Religion

Something that's been on the Internet for a while, but maybe you haven't seen it - how to deal with homophobes who justify their bigotry by quoting the Bible -

Dr. Laura Schlessinger is a US radio personality who dispenses advice to people who call in to her radio show. On one of her shows she said that, as an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22 and cannot be condoned under any circumstance. The following is an open letter to Dr. Laura penned by a US east coast listener, which was posted on the Internet.

Dear Dr. Laura:

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate. I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the other specific laws and how to follow them:

Guest speaker Michael Lawrence introduces his presentation as follows:

Throughout the current debate about faith schools and the Conservatives' determination to muck about with our education system so that we have more "academies" run as faith-based independent schools at public expense, the example of Northern Ireland has been conveniently ignored. One of the main reasons why the Troubles lasted so long was because of religious segregation. Those of different faiths or no faith were largely invisible. Several generations of children went to segregated schools, continuing to demonize each other and never mixing.

The integrated schools movement started in 1981 with the foundation of Lagan College, thanks to the efforts of parents who wanted a better way of life for their children. Read more about it on the website of the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education, and ask yourselves why so many people in England are determined to move in the opposite direction?

I have a feeling that Eric Pickles, our Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (heaven help us!), probably isn't one of Nick Clegg's favourite cabinet colleagues. Here's why:

Mr Pickles wants us all to go back to Church - Terry Sanderson.

To let Mr Pickles know what you think, go to his website.

The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey, has forecast "civil unrest" as a result of recent court decisions involving Christians. This was in response to Lord Justice Laws' dismissal of an appeal by a Christian marriage guidance counsellor who was sacked for refusing to give advice to gay couples.

The Guardian reported,

Lord Justice Laws said legislation to protect views held purely on religious grounds could not be justified. He said it was an irrational idea "but it is also divisive, capricious and arbitrary".

As Stephen Bates noted, Lord Carey was most upset that his suggestion should be dismissed so emphatically.

Commissioned for the online music festival Geek Pop, a hip-hop anthem for rationalists and atheists. We like.

The BHA is appealing for its supporters to use an Internet tool to send a message to the 26 bishops who sit in the House of Lords: Time for a reformed second chamber! Click here to go to the BHA site.