November 2001 Volume 82 Number 11
"serving the protectors"
| November 2001 Volume 82 Number 11 "serving the protectors" |
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ChaplaincyFanatics |
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| By David Marr |
Fanatics have been on my mind a bit lately. People become fanatical about almost anything. There are interest groups and clubs catering to even our most unusual obsessions. There are all kinds of conferences, rallies and opportunities for avid fans to express themselves, demonstrate their skills, or simply talk shop. Obsessions range from the bizarre to the ridiculous. From collecting spoons, owls or bar codes at home, to scrounging for gold in creek beds, or firing paint balls at each other from rifles in the shrubbery.
Most things we become passionate about tend to be harmless, though at times we might conceal some financial implications from our partners. Apart from costs in time and money, no one is really hurt or goes without.
Zealousness can run you into trouble though. It can limit the vision and close the mind. Zealousness can promote delusions and lead to prejudice, generating bitterness and exclusion. Zealots can be influenced by all kinds of positive or negative experiences, and often the more painful and isolating episodes create the deepest, abiding and motivational impressions.
We have seen this following the tragic suicide bombing in America. Over and again the media have run their spectacular footage of collisions, fireballs, crashing buildings and the later interviews with grieving and distressed victims. Shocked, our senses have become numbed by what we have seen and heard. We especially feel for the police and emergency services’ victims and their families and the high cost in human life and suffering.
We are stunned that, in the 21st century, such uncivilized and inhuman behaviour can occur. We hear the calls for retribution and vengeance and understand the reasons. There are people in our community who, when faced with the anguish of these images, want to lash out without delay and “bomb them to hell”. Gentler souls among us bring a wider concern, and advise temperance and balance, lest we also bring terror and a devastation that escalates and divides.
Have we humans learnt nothing over centuries of tensions and wars? It’s strange how so many of our activities swing to extremes. Can we not here be midrashic and write a formula for present action out of our spiritual battle stories and experiences from the past? Coppers, firies, nurses, clergy, all have a penchant for telling waries, but do we believe them? Do we learn from our past experiences?
I recall some mates struggling with concern about their friend’s obsession with motor vehicles. They decided to kidnap and imprison him in his own home. Ultimately, Toad escaped from Badger, Ratty and Mole but, slow to learn, his fanatical behaviour still regularly brought him into conflict with authorities and his friends.
In the book of Genesis, Jacob, disturbed of mind and unable to sleep, wrestled all night seeking peace. Perhaps fanatics with their focussed energy and commitment are unable to find peace. Many pursue their agendas and goals at the expense of others, creating disease and fear. My plumber mate, Gus, reckons most of them need rescuing from themselves, anyhow.
The pain and terror of September 11 in New York will be felt for a long time, and the free and easy travel experiences of the past are gone forever.
SA Police Chaplains
Welfare Section 58 David Marr 8364 3567 Senior Police Chaplain. Academy 8 Brenton Daulby 8272 8324 Adelaide: Angas Street 158 Bruce Grindlay 8295 2220 Adelaide: Hindley Street 62 Bruce Grindlay 8295 2220 Adelaide Hills Division 54 Adrian Stephens 8398 2510 Office: 8398 2517 Ceduna 214 Sybil Peacock 8625 3505 Christies Beach 20 Peter Coote 8381 3039 0412 818 995 Clare 202 Michael Dutschke 8842 3681 Communications 172 David Hand 8376 5612 Elizabeth 52 Lindsay Mayes 8281 8088 Far North 210 John Folkman 8672 5011 Firearms/Records Dianna Bartlett 8337 8552 Gawler 52 Brian Tscharke 8522 2288 Glenelg 22 Malcolm Thomas 8377 0772 Henley Beach 18 Tim Kowald 8449 6868 Holden Hill 44 Rod Dyson 8365 1170 Kadina 71 Vacant Kingston 208 Mount Gambier 208 Brian Ashworth (w) 8723 1353 (h) 8725 2537 Murray Bridge 200 Malcolm Bottrill 8532 5536 Naracoorte 208 Bruce Cliff 8737 2457 0417 811 702 Norwood 60 Lynton Wade 8362 2227 0418 831 703 Nuriootpa 204 Andy Kowald 8562 1011 Port Adelaide 6 Jeff Oake 8341 5930 Port Pirie 206 Steve Ardill 8632 3977 Prosecution Services 176 Vacant Port Augusta PS 210 Mark Thomas 8642 2487 0401 671 850 Port Lincoln 214 Peter King 8682 3725 Riverland 212 Robin Zadow 8588 1540 Salisbury 53 Vacant South East Terry Natt 8571 1114 Sturt 12 Chris Beal 8278 9578 Ian Dempsey 8296 7292 Tea Tree Gully 48 Bob George 8395 9363 Thebarton Barracks 32 Joe Grealy 8338 3225 Transit Division Wayne Shepherd 8443 4895 Whyalla 218 Tony Redden 8649 3593
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