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Wake up and smell the Tequila
02/07/2003 15:05 - (SA)
Bryan Porter
Cape Town - More than a thousand South African Christians have stood up and petitioned Koos Kombuis's latest novel The Secret Diary of God, slating the book as "a blasphemous insult to the holiness of God".
According to the author, the petition signifies the precise small-mindedness the novel aims to counter. " I can take criticism from people who have read the book," says Kombuis. "But those who have not, don't have the right to criticise."
"I felt offended by other religious books," he added. "Taboos are nonsense - there is no topic that is too taboo to write about."
Since first posting the petition on its web site, South African literary journal Litnet has an unprecedented number of emails in response. More than 25 letters have been posted on SêNet - LitNet's debating forum.
Although a lot of Christians had some hard words directed at Kombuis, many defended his rights of satire and freedom of speech. One of the letters was apparently written by Satan himself, using the pseudonym Beelzebub.
A lot of people also wanted to get hold of the petition.
Noelene had this to say about the book: "In fact, it does a brilliant PR job for The Creator as His is really not an easy reputation to uphold."
Nicki was less sympathetic: "I have only one thing to say to Koos: You're going straight to hell when you die!"
Bernard Mostert compared the petitioners to "TV-rabbits", meaning those who try to get an early head start at the Comrades, but never finish the race.
There was also consternation over Kombuis's claim that God drinks tequila.
Gerrit Brand, an academic from Stellenbosch, sided with Koos and promtply stated: "Wake up and smell the tequila!"
By this afternoon, LitNet has already received more than 50 new letters, varying from conservative Christians fuming with rage to hardcore and sympathetic Kombuis fans alike, which will be posted later tonight.
Readers are encouraged to mail their views on the matter to LitNet at katvis22@yahoo.com.
Pseudonyms are more than welcome. The letters can be read at www.litnet.co.za by following the Briewe/Letters link on the homepage.
- News24
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South Africa
