Dear Editor:
RE: Local company receives threats, harassment over planned drag show, Jan. 19.
Concerning the article about harassing emails/calls to the Elora Distillery from unknown sources in opposition to a scheduled drag show, it is always a cowardly act to voice anonymous opposition to anything.
We live in a pluralistic society where the idea of respecting other peoples’ world views, beliefs, values and lifestyles is part of the cultural mosaic. All our personally held world views, belief systems and values are filtered through and influenced by some kind of lens. It could be faith-based or non-faith-based, political or apolitical, ethnic driven, sexual orientation driven, etc.
These will collide at times when one group’s beliefs and values seem to crosscut another’s values and beliefs. This is likely at the root of the treatment that Mr. Van Vliet has unfortunately experienced. Because pluralism is a pathway to values conflicts, the issue becomes how we communicate our disagreement in a civil way.
The problem with this article however, is that Mr. Van Vliet admits emails/calls were anonymous then proceeds to speak pejoratively of another group he thoroughly castigates. That group being Christians.
The accusation that Christians as a generalization are “far right” is inflammatory and painting a target of hate upon them.
I’m troubled by the irresponsible reporting in a community newspaper. While harassment or threats to Mr. Van Vliet can’t be condoned, one adage is inescapably obvious: “two wrongs don’t make a right.”
John Finochio,
Harriston