Talk:Rev. John Thomas

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Contested deletion[edit]

This article should not be speedily deleted for lack of asserted importance because... Rev. John Thomas was not merely "good man," as you put it, but an historical figure of note as evidenced by the RELIABLE INDEPENDENT SOURCES provided which you have strangely chosen to ignore but CLAIM are your "principle concern!"

RELIABLE INDEPENDENT SOURCE ONE: The World Methodist Historical Society. As quoted in the article, no less than the World Methodist Historical Society mentions Rev. John Thomas' distinction as being the first Indian in the entire (racist at that time) country of South Africa to be ordained as a minister. They are an INDEPENDENT BODY whose records have been relied upon for documentaries made about South Africa by the History Channel. Why, pray tell do you not consider them a RELIABLE INDEPENDENT SOURCE?

RELIABLE INDEPENDENT SOURCE TWO: Author S.H Stott, thought Rev, John Thomas notable enough from all the hundreds of people met throughout his foreign travels, and mentions him in his autobiography, 'A Nonagenarian's Experiences and Observations in Many Lands.' (London: Epworth Press 1927). We'd listed this from day one!

RELIABLE INDEPENDENT SOURCE THREE: Richard Elphick (1997). Christianity in South Africa: A Political, Social, and Cultural History. University of California Press. pp. 286. Again, another author who found Rev. John Thomas 'notable' enough for mention. Pray tell...-how is this author NOT an independent, reliable source?

COMMENDATION without a reliable, independent source which I will have to request from the city council of Pietermaritzburg? The city of Pietermaritzburg named THOMAS street in his honor during Apartheid...and when the new government came to power and changed numerous other streets of local heroes THIS ONE remained.