Letter to The Editor - Pandora’s Boxes Should Not Be Opened

to THE AGE
     Catholic clergy who are defending traditional marriage are not, as Michelle Goldsmith implies (31/8), thereby making ‘unhelpfully inhumane pronouncements’. They are seeking to protect children, to safeguard society and to preserve a fundamental institution that has stood the test of time. Dianne Young is also mistaken (31/8) in applying the term ‘dresses’ to robes worn in many cultures around the world. In our culture ‘dresses’ at once connotes attire worn by girls and women.
     One senses that defenders of same-sex marriage are becoming a little desperate when such silly remarks are offered. The aggressive hysteria emanating from other ‘yes’ partisans strengthens this suspicion and is in line with the worrying ugliness of ‘Mardi Gras’ parades held in recent years. Tradition tells that evil genies are best kept in bottles and that Pandora’s boxes should not be opened. This may well apply to the marriage debate.
NJ, Belgrave, Vic