Month: September 2000

I was in a church, yesterday, for the first time in, oohhh…4 years? longer? I felt very hypocritical, but was glad I went – it reminded me why it leaves such a strange taste in my mouth.

Now, don’t get me wrong (again…), I have amazing respect for anyone who can devote themselves to a religion, mainly because I could never do it myself. I still don’t understand how anyone could let their minds and souls be controlled in such a fashion.

The thing that struck me most, and something I had never really noticed before now, was how the picture of the world at large was divided easily into black and white. Church of Scotland is by no means a strict branch of christianity, and is often seen as ‘less religious’ than Catholicism, but both branches share similar doctrines. “This is the way we do things, you must do them our way, any other way is wrong.” Whilst this is never fully stated, it is thinly veiled in the ritual that is a Sunday morning service.

On the plus side, there is a definite community appeal to attending church. It is like an extended family, but then again, I could say the same about my circle of friends – except that we have a more interesting time as we don’t all believe or do the same things.

The Church of Scotland complains that people are turning away from God, and after experiencing the service on Sunday, I can see why. The exclusivity of common knowledge, when you are the one who is excluded, is a very lonely feeling. You feel out of place, nervous, uncomfortable.

My lack of faith doesn’t disturb me, or frighten me, it is a comfort. I am happy in the knowledge that I am not blinkered, that I can look around and see things for myself. I may not always like what I see, but I will never condemn anyone for their beliefs, I hope you don’t condemn me for mine.

“That is not the way to make policy in Britain and as far as I am concerned it never will be.” – Tony Blair.

Totally agree Tony. Well said. We can’t have a government that is dictated to, that’s the entire point in voting, elections and the democratic process.

Slight problem though, aren’t the people we voted for supposed to act on our behalf? Aren’t they supposed to listen to what we say, take it on board and at least consider it? Mr.Blair’s reaction seems rather childish. He is already lifting what is a simple campaign, based around one simple idea (we pay too much for our petrol) into the political arena, and trying to stamp his authority on the matter. Aside from that small matter of not being able to take someone… who uses pauses…. far too much…. when speaking to…. the public, seriously, I think this is another example of the basic flaw that every politician develops.

We think we are paying too much for our petrol. The government says, we’ll sorry…tough. So we ask again and start a small scale campaign (the ‘don’t buy on the 1st of the month’ one). Response from the government, yes we do hear you, but we can’t do anything. We start a blockade. The government gets twitchy and starts getting authoritative.

So, we ask, and ask, then act. The government politely declines us twice, then clamps down (to stop the matter getting out of hand, no doubt). What is stopping them acting? What are they afraid of?

They have just launched a £1billion initiative to get more of the UK online. What the hell are they spending it on? The last published figures, from the government, stated that around 60% of households in the UK are online, with over 85% owning and using a computer. Schools all have computers (usually shiny new iMacs that no-one uses, the staff not having received any training).

We work longer hours than every country in Europe, pay more tax, and earn less. So, the government receives, per head, more money from us than any other company. We have less in our pockets, so obviously we shouldn’t mind paying high prices for just about everything.

What is the government afraid of? They are afraid that if they act over the current petrol dispute, they will very soon be put under pressure to lower prices, tax etc on many, many other things.

We need a strong government. I don’t doubt that. I am fully aware that there is no quick fix. Mr.Blair and the Labour party need to learn one thing very quickly. What they are doing right now is not being strong. They have been pushed into a corner, and want to come out fighting. This is not a display of strength, this is a display of petty schoolboy (public schoolboy?) arrogance. I’m all for keeping integrity, and stay focussed to reach goals that will benefit everyone. The hardest part of keeping your integrity is learning when to give it up.