Bob the Builder

The core of what Bob Clarkson has said about burqas and homosexuality is not particularly controversial, but the way he has expressed it is, I would say, regrettable.

The essence of what Clarkson has said is that burqa wearing (which is not a mainstream Islam practice, but something enforced by only a very small faction) is not something he likes in NZ, and that he also disapproves of homosexuality but tolerates it.

These are views probably shared by many NZers.

However the way Bob has expressed his views is regrettable. Telling people to go home is not a particularly useful way to have a (important) debate on religious tolerance.

And in terms of homosexuality, if two men are holding hands in public, that’s just being affectionatte like any other couple – it’s not promoting homosexuality anymore than me holding my girlfriend’s hand in public is promoting heterosexuality.

Everyone has the right to disapprove of various behaviours. And Bob is right that tolerance is what is expected, not approval. But then why the need to state your disapproval in public? All it does is create an issue, where there should be none.