Sim-O

An evangelical chap on the Today programme on Radio 4 explains why it would be “intolerant and unjust” to bring him under the authority of a woman bishop.

Hmm. “Intolerant and unjust” to allow a woman to become a bishop. There’s a flaw in his argument somewhere.

He did also say that it isn’t a sexist issue but a theological one. Which to my mind, makes his religion sexist.

Nice , eh?

BBC:

Lord Phillips, the most senior judge in England and Wales, said there was no reason sharia law’s principles could not be used in mediation

Lord Phillips has given a speech to a Muslim centre in Whitechapel that has reaffirmed what Dr Rowan Williams said in February.

What I said then was:

I cannot see any law being enacted in this day and age that would exempt certain groups of people from receiving various human rights…

Although, with hindsight I may still be wrong…

The Guardian:

Australians have been warned they face hefty fines if they annoy the crowds gathering to see the Pope during his visit later this month, under new regulations that critics say represent a blow to free speech.

Areas around Sydney’s landmark opera house, train stations and city parks are being set aside for the World Youth Day festival, a six-day Catholic evangelical event in July at which the Pope will conduct mass and lead prayer meetings.

Police and emergency services will have the power to order people to cease behaviour that “causes annoyance or inconvenience to participants in a World Youth Day event” under the regulations. Anyone who fails to comply could be fined A$5,500 (£2,630).

Do you reckon it works both ways? Could some one file a complaint about the noise the event will create or the lies it will perpetuate? Do you think the police will have to arrest someone for the inconvenience caused to passersby for disruption to travel services or not being able not being able to use the parks or visit the opera house?

Will they bugger.

Update 15-07-08: They get the go ahead to annoy the old bastard

(source)

I had Radio 4 on the wireless on the way to picking my daughter up from her afterschool club yesterday. It was Beyond Belief and there was a it about the monarchy and how it is maybe a bit wrong that we couldn’t have a monarch of a different religion to Protestantism, or even a secular monarch. And then it occurred to me. I’m a republican. Not a Republican, but a republican.

I’d never given it much thought and never connected the two things, my athiesm and my ever-so slight affection of the monarchy.
I don’t believe in god, in an all powerful being that knows all and is either controlling us, like a Big Brother director or just sitting back watching like a BB viewer. There is no such thing as reincarnation and karma is, once looked at, rubbish. That’s not to say there aren’t things we cannot explain, just that we cannot explain them yet.

I quite like the monarchy. I think the Queen does a good job of erm, representing us when she visits abroad and she hasn’t poot a foot wrong for many a year. and on the whole they’re ok (putting aside the civil list, which is a different mattter).

But can we have a secular monarchy? I don’t think so.

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