Ok, Mr McClintock, which bit of the word legislation do you not understand? It is the law that you are not allowed to discriminate against people on the basis of their sexuality. A law that every one of us is subject to whilst we are in the United Kingdom.
What a person chooses to believe, and Christian beliefs are a choice thankfully not predetermined biologically, is not a good enough reason for the law not to apply to that person. For goodness sake, why do ‘committed’ religionists always think that exceptions should be made for them? You choose to believe it; you interpret your book in that way, nobody is making you and nobody should be making an exception for you!
Grrrrr……
On a more positive note I've finally worked out how to deal with the increasingly 'anti-atheist/agnostic' comments that have been cropping up on Thought for the Day; I now make sure I'm blow drying my hair at about 7.50am and I don't get to hear them at all!
Of course, this completely crews up my critical path on the major project that is getting me from my bed into my clients office looking vaguely presentable and professional, but it is worth it.
Better to be into the office 10 minutes later than be continually offended each morning; we only have the one life and it's far too short for that kind of stress!!
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The British Liberal tradition (as opposed to the French one) has always been willing to allow leeway to people on religious motivated points, provided that it doesn't conflict with the rights of others or cause serious disruption (hence rules on Sikh motorcycle helmets, Quakers affirming in court or recognition of Christian Science practictioners in electoral law). Clearly in this case megistrates have a duty to apply the law and they can't pick and choose cases. Alan McLintock did an honourable thing if he can't sit on family cases in good conscience and whether or not to stand down is his call, but the courts will no doubt kick out his legal challenge. Its no more discrimination than arguing the military is anti-Christian in requiring pacifist Christians to kill people.
However religious belief is not the same as any other belief. I don't know anyone who has rationally chosen a religion or who could choose to give it up and more than someone could will away their sexual orientation or skin colour. Religious, spiritual and philosophical beliefs are integral parts of human being and to constrain it in its fullest expression without a good reason (as there is here) does leave people feeling violated and picked on.
Hi Paul,
I think the fact you think that people don't choose a religion just underlines our fundamental diagreement. Plenty of people choose a religion and plenty of people, such as myself, brought up in a religion look at the evidence and then decide it's not for them.
I think religious belief is exactly the same as any other belief and deserves no special treatment.
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