>> Mike, you were saying that your atheism doesn't affect your stance on issues like Northern Ireland and the mid-east. It does affect mine, because I don't get drawn into the religious aspect, and both these disputes are based on religious disputes. When the Protestants in Northern Ireland go on their annual marches through the Catholic areas, I just think "morons!" But when they object to being tied to a country in which abortion is illegal, then I respect that fear. So the lack of religious outlook helps me (as I see it) to separate the legitimate grievances from the ones based on superstition and bigotry.<<
Hi Sarah, Let me clarify/correct my statement and your misquoting of it. This is not nitpicking, I think it is a crucial nuance. I actually said my atheism was 'unrelated' to my political/religious views etc. I didn't say my atheism 'didn't affect' my stance on issues like the ME and the Six counties. I am sure that my atheism 'has some bearing' on my outlook on many things but, I believe, in a positive way. Being neither Catholic or Protestant I believe gives me an objectivity which I might not have if I were a member of one of these religious communities. There is a tendency to 'automatically' follow the party/religious line when living in such a polarised environment as Derry and Belfast. The same goes for being not Muslim/Jewish. This is not intended as a criticism of anyone, especially Laurent, but he will serve here as an example if he will allow me that privilege. I can well understand that living one's faith and sending one's children to a synagogue and instilling his faith in his children and seeing their lives threatened by extremist actions, 'terrorist actions' if you wish, can have a strong influence on one's political views, which is what I am trying to avoid. I repeat, I do not extrapolate from the above remark that Laurent is acting subjectively to his circumstances or is less objective than myself or that his views are less worthy than mine. I am just saying that I am not automatically obliged to fall into step with the 'I'm a Catholic therefore I want Home Rule for Ireland and I have the Queen of England' , or the equally ludicrous 'I'm a Protestant therefore I want Ulster to stay part of the UK and the Pope is a terrorist'. This is what I was trying to say and I hope this makes it clearer. Mike NP David Gray. A New Day at Midnight.
