Letter to The Editor - We need a reinterpretation of our sacred scriptures

To The Australian        Henry Ergas has provided a superb defence of the traditional roles of art galleries and museums ("Trying to redefine museums - it's a disease of our times", 13/9). Clearly our cultural inheritance is endangered by political fanaticism and meanness of spirit. At back of this rottenness, however, is something Ergas does not mention: the gathering failure of the Christian sacred tradition which formed the basis of Western European civilisation. Great voices have over the centuries pointed to the need for reform and release from erroneous theological straitjackets; but they have not been adequately heeded. We need a reinterpretation of our sacred scriptures that can command the assent of the best minds. That will then translate into ethical action that will curtail the follies of politicising zealots.
  Nigel Jackson, Belgrave, Vic