The Blood is The Life 19-02-2012

[miss_s_b]

• "Rosie the Riveter" is not the same as "We can do it!"
  ... she's even more awesome! Lookit her TOOOLS! (via a comment in sevenhelz's DW)
  (tags: feminism )
  
  
• BBC News - Councils win prayer 'rights' as Localism Act powers fast tracked, ministers say
  Oh for fuck's sake. I want someone, ANYONE to explain to me why forcing someone who does not believe in God to pretend to pray has ANY fucking point in formal council business?
  (tags: bloodytories )
  
  
• Christian councillors win back religious freedom to tell people what to think
  A slightly more measured response to this news than I was capable of.
  (tags: bloodytories )
  
  
• scans_daily | Catwoman #6
  ... And this is why I am glad I didn't get the DCnU Catwoman comics. * clings to her Batwomans *
  (tags: comics )
  
  

Comments

[missdiane]

I didn't realize that you were having the same problems in the UK with the freaky super-Christans acting as if they're being discriminated against. It is actually starting to scare me since it's as if there's sort of holy war building with these extremists.

The Catwoman - ew to the nth degree. I mean really? Talk about excessive

[chess]

It's not quite the _same_ problems - there's still enough of a calm CofE quiche-and-politeness brigade to damp down the excesses of theocratic enthusiasm, and British people just don't as a massive generalisation get as _excitable_ as USians - but there's always been a strong undercurrent of it (witness all the fuss every time equalities legislation threatens the freedom of religious organisations to discriminate against non-coreligionist secretaries, for instance).

[missdiane]

My comparison is that the actions of some overbearing Christians claiming they are discriminated against when that is not the case is more of a global issue than I realized. The general situations do sound similar.

Your massive generalization is truly that. The people that are displayed on the news are the exception, not the rule. Most of it here is also a apple pie-and-friendly condescension attitude that is still unnerving since it is trying to accomplish the same goal as the few bellowing at the cameras.

It is amusing that this conversation is taking place on the journal of a UKian that is rather excitable about issues.

[miss_s_b]

Yeah, I think the ones over here are trying to emulate the ones you guys have over there. We even have our own version of Sarah Palin...

[davegodfrey]

Tools and a bacon sandwich.

[telegramsam]

...what?

If some people want to pray, more power to 'em but I don't see why other people who DON'T want to pray should be required to.

*scratches head in confusion*

[nadriel]

I agree entirely. More for the "get off my side" mental folder, sadly...

[staceyuk]

Yep. *sigh* I believe that if someone has a spiritual faith it should be a private thing.

[telegramsam]

I don't even think it's necessarily a problem of private vs public, just that no such thing should ever be compulsory for anyone. I'm not offended by people saying prayers in public spaces or wearing religious garments or jewellery, for example - requiring that people remove all visible signs of their beliefs is a bit extreme, as freedom of expression includes expression of beliefs. However, nobody should be allowed to force anyone else to participate in such activities, especially in a civic setting.

It wouldn't be that difficult, for example, for those who wish to say a prayer or whatever together to meet a few minutes early and do whatever it is they desire to do before the rest arrive and begin with official business. Of course some people prefer to make a lot of noise and be really bullheaded over what is ultimately a simple problem with a simple solution if one is willing to allow a bit of mutual respect...

[bagpuss]

What the pro pray people seem to be missing here is it isn't that they shouldn't be able to pray, even in public its just that they shouldn't require anyone to pray and most importantly the pray should not be a minuted part of a council meeting on which it has no bearing (sp?)

[telegramsam]

That's what I said - they're being really bullheaded over this. It's just silly.

Frankly if I were involved in that praying group I'd be ashamed over the fact that this EVER ended up in the courts...