Via the LPUK Blog I came across this link to a conference taking place in February in London. Supported by the Guardian (Apparently not ironically), and involving a number of speakers from differing groups, the programme looks interesting.
I may well book up, although there do seem to be some rather incongruous elements, such as Ekklesia trying to push the idea that religion has been historically supportive of human rights. There’s also your typical big lump of socialists and the like. However the ORG and NO2ID will be there and there are a few other interesting discussions tabled.
I understand the anger of Muslims. I grew up in a family of fundamentalist dental hygienists, and I know how angry I would be if someone wrote such blasphemous lies about the tooth fairy.
As linked from any number of places, here is Pat Condell’s monologue about Sharia Law in the UK. I agree with much of what he says, and I’d encourage you check out his other vids. Oh, and sign the petition as well
According to the very polite Tamsin at the BHA, the president (Arch-statist Polly Toynbee) does not draw a salary or expenses. They might get some of my money then. I shall ponder ’til pay day.
I am an atheist. I am a firm believer that people should be allowed to worship however they want so long as they hurt no-one, including the weak of their own subculture, and that they should be afforded no special privileges by the state. In this I am in agreement with the British Humanist Association (BHA). I find their goals laudable and I think they do good work in publicising these. However I can’t quite bring myself to join them, all because of Polly Toynbee.
I dislike this woman. She supports the controlling, nannying state, she supports the infantilising and fear-mongering which I feel is so damaging to our society. I find her smug pronouncements on things like CCTV and economics raise my ire like little else can. In addition to role as columnist for the Guardian, Toynbee is the President of the BHA.
Voted Islamophobe of the Year 2004 for this fairly easygoing article, I find her views on religion broadly compatible with my own. She shares my disquiet over the isolationist nature of Islam in the UK, and over the rise of the religious school. She is very eloquent in highlighting these reasons and showing that atheists have an equal dislike of all religions [Within reason. I find the hymn mumbling and jumble sales of my local Anglican church preferable to the child abuse perpatrated by those teaching creationism as fact].
Despite this convergence of beliefs I cannot in good conscience give money to an organisation that supports her or keeps her in the public eye. I don’t know if she draws a salary for her work for the BHA (I have mailed them to ask), but regardless they contribute to that rarified atmosphere of Italian villas and media dinners that another distasteful journo, Richard Littlejohn so well described.
Despite what the hard of thinking at SFI may think I am a fan, generally speaking, of America and Americans. As a society they have a number of great qualities and one of the most notable is hospitality. Every time I have been in the US people have been warm, welcoming and pleased to have to there to visit [Once past customs that is!]. Many Americans I know, like my friend Grumpy Kitten, are naturally welcoming and very keen to make sure you are comfortable in their home.
This is, I think, what accounts for the strangely easy ride the Panzer Pope is getting in the US. Where are the journalists asking the difficult questions about AIDs in Africa, his role is covering up child abuse in Boston or his Nazi past? It seems odd to me that a public figure like this can appear in the US and get such a pass from the press. Perhaps I have misjudged the power of the Catholic dollar over there?
Safeism - A safe, rewarding, fulfilling, protective lifestyle. Not the paranoia common to many self defence people, but a modern, enlightened approach to self protection
La Bête - what you get called when you teach French people to scream and attack each other. I am la bête, 'tis true.
James is a management consultant, budding personal coach and self protection instructor based in Berkshire. He works from home mostly, spending too much time on-line and on the phone. He is also slightly unsettled by talking about himself in the 3rd person. Have a look at the about page, should tell you more than you ever wanted to know.
