UNFORTUNATELY, I find Dr Ron Blackhurstʼs lengthy letter in Monday's Bendigo Advertiser ("Bendigo Bank call on account wrong") a profusion of confusions.
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Dr Blackhurst says that, “I support the right of Muslim citizens to have a place of worship. I also support the right of local people to question the development and expose it to scrutiny.”
OK.
But there is apparently in this city of ours a number of people who having questioned and scrutinised, have taken the further steps and decision to vehemently and publicly object to the proposed Bendigo mosque, and who have collectively banded together to promote their objectives in earnest.
These people might be considered or even judged by "others" as bigots or racists.
The "others" I believe to be the vast majority of Bendigo residents who view Bendigo as an inclusive city, a welcoming and diverse place to people of all races and creeds.
This welcoming of differences is what I like about Bendigo and it is the very heart and soul of any successful city.
And I am sure that the board of directors of the Bendigo Bank, the Community Bank, would agree.
And I applaud the board for their decision, one which they have every right to make, to exercise their own moral judgement and to choose not to do business with an organisation that conflicts with their own, and "community" morality.
What's your opinion?
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