Finlay MacDonald, atheist, lefty socialist muses on the whole concept of "lest we forget" in today's Sunday Star Times. He mentions historian Paul Moon has pointed out the inevitable toll time will take on commemoration of ANZAC day, and thinks it might not be here with us within the next 100 years.
Which just goes to show the inability of a secular, left leaning society has to transfer its cultural memory and cherished values. Today, we remember the sacrifice and the shops are shut until lunch time. 50 years from now, April 25th, falling on a Sunday might be nothing more than a rostered day off, with shops open from 8am just like any other day. Get up, put on your gray suit and go to work.
Christian values are no longer seen as such, but there is one enduring memory Christians have kept alive for 2000 years, in spite of every conceivable attack. 2000 years, Finlay. Makes you think, doesn't it?
Let's hope we can retain the values that help us maintain ANZAC day in our cultural memory. "Lest we forget" is certainly the key.
Rosemary McLeod, one column over, fights a little harder for ANZAC day than Finlay, and goes into attack - being the best form of defence - over the lefty organisation that was trying to invade ANZAC day with their white poppies. The whole article was a good read, and her conclusion eloquent beyond mere words:
Which just goes to show the inability of a secular, left leaning society has to transfer its cultural memory and cherished values. Today, we remember the sacrifice and the shops are shut until lunch time. 50 years from now, April 25th, falling on a Sunday might be nothing more than a rostered day off, with shops open from 8am just like any other day. Get up, put on your gray suit and go to work.
Christian values are no longer seen as such, but there is one enduring memory Christians have kept alive for 2000 years, in spite of every conceivable attack. 2000 years, Finlay. Makes you think, doesn't it?
Let's hope we can retain the values that help us maintain ANZAC day in our cultural memory. "Lest we forget" is certainly the key.
Rosemary McLeod, one column over, fights a little harder for ANZAC day than Finlay, and goes into attack - being the best form of defence - over the lefty organisation that was trying to invade ANZAC day with their white poppies. The whole article was a good read, and her conclusion eloquent beyond mere words:
..After that, if you want to buy a white poppy next year, fair enough. But give twice as much for a red one. Those have been earned.