Letters - 15 January 2016
From the archive to a man who looks on glass
From the archive
Janet Scott’s series ‘From the archive’, on the first world war, is valuable. Seeing the horrendous numbers of casualties and vast debts incurred (ten-figure annual expenditure! Unbelievable!) is terrifying. And what did it achieve? The world faces similar perils. We have the option of abandoning instruments of war, such as Trident – a dinosaur mass-killer, worthy of the first world war – and spending the money saved on ‘boots on the ground, in the air and at sea’; but what about changing swords into tazers, rescue gear, restraining equipment, civil police, teachers and practical aid?
Soldiers should not have to kill. They have an important role on earth – that of rescue, restraint and readiness for all kinds of humanitarian emergency – see how glad flood victims have been over Christmas.
George Macpherson
Are Area Meetings necessary?
I’m very much in agreement with Ian Beeson’s suggestions (1 January) regarding Local Meetings (LMs) and Area Meetings (AMs). As the lives of young families have got more and more demanding this has resulted in an increase in the age of those now attending AMs. Have a look around your next AM. What percentage are under forty?
Local Meetings can and should take total responsibility for their Meeting by keeping in touch with other LMs and Friends House, using the latest communication devices.
Unless AMs are radically changed or laid down I am concerned that this situation will deteriorate more rapidly.
Allan J Herring
You need to login to read subscriber-only content and/or comment on articles.