IN the UK today there exists:
A wider prejudice that sees religious faith as a problem to be contained rather than a social good to be cherished and respected, and which properly and necessarily has a public as well as a private dimension.
Those are the words of Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, who declared in a in a lecture at Westminster Cathedral on the Catholic Church’s future, that UK anti-discrimination legislation is being used to limit freedom of religion “in unacceptable ways”.
Serial whingher Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor
According to this report, the outgoing head of the RC Church in England and Wales says the state needs to acquire a better understanding of the contribution and place of faith in British society.
He continued:
Legislation on discrimination, much of it good in itself, is now being used to limit freedom of religion in unacceptable ways. The sad and totally needless conflict over the Catholic adoption agencies is one example.
Yep, folks, its those pesky damn homos again.
In January it was reported that five of 11 Catholic adoption agencies which were refusing to comply with the law on equal treatment for gay couples had now agreed to comply with the law, after an adjustment period. Others are considering their position.
The Church had claimed they would be forced to close, but was accused of threatening closure unless it was allowed itself to discriminate.
Murphy-O’Connor continued:
I think the greatest danger for us at the moment is to let ourselves believe what secular culture wants us to believe about ourselves, namely, that we are becoming less and less influential and are in decline. There are certainly challenges and there is much work for us to do. But on the contrary I believe that the Church has a vigorous life, and a crucial role to play in our society – more important than at any other time in our recent history.
Simon Barrow, co-director of the religion and society thinktank Ekklesia, says that refusing equal treatment in the public square and trying to cling on to privilege is the wrong direction for the churches to take, both socially and theologically.
We now live in a mixed belief society, rather than one dominated by institutional Christianity. That may question certain privileges which have existed before, but the removal of these need not be a threat. Rather it is an opportunity to rediscover a more authentic, liberating message and practice; one that has often been obscured or defaced by the collusion of official religion and governing authority.
The Freethinker was founded in 1881 by GW Foote, an outspoken critic of religion. After the publication of 
February 27th, 2009 at 11:00 pm
A wider prejudice that sees religious faith as a problem to be contained rather than a social good to be cherished and respected
Stop using your faith as an excuse to be a bigot and as a battering ram against others and you’ll see less of that.
Legislation on discrimination, much of it good in itself, is now being used to limit freedom of religion in unacceptable ways. The sad and totally needless conflict over the Catholic adoption agencies is one example.
Translation: “I like legislation on discrimination when it benefits me, but not when it benefits those freaking poofters.”
I think the greatest danger for us at the moment is to let ourselves believe what secular culture wants us to believe about ourselves, namely, that we are becoming less and less influential and are in decline.
Stop pretending all that “god” had to say was that abortion is murder and fags should burn in hell and you might stop turning away normal people in droves. The Bible is a very long book, far longer than the +/-six verses you guys have been hung up on for the last decade or so. People are leaving because they’re getting bored with the rabid and stifling hate.
February 28th, 2009 at 12:04 am
‘Religion – a problem to be contained”? So if we were a theocracy would Father Michael Hill still be out there damaging children, with the co-operation of O’Connor, along with all the rest of them. Who would have stopped them. Secular society today drags the churches kicking & screaming into modern times, for example abolishing slavery, which they then claim to have supported all along. And given enough time they claim to be the originators of these things. The government is talking about giving this creature a lordship then we would have all his bile and poison to deal with in politics. Write to your MP and keep him out. Visit the NSS site for the report.
February 28th, 2009 at 2:09 am
The view that religious faith is a problem to be contained is based on reasoned appraisal of its past effects. It’s has been judged and found wanting.
The opposite of prejudice, I’d say.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:14 am
“and which properly and necessarily has a public as well as a private dimension”
Are we looking at another sharia fan I wonder? If the rug butters have their way then xians will feel emboldened to ask for their piece of the pie too. They always try to get the ear of government so they can force ordinary people to live their sad lives. I hate the way these political priests always seem to know what’s best for us. At least Obama in the US has shunned the fundies and left them screaming in the wilderness.
If he doesn’t like secular law he can leave Aussie-style. I’ve no inkling as to who are the most xian nation on the planet, but surely he’d be happier there. I’d be interested to know if anyone can enlighten me.
We know men like Murphy-O’Connor and Rowan Williams have an odd view of the universe. They also look strange in frocks and silly hats. Perhaps we could augment this by hiring troops of jugglers, fire-eaters, clowns and other circus performers to follow them ’round each time they appear in public. I once saw saw a pic of a very solemn-looking church procession with a bloke dressed as Darth Vader tagging along behind. Very funny.
February 28th, 2009 at 9:39 am
“it is an opportunity to rediscover a more authentic, liberating message…..”
In other words, a chance to fudge your theology and move further away from the literal truth of your own holy books. Perhaps when Christians get God out of their theology they’ll be truly liberated.
February 28th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
The church does have a value, well valuable property and millions of pounds in investments; don’t see them handing out their ill-gotten gains in cash to the poor though, do you?
Rational people learned a long time ago that religion has no value only prejudice and dogma, the religious are just a bit dim or slow catching up with us.
February 28th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
Angela K
“The church does have a value”
Maybe the state could turn all ‘Enery the VIII and confiscate the lot. Think of all the health, education and other stuff that would pay for. Given the current economic climate it’s not a bad idea is it?
February 28th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Well they have had long enough to try and convince us of their value. Perhaps they need to go back to the drawing board. Or ask the FSM Church for some tips; they seem to have no difficulty recruiting new members.
February 28th, 2009 at 9:43 pm
Anyone else heard that Gordon Brown has plans to put Murphy O’Connor in the House of Lords? Was that what Gordo’s visits to the Pope were really about: so that this sly, religious politician could continue, unelected, to affect legislationj which sane people would reject. A planet sinking under the weight of its human population and this twat is against contraception.
March 1st, 2009 at 12:59 am
“Perhaps we could augment this by hiring troops of jugglers, fire-eaters, clowns and other circus performers to follow them ’round each time they appear in public.”
Alun, yes! Like the minstrel in Monty Python’s Holy Grail…who follows Sir Robin around everywhere lampooning him…
“Brave, brave, brave Sir Robin! Chickening out and buggering off! He bravely ran away! Brave, brave, brave Sir Robin!”
That was once the very purpose of the court jester; to keep those in power from getting too far up themselves. Oh, how these catholic bastards needs this…
March 1st, 2009 at 1:26 am
Callisto
Ta for the enlightenment.
I never knew that was their original purpose.
Did you know that Aberystwyth has just lifted its ban on the showing of Monty Python’s Life of Brian? The lady that played the part of Brians bird is now mayoress and was shocked when she found out. Follow this link.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/mid/7915623.stm
I used to live there. You couln’t get a drink on a Sunday coz of the xians. You would either have to drive to the next county or the Spar would let you have it if you took it away in an opaque bag.
I am embarrassed by my mis-spelling of the word “troupe”.
March 2nd, 2009 at 6:12 am
Alun, mate, I never noticed! AND you can spell Aberystwyth…great story…
March 2nd, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Life of Brian was banned in Hull as well, I have no idea if it still is.