Tamaki crossed the line

Brian Tamaki was reported as saying:

In a video posted on Facebook on Wednesday, the Destiny Church founder accuses Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi of purging Christians in the South Asian nation.

“He [Modi] is currently purging India of all Christians and burning church buildings down,” Tamaki said.

“I think we should reciprocate in kind. Let’s purge New Zealand of Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims. And, while we’re at it, if they’re burning churches down, why don’t we burn mosques and their temples down? Tit for tat.”

Tamaki explicitly said NZ should be purged of Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims, on the basis he doesn’t like what the leader of a foreign country is doing.

For those inclined to defend what he said, think about if he had said:

“Benjamin Netanyahu is currently purging Israel of all Muslims and burning mosques down. I think we should reciprocate in kind. Let’s purge NZ of Jews. And while we’re at it, if they’re burning mosques down, why don’t we burn their synagogues down”

Both statements are equally vile. He calls for a purge of New Zealand citizens based on their religion, and suggests burning down their places of worship. One can condemn what happens in India (which actually sees Muslims, Sikhs and Christians all targeted – not just Christians) without using it to condemn three entire religions. It is especially ironic that Muslims and Sikhs in India are also victims of Hindu nationalism, and Tamaki calls for them to be purged because I guess to him they’re all the same.

The statements do not necessarily meet the threshold for criminal prosecution, but they do meet the threshold to consider whether he should have the privilege (not the right) of owning guns. I prefer gun owners not to call for purges of religious minorities and burning down places of worship.