Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1438074
3 LETTERS & EDITORIAL maltatoday | SUNDAY • 19 DECEMBER 2021 Mikiel Galea Letters & Clarifications Immortality myth THE notion of an "afterlife" is based on wishful thinking and the innate self-importance of man. The only "evidence" for life after death is the absolute silence of the grave. Albert Einstein said: "Neither can I believe that the individual survives the death of his body, although feeble souls harbor such thoughts through fear or ridiculous egotisms." The poet Emily Dickinson observed that death would be a relief compared to an endless state of existence. The author Susan Ertz quipped: "Millions long for immortality who don't know what to do with them- selves on a rainy Sunday afternoon." John Guillaumier St Julian's Parental alienation at Christmas FLIMKIEN Missirijiet Inqumu (FMI) members and volunteers this season have dressed up as Father Christmas, handing out treats to raise awareness on the need for a non-discriminatory balance of parental rights, duties, and contact time with children between parents. FMI believes equal 50-50 shared parenting time to be equally impor- tant for all involved, giving fathers an equal opportunity for a strong con- stant presence in their children's lives, mothers equal access to the work- place, and most importantly giving children the gift of both their parents. Despite the rhetoric, FMI believes traditional gender roles in the family to still be institutionally pressured on both parents, especially in custody arrangements. Each Christmas as well as through much of the holiday season, many children end up separated from their caring and upstanding fathers for no good reason. This is why the theme of this year's event is 'Put the Father back in Father Christmas'. FMI describes itself as a communi- ty-based organisation whose guiding principles in order of importance are: 1. The real best interests of the child; 2. The bond between each parent and the child; 3. The bond between both extended families, especially grand- parents, and the child; 4. Fair and non-discriminatory application of the law and judicial process in custody cases; 5. Non-discriminatory balance of parental rights and duties; 6. Time- ly justice and resolution. FMI needs to inform the public that as a voluntary organisation still in the process of registering itself, it cannot accept any donations, but interested persons of the public can express their interest to join as members or volun- teers. FMI can also be contacted on this email address fmimaltahelp@gmail.com or through its page on Facebook. Reuben Zammit Flimkien Missirijiet Inqumu