I am getting the irresistible urge to repeat certain words; Crusaders, Crusaders CRUSADERS. This is because of recent perceived fear of certain words...maybe. Super Rugby's Crusaders are by far and away - on present form - the best club in the world*. HOWEVER, "The Canterbury Crusaders are to lose their knight and sword logo following a review into the club's branding after the Christchurch mosque attacks in March". Now, apparently, the head of New Zealand Rugby Steve Tew said: "Even prior to 15 March, the Crusaders had signalled their intention to complete a brand review. While the events of 15 March have accelerated and escalated that brand review, we do not want this to be solely a response to that tragic event." Also,
"Any change must not be seen as a knee-jerk reaction to a single event."...OK; trouble is it sounds exactly like a knee-jerk reaction to a single event.
I don't know about you but when I see the logo I do not think of medieval European knights chopping up Muslims, no really, I don't. When the Canterbury kiwis originally chose the 'Crusaders' name it was based on the English nature of the city of Christchurch: [LINK: What's in a name (archived page)] "They believed the name Crusaders not only connected with Christchurch's British heritage but it defined the crusading spirit of Canterbury rugby." They have a theme song too: the "Conquest of Paradise" (Vangelis). My God, the Maori's won't like that will they? Their paradise was afterall conquested. And Canterbury in England means "stronghold of the Kentish men"! No! They'll have to change the city name too I guess, all that stronghold stuff could make people think of fighting and killing.
Now, juxtapose this rugby story with another rugby story: 'Israel Folau launches legal action over rugby sacking' [LINK] "No Australian of any faith should be fired for practising their religion," Folau said. Does anyone think, even for a nano-second, that if he were a Muslim and said the exact same words, i.e. that God's plan for gay people was “HELL…Unless they repent of their sins and turn to God”, he would be sacked...anyone?
* In England the Exeter Chiefs and Saracens will have to watch out...actually, no, Saracens won't, will they? I mean God forbid some may recall it as a term [Wiki] not just for for Muslim or Arab but with
connotations: on a military mission, or sāriq, pl. sariqīn: "thief, marauder, plunderer"!
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