Crusaders coaches and players say the debate around their team’s name should wait until emotions have cooled following the Christchurch terror attack.
Irritated Crusaders coach Scott Robertson has called for patience in the debate over changing his team’s name, saying any decision should wait until a degree of calm returns to Christchurch.
Before flying to Sydney for Saturday’s match against the Waratahs, Robertson and captain Sam Whitelock fielded questions about the appropriateness of the club’s name in the wake of last week’s attack on two Christchurch mosques which claimed 50 lives.
Agitation arose after it was pointed out that historically the Crusades were a series of religious and political wars between Christians and Muslims in the 11th and 13th centuries.
Crusaders management said they will consult Muslim leaders and others in the community before determining if a change is merited.
That stance drew backing from the New Zealand government.
However, Robertson is irritated the topic has encroached on the news narrative at a sensitive time.
“If you make a call now, with the way everyone’s feeling, is that the right thing? We don’t think so,” he said.
“We will do the right thing at the right time. Do you understand and respect that?”
Veteran All Black Whitelock believed the Muslim community won’t want to be fielding questions about a sports team’s name in the wake of such a devastating event.
Like Robertson, he said he hadn’t thought about the issue.
“In time those questions will be asked. It’ll be a good discussion with anyone that needs to be in there. Opinions will be heard but the right time’s not now,” Whitelock said.
Rugbyrah
Roar Rookie
First the terrible evil massacre by the self confessed eco facist who wants to reduce world population to stop climate change, as he claims in his manifesto. He goes on to say the fastest growing population is Muslims, so his whole mindset is not spefically againgst muslims, it is to take action on the so called climate change. The guy has list the plot. Now the media want to make this a feature focussing on an atheist killing Muslims. And now Canterbury is pressured to change their name. And then there are very strange theories surrounding the event. https://m.beforeitsnews.com/v3/alternative/2019/3672125.html
Rugbyrah
Roar Rookie
That is what we are doing in Syria and Afghanistan right now
Ouch
Roar Rookie
Thats what all the bigots say. The guy who shot up the Mosque had the same sentiments…….. I’m surprised you didn’t add the other favourite catch-cry of the bigot…….”It’s PC gone maaaaaaaad”.
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
Done any research on why the 1st Crusade started? We most likely be an Arabic nation if it was for that.
AndyS
Guest
Actually, technically, the Crusaders were the International Military Intervention against ISIL of their day. I wonder if in future people will be looking back on the current conflict the same way? If it is a historic military act of aggression Muslims could get irritated by, it might be Gallipoli...whose beach was it they were trying to invade again...?
Ouch
Roar Rookie
Someone just slaughtered 50 people of Islamic faith in Christchurch. The mascot of that cities sporting team is a Crusader Knight - a group of people whose sole purpose was to slaughter non-Christians, specifically Muslims and Jews. Yeh, can't see a problem there. All thats come out of NZ for the past week is "we're about compassion caring, this isn't us"......seems that compassion only extends so far. Lip service Even the Mongrel Mob stated they will stop using seig heil as a greeting but any concession from rugby is too much. Opinions will be heard but the right time’s not now, These guys sound just the NRA after US school shooting.
Ouch
Roar Rookie
Ah, yes the Associate Professor of Christian Apologetics.
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
No one in Queensland is offended by the name of the Wellington Hurricanes. The cairns netball team is called the cyclones. No one has ever complained about their name. Natural phenomena and animals just aren’t that offensive.
AndyS
Guest
Sorry, didn't realise you were working in a second or third language. Happy coincidence they don't play Q'ld this year.
Rugbyrah
Roar Rookie
A different take on the Crusades can be found at: https://www.clayjones.net/2014/04/the-truth-about-the-crusades
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
What issues do people in Wellington have? Are you seriously saying that there are actually real people in Wellington who are offended by the name of their rugby team?
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Should read ‘toasters aren’t...’
AndyS
Guest
True, it is about the feelings of people who have suffered now and the connections they might make, be it an earthquake or old religious war. But apparently fine so long as it is other people elsewhere who do the suffering though, so long as it isn't Wellington. To hell with them and their issues, hey?
rebel
Roar Guru
logic where it leads? It's not logic and the only place it leads is in your head.
concerned supporter
Roar Rookie
Mate, Go out & teach theology.
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
No. It isn’t really about people who have suffered because the last crusade happened more than 500 years ago, so there is no one in the world who can claim to have suffered as a result of the crusades. It is about whether the name of the football team is offensive or otherwise inappropriate. There is nothing morally offensive about an earthquake in and of itself, but one would imagine that the people if Christchurch would probably not be in favour of that name because it would bring up painful memories for a lot of people. That is clearly not the case for the people of Wellington and Hurricanes. The crusaders on the other hand were morally repugnant, and anything that suggests that A football team or a local community would want to emulate them is highly problematic.
Alligator
Roar Rookie
Concerned supporter you're right. So if Jesus is the Son of God, also referred to as Jesus Christ, in the Christian faith, then it's pretty clear that this view of Jesus is entirely at odds with every other religion. So you can see how it can be very offensive to people who don't want to consider Jesus as God. Calling Jesus 'the Christ' in Roman times was an affront to the Roman emperor and many were thrown to the lions. The relevance to this discussion is that surely to be consistent to 'not offend' if they want to change the name Crusaders they should also change the name Christchurch. I'm not advocating for this, just drawing logic where it leads
AndyS
Guest
No, it is about the effect on people who may have suffered, natural phenomena or not. Would Christchurch Earthquakes be considered an appropriate replacement name for their rugby team?
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
I too think that the decision should be made after people have had a chance to grieve.
concerned supporter
Roar Rookie
Alligator, you say, ''The reason the name is offensive is because of its meaning – God’s king over the world – and Christians believe this is Jesus.'' I went to a Catholic school. didn't studý theology, but my understanding is Jesus is the son of God. There is the trio, the Father, (God), Son (Jesus) and the Holy Spirit.