We have stayed in the Parsons Hill Area for nigh on 12 years now and are in close proximity to two ‘competing’ churches who ring their bells every Sunday to call their adherents to prayer.
Now the one right opposite us will ring the bell between 32 and 52 times (Ja, I am a bit weird as I like to count stuff like an idiot – but not a savant!), the other has pulled itself into the 21st century and pushes a button to sound it’s clarion call electronically.
At around 6:00 am each morning when the Longhair and I sit on our porch with a cup of delicious coffee and in quiet contemplation of the glorious day before us we often hear the call to prayer by our Muslim brothers somewhere in Korsten.
Now, this used to bug us somewhat when we were young and just settling into our home. But, these ‘noises’ have become part and parcel of the fabric and rhythm of our lives and have actually become quite comforting. After all – they are far better than the sound of gun shots or people and animals in distress. In some way they serve to remind the populace of the rewards of worship and respect for one another.
And then I get copied on an e-mail from another suburb looking to start a petition to stop the; “.. early morning singing / chanting in the North End area” and containing a suggestion that; “… the effected parties draw up a petition”
ermmm guys – how bloody intolerant can you be? Since when was worship and it’s constitutionally protected acts considered a function of crime control?
What is next? Muffling of church bells, burning at the stake, segregation?
We are all trying to live in peace and harmony here, please think again before you send something like this out as it could completely backfire and polarise us once again.
Alan Straton
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That said, some churches think that their status is a divine license to create as much disturbance as they wish. Not too different from a few pubs that think that a liquor license grants them sanctioned rights to making a geraas until 4am and beyond. I won’t tolerate either! Churches need to learn to be good neighbours – as do any other business in proximity to residential property.
That’s right, we should tolerate reasonable noise – we have a church right opposite us (Adcockvale) in a theatre, and they start practising their music at about 6am because they need to (my opinion). The theatre musicians often practise during the weeks before a play as they (again in my opinion) definitely need to as well. My wife thinks my singing is better than both the aforementioned, but as I won a “worst singer” contest 2 years in a row (many moons ago), I don’t really believe that.