religion

After the Atheist Bus Campaign, people have been asking, "What next?" Now you have an answer; the Billboard Campaign.

Richard Dawkins famously said that there are no Catholic babies, or Protestant babies, or Muslim babies, or Hindu babies – they are all just babies. In the Observer in December 2001 he wrote,

Where we might have said, “Knowing his father, I expect young Cowdrey will take up cricket,” we emphatically do not say, “With her devout Catholic parents, I expect young Bernadette will take up Catholicism.” Instead we say, without a moment’s hesitation or qualm of misgiving, “Bernadette is a Catholic.” We state it as a simple fact even when she is far too young to have developed a theological opinion of her own.

When Pope Benedict XVI visits the UK next year, he might have expected protests from gay and lesbian organisations, child protection campaigners, and HIV and AIDS activists. Now it's looking like his reception by our Head of State, HM Queen Elizabeth II, might be somewhat frosty, and Archbishop Rowan Williams may find it hard to be welcoming.

Sorry I’ve neglected posting anything for a while, but you could have written something yourself, you know. I’ve been in a codeine-induced stupor, due to severe back pain. No advice thanks; just send chocolate.

So, anyhow, here’s some stuff for the bank holiday.

The hoo-ha over MPs’ expenses has, it seems, led many to become so disillusioned with British politicians that they say they won’t vote. Does that mean they’re happy to delegate any decision-making to those of us who do? Were they among the 38.72% who didn’t vote last time? Maybe, if you don’t vote, you’ve no right to express an opinion about how we’re governed. What do you think?

Of those who will vote, it’s been forecast that many will vote for one of the smaller parties – maybe UKIP, the BNP or the Greens. Nigel Farage, the MEP who spends all his time telling us why we shouldn’t be in the EU, has been vocal in his criticism of MPs' expenses, but admits he’s claimed £2 million as an MEP.

The BNP has upset the church with its poster campaign, asking “What would Jesus do?” This seems a little odd, as they wouldn’t want Jesus in the UK if he had a second coming and decided to apply for British citizenship. The Archbishops of Canterbury and York are miffed about this, and have advised people not to vote BNP; they don’t think Jesus would vote BNP.

The Christian Party & Christian People’s Alliance think he’d vote for them. Their manifesto is “based on biblical principles”. They’re been in trouble too; their election broadcast was censored to remove a reference to a mosque that could offend Muslims. It’s going to be hard to choose, isn’t it?