Wednesday, 27 May 2009
Politics and Religion
Local elections and MEP elections are about to take place in this sunny part of England so my recycling bin is full of unread glossy pamphlets.
I am told that at a civilised dinner one should never speak about religion or politics. Luckily I am not eating dinner and neither am I particularly civilised, as I want to write about both religion and politics. Some people seem to think the two should be separate, but I can not ignore Catholic teaching when voting and can not ignore the fact that I need to vote. To ignore faith in matter of politics seems very bizarre as political decisions have huge moral implications and can involve laws that affect religious freedom. It is because of my faith, that it is important to me, that the person I vote for is not going to attack my freedom to practise my Catholic beliefs.
Something that I am not entirely clear on is the way MEP's are elected. It seems to me that I do not vote for a person but a party and the party, depending on how many votes it has, decides who will be the MEP's. I am not sure I like that idea.
Our politicians are in a bit of a mess at moment, but then we are a consumer society and their consumption simply reflects this. It is hard to be inspired to know where to place one's vote.
I must admit that I briefly considered the Liberal Democrats. I have met some sensible people who are taking them seriously. My consideration ended abruptly when I read their policies. How can people take them seriously? My real concern showed itself in their treatment of faith schools. They claim to support more faith schools but then declare that they will remove everything that makes the school a place of faith. The Catholic Church makes a huge contribute to the education of this country and are considered to have some very good schools. If the Liberal Democrats succeed in damaging Catholic schools then education in this country will suffer.
They will not be getting my vote.
I will have to keep searching. Not voting is not an option.
God Bless
Mr Peter McGeady
I am told that at a civilised dinner one should never speak about religion or politics. Luckily I am not eating dinner and neither am I particularly civilised, as I want to write about both religion and politics. Some people seem to think the two should be separate, but I can not ignore Catholic teaching when voting and can not ignore the fact that I need to vote. To ignore faith in matter of politics seems very bizarre as political decisions have huge moral implications and can involve laws that affect religious freedom. It is because of my faith, that it is important to me, that the person I vote for is not going to attack my freedom to practise my Catholic beliefs.
Something that I am not entirely clear on is the way MEP's are elected. It seems to me that I do not vote for a person but a party and the party, depending on how many votes it has, decides who will be the MEP's. I am not sure I like that idea.
Our politicians are in a bit of a mess at moment, but then we are a consumer society and their consumption simply reflects this. It is hard to be inspired to know where to place one's vote.
I must admit that I briefly considered the Liberal Democrats. I have met some sensible people who are taking them seriously. My consideration ended abruptly when I read their policies. How can people take them seriously? My real concern showed itself in their treatment of faith schools. They claim to support more faith schools but then declare that they will remove everything that makes the school a place of faith. The Catholic Church makes a huge contribute to the education of this country and are considered to have some very good schools. If the Liberal Democrats succeed in damaging Catholic schools then education in this country will suffer.
They will not be getting my vote.
I will have to keep searching. Not voting is not an option.
God Bless
Mr Peter McGeady
Probably the best Catholic Blog in the world!
This Blog is currently work in progress while I discover what all the buttons do. In true Blogging style I intend to share with the world my unsubstantiated claims, biased theology, jokes that only I find funny and anecdotal stories about things that happen to me during the day.
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This could be the beginning of something wonderful, or maybe not. Oh the anticipation, stay away from the edge of your seat, I don't want you to fall and hurt yourself.
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God Bless
Mr Peter McGeady
I love the Catholic Church and dislike those who damage its good name. It is not my intention to cause offence but to share my wisdom with you. I will apologise in advance, not for my words, but for any spelling errors. God has given me many gifts but the ability to spell is not one of them. Armed with my Collins English Dictionary and the computer's spell check I will boldly go where many Bloggers have gone before me.
This could be the beginning of something wonderful, or maybe not. Oh the anticipation, stay away from the edge of your seat, I don't want you to fall and hurt yourself.
Subscribe, I think it's possible.
God Bless
Mr Peter McGeady
Sunday, 17 May 2009
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