Glenn Maffia

RISING early, I left my house to arrive with plenty of time to spare to be able to count the numbers making up the congregation for the re-use of the old Greek chapel for Christian worship; the first since the Turkish and Greek exchange of populations in 1923.

The day was bright, warm even, with those attending turning up in shirt sleeves. I was pleased the weather did not hinder, or worse, put off altogether, those wishing to be a part of this historic moment.

I counted 25 people, all of which, as far as I could discern, were British and Irish, and predominantly were female.

I was especially pleased that there were no children in attendance, for I find the indoctrination of young minds in sensitive matters such as religion abhorrent. Children should not be taught what to think, but rather, how to think.

To be honest I was a little disappointed at such a low number as I’ve certainly seen many more bodies on a Friday or Saturday crammed into a bar for a ‘Quiz and Karaoke’ night.

Though even this small number was sufficient to fill the tiny chapel to capacity, therefore it is probably just as well that no one else found the need to attend.

Possibly about one to two percent of the foreigners living in Didim are perhaps a similar reflection on the numbers of church goers back in Western Europe these days.

I thought it would be somewhat rude for me to enter into the chapel given that my atheism is so diametrically opposed to all those present. It was an occasion for them, certainly not for the likes of me.

Speaking later, both Tony Scott and Maurice Ryan announced they were thrilled with such a number in the congregation; therefore I am pleased for them considering all the hard work they had put in to achieve this moment.

Hence Tony and Maurice’s optimism was unbounded as we spoke in the delightfully pleasant surroundings of the Table of Poseidon Restaurant.

They both praised the Mayor, Deniz Atabay, for his own unstinting efforts to enable their vision to be realized.

While a very healthy ‘mini debate’ ensued on our widely differing points of outlook, which did not end in hostilities or warfare; which just goes to prove that dialogue is possible between opposing viewpoints if they are approached with respect and accorded the fine art of listening. Tolerance is born in an educated mind.

I questioned them upon certain elements of their doctrine which clearly contradict one another; the two utterly different tales of Creation, and the four incompatible Gospels of the New Testament.

Neither of them said anything that I have not heard before by way of refutation or explanation, though both were equally elegant in their language.

Nonetheless, I was delighted that their special, hard fought, day was a success and the congregational number, with which they were so thrilled, can hopefully be maintained for the foreseeable future.