Get on board for Jesus
A few days ago, I happened upon an article satirising Christian Fundamentalists, which I took to be real. Now, via Dr Crippen, we find a bona fide example of intolerance. Despite my recent suggestions to the contrary, it seems this country is capable of outlandish, misguided fundamentalism after all:
A girl aged 11 has been refused a place on a Church of England school bus because she is not baptised.
Its not quite a demand to return a donated organ, but I think the pettiness of this act might make it worse. Have these alleged ‘Christians’ never heard of the Good Samaritan? If Jesus had a mini-bus, would He really drive on by? Or is this another example of some well-meaning jobsworth making decisions without thinking through the implications?
I repeat, again, that the fight is between inclusiveness, and divisiveness. This world is made up of two types of person: those who constantly divide the population into two groups, and those who do not. Which side are you on?
September 8th, 2006 at 11:23 am
Well, we know which side you’re on! :-)
September 8th, 2006 at 11:49 am
The side of not taking sides, obviously.
The Telgraph has a longer article on the same story. Looking in the comments at Dr Crippen’s place, there is some discussion over the fact that the girl ‘chose’ to go to the school in question, when she could have gone to a closer state school. That may be, but the school also ‘chose’ to take her on as a pupil. once she’s in their system, she should be afforded the same rights and priviledges as her fellow pupils. I think the issue would be more straight-forward if the school had just completely denied admission on the basis of faith. Then its a question of whether the government bothers to fund them at all.
There is also a council element who are actualy making the decisions here: “In a statement the council said yesterday: “We think it quite reasonable when offering transport to faith schools that parents show that the child is of that faith.” And yet it is also reasonable to allow children who are not of that faith into the school in the first place? Everyone is confused.
September 8th, 2006 at 4:58 pm
Sorry Rob, I was just teasing:
You said, “This world is made up of two types of person: those who constantly divide the population into two groups, and those who do not.”
By making that statement, you’ve put yourself into the first group. It’s neat. It reminds me of Russell’s paradox: Does the set of sets which don’t include themselves include itself?
Quite agree though: if she’s allowed at the school, she’s got to be allowed on the bus.
September 8th, 2006 at 7:44 pm
It’s neat.
Yes, I thought so.
September 8th, 2006 at 8:14 pm
Agreed – a very clever way of summarizing so many of the world’s problems.
September 9th, 2006 at 12:19 am
Neat, yes, but self-defeating. I think it’s called shooting yourself in the foot…
September 9th, 2006 at 2:24 pm
Really? When I wrote it, I thought I was making a joke. I think we’ve comprehensively squeezed the humour out of it now, though.
September 9th, 2006 at 5:38 pm
Sure! It’s simple! Like Dubya said….If you’re not with us, you’re against us… ok, right, sarcasm is lost when things are typed out..
September 10th, 2006 at 11:15 am
Ignorance is rampant in today’s world…
September 12th, 2006 at 7:47 pm
I just remembered I have actually quoted the “two types of people” adage before.