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Summary: Fundamentalists (Press, 10 September 1985)
In a letter to the editor published on 10 September 1985, W. R. Sykes criticises Vernon Wilkinson for his contradictory stance on various social issues, specifically nuclear weapons, apartheid, and homosexual law reform. Sykes argues that these issues are interconnected through a common concern for human rights and basic freedoms. He highlights the actions of the Reagan Administration in relation to nuclear armament, the South African government's enforcement of apartheid, and the opposition to the Wilde Bill, which seeks to reform laws regarding homosexuality. Sykes suggests that Wilkinson, in opposing the Wilde Bill, mirrors the "moral majority" mentality that seeks to uphold traditional family values, which Sykes believes has no inherent merit as a solution to life’s challenges. He expresses concern over Wilkinson's apparent inability to recognise the links between these pressing societal issues and his intolerance towards differing views. Sykes emphasizes the importance of tolerance and open-mindedness, suggesting that it is arrogant to impose one's beliefs on others. The letter concludes with an appeal for a broader understanding of these interconnected human rights issues.
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