Categories: uncategorized
Date: 27 July 2008 07:39:38
I'm going to be an ickle blog lite over the next week or so as real life kicks in. So a selection of different thoughts and links to leave you with for the next few days.
Firstly, where do we draw the line between civil liberties, protecting people and creating a culture of fear? My baby bro has come down for a couple of days to Third Party sit, whilst I head up north, and he arrived at my flat somewhat aggitated yesterday, Apparently as he got off the train he, and every other traveller arriving in no-where-ville-on-sea, was stopped and searched for knives in a routine check. Whilst I fully support the need to reduce violent crime this strategy does not sit easy with me.
So now for an ickle light relief. For a rather warped, yet innocent, look at life try this Bonkers Baptist blog.
I don't knit, but I know the odd reader does. So for those who do here is a link to The Guardian's rebel knitter guide.
Religious fundamentalism is a dangerous thing, which is threatening freedom in this country is the underlying message of this Times article. To me the article is a prime example of the type of dangerous messages being peddled by secular fundamentalists who are so fearful of the power of religion that they are seeking to silence it in the public arena. Yet, I wouldn't seek to ban it being published or seek to stop those with her beliefs having a say in public affairs. The debate about freedom of speech and the influence of religion in public life is important, but let us all be clear that fundamentalism exists on all sides and is equally dangerous which ever side of the debate it exists on. This type of secular fundamentalism, is exactly the type of nonsense which is leads to fear amongst religious groups and pushes moderate people towards fundamentalism.