Firstly, I’ll declare my own stance – I’m all for it! But as a Douglas Adams card holding athiest, I would be!
I was driving all the way to Peterborough this morning, not something that inspires Godly thoughts on the best of days, when I listened to a debate on Radio 5 Live that nearly had me apoplectic with rage. It was a serious debate caused by the assasination of a christian minister in Pakistan. If I was technically adept I would insert a nice BBC news hyperlink here, maybe Bearsy can oblige?
A serious issue of course, and my thoughts go to his family. But really, what did he expect in such a medieval country? I thought Christians grew out of being martyrs a couple of centuries ago, when common sense kicked in. Did he really think he’s made a difference? It would certainly stop me wanting to be one!
But that’s not even close to my point. We had a succession of sandal wearers come on the radio and say that everytime I say “OMG” or “Bejesus” their god gets all upset and is offended! What The??!! Even though I don’t believe in ‘her’, she gets all wibbly lipped at me taking her name in vain? How pathetic!
Then, some chap whose name fails me but was Green in surname {he’s well known for trying to get Jerry Springer: The Opera banned for being rude for suggesting Jesus was a ‘little gay’) came on and said that he wanted the Blasphemy laws reinstated here in the UK! (they were repealed in 2007 after someone pointed out the hypocrisy of having them when we protested against the imprisonment of a British teacher in Sudan due to her naming a teddy bear Mohammed)
Listen, I really don’t mind anyone wanting to believe in a fictitious friend of whatever variety – but don’t turn us into Pakistan or try to make 1984 really happen! What is wrong with these people? I believe in free speech of course, but sometimes I do wonder if some people deserve it!
My ‘faith’ in Jo Public was restored when a vicar from Northern Ireland came on with a pagan white witch and both were calm, sensible and wished each other peace and goodwill and respect. Don’t need a deity to do that said I as I cruised up the A1M.
Apologies to any sandal wearers of non theist allegiance.
Boadicea's Chariot 
I think that after that you should get stoned.
They love free speech as long as they are the only ones allowed to do the talking.
Almost by the day, Pakistan is reverting to the Stone Age. Its government is totally corrupt and totally incapable of getting to grips with the tsunami of fundamentalism which has swept up the masses. The educated elite are only a tiny minority of feudal landowners, terrified of rocking the boat, and losing their powerbases. Appeasement of the mullahs has led them into this shambles, and I don’t see any clear exit strategy which does not involve bloodshed and further conflict in that region.(You can always rely on me to be cheerful at this time of the evening!) Any civilised society should not need blasphemy laws – common courtesy should dictate that we don’t mock another’s religious beliefs or for that matter, their atheism…
I do not support gratuitous insults. That said, I also do not support protecting people from the consequences of their own stupidity and petty-mindedness. If people want to believe in a higher power, that is their right. If not, that is their right. If someone feels the need to insult someone for simply disagreeing with them on that issue, it is a show of their own pettiness.
Pakistan is a beast of a different nature. I would be content to sit back and allow them to kill each other with their stupidity, but they’re a nuclear power which makes them all the more frightening.
Cuprum – Congratulations on your maiden speech – and its controversial follow-up.
However, please, please, please brush up your spelling (and grammar) or use Chrome as your browser, because it has a built-in spelling checker ( or “spilling chucker” as it’s often known in cyberspace). It’s taking me far too long correcting your howlers every morning.
To ensure that you feel adequately chastened and embarrassed in front of the other Charioteers (who will be smirking smugly) here are a few of your worst –
I shan’t go on any further.
And “curly-whirly cuckoo” to you, too! 😆
Justification improves the look of any blog
(Just throwing a boot in the melee) 🙂
It’s (ursus contentus) a howler innit?
I too am an atheist I find the whole religious belief malarky amusing at best and savage/primitive the remainder of the time. I do however respect others rights to believe as they wish right up to the point where they attempt to constrain my 4 score and ten with their muppetry.
No2 daughter is engaged to be married to a very nice christian fellow, his mum teaches RE at school, the whole devout church goers, sunday school shebang. Of course we have met them on a few occasions and they are very charming and likeable folk. Here is the problem. I have grown up with phrases like ‘jeezus’ often with the added ‘h christ on a bike’, ‘my god’ and other assorted vainities. They never force their ideas on to me, never preach or question my lifechoice but every now and again a blaspheem will slip from my lips. It makes me feel bad because I am insulting them with my anti-faith.
I will try harder and it is working, after all I never use four letter words in mixed company or non PC slogans, why is it so hard not to take their head honchos name in vain? If they were a bunch of pulpit thumping, fire n brimstone, bible bashing, happy clappy, bible bashing, hallelujah merchants then of course I would have no hesitation in opening up a can of atheist whup-ass upon them. But they are just very decent, nice folk.
Just be your usual charming self buddy.
Oh Ferret! It’s so easy to take snipes when it’s pushed it down your throat, but so hard when, as you say, they are just ‘very decent, nice folk’.
I carry my objections to people’s right to believe what they want a little further than yours. Not only do I say that they should not attempt to ‘constrain my 4 score and ten with their muppetry’, but I also object to them seeking special dispensations from the normal laws, mores and customs of the land because of their beliefs. “Can’t wear a crash helmet with a turban?” – then don’t ride a motor bike…
I’d also like to add that, as an agnostic, I get thoroughly fed up with the theists and the atheists trying to convert me to their way of thinking.
Agreed Boa,
Live and let live.
“Can’t wear a crash helmet with a turban?” that one is a no brainer. Please DO ride a motorbike mustafah. When you have your first spill, and it will happen, your silly little fanatic head will split open like a ripe watermelon and you will defo not do it again. Seemples.
Bearsy – ouch, but thanks! I have no idea what Chrome is apart from a jolly useful element in the world of wheels, and I admit to being a little too hasty with my publishing! More care will be taken!
Thanks to all who replied – I’ve calmed down now and am happy to live and let live! Pakistan is a worry though. Interesting point Boa – I had never really thought of it like that. Fairy nuff! (deliberate, Bearsy ;-))
In addition to my defence, I am still a paper and pen preferer!
OK Bearsy – I have googled Chrome and guessed you meant the pretty coloured round circle thing…all downloaded!
It has just allowed me to add your name to the dictionary! Such fun! Does it grammar check too? 😀
I might be able to be of some assistance there. 🙂
Seems a nice person. Cuprum connotes neuter gender. 😉 Welcome anyway.
It’s strange I had assumed Cuprum until now that is female.