With traditional religious belief on the decline, it’s more important than ever to maintain
some of our secular communal celebrations, writes Phil Wright. And that includes fireworks on New Year’s Eve.
By Phil Wright
CREATIVE societies are bound by a sense of community and common moral vision. Few of the previous councillors who voted to move the Cowes fireworks from New Year’s Eve to Carols by the Bay showed any sign of vision. It was about the 2012 election.
Modern Australia is the richest and most prosperous community that has ever existed. With this wealth come choices not possible for developing nations. Now we have the option to ignore traditional religious values. Unfortunately, the new lifestyles are unchartered, which is leading us into a cultural desert with minimal traditions except for sports, music and shopping.
some of our secular communal celebrations, writes Phil Wright. And that includes fireworks on New Year’s Eve.
By Phil Wright
CREATIVE societies are bound by a sense of community and common moral vision. Few of the previous councillors who voted to move the Cowes fireworks from New Year’s Eve to Carols by the Bay showed any sign of vision. It was about the 2012 election.
Modern Australia is the richest and most prosperous community that has ever existed. With this wealth come choices not possible for developing nations. Now we have the option to ignore traditional religious values. Unfortunately, the new lifestyles are unchartered, which is leading us into a cultural desert with minimal traditions except for sports, music and shopping.
It is my opinion that community leaders should lead us into the unknown slowly and try to retain the traditions we have been brought up on. On New Year’s Eve you have a drink, meet your friends and have fun. Fireworks in this space is a unifying and cultural component. Inevitably there will be some inconvenience to the unelected vocal minority of wowsers and killjoys, which is where the police are required. We don’t abandon a footy match because a player throws an elbow. The alternative to a vibrant and engaged New Year’s Eve is a sanitised, conforming night that attempts to control the spirit of youth. The uncontrollable. Young people are our future leaders and must be treated with respect. They must be given the opportunity to party and enjoy themselves. Only a small percentage behave badly. The relocation of the Cowes fireworks from New Year’s Eve to Carols by the Bay is selfish because it excludes the majority of island ratepayers who are Melbourne residents. It also distracts families who go to Carols by the Bay from a connection to religion and a few thoughts on the possible existence of a higher power. The history of religions is a sad tale of war and persecution based on mythology and superstition. However, there have been many positive outcomes of belonging and hope for people most in need. It is not a good idea to accelerate the spread of non-believers. The third-highest belief system in the world behind Christianity and Islam is a Belief in Nothing. | History In 2010, with growing concerns about large numbers of youths gathering for New Year’s Eve on the Cowes foreshore, councillors voted to move the traditional fireworks display to Carols by the Bay, in the week before Christmas. Since then, there has been a steady drop in numbers gathering on the foreshore on New Year’s Eve, from around 8000 people in 2009 to around 3000 last year, in spite of more funds going in to the New Year’s Eve Carnivale. While emergency services and police have welcomed the reduced popularity of the New Year celebration, others mourn the loss of a once-important communal gathering and sense of community. On Wenesday, councillors will vote whether to restore the fireworks to New Year’s Eve or leave things as they are. |
Many people want to find alternative solutions to the deep and perennial problems of life that religion tries to solve. Only wealthy societies have the freedom to believe in nothing. Many people choose atheism as a viable alternative to religion but unfortunately the majority of prosperous societies are apathetic and can’t be bothered believing in anything.
The fireworks at Cowes Carols distract Phillip Island residents from the carols. Traditionally it was a family fun night with a good dose of easily digestible, non-technical, three-parts-secular-to-one-part-religious participation. A time to consider the religious interpretation of Christmas and the relevance of belief systems with a backdrop of magnificent natural assets and community singing. Now it is a night for disconnected, restless families waiting for the fireworks. What social capital has been achieved?
Cowes is the only place where the council funds fireworks at carols. Ongoing support for this merging of two distinct cultural values into one may result in a similar demand across the shire. More cultural desecration. Is that a good thing?
Phil Wright lives at Smiths Beach and is a Bass Coast councillor.
The fireworks at Cowes Carols distract Phillip Island residents from the carols. Traditionally it was a family fun night with a good dose of easily digestible, non-technical, three-parts-secular-to-one-part-religious participation. A time to consider the religious interpretation of Christmas and the relevance of belief systems with a backdrop of magnificent natural assets and community singing. Now it is a night for disconnected, restless families waiting for the fireworks. What social capital has been achieved?
Cowes is the only place where the council funds fireworks at carols. Ongoing support for this merging of two distinct cultural values into one may result in a similar demand across the shire. More cultural desecration. Is that a good thing?
Phil Wright lives at Smiths Beach and is a Bass Coast councillor.