16 December 2005 "I would like to think that Roland Schoeman's decision to spurn the oil-dollar offer had a more fundamental and compelling origin" SCHOEMAN, FAUST AND INSTINCT Tim Anderson, Newlands.

Your comments about the loyalties of Roland Schoeman, Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Strauss (Editor's Note December 9) raise an issue of primary importance to our semi democracy. You assume that Schoeman's love of his country drove his decision to spurn the oil-dollar offer. All credit to him if that was a factor but, hopefully, his decision had a more fundamental and compelling origin. Consider St Paul's observation in his letter to the Romans (2:14,15): "The gentiles (viz, unbelievers) do not have the [Mosaic] Law; but whenever they do by instinct what the Law commands . . . Their conduct shows that what the Law commands is written in their hearts. Their consciences also show this is true, since their thoughts sometimes accuse them and sometimes defend them . . ." I like to think Schoeman's heart told him "the right thing to do". I'm sure he was tempted, but as a decent man he knew a Faustian decision would haunt his conscience and proclaim him forever as a man who could be bought. If this instinct is written on their hearts at all, it is the disregard or suppression of their protesting conscience that marks so many of our citizens who occupy public office or inhabit our management and boardrooms . These cynically dishonest people in positions of power, authority and influence are destroying our new order. Their behavioural criteria are, first, how to avoid being caught and, second, how to brazen it out when they are. No regulation and policing will imbue them with integrity. Of course, such weak and grasping people are active worldwide, but it does seem SA has an above-average percentage of them and, worse, a way above-average tolerance. As for Pietersen and Strauss, their detachment from our country may be nothing more sinister than common sense. To be a happy and successful immigrant it is essential not to leave one foot still hovering over the vacated turf. Professional sportsmen have become paid entertainers who move to wherever they can best earn a living. European soccer teams are often dominated by foreigners. No-one complains that members of the local orchestra include musicians from Poland, Japan and Mexico. Sport, like the arts, is universal and is becoming globalised.