Atheists

It is often said the idea of original sin, of christian morality, of religious morality, was and is a straight jacket of domination of man by man. This hierachy, this control, is not that of faith, but of structures imposed by elites to control the masses. In this way the religious creeds of man are no different to consumerism or Marxism-Leninism. The origins of Christianity are obscured in the vast slave owning imperium of the Roman Empire. The rise of Islam was subsumed in the Caliphate.

The outright denunciation and rejection of religion (here is wikipedia's list of atheist philosophers, http://tinyurl.com/yko85ke) has a broad base which ranges from scientists like Richard Dawkins to anarchists like Murray Bookchin. All united in their opposition to the validity of religion, opposition based on the false and corrupted versions of religion, dominated by states and elite control. Richard Dawkins for example sees religion as "both a source of conflict and a justification for belief without evidence." The possibility of extremism is a feature of secular societies, and the largest mass murderers in history, Stalin and Mao were committed atheists.
That Christians should never commit acts of vengeance or violence, that they should forgive. Quakers have non-hierachial structures, and worship in self-reflexive silence but religion is wrong. That Hari-Krishna's give food to the hungry, that nuns nurse the sick seems to be irrelevant to the atheists.

The intolerance required to take so narrow minded a view is a reflection of the view of religion these atheists have, and in doing so they undermine the validity of there opinions. For there is validity. Religious Fundamentalism is surely a cause of human misery and suffering. Given the humanitarian message of most religion, to plant suicide bombs, or hang homosexuals corruption of the principles the fundamentalists claim to maintain. In many cases religious fundamentalism is a cover for social conservatism and patriachy.

Upcoming Demo!

There is going to be a joint-demonstration of students and staff at MMU, which will involve the Unions and the group "Manchester for Jobs and Education". It will start at 12.30 at the Ormond Building on All Saints Campus. It is in response to the 127 support staff cuts announced on the 16th of November, which will not only gut the MMU support staff, but also make 127 people's and their families have a wretched Christmas/Holiday period. In the light of the £1.3 million budget surplus for this year (2009-2010), and the Vice Chancellor's stupendous wage of £250,000, it is both reckless and inexcusable to go forward with these redundancies.

Sunday Tea at the Bolshevik Haus

Sunday Tea. Roast Dinner.
A minefield in the world of collective living. Vegetarian requirements. Non-vegetarian requirements. Time management.
All problems the uncoordinated mature students must over come on this day of rest. But we have overcome. Me and the Sweet Lady, my beloved Sous Chef produced a delightful Sunday evening meal.
Roast Potatoes according to my Dad's trusted recipe. After a bit of timing and heating issues they turned out great. That's twice now I have produced Roast Potatoes of a high calibre. The Sweet Lady made a very tasty and fresh carrot and swede mash, not to buttery, but rich enough to melt in the mouth. Sweetcorn was also served, and was crisp and tasty. The gravy too was well gravylike and thus a key component of the meal.
The Sweet Lady had some Cumberland Sausages for her 'main' which were apparently delicious. As a vegetarian myself I am unable to comment. For the veggie 'main' I tried something new. This is dangerous I know, but sometimes, innovation in the kitchen comes from this most fraught of paths.
I tried to make a Garlicky Cabbage and Quorn concoction, and before I BURNT it, it was just that. Garlicky Cabbage, moist flavoured Quorn. Lovely. But I left it alone for too long (having the laptop in the kitchen is a dangerous game) and it had started to burn on the bottom. Bad Times. It wasn't ruined but the original lovely-ness was gone.
All in all though tea today was great. Good Food strikes again in the Bolshevik Haus.

Indymedia slags off Co-op!

"http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/11/442097.html:

The Co-Op claims to be 'ethical' do not stand up to closer observation

In the latest edition of my Co-Operative Magazine I am told that the “state of our oceans is a major concern” (page 47) but later I am encouraged to “choose a holiday at sea” with a Royal Caribbean cruise (page 60); I am also told that the Co-Op is “combating climate change to make life good for everyone” (page 49) but then it suggests I might “fancy escaping the UK” for Christmas either by going to Lapland or flying to “sun-baked Tunisia” (page 59).

Am I missing something?"

As the co-op is a business which has a travel agency, it has to compete with private travel agents. If someone wishes to take a holiday, and will do so regardless of the environmental cost (which is neglible compared to running a car) then should they not have the choice to use a collectivelly owned business?

http://www.co-operative.coop/ethicsinaction/climatechange/

The co-op also has the best 'ethical' policies of any large nationwide grocer. If anyone shops there they promote this, and the collective non-plc structure of the co-op. If people want a fairer less competitive society, with the values of mutuality, community etc they should shop at the co-op. If you agree with the poster, but shop out of convience in asda or tesco or sainsburys you're a hypocrite, and delusional.

Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll

`Twas brillig, and the slithy toves

Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:

All mimsy were the borogoves,

And the mome raths outgrabe.

"Beware the Jabberwock, my son!

The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!

Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun

The frumious Bandersnatch!"

He took his vorpal sword in hand:

Long time the manxome foe he sought --

So rested he by the Tumtum tree,

And stood awhile in thought.

And, as in uffish thought he stood,

The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,

Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,

And burbled as it came!

One, two! One, two! And through and through

The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!

He left it dead, and with its head

He went galumphing back.

"And, has thou slain the Jabberwock?

Come to my arms, my beamish boy!

O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!'

He chortled in his joy.

`Twas brillig, and the slithy toves

Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;

All mimsy were the borogoves,

And the mome raths outgrabe.