Shearer's comments similar to Lee

May 24, 2009

According to The Kiwi Party leader Larry Baldock, David Shearer’s broad generalisations about the Christian religion are about as insulting as Melissa Lee’s were about the people who live in South Auckland.

Surely after all his experience in relief and development around the world Mr Shearer has not been blind to the fact that Christian individuals and Christian agencies are at the forefront of huge humanitarian projects.

Mt Albert Kiwi Party candidate, Simonne Dyer, could not agree with the Labour Party candidate’s comments reported in Saturday morning's Herald where he was quoted as saying, "I've seen organised religion justify horrors and that goes from Buddhist through to Christian, to obviously the Muslim and Hindu and everything else."

"Yes" Dyer says, “it is true that there have been horrors committed worldwide in the name of religion but on the other hand Christians have also produced hospitals, schools, orphanages and various aid programmes that have helped transform countless lives in developing nations". "As CEO of the world’s largest non-governmental hospital ship, owned and operated by Mercy Ships, a non-denominational Christian organisation, I have seen thousands of people in Africa receive their sight, have their cleft lips and palates repaired, facial tumours removed, and medical and dental help given all totally free of charge. Added to this the 400 crew members on board ship, including myself, were all volunteers contributing out of their own pockets to change the lives of needy people."

“It has been my experience,” said Mrs Dyer, “that New Zealanders are highly regarded overseas in relief and development work and Mr Shearer is to be commended for the work he has done in many nations. He should not, however, be so dismissive of the significant role faith plays in motivating many who dedicate their lives to giving practical assistance to those in great need around the world.”

ENDS

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