only vain and absurd - it has more holes in it than a fish net.
The celebration of Holi is the Indian festival of colours has nothing to do with the Pagan celebration of the rebirth of spring; nor the Christian celebration of Easter.
"Christ died for our sins, he was buried and was raised three days later, as written in the scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
The prophet Isaiah fortells of this: "He willingly gave his life and shared the fate of sinful men" (Isaiah 53:12).
It remains inequivocal and verified, that Jesus bore the sins of mankind; became a man's substitution for sin; offered himself as a living sacrifice; suffered and died to redeem humanity.
Easter is a Christian festival celebrating the resurrection of Jesus and became an official holiday before the 12th century. Its origin is in fact European (the Catholic Church of Rome).
Passover, sometimes referred as Easter (Acts 12:4), began as a Jewsih festival about 1250 BC, after Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt. It became an official Jewish holiday called Pesach in 1530.
George H Keller
Suva
QUICK VIEWS
Keep smiling
The "Spirit Of Australia" is a logo written on the Qantas big birds that fly up in the sky. I reckon we put "Smiles Of Fiji" on our Air Pacific new airbuses because that's what we are famous for worldwide.
Even during the event of the destructive floods, people were seen smiling and seemed to be in a happy mood.
Keep smiling my Fiji.
LOTE ROKOVAU
Sydney
Simple as that
Fiji is not ready for a casino. It's as simple as that!
ASHNEEL PRASAD
Auckland
NZ
Basis of our win
SO they say it is the product that was the basis our national sevens team won the prestigious Hong Kong Sevens Tournament and the running out of the same product was their downfall in Japan.
A well-timed innovative invention from the provider to market his product to the sleeping beauties of rugby. What system or supplements did the team consume during the days of Ratu Kitione Vesikula, Rupeni Ravonu, Wayne Pivac and others who have coached teams to memorable wins at this world famous tournament.
What's next, warusi?
AREKI DAWAI
Nadi
Crab size
There was once a law implemented for the size of crabs that one could legally catch in Fiji waters. I wonder where that law is right now or who is looking into it? If someone enters the fish market in Suva on a Saturday, it will seem like the whole sea has been cleaned of crabs since those that are being sold are of such small sizes. We all understand that everyone is trying to make a living but preserving the smaller ones for future is also something that the Fisheries Department should seriously look into.
DEEPAK CHANDRA
Nasinu
Movie stars
Movie stars being in Fiji don't mean too much!
ALLEN LOCKINGTON
Lautoka
Prompt restoration
The Fiji Electricity Authority was quite prompt in the restoration of power supply to all affected parts of Fiji after the recent flood. The same cannot be said about a certain department though. Unfortunately, the latter provide a commodity that is our most basic need.
Irfaaz Ismail
Lautoka
YOUR SAY: Supports for sharks
Ocean nut
My name is Marcie, I live in Alberta Canada. Our idea of nature is much different than it is in Fiji, and although I love my homeland, it is the marine wildlife of your land that calls to me. I am an ocean nut.
Today my plea to you is to protect one of the most essential creatures in your marine habitat. You need sharks in your water to sustain a healthy ecosystem. Please protect the sharks because I would love to come and visit them. I really feel that no one cares about the sharks because they aren't cute and cuddly, and although I am nowhere near them I feel a need to speak out for them.
Please protect them before it's too late.
MARCIE PRINGLE
Alberta
Canada
Shark haven
There were lot of sharks in the Waikava Bay and the Fawn Harbour in Vanua Levu in the sixties. You could see them even in the shallows. I have heard stories that Dakuwaqa, the shark god, has his resting place in the Waikava River.
As far as I know no one has killed sharks in this area. There are hardly any sharks left in these two bays after extensive use of nets in these areas.
The decline in shark numbers can also be because of the general decline in fish stocks .
SUKHA SINGH
Pittsfield
USA
First time
I will be going to Fiji for the first time in September. I, like many others going to Fiji, will be diving and very much hope to see the sharks. I think protection though, is important for another reason.
Working with many low and middle-income countries, I see the value of tourism and the need to bring economic development to people of the country. A healthy ecosystem can set the island apart. This is not only important for attracting tourists, but can attract research and become a source of pride for the population.
I hope the government of Fiji will put protections in place to preserve the uniqueness of your very beautiful part of the world.
LOIS PRIVOR-DUMM
West Chester
PA
USA
Right decision
I found your mail address posted by Shark Savers and several other conservation groups. I understand that some crucial political decisions for the protection of Fiji's sharks may be ahead. I hope with all my heart that your government will make the right decision and protect these beautiful and endangered creatures in the territorial waters of Fiji.
There are only few places with halfway healthy shark populations left in the world where I could hope to travel to encounter these favourite fishes of mine. I'm scared to ever have to witness a shark being ruthlessly killed instead, which would traumatise me for life รน having seen many horrible pictures shown by the conservation groups has been unbearable already.
So I hope you will help me speak out for the protection of Fiji's sharks so that I, and certainly many other diving tourists, can come to visit your beautiful island and see your amazing sharks alive and well.
Thank you in advance for your support.
DIANA NYMAND
Germany
Second visit
We are from Hawaii, and are visiting Fiji for our second time this September. We are very excited about the the creation of your shark sanctuary.
Thank you for protecting the sharks and coral reefs.
Aloha.
Douglas And Dionne Miller
Hawaii