tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46598327210929380912024-03-05T09:23:18.381+00:00madhat's musingsmadhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.comBlogger186125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4659832721092938091.post-51612010779109692922017-07-06T09:14:00.000+01:002018-02-20T21:25:12.492+00:00Nationality, identity and being an angry Brit<div data-contents="true">
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<span data-offset-key="4ujeh-0-0"><span data-text="true">9 months ago I wrote <a href="https://madhatsmusings.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/how-i-became-brit-with-german-passport.html" target="_blank">"How I became a Brit with a German passport, and why I no longer am"</a>, just as I was considering taking more serious step towards permanent residence and eventually citizenship.<br />My final paragraph read <i>"</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><i>It may just be that applying for British citizenship is my safest bet to ensure my future in this country. But I fear that even if I apply for and obtain citizenship, I will never feel British again in the same way I did when I was a Brit with a German passport.",</i> and that has definitely turned out to be the case.</span></span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="4ujeh-0-0"><span data-text="true">It is done. 16 months after I first tentatively and half-heartedly started the process, I have finally become a British citizen.</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="1dojg-0-0"><span data-text="true">Please don't congratulate me. I have all kinds of emotions, but joy and pride are not amongst them.</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="e47fe-0-0"><span data-text="true">Yes, I feel a sense of RELIEF. It secures me a future in this country and it gives me rights I have never had before. I will be able to leave Britain for any length of time without having to worry about potential changes in immigration rules. And of course I can vote!</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="1fdfd-0-0"><span data-text="true">I also feel a lot of ANGER. Anger for having felt forced to take this step, but also anger on behalf of all my fellow EU citizens who cannot or don't want to become British citizens and on behalf of my British friends - young and not so young - who never wanted to lose their rights as EU citizens either. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="kf93-0-0"><span data-text="true">I also feel a certain amount of SHAME, because I feel that I have become a British citizen for all the wrong reasons. Perhaps I had some romantic idealistic ideas of taking citizenship, but I never thought I would end up doing it out of sheer self-preservation! Many people I have spoken to have told me to just do the thing and not to worry about it, and that I was doing it for myself and no other reason.</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="1hevs-0-0"><span data-text="true">The thing is, I have taken every step with resentment.</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="3e9id-0-0"><span data-text="true">In the process of becoming a British citizen, I had to prove that I speak English and understand British culture. I have had to prove my monetary worth. They have recorded my voice, taken the biometrics of my facial features and my fingerprints. They have checked my coming and goings from this country, checked for criminal records, and have taken £1700 in the process.</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="8gso6-0-0"><span data-text="true">The final step was to swear allegiance to Queen and country - something which many of my British friends tell me they would never do.</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="bti65-0-0"><span data-text="true">Feeling already chewed over and spat out by the Home Office, I met that final requirement too. It didn’t seem to matter any more. I promised to "be faithful to the Queen". What does that mean anyway? We weren't told, so I took it to mean that I should not attempt to seduce Prince Philip. Fair enough!</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="64bjv-0-0"><span data-text="true">I also promised to abide by British laws and values. What the **** do they think I have been doing for the last 27 years?? 😒 </span></span><span data-offset-key="64bjv-2-0"><span data-text="true">I've never even had as much as a parking ticket or speeding ticket! (Although my husband reckons that’s almost certainly suspicious and gives the impression of someone trying to fly below the radar of the authorities... 😎 </span></span><span data-offset-key="64bjv-4-0"><span data-text="true">)</span></span></div>
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<div data-block="true" data-editor="1ekmj" data-offset-key="dtv4v-0-0">
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<span data-offset-key="dtv4v-0-0"><span data-text="true">I feel that Britain definitely had the best of me, and has squandered it!</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="2uic8-0-0"><span data-text="true">What's left of me is an bundle of anger and resentment.</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="o0ir-0-0"><span data-text="true">Paradoxically Brexit is creating a new breed of British citizens, and I am one of them - those EU citizens who until the EU referendum trusted the great British public to do and vote the right thing ... and who have now decided to take matters in their own hands. After the treatment they have received from the media, the government and certain groups and individuals, they are a highly politicised bunch. They will not forget how they were treated, and the lukewarm promises they got from their MPs. They will not forget which MPs and parties voted against guaranteeing their rights in this country. They will not forget the remainder of the 3 million who are still living with anxiety and uncertainty. And they will not forget that they are European first and any specific nationality second.</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="ek6h7-0-0"><span data-text="true">Make no mistake, they will take an active role in shaping the future of this country!</span></span></div>
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<div data-block="true" data-editor="1ekmj" data-offset-key="5d2sd-0-0">
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<span data-offset-key="5d2sd-0-0"><span data-text="true">So here I am. German by birth, British out of necessity and European by my identity of choice.</span></span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4659832721092938091.post-69385250536745988452017-05-27T10:58:00.000+01:002017-05-28T09:09:08.873+01:00Who am I? Societal attitude and the question of identity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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How do we create our identity?<br />
The UK has been my home for 27 years. I have always loved living here, have been part of my community and have felt totally at home and accepted. That changed a year ago when the EU referendum fuelled anti-immigration sentiment and for the very first time I felt unwelcome, anxious and insecure.<br />
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I want to explain what happens when people are marginalised and scapegoated, because even a year on I feel the effects very strongly. Of course I can only speak for myself, but I have spoken to enough EU immigrants and have observed friends from other minority groups to be fairly sure that this is a shared experience.<br />
I expect that the simultaneous impact of the EU referendum result on 3 million people is probably a fairly unique event, but the sense of no longer (or indeed not ever) belonging into society happens to many groups of people for many reasons.<br />
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In my personal experience, when you no longer feel accepted by society as a whole, you lose your sense of belonging and security.<br />
You may try to fight it, but how do you change society's perception of you, especially when it's fuelled by the media and political powers?<br />
You begin to feel wary of other people, and you wonder what people really think about you - even people you have known and felt safe with for a long time.<br />
You become more sensitive and more defensive about what people are saying and how they are saying it.<br />
There is a temptation to withdraw and isolate yourself, because that's easier and more comfortable than managing your own feelings around other people.<br />
So eventually you shed your old identity, and you take on a new one. Which new one? The one that you have been labelled with. First you carry that badge tentatively, then you carry it with pride.<br />
Then you start to seek others who carry the same badge, and before you know it *they* are the people you feel safe and comfortable with.<br />
And although you have perhaps never before felt disconnected from "everybody else", you have been pushed that way and you suddenly become it. You know longer belong, at least not in the same way you used to.<br />
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I say this because I felt so secure and assured in my life that I would never ever have imagined that anything could change how I feel. And yet it has. <br />
If it can happen to me, it can happen to anybody. <br />
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This post is not about me. I am just using my own experience to demonstrate how we affect others.<br />
How society perceives us matters. How we allow politicians and the media to speak about whole groups of people matters. If we allow people to be set aside and scapegoated we risk driving them away into the margins of society where they may become lost and drift away.<br />
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We seem to be increasingly wary of people who are different to us, whether it's based on ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, (dis)ability, or social standing etc. We don't like the very rich and the very poor. We accuse people who sound, look or behave differently to us of undermining our culture and way of life. We suspect whole groups of people of exploiting our system, to "just take" and not contribute to society. There is much talk about wanting people to "integrate", to be more like us and to take on the "British way of life".<br />
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I put up a different argument. I suggest that if as a society we accept and welcome people as they are, they will be much more likely to contribute to and be part of our society naturally. It's what most people are wired to do.<br />
If we learn to draw people into the fold of our communities, rather than hold them suspiciously at arms length on the edges, we may just become a better nation.madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4659832721092938091.post-59474545953902518082017-05-17T18:57:00.000+01:002017-05-17T18:57:15.021+01:00Losing my religion because of politics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Britain is a very divided country these days. The EU Referendum has split the nation, and despite assurances by certain politicians that "the country is uniting behind Brexit", in practice that seems not at all the case.<br />
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Now we are in the final weeks before our snap general election and - in contrast to previous elections where the main parties really seemed much of a muchness - there are marked differences between the parties, and their plans and manifestos.<br />
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Today, as I sat quietly with the Quakers, pondering life, it came to me: It is not my religion that defines me, but other, deeper values, attitudes and beliefs. Other people who share my religious beliefs hold very different political views and have very different attitudes towards social justice, international affairs and the environment.<br />Give me the humble atheist/agnostic with compassion for the vulnerable in society over the cruel vicar's daughter any day!<br />
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My religion is the desire for a caring and compassionate society, which happily and proactively cares for the needy and vulnerable; a society which encourages individuals not to just think about themselves, but to build a secure world for future generations; a society which seeks cooperation and constructive relationships with outsiders and foreigners.<br />And yes, I find many of those elements in Christian teaching - but probably only by ignoring those elements which contradict my personal values. <br />
I also recognise that people of other faiths and none find those elements in <i>their</i> teachings and worldviews too ... and possibly only by equally ignoring certain elements which contradict their values. How else can the cruel vicar's daughter and other people with totally opposing political views to mine still profess to the same religious faith as me? And how can other followers of other religions also have found very different political positions?<br />
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Over the last year or so on Twitter I have come to realise that I am much more tolerant of other religious beliefs than of differing political views. Believe what you like, as long as your actions are in line with what I believe to be right and good.<br />My point is, I seem to have more in common and feel more closely connected with people who have similar political stances than some people who share my religious beliefs.<br />
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I can only conclude that rather than my religion shaping me, my deeper values shape my religion, how I understand it and how I apply it.<br />Do I still call myself a Christian? - I think I do.<br />Where do I go from here? - I don't know. Perhaps I need to sit in silence a bit more to fathom it out.<br />
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I guess one question which remains is what came first: My religion or my politics? - Any thoughts?<br />
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<br />madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4659832721092938091.post-75367969100568965312017-01-06T08:42:00.000+00:002017-01-06T08:42:48.597+00:00Brexit and EU citizens6 months ago, in the EU Referendum, 27% of the British population voted to leave the EU (that's a clear democratic mandate, don't you know?!). Following the events I blogged <a href="http://madhatsmusings.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/how-i-became-brit-with-german-passport.html" target="_blank">this</a>.<br />
How have things changed now?<br />
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The answer is, they haven't.<br />
The nation is still divided. People are still angry. The government and Prime Minister still have not come up with any, I mean <i>ANY, </i>Brexit plan. <br />
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And for us EU citizens, who are already settled in Britain? <br />
We have not been given any guarantees for our future here. On the contrary, we now have to jump through hoops to prove that we have the legal right to permanent residence, which includes meeting criteria which nobody ever knew existed. I read daily stories from people with British spouses and British children, who suddenly (sometimes after decades of living here) find that they don't have the right to permanent residence. Not that it matters, really, because the right to permanent residence (even if we have it) can be taken away from us anyway.<br />
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If I have learned<i> anything</i>, it's that it doesn't matter who you are, what you do, or how well you fit into society - the government can do with you what they like! It breaks my heart.<br />
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As for myself, I applied for my permanent residence card in October and I am still waiting. Having worked continually for the same employer for 25 years, I am quietly hopeful, but we shall see...<br />
In the meantime (for an estimated 4-6 months) I am without my passport and unable to visit my family in Germany.<br />
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My new year's plan was to lay off Twitter in order to try and gain some equilibrium and peace. I have done that, and it helps not to be shouting my anger into the void every minute of the day.<br />
But my anger is still there. It has not lessened.<br />
Every day I hear from the media and the politicians that I am an outsider, a minority, and part of the problem - a problem they have yet to decide how to deal with.<br />
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The truth is, I have never seen myself as a minority. I always thought of myself as simply a member of British society. So I am learning to understand the sense of insecurity, anxiety and defensiveness that comes with being a minority. I am learning that well-meant platitudes by friends are not reassuring, but patronising. I am learning that - after months of having been told so - I am starting to feel that I don't belong and that I am not part of the British people at all.<br />
It hurts and it worries me for my future here with my husband and grown-up children, but Britain no longer feels like home.<br />
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I am holding on to my daily routines as much as possible. I value friends, family and colleagues. I focus on the practical. I focus on my interests and hobbies - singing, running, knitting and reading.<br />
But increasingly the thought creeps into my head what it would be like to move back to Germany. And if Germany could become home again, now Britain no longer is...<br />
<br />
For any knitting Europhiles out there, here is the <a href="http://thenuttyknittersblog.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/free-eu-beanie-pattern.html" target="_blank">link</a> to my FREE <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/eu-beanie" target="_blank">EU beanie pattern</a>.madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4659832721092938091.post-10668175294184120482016-10-11T18:34:00.000+01:002016-10-27T21:32:44.069+01:00How I became a Brit with a German passport, and why I no longer am <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgif-A3uZGfCaqFdWasooY9FAnt6VfV8L62iWE9plU0NQ6gPxirQu4nx5Dp0i2nopStV1vY6wOImu13DM9-ei8_FL5I5S1yvzf7i1ggaa4dchY9mBGMgr52Jq6BNgk65wUkKQO_PonmErXp/s1600/13511019_10209618026589733_8983319253093243703_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgif-A3uZGfCaqFdWasooY9FAnt6VfV8L62iWE9plU0NQ6gPxirQu4nx5Dp0i2nopStV1vY6wOImu13DM9-ei8_FL5I5S1yvzf7i1ggaa4dchY9mBGMgr52Jq6BNgk65wUkKQO_PonmErXp/s200/13511019_10209618026589733_8983319253093243703_n.jpg" width="195" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The
first time I came to Britain I was 15. I came on a three week student
exchange to Ramsgate in 1981. What I took back with me was the memory
of rows of identical Victorian terraced houses with differently
coloured doors, Royal Wedding paraphernalia, a visit to London,
cheese-and-onion crisps and, oh, cream teas!</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The
next time I came was following my A levels. I came for a year to work
for a charity with learning disabled adults. I was quickly struck by
the diversity in Britain which seemed to be in such a contrast to my
native Germany back then. Growing up in fairly rural Germany the only
non-Germans I had ever encountered were Turkish “Gastarbeiter”
(guest workers), and even then they had been people I rarely actually
came in contact with. They seemed to live in different places, move
in different circles and go to different schools. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">By
comparison the Britain I encountered was vibrant and diverse, with
people from different nationalities and ethnic backgrounds living and
working and studying together, with cultures blending and merging
along the way.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">In
short, I fell in love with the country. Incidentally, I also fell in
love with an Englishman. Eventually we were to get married, have two
children and make our life in England – but first I returned to
Germany to train as an occupational therapist.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I
came back to Britain newly qualified in 1990, this time to stay. I
applied for three jobs and had three job offers. I started working in
the NHS which I have done in a variety of settings and specialities
ever since.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I
eagerly embraced the British way of life. I never particularly held
on to my German background, upheld German traditions at home or
sought contact with fellow expats from Germany. For a long time I
tried to lose my accent until I finally accepted that I probably
never would and that it was OK to speak English with a foreign
accent. I taught my children my mother tongue, but only fairly
half-heartedly. Although they now have a basic understanding of
German and have visited Germany fairly regularly over the years to
stay in touch with family there, they both see themselves as British
more than German.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I
love Britain! I love the country with its varied countrysides and
cities. I love the people, the English language and the British sense
of humour. I have mastered the English language and no longer need to
look for volunteers to explain countless puns and innuendos to me. I
have a fair grasp on the humour thing although I may never fully get
sarcasm…</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">In
all those 26 years I never bothered applying for British citizenship.
Firstly I wasn’t required to and secondly I never felt it
necessary. As far as I was concerned I was </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><i>already
</i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">British. A Brit with a
German passport!</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Recently
things seem to be shifting. In the run-up to and during the EU
Referendum campaign we started to hear from a very different Britain.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Ask
any German of my generation and they will probably confirm that we
had it </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><i>drummed into us</i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">
to be vigilant against any individuals, groups or systems which try
to single out minorities and outsiders to blame and scapegoat for
wider problems in society, and which seek to divide society into “us”
and “them”. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">And
here we are in Britain in 2016 where the Brexit campaign has openly
blamed migrants for anything from the housing crisis to unemployment
and pressures on the NHS. Where groups and individuals have been
emboldened to spread xenophobia and racism. Where hate crimes are on
the rise. Where even in government it has become acceptable to
consider forcing companies to disclose their foreign staff, and where
advice from experts on EU law is not welcome if those experts don’t
hold a British passport.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Increasingly
I find myself questioning whether this is still the Britain I so
admired and fell in love with.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">If
Britain leaves the EU I no longer have automatic right to remain in
this country. So together with 3.5 million EU citizens in he UK I am
now weighing up my options:</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I
could do nothing and hope that common sense will prevail and I will
be able to remain in this country – which seems risky and careless.
</span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Or
I could apply for British citizenship under Naturalisation, a process
which is expensive, time-consuming and complicated – and which </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><i>may</i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">
mean I end up losing my German (and therefore European) citizenship. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Or
I can explore my options of returning back to Germany – which,
given that I have not lived in Germany for 26 years and never worked
or paid taxes there, seems an unlikely solution.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">It
may just be that applying for British citizenship is my safest bet to
ensure my future in this country. But I fear that even if I apply for
and obtain citizenship, I will never feel British again in the same
way I did when I was a Brit with a German passport.</span></div>
madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4659832721092938091.post-35264714434407565342016-05-20T08:47:00.001+01:002016-05-20T08:57:03.061+01:00Why Did Jesus Die On The Cross?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxNzObbjZTRLu0lT0GD05MchVW4m2-nkkrwYnPEbwQtSGeTqfp1aPoCMCZSVWbGQcbUpJi0Rx-PEuRmoqamcd3j7H_buLuWfF4nYK99AwIClkBx5MtgJMEcpLBVWkICxcIipQbB5JxXPI/s1600/rope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxNzObbjZTRLu0lT0GD05MchVW4m2-nkkrwYnPEbwQtSGeTqfp1aPoCMCZSVWbGQcbUpJi0Rx-PEuRmoqamcd3j7H_buLuWfF4nYK99AwIClkBx5MtgJMEcpLBVWkICxcIipQbB5JxXPI/s1600/rope.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This blog seems to increasingly become the place where I answer complex Twitter questions. I got way more than 140 character here. :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, I don't believe that the story of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden is literally true.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And the statement which was put to me was "If there was no sin in the garden by a real Adam, then there is no need for a Saviour". And I guess the question is, why do I believe in Jesus anyway? And what do I believe about his death?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The question why (or if?) Jesus had to die on the cross is a great one, and one I ponder at least once a year - usually just before Easter when Christians relive and retell Jesus' last days on earth.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I guess the person asking the question made the assumption that we all have inherited Adam and Eve's 'original sin' and that Jesus had to be sacrificed in order to put things right with God. Personally speaking, that has never made sense to me. Firstly (as mentioned above) I don't read the story of The Fall as a literal event, and secondly I don't see why a loving all-powerful God can't simply forgive sin without demanding a human sacrifice for it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However, I can see that the idea of atonement and sacrificing a scapegoat for the sins of others fits into the Old Testament thinking, so perhaps it made more sense in its time and place. Here is an example from <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus+16" target="_blank">Leviticus</a>. Sacrificing animals was quite a thing 4000 years ago.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Today in 21st century Britain is makes a whole less sense.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are <a href="http://www.theopedia.com/atonement-of-christ" target="_blank">many different theories and theologie</a>s about Jesus' death and atonement. Penal substitution is just one of them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Don't get me wrong, the idea is certainly out there. Even in gentle CofE services have I come across the lyrics "It was my sin that held him there until it was accomplished"...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But this blog isn't about the many different views about Jesus' death. It's about exploring what I believe about Jesus' death. It's a personal view rather than an exploration of the rights and wrongs of others.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So let me introduce <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-sandlin/" target="_blank">Rev Mark Sandlin</a> who I came across recently and whose views I often agree with. He <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"> is an ordained PC(USA) minister serving at Vandalia Presbyterian Church in Greensboro, NC. Mark is a co-founder of </span><a href="http://www.thechristianleft.org/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #058b7b; line-height: 20px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">The Christian Left</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"> and blogs at </span><a href="http://www.thegodarticle.com/index.html" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #058b7b; line-height: 20px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">The God Article</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"> and writes for Huffington Post, Sojourners and Patheos.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I love this article of his in particular - <a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/thegodarticle/2015/03/god-did-not-kill-jesus-on-the-cross-for-our-sins/" target="_blank">God Did Not Kill Jesus On The Cross For Our Sins</a>, and it describes my own views pretty well.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yes, I believe that Jesus came to restore our relationship with God and to challenge our "sinful ways". He did that by teaching and preaching, but mostly by modelling how we should treat each other, especially those who are powerless and marginalised.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">He also did that by challenging those who believed themselves to be godly and in line with God's commandments - the Pharisees and religious leaders - by showing up and criticising their selfish and hypocritical ways.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">He did that by taking on the establishment and by making a lot of enemies along the way.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">In the end, <i>that</i> is what got him killed. His conviction of how to follow God's ways, how to build 'God's Kingdom' on earth, his determination to preach his message and his tenacity to pursue his purpose even when faced with brutality and death.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">And that's why I believe Jesus died. And why I believe it is good and right to follow him, even in 21st century Britain. I believe that it is my duty to stand up for the marginalised and vulnerable in society. I believe it is my duty to stand up against injustice - even or perhaps especially from the establishment and those in power. I believe that by doing so we have a chance to build a better and fairer world, or - as Jesus put it - build God's Kingdom on earth.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">I also, sadly, believe that many of today's churches have gone the same way of the religious leaders which Jesus so criticised - by accumulating wealth and power, by trying to force their views onto other people, and by looking down on the poor and disadvantaged. If Jesus walked our streets today, he'd surely be turning tables over!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">So there's my answer. I don't believe Jesus died to pay for my short comings and mistakes. Or Adam's or Eve's or anybody's. I believe that he died as a result of trying to show us a better way. The least I can do is try to follow his way as best as I can. And perhaps be less afraid of the consequences.</span></span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br /></blockquote>
<br />madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4659832721092938091.post-63961744489960276882016-02-02T16:44:00.000+00:002016-02-02T18:03:20.295+00:00Sourdough bread <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifwywoUNjXg1idsVyyUYFwIfYnazo6OumOC-DN4x3I-7s0Tl23ZNxp6wCg6g26VYgnpVqLl3ckpnux2zxwlR449xVTqUrdp4Q47gVxM8cplPIOtvM0YMFDXAncvS-Ux-9NryfpiI-aoXS-/s1600/IMG_20160131_082424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifwywoUNjXg1idsVyyUYFwIfYnazo6OumOC-DN4x3I-7s0Tl23ZNxp6wCg6g26VYgnpVqLl3ckpnux2zxwlR449xVTqUrdp4Q47gVxM8cplPIOtvM0YMFDXAncvS-Ux-9NryfpiI-aoXS-/s320/IMG_20160131_082424.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We have made sourdough bread on and off for years, but for the last year or so I have made it quite regularly most weeks.<br />
Here is our trusted <a href="https://docwhat.org/sourdough-bread/" target="_blank">sourdough bread recipe. </a>It makes two 500g loaves.<br />
<br />
The first thing you have to do is make a <a href="https://docwhat.org/sourdough-starter/" target="_blank">sourdough starter</a>. It takes a few days and is quite time consuming, but once you have the starter it's always there ready for you to use. If you look after it it will last for ages. Like I said, mine is at least a year old.<br />
<br />
Whilst writing this blog I did some reading up about sourdough.<br />
<br />
<div>
Sourdough bread is made by the fermentation of dough using naturally-occurring lactobacilli and yeast. Sourdough bread has a mildly sour taste not present in most breads made with baker's yeast and better inherent keeping qualities than other breads, due to the lactic acid produced by the lactobacilli.<br />
Sourdough bread is traditionally made with Rye flour, which contains relatively little gluten and therefore doesn't rise well with yeast alone.<br />
Sourdough is teeming with bugs—some 50 million yeasts and 5 billion lactobacilli bacteria in every teaspoon of starter dough.<br />
<br />
These two websites will tell you a bit more if you are interested.<br />
<a href="http://discovermagazine.com/2003/sep/featscienceof" target="_blank">http://discovermagazine.com/2003/sep/featscienceof</a><br />
<a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourdough" target="_blank">https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sourdough</a><br />
<br />
You keep the starter in a clean airtight container where it lives in a semi-dormant state - only to be revived when you take it out into the warmth and feed it (with flour).<br />
If you make bread regularly, that will be enough to keep it going. If you don't bake regularly, you should remember to feed your sleepy starter once a week. A teaspoon full of sugar per week is enough.<br />
<br />
As the recipe suggests you take a cup full of the starter out of the fridge the night before you want to bake, add warm water and bread flour and leave it covered in a warm place.<br />
For this stage I tend to use white strong bread flour as I find it keeps the starter smooth and consistent.<br />
<br />
During the night the yeast and lactobacilli come to life and get moving. By morning the mix should have formed bubbles like this.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
Then you add the remaining ingredients.<br />
At this stage I like to dabble with different flours. In addition to the white flour I like to use rye flour. It's more expensive than wheat flour, but adds taste and texture. I have also tried wholemeal flour and spelt flour, and I like to add some seeds.<br />
Be aware though that different flours may react slightly differently. Wholemeal flour, for example, seems to absorb more water and can make the dough dry.<br />
Bear in mind that you can always <i>add</i> more flour, but it's difficult to add more water to an already formed dough. So keep some flour aside to add as necessary, rather than dump it all in.<br />
<br />
Knead the dough until it is elastic but not sticky. If it's sticky, sprinkle more flour onto the work surface to knead in.<br />
I have never used a mixer and always knead my bread by hand.<br />
<br />
When the dough is ready, place it in a bowl, cover with cling film and leave in a warm place to rise.<br />
<br />
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<br />
It should double in size ...<br />
<br />
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When the dough has risen, cut in into two halves to form into two loaves. There should be air pockets formed within the dough.<br />
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Shape the loaves, cutting slashes across the top and leave to rise until doubled in size again.<br />
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Then bake at gas mark 5/ 375 F/ 190 C for approximately 50 minutes or until the loaves sound hollow when tapped at the bottom.<br />
I like my crust hard, so I brush the loaves with salt and/or honey water every 10 minutes or so whilst baking.<br />
The loaves are flat, but tasty. Best with just butter I think.<br />
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Enjoy!<br />
And please share your own thoughts, recipes and experiences.<br />
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madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4659832721092938091.post-73804860503351142132016-01-27T19:37:00.001+00:002016-01-27T19:38:25.947+00:00Iris (Book Review) This is the first time I write a book review.<br />
<br />
At the beginning of the year I realised that I have completely gotten out of the habit of reading books. I used to read all the time, and - if I had found a book that really grabbed me - could be spotted reading whilst knitting or even cooking.<br />
<br />
So why have I stopped?<br />
I expect lack of time has something to do with it. But mostly I blame social media.<br />
<br />
So I decided to make it a daily practice to set time aside for reading.<br />
<br />
The first book I picked up was "Iris", an biography about <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iris_Murdoch" target="_blank">Dame Iris Murdock</a> by her husband John Bayley. <br />
I vaguely remember watching the <a href="https://youtu.be/Y4p6oHB-Ous" target="_blank">film</a> with Judi Dench, Jim Broadbent and Kate Winslet, and quite enjoying it.<br />
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It took me a while to get into the book, perhaps because I am out of the habit.<br />
I came close to giving up, but persevered, perhaps because I didn't want to give up my new reading venture yet.<br />
<br />
Perhaps the truth is that I like to find at least one character in a novel I can identify and journey with.<br />
<br />
I found no such character in "Iris". This somewhat eccentric couple of academics in the literary world of 1950s Oxford seemed really quite alien and far removed.<br />
<br />
More interesting to me was how Iris changed with her advancing Alzheimers. Perhaps all the more <i>because </i>she<i> </i>had been such a brilliant mind.<br />
And I guess I needed to know the young Iris to understand how the dementia changed her...<br />
<br />
I'm not sure if I would recommend the book, but perhaps I should try reading one of Iris' many novels one day?<br />
<br />
But for now, what should I read next? Answer on a postcard...<br />
<br />madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4659832721092938091.post-78898620151883113722016-01-03T16:09:00.001+00:002016-01-03T16:09:24.896+00:00"Why do you believe [in God]?"<b>"Why do you believe?"</b> - That was the question I was asked early on Sunday morning and I have been mulling it over for the last 8 hours.<br />
<br />
Why <i>do</i> I believe in God?<br />
I suppose the simplest answer is because I have believed in God for as long as I can remember and I cannot imagine <i>not</i> believing in God.<br />
Those who know me, know that I am not adversed to questioning and scrutinising religious teaching, scripture and authority. I do it all the time. It's my questions, my doubts and my criticisms which shape my faith.<br />
But never, not in my darkest moments or times of doubt have I <i>not</i> believed in God.God simply is part of my life.<br />
<br />
In my mind seeking God is deeply ingrained into the human psyche, whether we are religious or not, or believe in God or not. Perhaps we call that seeking by different names.<br />
I know that I can only speak from my own perception and experience, so forgive me if I do, but I sometimes wonder how atheists can deny that God-shaped hole in their lives. The only way I can imagine it being denied is, well, by <i>denial</i>.<br />(I am sure many of my atheist friends will disagree. And that's okay. I'll probably hear about it.) :)<br />
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To any who at this stage feel inclined to say "So you believe in God. That's fine ... but <i>which</i> of the thousands of G/gods out there??" I would reply that I don't think it matters all that much. Religions are simply human attempts to put the concept of God into human words.<br />Different religions seem to emphasize different attributes of G/god(s) and at the same time share many similarities.<br />
But outside of all those human concepts G/god(s) does exist or not. Regardless of what we believe about him/her/them (or not).<br />
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<br />
Why then am I a Christian?<br />I am sure much is to do with culture and familiarity. If I was born in Afghanistan I'd be more likely a Muslim, if in India a Hindu. It just so happens that I was born in Europe into a Roman Catholic family.<br />
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I think my criticism of Christian doctrine may put me on the periphery of Christianity. I quite like the words of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Rohr" target="_blank">Richard Rohr</a> who calls it "being on the edge of the inside". That sounds like a good place to me!<br />
Occasionally people have said to me that I am deist, not a Christian.<br />
I disagree.<br />
Despite being on the edge of the inside, I feel quite firmly part of the Christian faith. Perhaps it's the person of Jesus that keeps me there. Jesus, who said "If you have seen me, you have seen the Father" and "I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you" leaves me believing that his teachings, words and example are worth reading, mulling over and putting into practice.<br />
<br />
By that I don't mean blindly following what others tell me. Quite the contrary. It requires me to dig deep and search for myself what it means to "be like Jesus" in this world here and now, wherever I go and whoever I meet.<br />
I know how Jesus' teachings fitted into first century Palestine because the gospel writers left their records.<br />
And I know from Paul's letters how he felt it should be applied as he travelled to other countries and engaged with other cultures.<br />
<br />
One of the beauties of the Christin faith is that we believe that we are <i>all</i> flawed and prone to make mistakes. And that gives me the right, or even the responsibility, to scrutinise what others think and say about my faith. And to discern for myself whether they are right or wrong.<br />
The gospel writers and Paul are not here to live according to Jesus' teachings in secular Britain in the 21st century. But I am!<br />
<br />
So yes, I <i>do</i> believe that one day I will meet God and that I will account for the things I said (and didn't say) and that things I did (and didn't do), as well as my thoughts and attitudes towards others.<br />
And it won't do any good to say "I did these things because my pastor or vicar or imam or guru or teacher or parent or husband etc told me so".<br />
It will be down to me, and me alone.<br />
<br />
Will I always be a Christian? It may be arrogant to claim that I will, although I cannot imagine ever not to be.<br />
But wherever my faith journey takes me, I don't think I can ever be an atheist and not believe that God is here.<br />
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There you have it, @hellboy2112. I don't know if it answered your question, but it has passed a rainy Sunday.<br />
Much love. :)<br />
<br />madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4659832721092938091.post-69448323130907151942016-01-02T16:15:00.000+00:002016-01-02T17:54:44.857+00:002015 The RecapI know, I know. 2015 is so LAST YEAR!<br />
But before 2016 really gets going, it's not such a bad idea to have a brief look at what the last year had to offer.<br />
<br />
2015 was, all in all, not a bad year.<br />
<br />
It started with the birth of the #ToriesMustGo beanie - born out of the desire to see the back of the Tory party in government, inspired by a Twitter hashtag and thought up by <a class="ProfileHeaderCard-screennameLink u-linkComplex js-nav" href="https://twitter.com/SkelMawhrin" style="background: rgb(245, 248, 250); color: #8899a6; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none !important;"><span style="color: #8899a6; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background: rgb(245, 248, 250); font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px;">@</span></span><span class="u-linkComplex-target" style="background: rgb(245, 248, 250); color: #8899a6; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px; outline: 0px; text-decoration: underline !important;">SkelMawhrin</span></a> who still valiantly wears it in his Twitter avi. The <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/toriesmustgo-beanie" target="_blank">free pattern</a> is available on Ravelry.<br />
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Sadly the message that #ToriesMustGo did not spread far and wide enough as the general election in May was to prove.<br />
So 2015 became the year in which I became a member of the Labour party and emailed all undecided Labour MPs in June, urging them to nominate Jeremy Corbyn for the Labour leadership contest. And (by the skin of their teeth) they did. :)<br />
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In July I joined some marching buddies at the <a href="http://www.durhamminers.org/" target="_blank">Durham Miner's Gala</a>. Definitely an experience and hoping to join again this year.<br />
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Crowds, much laughter and even more drinking...<br />
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Oh yes, and political speeches ...<br />
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More political action in October, when I joined Walking the Breadline and a group of Scousers in their march from Liverpool to Manchester to the Tory Conference.<br />
We held up some traffic and shouted until we were hoarse.<br />
<br />
I also had the opportunity to meet up with <a href="https://twitter.com/davegore2005?s=09" target="_blank">@davegore2005</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/VonGrime?s=09" target="_blank">@VonGrime</a>, two of my fave Twitter friends. A bit exciting and a huge pleasure to meet you guys for the first time.<br />
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<br />
2015 was also the year our youngest left home to go to university.<br />
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That gave hubby and me the opportunity to remind ourselves what it is like to be (just) a couple again.<br />
We spent much time cycling and under floorboards together and found out that we indeed still like each other's company. Bonus!<br />
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2015 was the year we raised chicks from eggs and I finally started to take<a href="https://madhat2014.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"> the allotment</a> more seriously.<br />
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So all in all a productive year and a joyful one.<br />
<br />
I have so much to be grateful for. So many friends, acquaintances and loved ones. So many interests, hobbies and areas I can learn more about and develop further.<br />
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Possibly one of my greatest joys is to create and make new things, to develop new ideas and let them grow.<br />
So I am looking forward to doing more of that in the future.<br />
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Thank you to all of you who are my friends. For your support, honesty and inspiration. I would be a far lesser person without you.<br />
I hope you'll stick around in 2016. xmadhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4659832721092938091.post-15771800895646205862015-10-31T03:05:00.000+00:002015-10-31T03:05:26.939+00:00Halloween/Samhain/All Hallows Eve<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7O4HdPVyFzSfhX3PEcWooMmLdIdER7vbVsR8ZNGfq3ySVk-z5NMubYqCMKuNnUdSuO3yNGYaQwlqJUAuYa3B3Z8HgsYNXPQmXgNZf3XE2xW9cdTswmXJAJ6hXUksknTnbfWb1bIGTyW8/s1600/Halloween-Happy-Birthday-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7O4HdPVyFzSfhX3PEcWooMmLdIdER7vbVsR8ZNGfq3ySVk-z5NMubYqCMKuNnUdSuO3yNGYaQwlqJUAuYa3B3Z8HgsYNXPQmXgNZf3XE2xW9cdTswmXJAJ6hXUksknTnbfWb1bIGTyW8/s320/Halloween-Happy-Birthday-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Today is my birthday.<br />
It is also the day when children wear costumes and come knocking on your door trick-and-treating.<br />
And also <a href="http://www.newgrange.com/samhain.htm" target="_blank">Samhain</a>, the time when pagans believe the veil between the world of the living and the dead to be at it's thinnest.<br />
<br />
I was born and grew up in Germany, long before the curious tradition of Trick-and-treating came over from the US. And living in a Catholic family I knew nothing about Samhain either. So the 31st of October was just another day. Which also happened to be my birthday.<br />
The day after, the 1st November, however <i>was</i> a special day. <a href="http://www.officeholidays.com/countries/europe/all_saints.php" target="_blank">All Saints Day</a>, a holiday in the Catholic calendar.<br />
As I got older, having a day off on the day <i>after</i> your birthday party became a distinct advantage. ;)<br />
<br />
However, having a day off school didn't mean lazing around in bed. It meant spending the better part of the day traipsing across church yards to visit the graves of dead relatives. Not so much fun when you are a kid ... but an opportunity to hear old stories and to learn about people I had never had the chance to meet.<br />
<br />
Looking at the present season with the shortening of the daylight, the dying down of vegetation and falling of the leaves; with the temperature dropping and the wildlife getting ready for the winter ahead; it's no wonder that our ancestors turned towards pondering life and death and their own mortality at this particular time of year.<br />
And perhaps it's right that we should do so too.<br />
<br />
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I don't visit graveyards anymore. But I like to think about those who have gone before me. Those who have made me and shaped me. Those who helped me become who I am today. Those who didn't always get it right, but tried their best. Those who gave me everything and I owe them so much. Those who helped shape the world and society I live in now. Those who created, invented and discovered all the things we now take for granted.<br />
And I ponder if in even a tiny way I may be able to shape and contribute to life in a positive way too.<br />
<br />
So forgive me if I don't celebrate Halloween. If you come knocking on my door, you won't get any sweets. I won't even open it.<br />
That's partly because Halloween just isn't a part of me. But also because I dislike the hype and consumerism attached to it. And because to me it teaches our children that you get nice things by threating to do bad things in turn. For me it's no more than Consumerism-meets-blackmail.<br />
<br />
So forgive this grumpy old woman for not opening her door. It's her birthday!madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4659832721092938091.post-45482217240264788822015-10-19T08:44:00.001+01:002015-10-19T08:44:14.893+01:00Winter is coming<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
One thing I love about having an allotment is how close it brings me to the seasons.<br />
Yes, I know that I live in a country where I can buy fresh produce - even out of season - virtually any time... But my allotment tells me otherwise.<br />
<br />
I love the urgency and business which this time of year brings.<br />
Yes, at the moment I am still picking a small but steady amount of autumn raspberries. The apple tree is still laden with apples and a lot of plants are still in the ground.<br />
<br />
But as the squirrels - who have been burying my broad bean seeds up and down the plot for weeks - know, winter is not far off.<br />
<br />
In this part of the country frosts aren't really expected until November. But even then, November is only a couple of weeks away.<br />
Once the frost arrives, the raspberries will stop fruiting, the apples will drop and - apart from the hardy winter vegetables such as cabbages and leeks - all produce will need to be protected somehow - either covered or picked and stored.<br />
<br />
Winter is getting nearer.<br />
<br />
I love the mix of having to busily plan the final jobs (picking and storing the beetroot, harvesting the apples, taking down the runner beans, processing the last tomatoes etc) and at the same time knowing that a time of quiet and rest is coming, and looking forward to it.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
Winter also means shutting off the shed, letting the allotment rest, curling up in front of the fire with a freshly baked apple crumble and a blackberry wine. And perhaps next year's seed catalogue.<br />
<br />
<br />
Winter is coming. ENJOY!<br />
<br />madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4659832721092938091.post-88124446119698715252015-10-06T07:30:00.000+01:002015-10-06T07:30:57.535+01:00Walking The Breadline - JSA (2)<div>
Over the last few days I heard some shocking stories. </div>
<div>
Stories from unemployed people who have to work 4-6 weeks at a time in Work Placements - not for pay but for continued Job Seekers Allowance. </div>
<div>
Why? </div>
<div>
The reasons given are that the work placement will "provide valuable experience which will look good on the CV" and that "it *might* lead to a proper paid job". But the paid job never comes. Instead the "trainee" is sent back to the job centre and a new "trainee" is brought in... </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Essentially this creates a work force on extremely low "pay" which is not even paid by the employer but the tax payer, and the employers gets a work force for no cost to themselves. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That's madness! It's grossly unfair. How can we possibly allow this to happen?</div>
madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4659832721092938091.post-25405690930627255762015-09-29T21:03:00.000+01:002015-10-06T07:31:53.940+01:00Walking The Breadline (1)Tomorrow I am travelling to Hoylake near Liverpool to join a group called Walking the Breadline in their final four days of marching to Manchester. Walking the Breadline have already been marching for a week, having started in Tredegar on 23rd September.<br />
For more information about the group, please visit <a href="https://www.facebook.com/walkingthebreadline/info#!/walkingthebreadline/info?tab=page_info" target="_blank">their Facebook page</a>.<br />
<br />
So why am I marching? I am marching to hopefully join tens of thousands of people who are demonstrating at the Tory Conference against the austerity measures implemented by this government.<br />
<br />
Speaking for myself, I no longer believe in the austerity rhetoric. Since the financial crisis in 2008 we have been told how we all have to tighten our belts and how we are all in it together.<br />
Yet it’s the weakest and most vulnerable members of society who are most squeezed to make up for this obscure deficit, of which nobody seems to be quite able to explain what exactly it is. Not the richest people who have the means to pay without suffering much hardship nor the bankers who caused the crisis in the first place, but those who have very little to begin with.<br />
<br />
How can I take austerity measures seriously when we are told it is inevitable that we have to reduce benefits, penalise people for having extra bedrooms (despite no alternative housing being available), cut tax credits, freeze public sector pay and slash essential health and public services; yet somehow there is enough money to bail out bankers, go to war, fund nuclear weapons which – God help us – we will never use, and give MPs a payrise of 11%?<br />
<br />
The media and tabloids are keen to present to us obscure ‘scroungers’ who are apparently showered with public money, rake in the benefits and are given mansions to live in. I am not saying these people don’t exist, but statistics show us that they are a tiny, tiny minority and that the vast majority of benefits recipients are working families on such low wages that they cannot make ends meet.<br />
At a time when homelessness and Foodbank use is increasing at alarming rate, somehow our government (and the media who serve it) manage to scapegoat the weakest and most vulnerable. Somehow they try to convince us that people only use Foodbanks because it’s an easy option, that immigrants cause the housing crisis and health care crisis, that people on benefits are just too lazy to work, etc, etc.<br />
Child poverty is ‘eradicated’ by changing the definition of the term. A reduction in unemployment is being flaunted without mentioning that a great proportion of those new jobs are on zero hour contracts, which provide nobody with a secure income.<br />
<br />
Yet the media don’t mention the tax avoiders and evaders, the rich with offshore accounts, the corporations who manage their companies from abroad without having to contribute to the infrastructure which enables their company to function and the health/public service which keep their workers well and safe.<br />
In the last 7 years since the financial crisis the rich in this country have only become richer and poor only poorer. That sounds neither right nor fair. And it certainly doesn't sound like austerity is working!<br />
<br />
I no longer naively believe that those in political power necessarily have our best interest at heart. I think it is time to ask questions, challenge and hold those in power accountable.<br />
I think it is come to leave the comfort of our sitting rooms and meet and organise with like-minded people.<br />
<br />
If – as I used to – you think that you are not political, DON’T!<br />
Politics is about people and about making society work. If you live in any community and have any opinion on how it should be run, then you ARE political and you have a voice.<br />
The welfare state is at the very core of a caring and compassionate society. It’s a system which aims to meet the needs of the people without asking who they are, whether they are deserving or whether they have paid into the system enough to have ‘earned’ getting some back.<br />
I believe austerity is about convincing us that the welfare state is outdated, inefficient and unaffordable. It is not!<br />
Austerity measures are uncaring and heartless, even brutal.<br />
<br />
If you are interested in becoming politically active, consider joining a political party or local pressure group.<br />
<a href="http://www.thepeoplesassembly.org.uk/" target="_blank">The People’s Assembly </a>may be a starting point. It’s a non-party-political gathering of people from different political parties and none. There are local groups up and down the country.<br />
<br />
If you want to support the Walking the Breadline march which solely depends on the generosity and hospitality of ordinary people to feed and house the marchers, please donate your pennies here: https://www.gofundme.com/cc3g88dx<br />
<br />
Will marching and demonstrating make a difference?<br />
It does in the sense that it helps me realise that I am not the only one and that there are many, many people out there who feel the same.<br />
<br />
But it is hard to be heard. I steel fence is going up around the Tory Conference centre as we speak, so it will be impossible to get anywhere near the venue.<br />
It will be difficult to get the mainstream media to report on any anti-austerity demonstrations, or if they do it is likely to be biased against it.<br />
So you can help by spreading the message, on social media and beyond. We ARE all in it together.<br />
<br />
Sorry about the rant.<br />
I think I’m ready to march now …<br />
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<br />madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4659832721092938091.post-70451009355434694612015-09-07T21:31:00.001+01:002015-09-07T21:31:18.468+01:00A very big Adventure <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCDg4WTmZnMoDCpbtBISyIjMUGbjawJa4UE98gO4XcrNIfPzMwFVIrk2iU-mS1Aiop2_6FgwqDlYpHBflnRcQ8uBedMLPJkD6L6TqIUkNd7xu5rwYOYDPjoWP91vbqiEhLznW1-N6AYq0H/s1600/P1010957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCDg4WTmZnMoDCpbtBISyIjMUGbjawJa4UE98gO4XcrNIfPzMwFVIrk2iU-mS1Aiop2_6FgwqDlYpHBflnRcQ8uBedMLPJkD6L6TqIUkNd7xu5rwYOYDPjoWP91vbqiEhLznW1-N6AYq0H/s320/P1010957.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
<br />
This summer my husband and I went on a big adventure.<br />
We did what we haven't done in over 21 years - a) went on a touring holiday on our bicycles together and b) went on holiday without our children. This also meant leaving our 18-year-old son in charge of the house for two weeks (when until now we've never left him alone for more than two days).<br />
<br />
When we sat at the local train station, waiting to catch the train which would eventually take us to Harwich, I was filled with dread and anxiety of a level I've never experienced before.<br />
My head was bombarded with the wildest array of scenarios which could occur when you leave the country and leave your son in charge of your home and belongings.<br />
<br />
Mixed in with that were worries about being "just" a couple again. Would we enjoy each other's company? Or would we<br />
get bored or irritated with each<br />
other?<br />
<br />
I just wanted to cry and it would not have taken much for me to abandon our plans and go back home.<br />
<br />
Luckily I didn't and once the train arrived<br />
and we were on our way, my anxiety lessened.<br />
<br />
So how did it go? Read <a href="https://jogathon2014.wordpress.com/2015/09/03/cycle-trip-holland-and-germany/" target="_blank">here</a> to find out more about the cycling side of things.<br />
<br />
As for being a couple again, it was wonderful spending time together.<br />
I was especially struck by those moments of stress and minor crises - like, when we stood wet to the skin in the cold wind and driving rain, waiting for at least for 30 minutes for the ferry across the Rhine. Or when we couldn't find find the hotel after a long day cycling. Or when it took hours to get out of Den Haag...<br />
Those were the moments that brought us really close, knowing that we'd somehow get through this together. No time to blame each other or walk off in a huff! LOL<br />
<br />
Here's one of my favourite pictures, taken by my mum.<br />
<br />
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And our son? Well, he was of course fine! So he didn't take the rubbish out, removed the furry things from the fridge or cleaned the bathroom, but apart from that he was well and healthy. And the house is still standing. 😁 <br />
<br />
Here’s to many more holidays together!<br />
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madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4659832721092938091.post-25254886927154079792015-08-11T22:02:00.000+01:002015-08-11T22:12:35.970+01:00Bottom-of-the-freezer-jelly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOILDZ3tH9OwRkR99LFraCTSte-IPWC-WDQHUEv-rDKPdTWiHZ-vdhE4sWysdES-lOadYIwJ9j7TWS4aFRVXxDVuBYDPzHkDC1oBOLF1dkFoHAgcILnNFbEPhpIzaz807HOZkhYfPdyv8/s1600/IMG_20150808_193616208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOILDZ3tH9OwRkR99LFraCTSte-IPWC-WDQHUEv-rDKPdTWiHZ-vdhE4sWysdES-lOadYIwJ9j7TWS4aFRVXxDVuBYDPzHkDC1oBOLF1dkFoHAgcILnNFbEPhpIzaz807HOZkhYfPdyv8/s320/IMG_20150808_193616208.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Everything on the allotment seems to have been slow starting this year, perhaps because we haven't really had a proper warm spell so far.<br />
But finally things are taking off, and that means one thing: I have to make space in the freezer.<br />
<br />
It's a good chance to rummage around in the bottom of the freezer, looking for the leftover fruit from last year.<br />
<br />
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I found approximately 2lbs of currants and 1lbs of blackberries. Enough for a small batch of jelly.<br />
<br />
Making jelly is a fairly easy process.<br />
<br />
<ol>
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<li>Wash the fruit, then just cover with water. </li>
<li>Bring to boil and let simmer until the fruit is soft and pulpy.</li>
<li>After letting the fruit cool, pour the mixture <span style="text-align: center;">into a large muslin cloth and hang up to let the liquid drip out. I like to hang mine from a broom handle laid across the back of a chair and the kitchen table. Let it hang for at least 4 hours, better still over night. Do not squeeze unless you don't mind your jelly being cloudy.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</li>
<li>Measure the liquid and add 1 lb (450g) of sugar per pint (550ml) of liquid. Jams and jellies need pectin to set. Some fruits, such as plums, currants and apples are high in natural pectin. Rhubarb and soft fruit such as raspberries and strawberries need to have pectin added. It can be added in liquid form, powder or already added to the sugar. If unsure you can test the pectin content with the <a href="http://my-pickles-and-jams.com/2012/05/test-for-pectin/" target="_blank">methylated spirit test.</a> Hubby likes this because it's sciencey. ;)</li>
<li>Sterilise the jam jars. You can estimate to need twice as many jars as you had pints of liquid. I.e. I had 3 pints of liquid and used just over 6 jars. I tend to reuse old lb jam or honey jars with metal lids. I sterilise the jars by washing them well and putting them in the oven on a low heat. I sterilise the jar lids by simmering them in water. But if you prefer you can use waxed discs and cellophane covers instead. </li>
<li>Return liquid and sugar to the boil and let boil rapidly, stirring constantly.<span style="text-align: center;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: center;">After 10 or 15 minutes you can start testing </span><span style="text-align: center;">if the jelly is ready to set. I use the wrinkle test. Put a small amount of the liquid on a plate and put in the fridge for a few minutes until cold. Then gently push it with your fingertip. If it wrinkles up it is ready to set.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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You can also look for the jelly starting to set along the side of the sauce or the spoon. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</span></li>
<li>Carefully pour the hot jelly into the sterilised jars and seal with lids or cellophane covers. </li>
</ol>
The jelly will keep for at least a year in a cool storage place.<br />
ENJOY!<br />
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madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4659832721092938091.post-17000261468808797962015-04-30T14:46:00.000+01:002015-04-30T14:46:03.433+01:00What weeds are teaching me. A gardener's tale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Dandelion season is upon us. The first flush of dandelions appearing in fields and on verges is a cheerful sight ... but on my allotment they are a pernicious weed.<br />
Difficult to get rid of too. If you try to mow them down, the cut flowers will still produce seeds ...<br />
<br />
So today I spent 2 hours picking hundreds, no thousands, of dandelion heads. Painstakingly. Tedious, tedious work. And it got me thinking.<br />
<br />
I am someone who easily lets negative thoughts run away with her. Somehow "being prepared for the worst" turns into ruminating about every possible thing that could possibly go wrong at every possible moment.<br />
<br />
So picking dandelion heads became a metaphor for dealing with negative thoughts.<br />
Rather than worry about the many hundred dandelions which were still there, I tried to remind myself that every single dandelion I had picked was <i>one</i> which would not go to seed and produce more dandelions.<br />
<br />
Now, for dandelion read negative thought.<br />
Every negative thought which I manage to nip in the bud and stop from growing bigger and stronger is one less negative thought I will ruminate over and allow to occupy my thinking.<br />
It requires constant vigilance and awareness - recognising the emerging thought and putting a stop to it.<br />
By distracting yourself from it; by thinking about something positive; by finding constructive solutions ... whatever it is that works best.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5UuxpkONSPZ-LgK_oWIyH6-ag6Yjw5DmN8EPreHwtHqMEzyvRPJwPo6L3HyBcfq8IZWGZ4AmV8lOh6l82VQiyYAp-agPhOeAnKf6xs-jxihO5aQAVxaxiAmNDTIsw6F-aUeOOaj15AIA/s1600/dandelionfree+zone+30_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5UuxpkONSPZ-LgK_oWIyH6-ag6Yjw5DmN8EPreHwtHqMEzyvRPJwPo6L3HyBcfq8IZWGZ4AmV8lOh6l82VQiyYAp-agPhOeAnKf6xs-jxihO5aQAVxaxiAmNDTIsw6F-aUeOOaj15AIA/s1600/dandelionfree+zone+30_4.jpg" height="320" width="208" /></a></div>
By the time I had finished, the plot looked like this. Not a cheery yellow in sight!<br />
Now, I know fine well that next week, or even tomorrow, some dandelions will be back.<br />
But there will be fewer of them!<br />
And over time the first flush of them will ease and their emergence will reduce.<br />
<br />
In the same way, negative thoughts will lessen, if you keep on top of them.<br />
Don't get me wrong, there will be times and seasons when you will be more susceptible to negative thinking. Because of your frame of mind at the time or because of circumstances or because of other factors.<br />
Negative thoughts will sneak up on you, and sometimes you will find it easier to deal with them than others.<br />
<br />
Don't beat yourself up about it. Keep plucking.<br />
The more you weed, the more you can grow the pretty things.<br />
<br />
<br />
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madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4659832721092938091.post-85627153065361672442015-04-22T19:22:00.000+01:002015-04-22T19:22:33.814+01:00Happy Earth Day! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
So it is <a href="http://www.earthday.org/" target="_blank">Earth Day </a>today.<br />
Like all special days it leaves me thinking that <i>one</i> day per year really doesn't get us anywhere.<br />
<br />
Let us learn to appreciate this beautiful world we live in, learn about its amazing diversity and interconnectedness.<br />
<br />
Let us understand that we are not detached from this planet, but a part of it.<br />
<br />
And that it is our duty to care for it.<br />
<br />
Let us tread lightly! Every day.<br />
<br />madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4659832721092938091.post-24392064375111638682015-04-04T14:37:00.000+01:002015-04-04T14:37:10.001+01:00Non-dualism and social mediaOnce in a while I love to take time out from the daily grind to make time to go within myself, ponder, search and see what I can find. For me, Lent, Ramadan and Advent offer convenient opportunities to do just that.<br />
<br />
This year I took Holy Week off. I had some annual leave remaining, which needed to be taken before the end of March, and the last week before Easter seemed a good time for some soul-searching.<br />
And while I was in the mood, I decided to take some time off from social media too - one of my greatest distractions.<br />
<br />
It so happened that during this week I met two men who had quite an influence on me, and who might just turn out to nudge me into a new direction.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJOlaIbzVEC7xUi9W0or7U-ftKZCJQGhEqjYI5nlcOKjOeIRGObIcF8iUUfo2VAdji-i9_wqnJahAMr5ktKlEro87Qvz21LLJlaWmYAWqHQIHQLfjm4S8QIQDt35eOdimI07IWLrEMv7_r/s1600/judas1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJOlaIbzVEC7xUi9W0or7U-ftKZCJQGhEqjYI5nlcOKjOeIRGObIcF8iUUfo2VAdji-i9_wqnJahAMr5ktKlEro87Qvz21LLJlaWmYAWqHQIHQLfjm4S8QIQDt35eOdimI07IWLrEMv7_r/s1600/judas1.jpg" /></a>The first one was Judas Ischariot.<br />
I had agreed to take part in a reflective church service on Monday evening, one in which each of us read/played the part of one of the six characters from Stephen Cottrell's book <a href="http://www.eden.co.uk/blog/The-Nail-being-part-of-the-Passion--a-new-Lent-course-for-2012--by-Stephen-Cottrell--p1211" target="_blank">'The Nail'</a> - Peter, the Centurion, Pilate, Caiaphas, Judas and Mary Magdalen.<br />
<br />
As soon as I read the parts, I knew Judas was for me. I loved Cottrell's Judas. He was a man of conviction, a man with political hopes and dreams. He wanted the best for his people - freedom from the Roman occupation and from oppressive religious leaders. He wanted political change and his frustration grew when Jesus, the man he believed had what it took to bring that political change, did not live up to <i>his</i> expectations.<br />
Judas, who was so sure that his way was the right one that he took drastic action in the desire to make it happen.<br />
<br />
"It is not more love this world needs, but change, leadership, action!" is what he said. <br />
<br />
Judas reminded me of some zealous political activists I have met over the last year or so, some who are convinced that the end justifies the means - no matter how drastic.<br />
Judas also reminded me of myself, when I am blinkered and unable to see the other side, take the wider view or stand in the shoes of the other.<br />
I loved Judas. So human, so misguided, so unable to see beyond his own small mind. So much like all of us!<br />
Playing Judas made me cry, and it made others cry too.<br />
<br />
<br />
Life is complicated and I think it is in our human nature to try and simplify it by taking a black-and-white approach. Much easier to see things as black or white; right or wrong; good or bad - definitely much easier than delving into the intricacies and complications of the finer details and underlying factors.<br />
I'm not usually a very black-and-white kind of person. My world tends to be in shades of grey (perhaps even more than 50) ... although I sometimes secretly envy the black-and-white types, because I think their lives must be easier and less complicated.<br />
<br />
But I am reminded that when I step away from the right-or-wrong thinking, I almost inevitably learn new things and gain new insights.<br />
For example, any hardened views I might have had about issues like sexuality, abortion or assisted suicide were impossible to sustain and either crumbled completely or at least softened, when I allowed myself to see the other side, hear the stories, walk in the footsteps of another.<br />
<br />
And I like it that way!<br />
Easy answers are often, well, just too easy. Too simplistic!<br />
I prefer the answer being "There is no definite answer".<br />
<br />
<br />
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Cue to introduce <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Rohr" target="_blank">Richard Rohr</a>, the other man I met this week. Richard is a Franciscan monk from the US, who describes <i>his</i> Christian stance as "being on the edge of the inside". That's a good place to be.<br />
From Richard I learned a name for the thing I have been feeling for a long time - <a href="https://susanjoan.wordpress.com/2012/06/28/non-dualistic-thinking/" target="_blank">non-dualism</a>.<br />
<br />
Social media in particular is full of dualistic thinking. And it's so easy to fall into it ourselves. So easy to share that simplistic meme, because it is pithy and witty - without querying or challenging its validity and truth.<br />
So easy to join the crowds which declare that...<br />
... atheists are immoral.<br />
... Muslims are terrorists.<br />
... theists are stupid and incapable of rational thought.<br />
... Tories are heartless selfish toffs.<br />
... liberals are lefty pinko communists.<br />
... men are sexist.<br />
... feminists are lesbians.<br />
... gays want to convert us all to homosexuality.<br />
... Catholic priests are pedophiles.<br />
... etc, etc...<br />
<br />
Even as I write this list, it becomes easier and easier to go down that road of outrageous, unreasonable and spiteful statements.<br />
<br />
Non-dualism - as I understand it so far - encourages us to take a situation, an event, a moment as it is; to consciously try to <i>not</i> give it a label and make a judgement - at least not straight away.<br />
We love to compartmentalise. Are you right or wrong; good or bad; a friend or an enemy? Are you on my side or against me?<br />
What if it is a whole lot more complicated than that?<br />
What if you can even love Judas? Understand his motivations and desires? And empathise?<br />
<br />
<br />
Where does all that leave me with my involvement in social media? I honestly don't know.<br />
I know that I am tired of being exposed to angry and often hateful tweets and memes.<br />
I know that having taken some time out has been refreshing, almost healing.<br />
I may have to change how I use social media.<br />
I may have to lose a whole bunch of friends and followers.<br />
<br />
Perhaps I should be non-dualistic about this and give myself some time to consider it.<br />
<br />
For those of you wanting to hear about Richard Rohr and have two hours spare, can listen to his interview <a href="http://nerdist.com/you-made-it-weird-253-richard-rohr/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
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<br />madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4659832721092938091.post-8350685986872615482015-03-09T09:44:00.000+00:002015-03-10T07:32:22.613+00:0012 years a Christian<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Today is an anniversary for me - 12 years since I became a committed and practising Christian. I had been raised in a Roman Catholic family, but hadn't given religion an awful lot of thought since leaving home in my late teens.<br />
I had met a life partner, had children, bought a house, gotten married (in that order) without religion in my life.<br />
I had probably always believed in some greater being or force, but had not given it a name.<br />
I had dabbled with paganism (I loved nature and the seasons, still do), flirted with Hinduism (I enjoyed Yoga, still do) and set foot inside a church once in a blue moon (I liked the peace and serenity, still do).<br />
<br />
Then, in my mid-thirties, I had a conversion experience. One evening. Alone. In my kitchen.<br />
It was a very personal and precious moment, so I am not going to blog about that. But I want to reflect on the last 12 years.<br />
<br />
I started going to a lively evangelical free church - 'Bible-believing', 'spirit-filled', with energetic worship and long sermons. It took a pretty literal interpretation of scripture. Creationism wasn't openly mentioned, but seemed to be covertly implied; homosexuality was frowned upon (in the 'Hate the sin, but love the sinner' kind of way); women had an inferior role to their husbands.<br />
I was never comfortable with those things, but for a long time felt I could hold that tension and accommodate the differences.<br />
<br />
In the end it wasn't the differences in opinion which drew me away, but the fact that <i>having</i> different opinions was discouraged. If one had a question, there was only <i>one</i> answer - that of the pastor/leadership.<br />
<br />
I can't function like that. In fact, the worst thing you can do is to tell me what I can/cannot believe.<br />
Atheist friends have taught me that our convictions can only be our own. We hold them, we own them and - if we are honest with ourselves - we review them regularly.<br />
<br />
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I demand for myself an immense level of freedom. The freedom to mull things over and choose for myself my very personal path.<br />
Some call that cherry picking. I call that being true to myself! :)<br />
<br />
I find beauty and meaning in all sorts of religious and non-religious traditions, practices and ideas.<br />
I have found a home (for now at least) in the Church of England in a church where nobody tells me what I can and cannot do, where I am respected and appreciated as I am and where the congregation is very active in social justice and in the local community.<br />
<br />
Has becoming a Christian made me a different person? Yes and no.<br />
Many of my values have always been there. <br />
Genetically determined? <br />
Implanted during childhood?<br />
Willed by God?<br />
Who knows.<br />
<br />
But I find that my faith crystallises certain values out for me and has become a permanent framework to remind me to strive to be a better person. And yes, <i><b>I</b></i> believe to strive to become the person God wants me to be.<br />
Principles like forgiveness, perseverance, grace and patience are things which my faith constantly calls me to do.<br />
To not give in to bitterness, anger and cynicism.<br />
To hold onto hope and trust and love. To believe in a better world and our (god-given) ability to build it.<br />
<br />
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My faith has changed over the years and it will no doubt continue to change. It seems to mature and become clearer and sharper. The more questions I ask and the more difficult conversations I have, the more I understand what it is I believe and why. The more comfortable I also become in being clear and honest about the many things I <i>don't</i> understand.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4klGVhdKrgaJ9wyFE5p2hphSkJ9ZG60fRJ53pbX2eiiKujagMUm46kHzePtFLDFRq0TT3fqwOSZIKZNgQLS-dPlfgvZ4-JFbLRkB3JEBnqakedOpYfK7TdlDLAdDOrggfL75XK55N31a/s1600/hands.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4klGVhdKrgaJ9wyFE5p2hphSkJ9ZG60fRJ53pbX2eiiKujagMUm46kHzePtFLDFRq0TT3fqwOSZIKZNgQLS-dPlfgvZ4-JFbLRkB3JEBnqakedOpYfK7TdlDLAdDOrggfL75XK55N31a/s1600/hands.jpeg" height="149" width="200" /></a></div>
Despite it's tricky connotations, I have always found the description 'being born again' quite accurate.<br />
Choosing to become a Christian and essentially follow the teachings of Jesus was a fresh beginning and a commitment for me. And one I have not regretted in 12 years.<br />
If you are one of those people who have honed and sharpened my faith, I thank you for your companionship.<br />
<br />
Whether you are a Christian or a follower of any other faith or none, I am glad to know you.<br />
<br />madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4659832721092938091.post-38863719263888579652015-02-19T20:39:00.003+00:002015-10-01T00:31:02.265+01:00My year on Twitter. What have atheists ever done for me?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMGTSCvWsF2237tDC_iJRW55eRVCOoSQg4E8WXiLufEKAQlVArEi7OPSFQBdwsYVlaNpLaZi2LzdR-H0J8GvBKxm2yVGQUDUS4ZQpzgfsRLAeUBHT6dBspvlIeDKOshRRLOSyMOwgmejGy/s1600/sunflower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMGTSCvWsF2237tDC_iJRW55eRVCOoSQg4E8WXiLufEKAQlVArEi7OPSFQBdwsYVlaNpLaZi2LzdR-H0J8GvBKxm2yVGQUDUS4ZQpzgfsRLAeUBHT6dBspvlIeDKOshRRLOSyMOwgmejGy/s1600/sunflower.jpg" /></a></div>
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Almost exactly a year ago, at the beginning of Lent 2014, I opened a Twitter account. I had decided to spend my Lent as a time to <i>really</i> listen to people, with the intention to understand, engage and connect.<br />
<br />
When I say 'people' I meant in particular atheists. I figured that by listening to atheist <i>strangers</i> I might learn something about atheists closer to home, and that some conversations might be easier with strangers than with loved ones.<br />
<br />
A year and 20.5K (!) tweets later, perhaps it's a good time to reflect and look back. And hey, a new Lent has arrived and who knows where this one will take me??<br />
<br />
My life on Twitter turned out more varied and interesting than I had anticipated. I became political and tweeted about <a href="http://madhatsmusings.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/the-peoples-march-for-nhs-day-we-filled.html" target="_blank">marching for the NHS</a>; about the <a href="http://madhatsmusings.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/lgbt-and-church-facing-new-truths.html" target="_blank">Greenbelt festival and LGBT</a> issues; about <a href="http://thenuttyknittersblog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/toriesmustgo-beanie.html" target="_blank">knitting #ToriesMustGo beanies</a>; about running; <a href="http://madhatsmusings.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/humanism-being-christian-and-parable-of.html" target="_blank">being a humanist Christian</a> and lots more. And more importantly I made a bunch of friends and had heaps of fun!<br />
<br />
But back to the atheists. After all, this blog is dedicated to them. :)<br />
<br />
Having innocently joined the Twitter community I very quickly met atheists like I had never met in real life! The aggressive, militant, out-to-offend type.<br />
I got to practice taking a deep breath, being gracious and forgiving, keeping calm and friendly A LOT!<br />
<br />
To be honest, being offensive or aggressive isn't a problem for me. As long as people are willing to engage, sooner or later there is common ground, which friendships or at least connections can grow on. I have taken part in some pretty tough and painful conversations which have led to great friendships - once the waves had settled, the pain and anger eased ... and two people had remained, still looking at each other and eventually smiling too.<br />
<br />
The bigger problem are the people (and not just atheists, of course!), who actually have no intention to engage; who just want to shout their message loudly and without distinction into the void.<br />
So if you are a one-trick pony with just <i>one</i> message and seemingly nothing else in your life, chances are we will struggle to engage with and learn from each other.<br />
Even then, I have learned to stop and ponder why some people might be so angered and so driven to just share that one single message.<br />
<br />
I have learned from my time on Twitter that many atheists are...<br />
<div>
<ul>
<li><b>... Angered by theists who reject scientific proof if it contradicts scriptural accounts/teachings</b> (apparently there are many of those out there); especially when those teachings lead to harmful, hateful or discriminatory behaviour (i.e.being against LGBT rights; denying climate change; being against human rights in general; discriminating against people from other faiths or none; rejecting medical treatment, especially for children etc). I am with you, my atheist friends.</li>
<li><b>... Bewildered by theists who use 'religious language'</b>, which to an atheist has no meaning at best and which can sound patronising at worst. I have learned to avoid expressions such as 'I will keep you in my prayers' or 'I feel God is calling me to...'. I use this kind of language with ease when speaking to other believers, but I have learned that for many atheists it touches a nerve.<br />I am finding that some atheists are curiously literal in their interpretation and find it quite hard to accept that other people take a much less literal view.<br />When I say 'God is calling me to...', I don't usually mean that I have just heard a booming voice giving me instructions.</li>
<li><b>... Irritated by the superior thinking of some theists</b> that everybody who does not subscribe to religion A will be doomed to eternal hellfire and misery. And some have been treated terribly by those who call themselves religious and godly. I feel ashamed on their behalf!</li>
<li><b>... Upset by a world in which suffering is a reality</b> and even more <b>frustrated that theists believe this world to be created a by a loving deity.</b> This is probably the most meaningful issue for me. Especially since there has been a fair amount of discussion about this in the wake of Stephen Fry's thoughts on what he would tell God if he met him.</li>
</ul>
<ul><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/-suvkwNYSQo/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-suvkwNYSQo?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></ul>
<div>
The issue of suffering is one we all have to grapple with, and we come to different conclusions.<br />
I can see that simply disbelieving in God seems the easier option. Shit happens, and that's all.</div>
<div>
Suffice to say, when I meet God the question of suffering is right on top of the agenda.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmb0gNyZrq_dAe3tUXacwo9O4SCTA8xDpEQBBy9Hd3Rysbp_baqJTGTmCDC9qfTfCyKthoxGvRSJmxESoLIKmtQipqtue-YYovSQL3dKl4VBW7gYajCLKmCMFl2q29sI8KYCDUjgzUboqe/s1600/10985591_10205850534564787_4409443511055724764_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmb0gNyZrq_dAe3tUXacwo9O4SCTA8xDpEQBBy9Hd3Rysbp_baqJTGTmCDC9qfTfCyKthoxGvRSJmxESoLIKmtQipqtue-YYovSQL3dKl4VBW7gYajCLKmCMFl2q29sI8KYCDUjgzUboqe/s1600/10985591_10205850534564787_4409443511055724764_n.jpg" width="200" /></a>Perhaps the most difficult moment comes when atheists meet theists who don't fit into the "all-theists-are-thick,-uneducated-and-gullible" category. Sometimes I think that is the most frustrating of all.</div>
<div>
So you question the Bible? You disagree with much it says? You don't think it is God's direct word? You think much of it is metaphorical? You think you have to read it through the lens of modern knowledge and understanding, and interpret it for yourself? You think it is your responsibility to question it?<br />
Then why on earth do you follow it at all??!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If you atheists have taught me anything over the last year, it is to think about my faith much more and to be much clearer about what I believe and why. Frustratingly for me, that doesn't mean I can always convey these things to you. Often we seem to lack the common language and perception to be able to make each other understand. And a limit of 140 characters does not help! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
You have taught me to not assume that the path which seems so right and beautiful for <i>me</i> is not necessarily so for others. And that I must be careful in how I choose my words, because being hurtful and causing offense is just not something I want to do.<br />
If I value your thoughts and feelings, then I should do my best not to hurt you in any way.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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<div>
So, what now and where to next?</div>
<div>
I don't yet know. Perhaps I am waiting for God's calling ... ;)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here's to my atheist friends. I love you all! xx</div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4659832721092938091.post-34685605362968729792014-09-15T15:19:00.003+01:002015-05-01T03:02:34.706+01:00TMI Tag - some useless information about myself<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEds_Cew5Ngk8QwP4_NxhRhR-a4MNCZd_j_K3szRtILDZ55mi0LQAXYSTbNgaBasFz2_xZ2YWw2B4ArRDkfOWDT68Z7-J6vXIFIVhroEDkuPz3OukvwSX0N90Ns-YevwsdZHy09OYVIgMq/s1600/IMG_20140912_103326498+played+with.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEds_Cew5Ngk8QwP4_NxhRhR-a4MNCZd_j_K3szRtILDZ55mi0LQAXYSTbNgaBasFz2_xZ2YWw2B4ArRDkfOWDT68Z7-J6vXIFIVhroEDkuPz3OukvwSX0N90Ns-YevwsdZHy09OYVIgMq/s1600/IMG_20140912_103326498+played+with.jpg" height="320" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://secularscarlet.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Secular Scarlet</a> nominated me for this TMI Tag, and now I have worked out what the questions mean, there is no going back ….<br />
<br />
<b>1 What are you wearing?</b> <br />
Fairly muddy three-quarter length trousers (not long back for the allotment) and my favourite Festival T-shirt.<br />
<br />
<b>2 Ever been in love?</b><br />
A couple of times. Stuck with the second guy, which was a good choice.<br />
<br />
<b>3 Ever had a terrible break up?</b><br />
No<br />
<br />
<b>4 How tall are you?</b><br />
1.75m or 5’8″<br />
<br />
<b>5 How much do you weigh?</b><br />
around 63kgs or 10stone<br />
<br />
<b>6 Any Tattoos?</b><br />
No<br />
<br />
<b>7 Any piercings?</b><br />
Yes. Had my ears pierced, when I was a teenager, but don't bother now.<br />
<br />
<b>8 OTP (One True Pairing)</b><br />
I reckon Tony Benn and Jesus together would make this world a better place.<br />
<br />
<b>9 Favourite Show</b><br />
Rather partial to Swedish Crime Drama<br />
<br />
<b>10 Favourite Bands?</b><br />
Crowded House<br />
The Beautiful South<br />
<br />
<b>11 Something you miss?</b><br />
More tolerance in the world and willingness to co-operate and work together<br />
<br />
<b>12 Favourite Songs?</b><br />
"Fields of Gold" Eva Cassidy<br />
Most songs by Simon and Garfunkel<br />
<br />
<b>13 How old are you?</b><br />
Heading for 48<br />
<br />
<b>14 Zodiac sign</b><br />
Scorpio<br />
<br />
<b>15 Quality you look for in a partner?</b><br />
Commitment, humour and tolerance<br />
<br />
<b>16 Favourite Quote</b><br />
"Be the change you want to see in the world." (Mahatma Gandhi)<br />
<br />
"Three things will last forever: faith, hope, and love - and the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:13)<br />
<br />
<b>17 Favourite Actor?</b><br />
Johnny Depp, Russell Crowe, Judi Dench<br />
<br />
<b>18 Favourite Colour?</b><br />
Blue<br />
<br />
<b>19 Loud music or soft?</b><br />
Soft<br />
<br />
<b>20 Where do you go when your sad?</b><br />
Walking or running<br />
<br />
<b>21 How long does it take you to shower</b>?<br />
10 minutes tops<br />
<br />
<b>22 How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?</b><br />
20 minutes to be physically ready; 60 minutes to be mentally prepared<br />
<br />
<b>23 Ever been in a physical fight?</b><br />
Not that I can remember<br />
<br />
<b>24 Turn on?</b><br />
Honesty, sincerity and laughter<br />
<br />
<b>25 Turn off?</b><br />
Hatred, dishonesty and cruelty<br />
<br />
<b>26 The reason I joined Utube?</b><br />
Uwhat??<br />
<br />
<b>27 Fears?</b><br />
Heights and being abandoned<br />
<br />
<b>28 Last thing that made you cry?</b><br />
Seeing thousands of people last week waiting in Red Lion Square for the marchers in the People's March for the NHS - such solidarity and support!<br />
<br />
<b>29 Last time you said you loved someone?</b><br />
Yesterday<br />
<br />
<b>30 Meaning behind your online/Twitter name?</b><br />
Madhat refers to my early Internet days, when I was into knitting and selling hats.<br />
<br />
<b>31 Last book you read?</b><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Finding-Sanctuary-Monastic-steps-Everyday/dp/0753821494" target="_blank">Finding Sanctuary</a> by Father Christopher Jamison<br />
<br />
<b>32 The book you are currently reading?</b><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Seeking-Justice-Radical-Compassion-Jesus/dp/1780996888/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1410787948&sr=1-1&keywords=seeking+justice" target="_blank">"Seeking Justice - The Radical Compassion of Jesus"</a> by Keith Hebden<br />
and<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thousand-Splendid-Suns-Khaled-Hosseini/dp/074758589X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1410788019&sr=1-1&keywords=a+thousand+splendid+suns" target="_blank">"A Thousand Splendid Suns"</a> by Khaled Hosseini<br />
<br />
Hoping to read next:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/NHS-Plc-Privatisation-Health-Care/dp/1844675394" target="_blank">"NHS Plc - The Privatisation of our Health Care"</a> by Allyson M. Pollock<br />
and<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Harrys-Last-Stand-Generation-Falling/dp/1848317263/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1410790722&sr=1-1&keywords=harry%27s+last+stand" target="_blank">"Harry's Last Stand - How the World My Generation Built is Falling Down, and What We Can Do to Save it"</a> by Harry Leslie Smith<br />
<br />
<b>33 The last show you watched?</b><br />
Waking the Dead<br />
<br />
<b>34 Last person you talked to?</b><br />
My son<br />
<br />
<b>35 The relationship between you and the person you last texted?</b><br />
My daughter<br />
<br />
<b>36 Favourite Food?</b><br />
Lamb biryani<br />
<br />
<b>37 Places you want to visit?</b><br />
Scotland and Scandinavia<br />
<br />
<b>38 Last place you were?</b><br />
Trafalgar Square in London<br />
<br />
<b>39 Do you have a crush?</b><br />
No<br />
<br />
<b>40 Last time you kissed someone?</b><br />
About an hour ago<br />
<br />
<b>41 Last time you were insulted?</b><br />
Unless you count meaningless Twitter tweets from people who really don't know me at all, not for a very long time<br />
<br />
<b>42 Favourite flavour of sweet?</b><br />
Licorice<br />
<br />
<b>43 What instruments do you play?</b><br />
Saxophone and piano (once upon a time); these days singing is my thing<br />
<br />
<b>44 Favourite piece of jewellery?</b><br />
Wedding ring; don't really wear jewelry<br />
<br />
<b>45 Last sport you played?</b><br />
Badminton<br />
<br />
<b>46 Last song you sang?</b><br />
"How Great Thou Art" last Sunday<br />
Before then "Donald, Where's Your Troosers"<br />
<br />
<b>47 Favourite chat up line?</b><br />
I don't have one.<br />
<br />
<b>48 Have you ever used one?</b><br />
Not for 28 years, so I'm probably a bit outdated ...<br />
<br />
<b>49 last time you hung out with anyone?</b><br />
Last week. Long walk with husband and daughter.<br />
Before then, joining the People's March for the NHS with the greatest bunch of people! (See previous blog post)<br />
<br />
<b>50 Who should answer these questions next?</b><br />
@SaritaAgerman @KeithHebden @beingboth<br />
(Have tried to look for tweeps who I <i>know</i> also blog)madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4659832721092938091.post-46693795104856578582014-09-09T20:28:00.000+01:002015-04-08T22:15:28.909+01:00The People’s March for the NHS - the day we filled Trafalgar Square<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtKVViHlPKMDK1dardvkwzB3R2Z4hJgp4M7luEh2U4WftkeEt8_eBFGYYq1nmR4qqbInfmsXH2fF0JaBmRDUtr4xPd2XDz3Sc6cELaCY5ka0TbWwVNdLX9kilhklsYocUCdkSWKcPjnHZJ/s1600/IMG_20140906_181850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtKVViHlPKMDK1dardvkwzB3R2Z4hJgp4M7luEh2U4WftkeEt8_eBFGYYq1nmR4qqbInfmsXH2fF0JaBmRDUtr4xPd2XDz3Sc6cELaCY5ka0TbWwVNdLX9kilhklsYocUCdkSWKcPjnHZJ/s1600/IMG_20140906_181850.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Let
me be clear, I am </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">not</span></i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
political.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But
I support the NHS. I have worked in the NHS for 24 years and I love
its principles and all it stands for. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">The idea that health
provision is not for personal gain sits deep within the National
Health Services’ principles. So far that, if a patient or service
user gives us a box of chocolates as a Thank-you gift, we as staff take it back to the office to share with everybody.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">The
underpinning concept is this: </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">the
NHS (and all its workers) will provide care for patients, regardless
of who they are; whether they are rich or poor; whether they can
afford to buy a box of chocolates or not.</span></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">So
the idea that our health services should be run by private companies
who (have to) make a private profit out of the health/sickness of the
nation, seems simply very, very wrong.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">I love the NHS. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">And
I love walking.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So
when I heard about the </span><a href="http://999callfornhs.org.uk/welcome/4586414141" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">People’s March for the NHS</span></a><span style="font-size: small;">, started by a
group of people in the North-East (referred to as the Darlomums) and
retracing the steps of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jarrow_March" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">1936 Jarrow March</span></a><span style="font-size: small;"> from Jarrow to London, I
immediately felt this was something I wanted to be part of.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">Being
not political I thought of it as a walk rather than a political
march.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">Having registered with the march for the last five days my
anxieties were mostly around practical issues, such as would I have
to carry my own luggage; would I need to buy my own food and find my
own accommodation? </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And being somebody who can take a while to relax
around strangers raised the question whether I would fit in with an already
well-established group?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
needn’t have worried. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">The generosity and hospitality of people
was amazing. We were fed and cared for every day. Community centres,
the Methodist church and individual people opened their homes and
halls for us to use. People cooked for us. Leisure centres let us use
their showers. People were amazing!</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">And as for fitting in with
the group?</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">On the end of my first day, having joined the group in
the early afternoon and only walked 5 miles or so, standing along the
sidelines watching the rally unfold, Rehana Azam (one of the
Darlomums and organiser of the march) said to me “Come and stand
with us. You are one of the 300 milers now!”</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">Thank you, Rehana.
That meant so much!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our
core group of 30 people or so was really a bunch of quite ordinary
people. And spending so much time together, it seemed easy to get to
know people. Walking is a wonderful way to get to spend time and
chat.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So
my thanks go to all of you who have shared that journey with me.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">To
Rehana for keeping us all together and making sure nobody got lost.
You are amazing! It must have been like herding cats.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">To Craig for
keeping us chanting and shouting, even when we were dead on our
feet.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">To Jo, James, Geoff, campervan “It’s a motorhome” Joe
and medic Jordan (and all the others I have not met and cannot name)
who were keeping us supported and safe by driving, transporting and
organising things behind the scenes.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">To Icarus and Vinny for managing to get me dancing and singing after marching 15 miles –
even if they weren’t at their best the following morning.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">To
Barbara for her gentle patience and her great humour. And for
convincing me that people beeping their horns and shaking their fists
angrily are really angry with the NHS cuts, </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">not</span></i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
me!</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">To Dr Raj, big John, Jim and Brian - men of few words, but when
they speak it is worth listening!</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">To Dave and Ian for making me
laugh all the way.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">To Trish for always finding the nearest
toilet.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">To Nicola for her advice on foot care.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">To Carol, Neil,
Terry, Ann-Marie, Margaret, Fiona, Stella and Joanne for inspiring me
with their perseverance and energy.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">To Tone and John for great
conversations along the way.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">To Geoff, with whom I could have
spent hours discussing theology and the role of the church in the
political issues of health care and poverty.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">To anybody else I
may have forgotten to name.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">And to all you unknown people out there, who offered us food, refreshments, accommodation and support along the way. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">To those who clapped and cheered, shook our hands and even showered us with flowers!</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">You are amazing. Did I say you
were ordinary? You are anything </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">but</span></i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
ordinary! </span><b><span style="font-size: small;">You are the most extraordinary bunch of people I could ever
have hoped to march with!</span></b><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">Thank you for teaching me so much.
By the time we reached London to be met by thousands of people I was
beginning to realise that the future of our NHS </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">is</span></i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
a political issue and that I cannot have an opinion about it </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">without</span></i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
being political.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">I
am beginning to listen more carefully to what politicians are saying
about it.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">I am beginning to get involved in our local campaign to
save our own A&E department.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">I </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">am</span></i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
political. Let’s keep fighting for our NHS!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
Added April 2015:<br />
The fight for the NHS continues, even more so in the run up to the general election.<br />
To follow the events of the Marchers for the NHS, check their <a href="http://www.peoplesvotefornhs.org.uk/" target="_blank">website</a>. And join us!madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4659832721092938091.post-46221401190535914332014-08-29T08:51:00.000+01:002014-10-16T12:03:33.827+01:00LGBT and church - facing new truths<br />
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<br />
<br />
At times in my life I gain a new insight or understanding, which impacts greatly on me and my life ... only, when I look back I realise that it is not new at all and I have known that particular thing for some time - but at arms length, from a distance, without <i>really </i>knowing it in my heart.<br />
<br />
This year at <a href="http://www.greenbelt.org.uk/festival/2014/" target="_blank">Greenbelt</a> my heart was truly opened to the treatment LGBT people receive in some churches and from some Christians.<br />
<br />
This was my third Greenbelt festival and each time I blogged about it, I have mentioned LGBT people - <a href="http://madhatsmusings.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/greenbelt-outerspace-eucharist.html" target="_blank">Made in God's image</a> and <a href="http://madhatsmusings.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/greenbelt-2013-life-begins.html" target="_blank">Life begins</a> .So the issue has been tugging at my consciousness and conscience for a while ...<br />
<br />
I have friends who are gay Christians, friends who have wanted to enter into church ministry and are not able to do so because of the relationships they are in. I<i> </i>have<i> known</i> this! Why have I not <i>felt </i>it until now?<br />
<br />
This year at Greenbelt, not only did I attend the <a href="http://www.outerspacelgbt.org.uk/" target="_blank">OuterSpace</a> Eucharist (which has become a firm part of my festival experience), I also attended a number of panel discussions about the concept of marriage and whether LGBT people are a gift to the church, rather than a problem. Most importantly I listened to stories - stories by people who are forced by the church to choose between their calling to ministry and their calling to a loving relationship with another human being; stories by clergy who were severely sanctioned by the church for marrying the partner they love; stories by people who receive more love and compassion working in a supermarket chain than in the church they would love to serve ...<br />
Most touching and amazing is the fact that again and again I heard people say "I do not want to leave the church", "Despite it's flaws and faults I love my church" and "I would not want to harm the church". People who say "I don't agree with outing gay bishops. We should not enter into that power game."<br />
<br />
That blows me away!!<br />
<br />
I have come away from Greenbelt to weigh this new understanding and knowledge, to pray about it, to read more and discuss more.<br />
I have joined the <a href="http://inclusive-church.org.uk/" target="_blank">Inclusive Church</a> and asked for an information pack from the <a href="http://www.lgcm.org.uk/" target="_blank">Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement</a>.<br />
I am looking forward to the journey of learning more, understanding better and working out what is best to be done about it. I don't as yet know ... but I know there is work to be done!<br />
<br />
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What puzzles me most is that as Christians we believe we are made by God to be the best we can be. Unlike our atheist friends we don't think we are a chance combination of genes that give us certain attributes and abilities - we believe that <b>God has made us in a deliberate and knowing and wonderful way!</b><br />
We also believe that we are instructed to use those talents. To use them to build a better world - God's Kingdom on earth.<br />
And we are meant to encourage, enable, empower, support and motivate others to do the same.<br />
Don't we??<br />
<br />
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And then here is the church, the very institution which should encourage and empower us to use our gifts and talents, and it says to some of us "No, not <i>you</i> ... God doesn't want <i>your</i> talents!" <br />
Really??<br />
<br />
Can I encourage you to find out about this topic? <br />
To read, hear and listen?<br />
To join groups, petitions and actions?<br />
<br />
And most of all, keep those who are discriminated against because of their sexual orientation <i>and</i> those who are in the authority to make (and change) those decisions in your hearts and prayers. <br />
And let them know that you do.<br />
<br />
Here's to a church which loves and welcomes <i>all</i> unconditionally - regardless of race, gender, economic standing, (dis)ability and sexual orientation.<br />
It's what God does.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4659832721092938091.post-45919827949040453932014-08-10T21:00:00.000+01:002015-05-31T19:33:09.272+01:00Humanism, being a Christian and the parable of the Eaton Mess<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When <a href="https://twitter.com/Naradee12" target="_blank">@Naradee12 </a>first asked me to write a piece for her
<a href="http://secularscarlet.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">secularscarlet.wordpress.com blog</a> I thought “I can do that”.<br />…
Then I checked out the blog and found myself thinking “I’m not
sure I can do that”. There seemed to be a strong anti-religious
sentiment and terminology such as “eradication of religion”
simply makes me feel a bit uneasy.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
am a Christian. I grew up in a Roman Catholic family but left the
church when I moved away from home at the age of 18. For many years I
had little to do with religion – although I was drawn into a church
service once in a blue moon, for a while dabbled in Paganism (there
is still much I like and respect about it) and at some stage
developed an interest in Hinduism.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Then,
quite unexpectedly, in my mid-30s I returned to the Christian faith
and have been an actively and openly practising Christian ever since.
My faith acts as a daily reminder to be more caring, more forgiving
and more loving, to be less selfish and self-absorbed and to strive
for greater things than personal gain, power and reward.<br />Of course
I am not saying that you </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>have
to be</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> a
Christian to do these things – but simply that for </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>me</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
the framework of the Christian faith acts as a daily and constant
encouragement.<br /><br />Quite often atheists have said to me: “I
respect you, but not your beliefs” to. I </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>think</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
that’s meant to be a compliment, but I find it quite difficult to
get my head around that statement.<br />For me the two are firmly
connected. My beliefs shape who I am. Where I see myself in relation
to God and other people</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>
is</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> who
I am. To those atheists I would respond by saying “If you respect
</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>me </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">you
also respect my beliefs, because my beliefs are what makes me!”<br /><br />I
would also say “judge me by what you </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>know</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
about me, not by what you </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>assume</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
to know about me based on your assumptions”. <br />I am talking about
my </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>personal
beliefs</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">.
Find out about those, rather than judge me by what the Pope said in
1997 or what some Televangelist preached last week or what you were
taught in Bible school when you were 7 or by some obscure Bible verse
which really gets your goat.<br />Or simply judge me by my words and
deeds … because </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>they</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
mirror my beliefs.<br /><br />I believe in God<br />I also believe in
humanity.<br />I believe in equality and in Human Rights.<br />And I
believe in our ability to live together in peace and harmony … and
I am passionately convinced that the only way we can create societies
like that is to listen to, learn from and respect each other!<br />I
guess that makes me a humanist.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jesus
summed up all religious teachings into two laws: “Love God and love
your neighbour as yourself”.<br />He modelled this by concerning
himself with the most needy, excluded and vulnerable members of the
society of his time; those you were considered unclean, sinful or
undesirable – menstruating women (yes, I know!), adulteresses, tax
collectors, lepers, non-Jews, the mentally ill and the physically
disabled, to name a few.<br />He considered religious rules to be there
to benefit people, and criticised them sternly when they were used to
burden or control people. Religious teachings are there to benefit
people, not the other way round.<br />Jesus was a humanist too!<br /><br />My
hope is that we all be HUMANISTS before we are
theists/deists/atheists and that rather than try to eradicate each
other we fight for and work towards the humanist values which will
build more loving and caring communities.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
other evening we had Eaton Mess for dessert.<br />For those of you who
don’t know what Eaton Mess is, it consists of broken up meringue,
whipped cream and fruit (typically strawberries or raspberries) mixed
together. Imagine a mashed up Pavlova!<br />Now, I’m not too keen on
cream and my husband doesn’t really like meringues … but we both
agreed that in an Eaton Mess all the ingredients really complement
each other. <br />Take the cream out of the Eaton Mess and you no
longer have Eaton Mess. And cream on its own is just, well, cream.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
wonder whether there is a lesson for building society.<br />Perhaps to
create diverse, tolerant and understanding communities, we need to
get in together, mix with each other and get messy!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Find me on Twitter under @solsikke66</span></span></div>
<br />madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com0