Arch conservatives Donald Trump and Tony Abbott have packaged their aggression as compassion, according to Waleed Aly (SMH, December 12).
It’s clear that they are unable to see or admit that their careers have embodied the opposite of compassion, for they have been the champions and tools of capitalism. According to Pope Francis’s encyclical, the modern system of financial capital violates the commandment ‘Thou shalt not kill’.
Thus the real terrorism is that of capitalism as finance is the key to violence. Hence the biggest reformation required is that of the capitalist monetary system.
To give Mr Abbott his due, not one but all religions can do with some reformation. The rediscovery of historical truths has the potential to unify religions in the quest for compassion and peace.
Some may even be thankful to the leaders they didn’t want for showing them why, and in the process forgive them for the harm they have done.
Hayo van der Woude, Mullumbimby