Linda Hall: Tamaki just needs to keep quiet now

Bishop Brian Tamaki of the Destiny Church.

What about Brian Tamaki? Can you believe him?

Honestly, who does this man think he is? How utterly arrogant of him.

In case you didn't hear, the day before the huge and devastating 7.8 earthquake that struck the South island, Tamaki told his congregation that a gay priest, sinners and murderers were responsible for the Christchurch earthquakes in 2011.

People all over New Zealand were outraged and called on Tamaki to apologise, but he refused.

Instead he said on a radio interview that he actually meant anybody indulging in illicit sexual behaviour, adultery, child abuse and more.

"It's about adultery, morality, it's about any type of extra-sexual behaviour," Tamaki said.
Is the God he worships really that vindictive? I'm not a Christian but I do have my own beliefs and I've always believed that any god would be kind, loving and caring.

I did have to laugh at a post I saw on Facebook. It showed a picture of Tamaki and his wife on holiday in Las Vegas. I can't remember the exact words now but someone had written that perhaps Tamaki shouldn't be holidaying in a place full of gamblers.

Especially using the money collected from his congregation of churchgoers who all presumably have the same beliefs as him.

I couldn't agree more. Or maybe he made these outrageous comments because he hasn't been in the limelight enough recently.

The families of the 185 people killed in Christchurch and the two in Kaikoura must be so upset over these stupid statements.

As will the hundreds of people affected by last Monday's terrible earthquake.
To blame these events on anyone is nasty. I'd really like to hear what proof he has or at least how he managed to come to this conclusion.

Actually on second thoughts - no, I don't want to hear anything he has to say.
I don't even want to hear an apology from him.

He should just be quiet now and maybe send some of the money he collects at his next sermon to the residents of Kaikoura.

Now for something a bit lighter.

I went to the Heather Brunsdon School of Dance recital performance on Saturday in the Napier Municipal Theatre.

This is the third year I've been and this time I had two granddaughters in the show. The sisters, one 3 years old and the other 5, were so cute.

In her first dance Miss 5-year-old was so intent at looking at the audience she bumped into the girl in front.

With me was a 4-year-old boy. He just lasted the distance. In the second half the first item saw beautiful ballerinas dance out on to the stage dressed in black skirts, tight shimmering gold tops and long black gloves.

Mr Four whispers to me "I'm just wondering why they have got gloves on."
Oh, that's so they look beautiful and elegant, I said. "But they are for gardening," was his response. I had to laugh. How times have changed.

My mother told me the first time she went to Auckland with her mum and dad her mother made sure she had a hat and gloves because " you can't walk down Queen St without a hat and gloves on".

Gloves have been around since ancient times, used as protection, as a symbol of high position, when one dressed up for a special occasion and to stay warm.
The only time I wear gloves is - you guessed it - in the garden.

■ Linda Hall is assistant editor of Hawke's Bay Today.