Another small voice joining call for tolerance

AGAIN, I agree wholeheartedly with Jayne Dowle’s article “Unity and tolerance needed as we remember” (Yorkshire Post, October 25). It is indeed sad that there is any conflict at all about the sale of poppies for Remembrance Day.

It is also depressing that the bonhomie and togetherness, which were so prevalent during the Jubilee and Olympics, have already largely evaporated. Personally, I am sick and tired of hearing the words “toffs” and “plebs” – both, surely, equally offensive terms when used in a vindictive manner.

Whenever politics is around, the class card is bound to be played sooner or later. Nothing is more divisive and certain to stir up friction and resentment. Jayne states that “the whole original point of remembrance was that it was non-political”.

It is certainly true that others need to join Jayne’s “call for unity, tolerance and understanding”. Mine is another small voice “amid the clamour”.

Remembrance is a time for reflection, when we might consider the enormous debt we owe all those who sacrificed their lives, their futures, so that we might live in freedom and peace within a democratic society.

It is written “greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John, Chapter 15, Verse 13).

If we were to ponder upon 
 this, we might be more inclined to love our neighbour as we do ourselves.

This is the Christian basis for unity, tolerance and understanding.