What in the name of Papa Smurf is Jesus doing at the airport? 


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I recently went to the Netherlands for an academic workshop and conference., Digital Humanities 2019, Utrecht. Upon my  return from the trip, as I was walking through the airport, I came across a sticker on one of the sliding doors just as I passed custom security. The sticker read, 'Only Jesus can give you peace'. At first I went past the sticker. As I kept walking I thought to myself, this cannot be right. I stopped and went back to take the above picture. 

I took issue with the sticker and I posted something about it on my Whatsapp status. I also sent a very strongly worded email to OR Tambo International Management complaining about the sticker and requesting that they take it down immediately.

My issue was this: We all know South Africa is a secularist country, even though we celebrate and observe Christian holidays as a country (well majority). Our constitution recognises all religions in this country and supports freedom of religious expression. My issue was that the sticker was first and foremost, in what I deem to be an inappropriate place, i.e. international arrivals at the airport. I thought this was not a true reflection of the South Africa we are. As a South African citizen I became concerned about South Africans who do not subscribe to the Christian faith, or rather do not subscribe to Jesus. Let me not be presumptuous as Jesus features in more than just Christianity. What and how are they supposed to feel coming home only to be welcomed by a Jesus sign on their way home? Moreover, what of the international guests who think we are a rainbow nation that prides itself in cultural and religious diversity. They walk in the airport and Jesus is there to welcome them. What about the representations of all the other religions in this space?

I am raising this issue because a friend started taking issue with me after reading my Whatsapp post and claimed that this was the rejection of Christ. He started quoting the bible and used what he called 'historical facts' about Jesus and how the Pharisees, etc. rejected him. I was then reminded that this was freedom of expression after all. My response to my colleague was that I was not raising a Biblical issue here. The issue is a constitutional one. It is about respect for other people's religions and not shoving your own down people's throats in what is technically supposed to be neutral ground when it comes to religious matters. Have you ever seen a religious advert at the airport, I asked my friend? Why do you think we do not hang crosses and put bibles at reception at our workplaces? Some hotels have even stopped putting those little blue Gideon bibles in their rooms out of respect for other religions.

Why are there no religious symbols in trains, government buildings, etc.? That's because we respect the fact that we have multiple religions in this country. We don't make the assumption that everyone is Christian or subscribes to Jesus. That is why you are allowed to decorate your office with religious symbols in some places, because it is a private space. But you will never find such in an open area such areas as reception, boardroom, kitchen, toilets, etc., unless that particular business, or organisation is a religious based one. This sticker is violating people's rights by being presented in a place that is accessed by people from all walks of life. I am not against people expressing their religious freedom. Of course people can place their stickers anywhere they like, but the entrance to a country at an international airport, mmmm....I am not sure if I can see a whole management figure authorising such. I stand to be corrected.