Surely we can find a way to deal with this problem without resorting to “Keep Out” signs blocking part of our wonderful coastal asset. 

Yet this seems to be the way these days. 

We naively think that problems will somehow just go away by themselves.

The rise of Islam in this nation represents a huge challenge to our way of life but, rather than allowing public debate on the problem aspects of Islam, we simply build a fence around it and declare it a no-go area.

Same with homosexuality. 

There are huge social problems associated with the gay lifestyle. 

Bill Muehlenberg’s incredibly well-researched book Strained Relations addresses these problems in a realistic, yet compassionate way.

 But again, instead of working together to identify and address the real problem, we build a fence and create yet another no-go area. There are other issues like this. 

Teenage sex, pornography and abortion are three more that readily come to mind. 

Huge social problems that we would rather not deal with. We don’t want to offend anyone so we just keep out of these areas.

Trouble is, the whale isn’t going to magically disappear. It’s just going to get smellier and more and more disgusting. Please stop telling us not to go there. 

Instead, let’s come together and find a way to get rid of the problem.

Steve McNeilly, New Life Church, Bromfield Street, Warrnambool