I had to write about the recent imprisonment of teacher Gillian Gibbons in the Sudan after being found guilty of insulting Islam by allowing her school children to name a teddy bear Mohammed. I'm sorry, but her arrest, charge and imprisonment is more insulting to Islam than calling a teddy bear after the prophet. What has been done to Gillian - in the name of Islam - is more harmful to the religion than anything she did in innocence. Is it any wonder westerners have problems with Islam when it's leaders do utterly petty things like this. I'm quite sure the prophet himself would not be offended by children naming a teddy bear Mohammed. Mohammed loved children and I can only imagine his pleasure that the children of his great religion would want to name their special toy in his honour.
I do not want to cause any muslims offence. I am not a muslim, but I have relatives who are. I have read the Koran and it is a beautiful book. I have sat with my nephews ( who I am happy to say are being raised without prejudice to any religion) and helped them say their Islamic prayers before bed. I am just glad that they are being raised with a knowledge of God and belief in things greater than ourselves.
If a religion can be offended by something as innocent as this - then where is it's strength? While I understand the upset that may be caused to anyone of any religious persaution at things deemed blasphemous - I was raised Roman Catholic - and in my understanding of blasphemy - only God Himself can be blasphemed, not prophets or saints or anyone else.
I know there has been a lot of response to this news by British Mulsims, most of whom think the Sudanese are being a bit extreme. And I am pleased they are speaking out on this matter. Too often we see the negative side of Islam and not the positive. I myself, although raised Catholic, am of no religious persaution anymore as from what I have seen in the world in my 44 years, most of the world's problems are caused by religion and different people's interpratations of the same book. Everyone has a right to choose a religion and not be persecuted for it. But at the same time, anyone has the right to choose to be atheist or agnostic. And I really do not believe that any country should be centred on any religion and certainly not it's laws. God gave us all freedom of choice, so to have a country where everyone is judged on one particular view of the world -whether they are a follower of that religion or not - denies our God given right to freedom of choice.
As I have said, I do not wish to cause offense to Muslims, or Christians, or Jews, or anyone but this act in the Sudan is really offensive to me. Surely, the leaders there could have used a little common sense and said; 'well, the teacher probably didn't fully understand the situation, so we'll give her the benefit of the doubt, explain how we feel and give her the opportunity to publically apologise for any offense caused however un-intentional'! Now wouldn't that have been the 'mature' way of dealing with the situation? Instead, what they have done by their actions, is caused the western world to look further down it's nose at Islam and see the extreme side of the religion. Which cannot be good for Islam.
The Koran I read, was much more tolerant than this. I can only assume that God Himself, Moses, Jesus, Mohammed and ALL the prophets look down on us with sadness at how petty and small minded we humans can be. God through the ages gave us such beauty, love and tolerance through many teachings, and all we do is make a mockery of those teachings.
This is why I now follow no religion. I KNOW God exists, he's proven it to me time after time. I would not be here today if it wasn't for God seeing me through some of the lowest points in my life. I know He loves me, just as He loves everyone else on the planet - regardless of sex, creed, age, nationality. He loves everyone of us unconditionally. It's just a pity we humans can't do the same.
Friday, 30 November 2007
Sunday, 18 November 2007
Well, it's been about a week since I put my first entry on here. I've had a busy week finishing decorating our new home. It's taken 6 months to finish! That coupled with hospital appointments for my partner who is disabled and backwards and forwards to my parents who I alos care for, and still working on setting up my business and doing some costume making for a pub in burnley for their opening - I just haven't had time to write anything. But, I'm here now, it's Sunday morning, Neil's still in bed, and apart from the three cats, I'm on my own - BLISS! I do like quiet time on my own. I sit and think and commune with the world and the Big 'G'.
There is something I have thought about a lot in recent months which up until now, I have not commented on to anyone other than my partner and that is the murder of local girl Sophie Lancaster.
For those out there who do not know of her - I will give a brief synopsis of the story. She and her biyfriend were on their way home from a night out and were attacked by a group of youths - just for being 'different'. They were 'Goths'. The scum ( and I do mean SCUM) who did this are the lowest of the low. They brutally beat the pair into unconsciousness and both were left for dead in a local park here in Rossendale. Robert Maltby (Sophie's partner and fellow victim) fortunately survived the attack despite serious injuries. Sophie however, died later in hospital. My heart goes out to Sophie's parents and family, her boyfriend Robert and all those who knew this lovely girl. I can only imagine their devastation. And all this happened in my beautiful valley. Something I never dreamed possible.
But this is the way of the world these days - so they say. Well, we are ALL to blame for this. It is only this way because we allow it. This is NOT the way the world should be. But too many of us sit behind closed curtains and doors complaining of what goes on, but nobody (or very few) ever get up off their fat backsides and 'DO' anything about it! This country is full of 'good gonnas'. Those who are 'gonna do this' and 'gonna do that' but never actually do anything! There are lots of big mouths in Britain today willing to mouth off at every opportunity about the state of our nation. But that's all they do. Well I'm sorry, but mouthing off doesn't cut it anymore. If we are going to take back this country from the trash and yobs who are ruling our streets today - we all have to actually get off our arses and DO something.
As with many of these attrocities such as Sophie's story - the culprits are young people, who seems to have no respect for anyone or anything. Saying this, I do not want to label all young people with the same brush - as this would be unfair. I have worked with children and young people all my life and I know this isn't the case. I have worked with wonderful kids, but I have also worked with some dreadful ones. But I still believe there is no such thing as a bad child - just bad parents. Children need boundaries. They need discipline. Without it - they feel un-loved and insecure, and that's when they go off the rails!
When I was growing up we had discipline in schools. There was none of this 'political correctness' that said children should not be smacked. Parents were parents and not our friends. they only became your friends when you were grown, but even then - they were still parents. We didn't have gangs of teenagers roaming the streets terrorising everyone. If you gave cheek to a neighbour, you'd get a clip round the ear and they'd tell your dad and he'd give you another clip round the ear or worse!
Too many people are trying to be their children's friends and forgetting they need to be parents. Working with children all my life I've seen it time and time again. And children don't know where they are anymore. And they all know their 'rights' and use it to their advantage. Children should only have certain rights. They have the right to love, care and protection from the evils of the world and that is where their rights should stop. Parents should smack their children if they need to. No-one is saying anyone should beat their children. But a sound spanking when they've been really bad is needed.
Me and my siblings were terrified of my father growing up. We were scared to do anything wrong or we'd get a good hiding, but we knew we were loved and safe. At school we were scared to do anything wrong or we'd get the strap, or the cane. What have kids got now? A naughty step, detention or exclusion! Big deal! And that's what kids think too. They aren't afraid anymore and they should be. We are teaching our kids that there is nothing to fear and I'm sorry, but the world is a dangerous place and they need to know how to fear, for their own safety. Even animals smack their children. You watch a lioness with her cubs on a nature programme - if they are going 'too far' - she will smack them with her paw. She will not be brutal, just enough to warn the cub of danger and make it afraid.
Children are also being de-sensitised to so many things because a lot of parents let them watch tv in their rooms. How can you control tv in their rooms when you're not there? They will let them watch videos too old for them. I have been in people's homes where under fives have been watching horror films such as 'alien' and 'the ring'. I'm sorry, but if you are letting your child watch film like that - you are abusing your child in my book. Children need protection from parents like you!
Having children is not a right, it is a gift. And you are meant to nuture that gift and prepare them for adulthood, so they can go out into the world and be a decent human being. You are NOT meant to destroy their wonder or childhood by allowing them to see and do things that will damage them.
And parents also have to remember that they 'chose' to have kids, the rest of society should not have to 'put up with' your child's bad behaviour. Too many parents these days say; 'it's not my fault, I can't control them!' Well who's fault is it? It's your child - you are responsible - no-one else. If you cannot control your own children - then you have no business having them! And if you don't bring your children up right and control them so they behave well in the world, it could be your child that's up in court facing murder charges for the next Sarah Lancaster!
There is something I have thought about a lot in recent months which up until now, I have not commented on to anyone other than my partner and that is the murder of local girl Sophie Lancaster.
For those out there who do not know of her - I will give a brief synopsis of the story. She and her biyfriend were on their way home from a night out and were attacked by a group of youths - just for being 'different'. They were 'Goths'. The scum ( and I do mean SCUM) who did this are the lowest of the low. They brutally beat the pair into unconsciousness and both were left for dead in a local park here in Rossendale. Robert Maltby (Sophie's partner and fellow victim) fortunately survived the attack despite serious injuries. Sophie however, died later in hospital. My heart goes out to Sophie's parents and family, her boyfriend Robert and all those who knew this lovely girl. I can only imagine their devastation. And all this happened in my beautiful valley. Something I never dreamed possible.
But this is the way of the world these days - so they say. Well, we are ALL to blame for this. It is only this way because we allow it. This is NOT the way the world should be. But too many of us sit behind closed curtains and doors complaining of what goes on, but nobody (or very few) ever get up off their fat backsides and 'DO' anything about it! This country is full of 'good gonnas'. Those who are 'gonna do this' and 'gonna do that' but never actually do anything! There are lots of big mouths in Britain today willing to mouth off at every opportunity about the state of our nation. But that's all they do. Well I'm sorry, but mouthing off doesn't cut it anymore. If we are going to take back this country from the trash and yobs who are ruling our streets today - we all have to actually get off our arses and DO something.
As with many of these attrocities such as Sophie's story - the culprits are young people, who seems to have no respect for anyone or anything. Saying this, I do not want to label all young people with the same brush - as this would be unfair. I have worked with children and young people all my life and I know this isn't the case. I have worked with wonderful kids, but I have also worked with some dreadful ones. But I still believe there is no such thing as a bad child - just bad parents. Children need boundaries. They need discipline. Without it - they feel un-loved and insecure, and that's when they go off the rails!
When I was growing up we had discipline in schools. There was none of this 'political correctness' that said children should not be smacked. Parents were parents and not our friends. they only became your friends when you were grown, but even then - they were still parents. We didn't have gangs of teenagers roaming the streets terrorising everyone. If you gave cheek to a neighbour, you'd get a clip round the ear and they'd tell your dad and he'd give you another clip round the ear or worse!
Too many people are trying to be their children's friends and forgetting they need to be parents. Working with children all my life I've seen it time and time again. And children don't know where they are anymore. And they all know their 'rights' and use it to their advantage. Children should only have certain rights. They have the right to love, care and protection from the evils of the world and that is where their rights should stop. Parents should smack their children if they need to. No-one is saying anyone should beat their children. But a sound spanking when they've been really bad is needed.
Me and my siblings were terrified of my father growing up. We were scared to do anything wrong or we'd get a good hiding, but we knew we were loved and safe. At school we were scared to do anything wrong or we'd get the strap, or the cane. What have kids got now? A naughty step, detention or exclusion! Big deal! And that's what kids think too. They aren't afraid anymore and they should be. We are teaching our kids that there is nothing to fear and I'm sorry, but the world is a dangerous place and they need to know how to fear, for their own safety. Even animals smack their children. You watch a lioness with her cubs on a nature programme - if they are going 'too far' - she will smack them with her paw. She will not be brutal, just enough to warn the cub of danger and make it afraid.
Children are also being de-sensitised to so many things because a lot of parents let them watch tv in their rooms. How can you control tv in their rooms when you're not there? They will let them watch videos too old for them. I have been in people's homes where under fives have been watching horror films such as 'alien' and 'the ring'. I'm sorry, but if you are letting your child watch film like that - you are abusing your child in my book. Children need protection from parents like you!
Having children is not a right, it is a gift. And you are meant to nuture that gift and prepare them for adulthood, so they can go out into the world and be a decent human being. You are NOT meant to destroy their wonder or childhood by allowing them to see and do things that will damage them.
And parents also have to remember that they 'chose' to have kids, the rest of society should not have to 'put up with' your child's bad behaviour. Too many parents these days say; 'it's not my fault, I can't control them!' Well who's fault is it? It's your child - you are responsible - no-one else. If you cannot control your own children - then you have no business having them! And if you don't bring your children up right and control them so they behave well in the world, it could be your child that's up in court facing murder charges for the next Sarah Lancaster!
Saturday, 10 November 2007
My beautiful valley
Hello, this is my first time blogging, so you will have to bear with me, and if you don't live in the Rossendale Valley, Lancashire then this blog may not even interest you. Although, I am rather opinionated, so I dare say I will comment on everything else that goes on in this world other than my own home.
To start with, for those of you who read this blog who have never heard of Rossendale. It is a beautiful valley nestled in the penines on the border of Lancashire and Yorkshire. I was born here on the front room of 87, Fairfield Avenue, Edgeside, Waterfoot on the 17th of December 1963. That makes me all of 21! I wish. No, actually I don't. I would hate to be so young again. I am happier in my 40's than I've ever been.
I love this valley and it's people with a vengeance. It is a fantastic place. After years working in the theatre and living up and down the country, I returned to Rossendale about 18 months ago to be close to my parents. Both now in their 70's, dad (who has angina) was struggling to cope with looking after mum who was in the early stages of Dimentia. I moved here with my partner of 7 years - Neil - he has Scoliosis (curvature of the spine) so I care for him aswell.
For the last 13 years before moving back to the valley - we lived in Manchester where I ran my own theatre company for children and did lots of workshops in schools and after school clubs etc teaching art, crafts and drama.
Since returning home I have involved myself in local issues. Particularly the area of Waterbarn where we live. I have lead the fight to save the land behind our house from development and have it declared a village green. It has been used by the villagers here for over 100 years and now someone wants to destroy it. But hopefully, Lancashire County Council will grant us village green status. Fingers crossed. The application has been in since August - to date - we've heard nothing from them other than a letter confirming receipt of out application.
The main reason I have started this blog though, is my concern for the Valley and it's people. While it is still a fantastic place to live, I don't hold out much hope for the future with concecutive councils destroying much of what we hold dear here. There is so much wrong with the way the council are doing things, and they never seem to listen to anyone. It's not too long ago Rossendale Borough Council was announced by the government to be the 'worst council' in Britain. Although the government now says it has improved - very few people here agree. They are still attrocious and seem hell bent on destroying our beautiful valley.
The first thing I noticed on my return home was - the bins! Rossendale seems to have become the wheelie bin capital of the universe. Most people having 2 or 3 bins each. Which, when you consider the amount of terraced housing here (many of which don't even have a back yard to put the bins in) the streets of this wonderful place is lined with bins. Of course we have to recycle - I probably recycle more than most - but is it necassary to have so many bins???
Even in the city of Manchester we only had one bin. Then a box for glass and plastics and a bag for paper etc. The council really needs to rethink this idea. They say they are so keen on attreacting tourists here (and rightly too - there are so many hills and walks) but is it aesthetically pleasing for tourists to see rows and rows of bins on every street corner instead of the beautiful buildings and the hills and parks?
My other major concern for my valley is, the buildings that are being erected! It seems the planning department is full of idiots! If this valley is to rely ever more on tourism, they should NOT be granting permission for some of the buildings that are planned. They already admit it was a mistake allowing the new Asda in Rawtenstall - it is ugly and has caused no end of traffic chaos in the town centre. The proposed new 'Valley Centre' is an abomination! This is just like all the 'boxes' that are being thrown up in Manchester and certainly NOT in keeping with the valley. And to top it all - they are allowing Hurstwood to build another shopping centre, hotel etc etc etc at Newhall Hey and on the site of Rossendale college. Again the plans by this local firm are not in keeping with the valley and should be fought tooth and nail by valley people. Why can't Hurstwood take their disgusting plans somewhere else? The houses they plan aren't too bad - but the retail and hotel buildings are an eyesore! Let's just hope it falls flat on it's face and get's no business then they might pull it down!
There was a time in this valley and country, where people took pride in their work. those days are long since gone. All you have to do is take a look at some of the terraced houses in the valley and the attention to detail on houses built for the workers is fabulous. Now all developers want to do is make money and build boxes and to hell with the rest of us! Well, I think it's time the 'little people' started taking back control! And putting a stop to this endless destruction of our valley. Maybe I should start my own party to run for election made up of people who adore this valley and want ALL of the people here to benefit?
To start with, for those of you who read this blog who have never heard of Rossendale. It is a beautiful valley nestled in the penines on the border of Lancashire and Yorkshire. I was born here on the front room of 87, Fairfield Avenue, Edgeside, Waterfoot on the 17th of December 1963. That makes me all of 21! I wish. No, actually I don't. I would hate to be so young again. I am happier in my 40's than I've ever been.
I love this valley and it's people with a vengeance. It is a fantastic place. After years working in the theatre and living up and down the country, I returned to Rossendale about 18 months ago to be close to my parents. Both now in their 70's, dad (who has angina) was struggling to cope with looking after mum who was in the early stages of Dimentia. I moved here with my partner of 7 years - Neil - he has Scoliosis (curvature of the spine) so I care for him aswell.
For the last 13 years before moving back to the valley - we lived in Manchester where I ran my own theatre company for children and did lots of workshops in schools and after school clubs etc teaching art, crafts and drama.
Since returning home I have involved myself in local issues. Particularly the area of Waterbarn where we live. I have lead the fight to save the land behind our house from development and have it declared a village green. It has been used by the villagers here for over 100 years and now someone wants to destroy it. But hopefully, Lancashire County Council will grant us village green status. Fingers crossed. The application has been in since August - to date - we've heard nothing from them other than a letter confirming receipt of out application.
The main reason I have started this blog though, is my concern for the Valley and it's people. While it is still a fantastic place to live, I don't hold out much hope for the future with concecutive councils destroying much of what we hold dear here. There is so much wrong with the way the council are doing things, and they never seem to listen to anyone. It's not too long ago Rossendale Borough Council was announced by the government to be the 'worst council' in Britain. Although the government now says it has improved - very few people here agree. They are still attrocious and seem hell bent on destroying our beautiful valley.
The first thing I noticed on my return home was - the bins! Rossendale seems to have become the wheelie bin capital of the universe. Most people having 2 or 3 bins each. Which, when you consider the amount of terraced housing here (many of which don't even have a back yard to put the bins in) the streets of this wonderful place is lined with bins. Of course we have to recycle - I probably recycle more than most - but is it necassary to have so many bins???
Even in the city of Manchester we only had one bin. Then a box for glass and plastics and a bag for paper etc. The council really needs to rethink this idea. They say they are so keen on attreacting tourists here (and rightly too - there are so many hills and walks) but is it aesthetically pleasing for tourists to see rows and rows of bins on every street corner instead of the beautiful buildings and the hills and parks?
My other major concern for my valley is, the buildings that are being erected! It seems the planning department is full of idiots! If this valley is to rely ever more on tourism, they should NOT be granting permission for some of the buildings that are planned. They already admit it was a mistake allowing the new Asda in Rawtenstall - it is ugly and has caused no end of traffic chaos in the town centre. The proposed new 'Valley Centre' is an abomination! This is just like all the 'boxes' that are being thrown up in Manchester and certainly NOT in keeping with the valley. And to top it all - they are allowing Hurstwood to build another shopping centre, hotel etc etc etc at Newhall Hey and on the site of Rossendale college. Again the plans by this local firm are not in keeping with the valley and should be fought tooth and nail by valley people. Why can't Hurstwood take their disgusting plans somewhere else? The houses they plan aren't too bad - but the retail and hotel buildings are an eyesore! Let's just hope it falls flat on it's face and get's no business then they might pull it down!
There was a time in this valley and country, where people took pride in their work. those days are long since gone. All you have to do is take a look at some of the terraced houses in the valley and the attention to detail on houses built for the workers is fabulous. Now all developers want to do is make money and build boxes and to hell with the rest of us! Well, I think it's time the 'little people' started taking back control! And putting a stop to this endless destruction of our valley. Maybe I should start my own party to run for election made up of people who adore this valley and want ALL of the people here to benefit?
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