“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” Words of wisdom from those noted philosophers, Semisonic. After three years and nearly 100 posts on A Place to Stand, it’s time for something new.
I started writing here because I hoped that, despite the noise and the clickbait that characterises the public square, there was still space for thoughtful engagement with the issues defining New Zealand’s future.
In many ways the new venture I’m involved with embodies the same hope. I’ve been helping to establish a new organisation called Ethos, which exists to advocate for freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief. In today’s polarised society it’s getting harder to live out beliefs that conflict with prevailing attitudes. Ethos has been created to contribute to a better culture, one where we respect each other’s differences and make space for people to live out their beliefs even where we disagree.
If you want to know why I think this matters, I’ve written an op-ed for The Post that discusses the challenges we’re facing and the reasons we should all value these rights. Here’s how it starts:
Everyone has some controversial beliefs.
But how comfortable are we telling people about them? For many of us, the answer is: not very.
We commissioned new research asking New Zealanders whether they thought society should have more tolerance for people expressing differing beliefs even if they are unpopular or about sensitive issues like sex and gender identity, the Treaty of Waitangi, hate speech, or religion. The majority—59 percent—agreed that we need to be more tolerant than we are; just 11 percent disagreed.
You can read the rest here.
Ethos will be my main focus from now on, and A Place to Stand will be mothballed. If that leaves a hole in your inbox and you’re interested in the sorts of issues Ethos will be engaging with, we’d love to have you join the mailing list.
I’m deeply grateful to everybody who’s read, commented on, shared and, especially, supported A Place to Stand. Paying subscribers have been a real blessing and I can’t thank you enough for putting your money where my mouth is. (And if the mission of Ethos appeals to you, perhaps you’d consider transferring your financial support from this publication to our new work?)
In this last post, I thought I’d share some of the pieces that have meant the most to me. Writing here has often involved a wrestle with ideas and beliefs (and self-imposed deadlines!), and every post has helped me deepen my understanding. But with that said, some of my favourites include:
Educated by a gearhead (January 2021)
Fertility and the foundations of society (April 2021)
The risks of creating a two-tier society (November 2021)
The most extraordinary thing in the world (January 2022)
Pressure is a Messerschmitt (July 2022)
The Productivity Commission’s latest report trips over its own assumptions (November 2022)
Is the Supreme Court’s decision on tikanga an outlier or a harbinger? (November 2022)
The apocalypse at Albert Park (April 2023)
Of mullets and matrimony (November 2023)
It’s not just cricket (January 2024)
Finally, the great philosopher Sir Roger Scruton said something that reflected my hopes at the outset of A Place to Stand and which seems relevant to the new season that’s beginning. I thought it would be fitting to sign off with it.
We are attached to the things we love, and wish to protect them against decay. But we know that they cannot last forever. Meanwhile we must study the ways in which we can retain them through all the changes that they must necessarily undergo, so that our lives are still lived in a spirit of goodwill and gratitude.
Thank you, and God bless.
I have always enjoyed reading your articles, and I think you need to keep shining a light on the controversial issues that concern us all.