The Government have, unsurprisingly, jumped on the ludicrous 'classification' bandwagon in order to reclassify cannabis.
They appear quite unable to see that this entire approach has dome absolutely nothing to reduce the use of drugs. Will anyone currently using cannabis stop doing so because of reclassification - of course not.
I don't use cannabis or any other illegal drugs. However, what always appears to be absent from any government discourse on the topic is that people use them because they like them and because they regard them as fun.
We already have a dour, boring PM who comes over like some sort of semi-retired church minister. Now we have yet another piece of repressive legislation.
Expecting imagination from any government on this topic is far too optimistic - but until they realise that people who use drugs do not care about the scare stories and the 'danger' message will not work, we won't make any progress and the same old tired arguments will continue.
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Saturday, May 03, 2008
Local elections
I'm not currently a member of any political party, though I suppose associate myself still with Labour. But Thursday's results were not only predictable, but deserved. Not only has the government run out of steam, but they are doing some things which are just plain wrong.
It seems to me that the Tories will have to start actually talking in greater detail as to what they actually intend to do, though. The detail is threadbare at best at present.
As for Labour: well, these will naturally be ignored, but as they claim to be listening....
It seems to me that the Tories will have to start actually talking in greater detail as to what they actually intend to do, though. The detail is threadbare at best at present.
As for Labour: well, these will naturally be ignored, but as they claim to be listening....
- Get rid of Brown, preferably via his humble resignation. Could anyone have disappointed more? I think he needs to face up to the fact that he is damaged goods. There is something....odd about him. On the Nicky Campbell show the other day, he was asked what he thinks about first thing in the morning. he launched into a complicated response about house prices. That's weird. Its not what people think about first thing in the morning.
- Reverse the 10p tax rate decision. Forget about the so-called measures to compensate. It needs to go.
- Accept the fact that 1997 was a fluke and 2001 was won because the Tories were a shower and utterly inept. This means that some seats won in those years were flukes and should not be aimed for again.
- Linked to this, what is needed is to motivate the basic Labour vote. Those voters who lent their votes to Labour only did so because the Tories were so awful. Now they are credible they have gone home. They will remain there at least for the next election. Forget about them. Instead, think about measures to re-invigorate two core voting blocs - the core labour vote feeling the pinch, and the middle class intellectual vote.
- For the former - do something about housing. That, above all, is the cause of distress in many areas, and causes most of the angst with regard to immigration. That means COUNCIL housing, and these should be public sector not open for the RTB. Secondly, reorganise the tax system - tax credits are a disaster. Instead, simplify by removing the low paid from tax altogether. And lets have a higher tax rate , please, for the best off.
- For the latter, get out of Iraq, and start distancing from the US expansionist nightmare. neo-con nonsense needs to go, forever. It has no place in a left-of-centre party. Secondly, abandon some of the authoritarian measures which are unnecessary. Third, stop trying to compete with the Tories to win White Van Man. This group is far more loyal to Labour, and they all vote religiously - and its those very policies that alienate this group, but fail to win over any converts.
- Finally, any party which has become so right wing that people like 'Business' Secretary John Hutton can be a member has problems. I have heard countless interviews and not once has he said anything which wouldn't be more appropriately said by a Tory.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
More confusion on 'family values'
The Austrian case of multiple incest and domestic violence in a supposedly average family should offer warnings to anyone who tries to pretend that there is somehow something untouchable about 'the family'. Families, like most other institutions can be good and bad. Most murders and rapes happen within families. The obvious support given to the murderer of the young Goth woman in Bacup displays how families can be just as much part of the problem. It is the quality of living arrangements which matters -not the structure.
And remember the Catholic adoption agencies screeching about having to close all their adoption agencies because they would no longer be allowed to discriminate against gay people? In reality, none will close., What is happening instead is that the agencies - supported largely by the State, not Vatican plc despite its vast riches - are establishing themselves as independent agencies and they are signing up to the new regulations. because many of the well-trained social workers in their employ never wanted to discriminate in the first place, and will be able to provide a much better service outside the UK branch of Vatican plc. One really should question, given their record, whether the RC's are a suitable organisation to be involved in child care in any case. Thankfully, it appears their prejudices will help to make this branch of their 'work' history.
And remember the Catholic adoption agencies screeching about having to close all their adoption agencies because they would no longer be allowed to discriminate against gay people? In reality, none will close., What is happening instead is that the agencies - supported largely by the State, not Vatican plc despite its vast riches - are establishing themselves as independent agencies and they are signing up to the new regulations. because many of the well-trained social workers in their employ never wanted to discriminate in the first place, and will be able to provide a much better service outside the UK branch of Vatican plc. One really should question, given their record, whether the RC's are a suitable organisation to be involved in child care in any case. Thankfully, it appears their prejudices will help to make this branch of their 'work' history.
Inheritance laws and couple status
The ECHR ruled against a pair of sisters sharing a home who wanted the inheritance rules to apply to them in the same way as civil partnership or marriage today.
This was an entirely sensible decision. Essentially marriage and civil partnership contain the same rights and responsibilities. One can divorce one's partner in these circumstances. The same cannot be said for siblings.
There may well be questions about the fairness of the inheritance tax system - but they need to be dealt with and looked at entirely separately because they are simply not the same issue. The real aim of the Christian religionists who encouraged this case was to try and downgrade civil partnership and make it less like gay marriage. Unfortunately for them, it is gay marriage. Its just called something different. The template is the same. And that is the way it will stay, whether angry and reactionary peddlers of harmful religionism like it or not.
This was an entirely sensible decision. Essentially marriage and civil partnership contain the same rights and responsibilities. One can divorce one's partner in these circumstances. The same cannot be said for siblings.
There may well be questions about the fairness of the inheritance tax system - but they need to be dealt with and looked at entirely separately because they are simply not the same issue. The real aim of the Christian religionists who encouraged this case was to try and downgrade civil partnership and make it less like gay marriage. Unfortunately for them, it is gay marriage. Its just called something different. The template is the same. And that is the way it will stay, whether angry and reactionary peddlers of harmful religionism like it or not.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Richard Dawkins
We went to hear Richard Dawkins speak at the University this evening. Its amusing that such a convinced atheist has become such a High Priest of his own non-religious beliefs - but not surprising as he is articulate and funny.
And, on the whole, convincing.
Its been a long journey but I find myself having less and less in common with, and little attraction left to Christianity.
And, on the whole, convincing.
Its been a long journey but I find myself having less and less in common with, and little attraction left to Christianity.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Government climbs down under backbench and public pressure
The Government appear to have climbed down with regard to measures to alleviate the effect of the 10p tax band abolition.
The devil will no doubt be in the detail, but wouldn't it have been refreshing for the Government to simply admit that they got it wrong?
And what of the bulk of Labour MP's who wouldn't sign Frank Field's amendment? Why, other than loathing of the Tory alternative, should we bother to vote for any of you? Cowards, the lot of them. Have they suddenly changed their mind or do they still agree that the abolition was a good idea?
Labour need to look very carefully at themselves and what they are doing.
The devil will no doubt be in the detail, but wouldn't it have been refreshing for the Government to simply admit that they got it wrong?
And what of the bulk of Labour MP's who wouldn't sign Frank Field's amendment? Why, other than loathing of the Tory alternative, should we bother to vote for any of you? Cowards, the lot of them. Have they suddenly changed their mind or do they still agree that the abolition was a good idea?
Labour need to look very carefully at themselves and what they are doing.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Liverpool and family values....
Its interesting to see the conservative religionists such as Anglican Extreme jump on the bandwagon with regard to the Liverpool murder. The name of the perpetrator has been common knowledge for a while up here. I used to live about 2 minutes walk away from where Rhys Jones was killed. Its a pleasant estate, not run down or poor. That has at least been acknowledged.
However, the gang warfare on the neighbouring estates has been blamed on family breakdown. I think that some of these people ought to come up to Liverpool. Far from breaking down, these families are close knit, extended, even, as is always acknowledged by the death notices when one of them dies. There are fathers on the scene - much of the criminal knowledge is learned that way. Its all too easy to come out with the usual clichés about broken families - but family values are strong enough in Liverpool's estates. Its just that there are different types of families - and different types of values. The conservative religionists, in their eulogising of 'The Family' , fail to see that structure does not necessarily mean the sort of 'values' they promote.
However, the gang warfare on the neighbouring estates has been blamed on family breakdown. I think that some of these people ought to come up to Liverpool. Far from breaking down, these families are close knit, extended, even, as is always acknowledged by the death notices when one of them dies. There are fathers on the scene - much of the criminal knowledge is learned that way. Its all too easy to come out with the usual clichés about broken families - but family values are strong enough in Liverpool's estates. Its just that there are different types of families - and different types of values. The conservative religionists, in their eulogising of 'The Family' , fail to see that structure does not necessarily mean the sort of 'values' they promote.
In the news.,...
Sad to hear about the death of Gwyneth Dunwoody. I didn't agree with all she said, but she was one of the few politicians left who had a genuinely profound specialist knowledge - she would have made a fantastic Transport Secretary. Again, its easy to forget that she was always firmly on the Right of the party - yet New Labour has drifted so much over to the Right that she appeared to be a bit of a lefty.....sadly, we won't be seeing her like again, given that so few mavericks are likely to make their way through the selection procedures.
Mugabe has climbed on his British Paranoia platform again. A pity for all that Zimbabwe isn't sitting on some bubbling oil wells. However, it does underline the reality - that there is little that the UK can do in this situation when it is regarded as the old colonial oppressor. Anything that is said simply provides ammunition for Mugabe to rabble rouse.
The person most responsible for his survival is Thabo Mbeki. What a disaster he has proved to be. Could Zuma be worse?
Mugabe has climbed on his British Paranoia platform again. A pity for all that Zimbabwe isn't sitting on some bubbling oil wells. However, it does underline the reality - that there is little that the UK can do in this situation when it is regarded as the old colonial oppressor. Anything that is said simply provides ammunition for Mugabe to rabble rouse.
The person most responsible for his survival is Thabo Mbeki. What a disaster he has proved to be. Could Zuma be worse?
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Unpublished letter.....
Looks as if my local rag didn't have the courage to print this....
Dear Sir,
The progress made with regard to medical research has radically transformed the lives of many people, for example , beneficiaries of transplant surgery or IVF treatment.
Stem cell research offers the possibility of relief from debilitating conditions such as cystic fibrosis and Alzheimer's disease. It is early days, but at one time, the aforementioned technology was also in its infancy.
Imagine,then, if those possibilities had been snuffed out by the attempts of a minority religious group to impose their view upon others. Not only expecting those of the same religion not to partake in these benefits, but preventing others from doing the same.
This is exactly what is happening now. As ever, we hear threats from Catholic bishops, obscure backbench MP's passed over for promotion, and others whose aim appears to be to create some sort of theocracy.
It is vital that this important research goes ahead and that those who would believe that to prevent it is any sort of 'moral' stance be firmly defeated. And given that these people are either outside politics, in the case of Bishops, or elected to represent their party, not their church, can I suggest that they exercise their 'conscience' by starting their own Vaticanist party? That way, those of us who have strong disagreement with Catholic beliefs in these areas will know exactly who not to vote for at the next election.
Giving blood
There is a shortage of blood donors. Yet, still, gay men are arbitrarily stopped from giving blood. There doesn't seem to be any logical reason for this. All blood is sensitively screened, and it is clear that 'behaviour' is not actually the criteria as questions about sexual activity are not asked of heterosexuals - or gay men, for that matter.
The ban is being challenged in Scotland. I hope it is removed.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7347108.stm
The ban is being challenged in Scotland. I hope it is removed.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7347108.stm
Missing children
No doubt the Shannon Matthews incident will be soon forgotten. But its all quite sad. I wonder how they thought they could get away with it in the first place - unfortunately, it may mean that there is automatic suspicion the next time a kid from a poor background goes missing.
The McCann saga still drags on. This will no doubt upset some people, so please don't read if you think they can do no wrong. Personally, I think its high time they left the public arena. Whatever way one looks at it, and whatever happened to the child, no-one knows other than whoever did it, there is no excuse for leaving three small children alone. A baby-minding service was available, and anyone who visits Spain and Portugal knows that kids go out with their families - there wouldn't have been any problem at all in taking them along.
Given that if the children were all left alone, that immediately suggests some culpability, does this mean that a high-profile public campaign led by the very same parents is appropriate? I don't think so.
It also seems odd that only one of the three children disappeared.
The McCann saga still drags on. This will no doubt upset some people, so please don't read if you think they can do no wrong. Personally, I think its high time they left the public arena. Whatever way one looks at it, and whatever happened to the child, no-one knows other than whoever did it, there is no excuse for leaving three small children alone. A baby-minding service was available, and anyone who visits Spain and Portugal knows that kids go out with their families - there wouldn't have been any problem at all in taking them along.
Given that if the children were all left alone, that immediately suggests some culpability, does this mean that a high-profile public campaign led by the very same parents is appropriate? I don't think so.
It also seems odd that only one of the three children disappeared.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Government woes.....
All Governments run out of steam, but this one does appear to be doing so big style. There doesn't seem to be any sense of direction and whilst on one level, thats no surprise, there do appear to be some echoes of the desperation of the Major years.
The willingness of MP's to raise questions about policies which they accepted just before Brown's election is an example - the abolition of the 10% tax rate is an example. Overall, the change probably makes us better off as a couple. However, taking my earnings into account, that certainly wouldn't be the case. I think there is something seriously wrong with a tax system which is clearly acting as a disincentive for the low paid to work. Should people earning as litle as £12K really be paying tax at all? I don't think so.
The willingness of MP's to raise questions about policies which they accepted just before Brown's election is an example - the abolition of the 10% tax rate is an example. Overall, the change probably makes us better off as a couple. However, taking my earnings into account, that certainly wouldn't be the case. I think there is something seriously wrong with a tax system which is clearly acting as a disincentive for the low paid to work. Should people earning as litle as £12K really be paying tax at all? I don't think so.
Northern Spain
Spent a very pleasant time in the north of Spain. We took the car on the ferry from Plymouth to Santander, and spent time in the Basque Country, Asturias, and Galicia.
Its mountainous territory, green and fertile. Unfortunately, for the two days we were in San Sebastian, it rained torrentially both days, so much so that it was impossible to walk to the aquarium without being blown into the sea! We ended up driving out to the centre of the jesuits at Loyola, which was actually rather good - there was a computer-aided English commentary by an Irishman who did a very good job at suggesting we should all become Catholics in a very gentle way...
Went to two of the star restaurants , Arzak, and Mugaritz. both excellent. What we tended to find, though, is that you get what you pay for in much of the region. pricey food is exemplary, cheap lunches pretty ropey.
And on the last night, both of us ended up vomiting violently and we are still not entirely back to normal. Virus, the tap water, or food could all be possibilities. Still, at least it was the end of the holiday - and there was a comfortable Commodore cabin on the ferry to sleep in for 15 hours solid!
Overall, its worth a visit. Natural beauty in abundance, and great wine. be warned, though, the distances between places are longer than they may appear on the map. And don't miss out Oviedo - its a delightful town but very much off the tourist itenary.
Its mountainous territory, green and fertile. Unfortunately, for the two days we were in San Sebastian, it rained torrentially both days, so much so that it was impossible to walk to the aquarium without being blown into the sea! We ended up driving out to the centre of the jesuits at Loyola, which was actually rather good - there was a computer-aided English commentary by an Irishman who did a very good job at suggesting we should all become Catholics in a very gentle way...
Went to two of the star restaurants , Arzak, and Mugaritz. both excellent. What we tended to find, though, is that you get what you pay for in much of the region. pricey food is exemplary, cheap lunches pretty ropey.
And on the last night, both of us ended up vomiting violently and we are still not entirely back to normal. Virus, the tap water, or food could all be possibilities. Still, at least it was the end of the holiday - and there was a comfortable Commodore cabin on the ferry to sleep in for 15 hours solid!
Overall, its worth a visit. Natural beauty in abundance, and great wine. be warned, though, the distances between places are longer than they may appear on the map. And don't miss out Oviedo - its a delightful town but very much off the tourist itenary.
Friday, March 21, 2008
and yet more...
Some other Scottish cardinal ranting on - but I am sure that their approach will be counter productive. people generally aren't too keen on minority religionists telling the rest of us what tio do.
They do a great job, though. Joanne Bogle, former Tory councillor and doyen of various far-right immoral causes over the years did her usual sterling work this evening on 5 live. Shrieking, interrupting, lecturing and hectoring - do these people ever listen to themselves? Anyway, all for the good - the worse their spokespersons, the more reasonable people will recognise the paucity of their flat earth beliefs.
They do a great job, though. Joanne Bogle, former Tory councillor and doyen of various far-right immoral causes over the years did her usual sterling work this evening on 5 live. Shrieking, interrupting, lecturing and hectoring - do these people ever listen to themselves? Anyway, all for the good - the worse their spokespersons, the more reasonable people will recognise the paucity of their flat earth beliefs.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
More lunacy from a minion of vatican plc
I'm not sure what they put in the holy water these days, but it looks as if the flapping of white coats is once again to be heard amongst our dear friends at Vatican plc (Scottish branch)
The latest loon is one Joseph Devine, senior frock wearer of Motherwell, who has complained about gay people being represented at Holocaust remembrance services. Well - hel-lo - but actually the gay people were persecuted and killed by the Nazis. Now, what were the catholic church doing - ah yes, collaborating and making secret deals with Hitler, a baptised Catholic. And let us not forget Ratfinger's enthusiastic membership of the Hitler Youth. Leopards don't change their spots, do they?
He doesn't seem to have realised that the world has changed - and he has been left behind fulminating as gay people are treated equally before the law and his institution is rightly prevented from discriminating at the public expense.
The next step really must be to abolish religionists running schools. Seems they have been cooking the books to prevent nasty common children getting in and spoiling their exam figures. We should expect no less from such upstanding, honest people.
The latest loon is one Joseph Devine, senior frock wearer of Motherwell, who has complained about gay people being represented at Holocaust remembrance services. Well - hel-lo - but actually the gay people were persecuted and killed by the Nazis. Now, what were the catholic church doing - ah yes, collaborating and making secret deals with Hitler, a baptised Catholic. And let us not forget Ratfinger's enthusiastic membership of the Hitler Youth. Leopards don't change their spots, do they?
He doesn't seem to have realised that the world has changed - and he has been left behind fulminating as gay people are treated equally before the law and his institution is rightly prevented from discriminating at the public expense.
The next step really must be to abolish religionists running schools. Seems they have been cooking the books to prevent nasty common children getting in and spoiling their exam figures. We should expect no less from such upstanding, honest people.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
No surprise here....
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/europe/padre-pio-faked-his-stigmata-with-acid-397811.html
I wonder why anyone could ever think anything other.
Its obvious to anyone with even half a brain that this sort of thing is fake.
I wonder why anyone could ever think anything other.
Its obvious to anyone with even half a brain that this sort of thing is fake.
The Labour party
I was thinking the other day how it is all too easy to see things very differently from one place than another. The Labour party is one such thing. I think about rejoining, and then some bloody Government minister will come up with some utter tomfool nonsense about pledging allegiances to the Queen or such like ( this is NOT America and Brits find the reciting of poems to the flag hand on heart, as funny. Gordon, you don't seem to get it!)
It appears to me that an awful lot of decent mainstream Labour people have left the party. Iraq was a step too far for many of us, and as we are still there and direction doesn't appear to have changed, there isn't much to tempt us back to the fold.
What seems to remain are those who still seem to think that the battles of 1997 are being fought. No recognition that the Tories have certainly changed - it may be at surface level but change it is - and are no longer the incompetent unelectable mess of the last three elections. This group of NL evangelists are simply unable to be objective - they cannot or will not see that there are all sorts of areas where people really have had enough and have lost patience with the Government.
Then there is the hard left. naturally they spend most of their time fighting each other. The latest spat is over the choice of a new general Secretary for the Labour party. This is a functional not a policy making job. What is required is someone efficient with organisational ability. The purity of their politics is surely a secondary consideration. Already I have read blogs where such vitriol os expressed about the man simply because he works in the City! If he had been an arms dealer, fair enough - but what's wrong with drawing upon someone's experience?
he is undoubtedly taking a huge pay cut to do the job. he must be dedicated to the Party to want to do it in the first place.
So. Labour party members - a challenge - convince me that I should rejoin....
It appears to me that an awful lot of decent mainstream Labour people have left the party. Iraq was a step too far for many of us, and as we are still there and direction doesn't appear to have changed, there isn't much to tempt us back to the fold.
What seems to remain are those who still seem to think that the battles of 1997 are being fought. No recognition that the Tories have certainly changed - it may be at surface level but change it is - and are no longer the incompetent unelectable mess of the last three elections. This group of NL evangelists are simply unable to be objective - they cannot or will not see that there are all sorts of areas where people really have had enough and have lost patience with the Government.
Then there is the hard left. naturally they spend most of their time fighting each other. The latest spat is over the choice of a new general Secretary for the Labour party. This is a functional not a policy making job. What is required is someone efficient with organisational ability. The purity of their politics is surely a secondary consideration. Already I have read blogs where such vitriol os expressed about the man simply because he works in the City! If he had been an arms dealer, fair enough - but what's wrong with drawing upon someone's experience?
he is undoubtedly taking a huge pay cut to do the job. he must be dedicated to the Party to want to do it in the first place.
So. Labour party members - a challenge - convince me that I should rejoin....
Friday, March 07, 2008
Catching-up time....
been busy again and have let this blog slip - so, some catching up.
First, Peter Tatchell has been mouthing off again about the age of consent. Sorry, peter, but no. Its fine at 16. of course some young people will have sex below that age but essentially the age does act as some sort of defence from predators - and they do exist, of all sexualities. What has to be remembered is that this is very much a lone voice. There is no campaign to reduce the age to 14. mainstream gay rights campaigners wanted equality, which is what we have, and have no desire to reduce the age further .
Did you hear last week's Moral Maze. There is something quite delicious about listening to that well known liberal (does she still call herself that?) Mel Phillips get angry. In this case, with a witness who was advocating prostitution. I didn't necessarily agree with him but the skill at winding up this quite humourless individual was masterful. Some people always rise to the bait.
Catholic MP's are once again trying to take orders from the Vatican to force the Governments hand. Quite simply, if your religionism is more important to you than supporting the Government, then start your own Vaticanist party. otherwise, belt up and stop trying to scupper urgently needed legislation which will hugely benefit people on the entirely spurious grounds of your make believe god and its disgusting, squalid, corrupt 'church'. There's nothing more immoral than Catholicism and its legions of hypocritical, fearful, brainwashed followers. particularly those skulking in their closets, scared of facing up publicly to their sexuality. there is just no excuse for it - its internalised homophobia through and through. One thing I agree with Peter Tatchell about is outing such hypocrites. They deserve to be shamed for their betrayal. I trust that the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill will resist the threats of the religionists and will ensure that we remain a centre for this vital research, and that children of lesbian parents are recognised as such - as equality law demands.
oh, and that the Pope should die soon of an agonising death - no more than the bastard deserves given the number that his church policies have murdered by its attitude to the use of condoms to prevent HIV.
First, Peter Tatchell has been mouthing off again about the age of consent. Sorry, peter, but no. Its fine at 16. of course some young people will have sex below that age but essentially the age does act as some sort of defence from predators - and they do exist, of all sexualities. What has to be remembered is that this is very much a lone voice. There is no campaign to reduce the age to 14. mainstream gay rights campaigners wanted equality, which is what we have, and have no desire to reduce the age further .
Did you hear last week's Moral Maze. There is something quite delicious about listening to that well known liberal (does she still call herself that?) Mel Phillips get angry. In this case, with a witness who was advocating prostitution. I didn't necessarily agree with him but the skill at winding up this quite humourless individual was masterful. Some people always rise to the bait.
Catholic MP's are once again trying to take orders from the Vatican to force the Governments hand. Quite simply, if your religionism is more important to you than supporting the Government, then start your own Vaticanist party. otherwise, belt up and stop trying to scupper urgently needed legislation which will hugely benefit people on the entirely spurious grounds of your make believe god and its disgusting, squalid, corrupt 'church'. There's nothing more immoral than Catholicism and its legions of hypocritical, fearful, brainwashed followers. particularly those skulking in their closets, scared of facing up publicly to their sexuality. there is just no excuse for it - its internalised homophobia through and through. One thing I agree with Peter Tatchell about is outing such hypocrites. They deserve to be shamed for their betrayal. I trust that the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill will resist the threats of the religionists and will ensure that we remain a centre for this vital research, and that children of lesbian parents are recognised as such - as equality law demands.
oh, and that the Pope should die soon of an agonising death - no more than the bastard deserves given the number that his church policies have murdered by its attitude to the use of condoms to prevent HIV.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Doublethink
I've been fascinated to listen to the doublethink of many commentating on religious affairs this week.
First, those who actually agree with the ABC in wanting religious space, but wishing that to be 1) either universally imposed on everyone irrespective of their personal beliefs, or 2) selectively applied meaning that only their religions count. This is the conservative Christians position, and also that espoused by conservative commentators like Mad Mel Phillips. So, we ignore laws we don;t like (such as gay equality) and fulminate against it because it offends our religious sensibilities, but Islam is a wicked and evil religion and so should not be given space within the law, unlike us, because we are nice and British and they are evil and foreign and all terrorists wanting to turn this country into Londonistan writ large.....you know the rest....
Its an utterly illogical argument. It relies on a view that we first accept the essential goodness of conservative religiosity for some religions and not others - even though their social views are all much the same!
The other doublethink is the way that conservative Christians use the 'Christendom' view when it suits them but rejects it when it doesn't.
So, if they wish to convert others to their religion, the vast majority of us are evil sinners outside God's grace, heading to hell in a hand basket. But when they want to argue for theior views to hold sway in civil society, then we are a Christian country and 72% of us said so in the last census, don't cha know....
So, which is it to be - because the two positions are incompatible. Recent research has shown very clearly that very few of that 72% believe much more than Christianity is about being nice to people and synonymous with being English. So, why shopukd they expect their view to dominate in the making of civil law?
First, those who actually agree with the ABC in wanting religious space, but wishing that to be 1) either universally imposed on everyone irrespective of their personal beliefs, or 2) selectively applied meaning that only their religions count. This is the conservative Christians position, and also that espoused by conservative commentators like Mad Mel Phillips. So, we ignore laws we don;t like (such as gay equality) and fulminate against it because it offends our religious sensibilities, but Islam is a wicked and evil religion and so should not be given space within the law, unlike us, because we are nice and British and they are evil and foreign and all terrorists wanting to turn this country into Londonistan writ large.....you know the rest....
Its an utterly illogical argument. It relies on a view that we first accept the essential goodness of conservative religiosity for some religions and not others - even though their social views are all much the same!
The other doublethink is the way that conservative Christians use the 'Christendom' view when it suits them but rejects it when it doesn't.
So, if they wish to convert others to their religion, the vast majority of us are evil sinners outside God's grace, heading to hell in a hand basket. But when they want to argue for theior views to hold sway in civil society, then we are a Christian country and 72% of us said so in the last census, don't cha know....
So, which is it to be - because the two positions are incompatible. Recent research has shown very clearly that very few of that 72% believe much more than Christianity is about being nice to people and synonymous with being English. So, why shopukd they expect their view to dominate in the making of civil law?
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