Individual Freedom (Press, 21 July 1984)

In a letter to the editor dated 18 July 1984, Paul Maling responds to Varian J. Wilson’s claims regarding the influence of the "gay lobby" on individual freedom and human rights. Maling argues that the concept of individual freedom was first established by the ancient Greeks, who emphasised the importance of personal pleasure, including homosexual expression. He critiques Wilson's perspective, asserting that it is misguided to blame the gay community for corrupting these ideals. Instead, Maling contends that the Judeo-Christian Church has historically undermined the true meaning of human rights and individual freedom for nearly two millennia. Maling suggests that Wilson's viewpoint is indicative of a "puritan's mortal fear" of others experiencing pleasure, implying that Wilson views society inappropriately. Additionally, he challenges Wilson's assertion that Arab society is devoid of humanity, sharing his personal experiences from World War II, where he found the Arabs to possess remarkable qualities such as humanity, intelligence, beauty, and grace. Maling believes that these attributes highlight a contrast between the spirit of Arab culture and Wilson's own disposition. In summary, he defends the value of homosexual rights and criticises the negative perceptions of other cultures presented by Wilson.

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