Controversy & Speculation

So much speculation in the media this week around the worst examples of behaviour of senior members of the Catholic Church.  So for years, the Pope has managed to protect the reputation of the Church from the worst of crimes - child abuse.  Yet now we are all meant to believe he has stepped down over a "gay network"... seriously?  Do people truly think that the Pope is more horrified by a group of priests having a sex party (consenting adults) than he is about priests having illegal sex with children?

This controversy apparently began with vatileaks - why are people surprised?  The entire history of the Catholic church is rife with intrigue.  It is simple - power corrupts and through generation of fear and amassing of a huge wealth, this Church has power beyond imagination.

The blatant hypocrisy on public display surely must be questioned?  The opulence, the grandeur, the control by fear, the discrimination, the worship of a man who is not God but purports to be his vassal and worse has the nerve to claim he represents God!

Controversy Over Pope's Resignation

So firstly, let's agree, the Pope's resignation was (in part) a diversionary tactic that has backfired beyond all expectations.  The world was meant to speculate on the incoming Pope; where the outgoing Pope might reside; how he might spend his time; and so on.  While these events unfold we were not meant to wonder "what is the real news?".  It would appear that quite the reverse has happened!

Controversy Over Pope's Resignation

So to the real story - what are the contents of the big red books?  While they remain secret (and no doubt they will) the world will continue to speculate.  Gay orgies?  Is that really as bad as it gets?  Hardly earth shattering stuff and certainly no surprise to those on the outside.  I imagine it suits the Church to allow this speculation to continue - it is likely to be far less damaging in the long run than the truth that they will endeavour to continue hiding.

What could be so bad? Hmmmm .... let me think about that one..... a gay Pope? Nope! ... Proof that Dan Brown was right all along? Highly probable but would that be enough to stand down? Surely not - the theory that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene and they had a daughter has been around forever... something worse? 

It has to be something that would truly hurt the  Church at its heart.... but what?

Social Networking Services

Has anything ever been so misnamed as social networking?  Since the advent of web sites such as Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and the like, people have just stopped talking.  Social networking is driving people further and further apart.

What happened to the days of "phone a friend" or "I will just pop round" ... "let's have a coffee" ... nowadays if you want to see what your best friend is up to, you just check them out on the web.  No need to actually talk to them!!

There are stories about teenagers who, apparently, can no longer speak to each other without interacting via an electronic device.  How sad, they are missing out on so much but worse, I can't help but feel they are inhibiting their chance for evolution.

On the other hand, perhaps we never actually liked interacting in person, after all we have taken to social networking so well.

This is Democracy

What the!!!

Death threats to UK's top Muslim MP who voted for gay marriage

I hope Mr Khan does not fall victim to the pressures brought about by his religious choices.  He is clearly somebody able to separate blind religious belief from political independent choice.  Britain cannot allow Islam, Christianity or any other religious institution, large or small to mandate how people live and Church and State must remain separate.

Issuing a ruling against Mr Khan in the name of his religion attempts to remove his independence when attending Parliament.  I would suggest Mr Bandhalevi should take some lessons in understanding the culture and society he has chosen to be a part of.  If he prefers a society where his fatwa is acceptable, then he must relocate to a country that operates under religious law.  Britain does not, it is a democracy and his attempt to change it through fear is simply unacceptable.  It has taken many hundreds of years and a lot of suffering for Britain to evolve her political systems independent of religious influence.  It is vital that this independence is retained.

What Mr Bandhalevi apparently fails to appreciate is that it is the very nature of British culture that allows extremist websites such as the one quoted in the article to exist and him to speak out.  If I try to imagine a  scenario where an atheist, agnostic or even a Christian expressed similar views, in a country governed by Islamic law I can't help but believe it would result in a quick beheading! 

Bigoted views and sinister death threats contribute to racism.

Multi-cultural societies are the next phase for the human race and the only way this can be achieved is to learn to respect each others ways, not try and force others to live as you do.  Threatening to kill somebody if they don't see things your way is, quite frankly, out dated, antediluvian nonsense and it has no place in the future of the UK or any other Western nation.

Have Microsoft Had Their Day?

Yes!!  As an IT Manager, I say absolutely!  As a 20 year+ Unix enthusiast, I say "at last"!!!   It won't happen overnight but 5, at worst 10 years and they will take their seat in history.  Don't get me wrong, I have a huge respect for Microsoft and especially Bill Gates! For Marketing!  To confuse the en-educated masses into thinking that Microsoft invented computers and even that they founded the Internet? Impressive!!!!

Already on the wane as the Apple fan club ramps up I was amazed to see Windows 8!!  Previously, Microsoft's dedicated followers could keep that warm and fuzzy feeling. No need to fumble and struggle with a new world, let's just keep staring at those gaudy colours and not having to actually learn anything.  But now!  Well you have to choose between "new Microsoft" or "trendy Apple" .... Hmmmmmm.....

And add the new licensing rules and restrictions for Office 2013 and that's it.... Time to look elsewhere for your strategic direction....

Windows 8 is the beginning of the end and Office 2013 is the final nail....

Happy Chinese New Year

Happy Chinese New Year.... The Year of the Snake 

 

In Chinese symbolism it seems snakes are regarded as intelligent, graceful and materialistic with a tendency to be somewhat unscrupulous... with subtle, secretive and mysterious elements, Snakes are deep thinkers, making decisions quickly and firmly relying heavily on their own feelings and first impressions.  They are skilled communicators but often suspicious.

 

The strength of the snake likes in their ability to be highly analytical in their decision making.  At the same time, they can be imperious and judgemental, pessimistic and a sore loser.  Snakes prefer jobs with a manageable workload rather than a heavily booked schedule.  They like peaceful and orderly lives and avoid lending money.

Snakes don't like to listen to advice, no matter how constructive and though mostly calm, they can be quick to anger.

Snakes make good philosophers, teachers, writers and scientists, they excel at problem solving and thrive in complex, intelligent environments.

Religion, Faith and Morality

Defined in the Oxford dictionary as "the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods", religion is thought provoking, controversial, inspires strong emotions and at its worst moves people to perform terrible acts of violence and war in its name.

Faith is defined as "complete trust or confidence in someone or something" or "strong belief in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual conviction rather than proof".

For me, faith is distinctly different from religion.  Religion furnishes religious institutions with the power to control by fear.  Faith on the other hand allows for the pure belief in an entity without the need for fear and worship.  Faith allows freedom of thought, will and speech where religion does not.

Organised religion has a part to play in society, it provides a social network and a safe haven in times of personal trouble or hardship.  In times of conflict it appears that more people turn to religion for reassurance so it becomes self feeding, especially when you consider how many wars are fought in the name of religion.

Do we need religion to tell us right from wrong?  Do we need religion to tell us how to think?  Does religion have a place in Politics? No to all of these things

Does religion hold us back and stop society from evolving? Does religion tell people how to think and judge?  Are morals better today than previously? Yes to all!

The mainstream religions were founded thousands of years ago and while I don't claim to be an expert on founding dates, my research suggests Hinduism beliefs were founded some 6000 years ago, Judaism 3800-5000 years, Buddhism around 2500 years, Christianity ~2000 and Islam ~1400 years ago.

Can the teachings of ancient times still be relevant today or do they hold us back and stop society from evolving.  We are still fighting the same wars hundreds and even thousands of years on, where is the sense?

From what I can see, religion is about power and control, not just of those who embrace a particular doctrine but also about dictating the lifestyles and thinking of those who share the planet.

I have so much more to discuss on this topic but will save for another day.  Have morals declined or improved over time?  Has anybody else noticed how religion is heavily male dominated?  Is any religious institution female dominated?  Oppression....?

Why Get Out of Bed in the Morning?

Question:    If you don't believe in God what is the point of getting out of bed in the morning?

Answer:      Because if we didn't get out of bed, the Universe would be pointless!!!!

WWII - The contemptible SS

Apparently with the intent of "showing the lives of SS men objectively" Mr Stekiewicz has re-emphasised just what a despicable race the German SS were leading up to and during WWII.

The 'kindly' Auschwitz commander who sent youngsters to gas chambers then went home to play hide and seek with his children

No matter how much I learn about this period in history it continually surprises, sickens and horrifies. But not so for some it seems and one of the comments on this story made my blood boil:

"Whats the difference between the genocide committed in world war 2 by the Germans and by the British in New Zealand , Australia and also the colonies in the New World to the Irish? None !!!!! start printing some of the atrocaties the British have committed its ever so boring hearing about the Germans in world war 2...."

Honestly?

Does this person know nothing at all about WWII? Instead of being bored by it, perhaps he/she should read the facts.  Over 60 million people died in the conflict (2.5% of the population of the planet).  Around 70% of an entire ethnic group was brutally and clinically murdered.  As to this book, these contemptible murderers do not deserve to be viewed objectively.  In fact, this contrast with their work life only emphasises their lack of humanity - "Just another day at the office".