Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1093354
19 LETTERS & EDITORIAL maltatoday | SUNDAY • 17 MARCH 2019 Mikiel Galea Unbelieving clerics THE award-winning film The Favour- ite, set in 18th century England during the reign of Queen Anne, reminded me of several anecdotes in Will Durant's The Story of Civilization. "Samuel Clarke (1675-1729), who knew enough mathematics and physics to defend Newton against Leibniz, un- dertook to prove the Christian creed by demonstrations as rigorous as geom- etry. In his Boyle lectures of 1704, he forged a chain of twelve propositions to prove the existence of God. History, with its usual humour, adds that Clarke was dismissed by Queen Anne as her chaplain because he was suspected of doubting the Trinity. "In the next reign, according to Voltaire, Clarke was prevented from becoming archbishop of Canterbury because a bishop informed Princess Caroline that Clarke was the most learned man in England but he had one defect – he was not a Christian." Jonathan Swift, the author of Gulliv- er's Travels and of the irreligious The Tale of a Tub, returned to his native Ireland after Queen Anne reluctantly appointed him dean of St Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin. Irish Anglicans thought that Dean Swift would make an excellent prelate if only he believed in God. "No one," said the free thinker An- thony Collins, "doubted the existence of God until the Boyle lectures under- took to prove it." John Guillaumier, St Julian's 'Positive' 1960s? Bah, humbug I am constrained to write my comment here as that bastion of free speech (sic), the Times of Malta, seems to be not accepting my posts. They published an interview of Rich- ard England in which he described the 1960s as "positive". I would have liked to ask him, on the same medium, what was positive about the 1960s? The fact that we were forbidden from great tracts of our country that were reserved for the colonialists? Or maybe the fact that we couldn't even vote ac- cording to our opinion? The fact that our dear departed were interred in a part of the cemetery that they financed through the taxes they paid, because of their political opinion which was different to that of the dicta- tors? Positive indeed. Could the situation be more nega- tive? The Times seems to be nostalgic for those times judging by their penchant for gagging free speech. Luckily, today, we have other means where we can voice our opinion. Joseph Carbone, Via email An excellent choice for President IT is right to say that George Vella will join an illustrious line-up of heads of state: yes, people like Eddie Fenech Adami, Guido de Marco, Ugo Mifsud Bonnici, and Censu Tabone, truly did the Maltese republic proud despite their roles as giants of Maltese politics. Ironically, they were people whom Vella himself voted against as Labour MP when their names were up for ap- proval by the Maltese House. Clearly, he will understand today how the bell tolls even for 'gentlemen of politics' like him. Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca certainly gave the role a social dimension that brought the Presidency closer to the people, often the most vulnerable. But one hopes that we will not be seeing George Vella gracing the billboard with a glass of milk. The role of the Head of State is not there to assist private companies, no matter their public service, in promo- tion and advertising. Indeed, they should stay above both the partisan pray, as well as above the commercial fray... Even though I have never voted La- bour in my life, I hope to see George Vella deliver the urgent constitutional reform that Malta needs. But will he welcome political actors who are deep- ly critical of the Labour government he served? Will he be ready to give a voice to critics who come forward with excel- lent ideas that our Constitutional re- form will need? He is after all a servant of the people. Let us hope this choice for President will deliver the nation with a legacy to be proud of. George Camilleri, Sliema Propane risk WITH respect to the article 'Liquigas denies propane risk inside gas cyl- inders', the Ministry for Energy and Water Management denies receiving a 'confidential note' as stated in the article. Michelle Lia, Spokesperson, MEW Editorial note: MaltaToday stands by its story, which underlines the fact that both the ministry and the REWS have been called to attention on the risk of propane mixes inside domestic gas cylinders. Letters & Clarifications