Covert Bailey - christiansquoting.org.uk/

No diet will remove all the fat from your body because the brain is entirely fat. Without a brain you might look good, but all you could do is run for public office. - Covert Bailey

I find New Wine hard to swallow

This morning I was asked to visit the morning service at St Paul’s Hammersmith , The church is in the middle of a roundabout one way system, a real Victorian barn of a place. I was there to hear the testimony of the only man to escape alive from a North Korean prison camp. I am to do a report for next month's Evangelicals Now. But first I had a second taste of New Wine. In early 2000 when 180 people came from Holy Trinity Brompton with Revd. Simon Downham to join an existing small congregation in rebuilding the life and mission of the church. Over the last 10 years physically and spiritually the church and its building have been comprehensively restored inside and out.

I arrived early and was warmly welcomed by the assistant vicar. The service started some minutes late. The worship group was three men on guitars, one on keyboard, one drums and a female singer. They were very professional and LOUD. All the songs were modern with one exception, 'Be thou my vision'. I confess I found it all too repetitive and the words subjective. All so touchy feely. If you have removed the table and put in a stage with a group it looks to me like you are entertaining people to feel good. The liturgical baby has been thrown out and the contemporary bathwater retained. Ironically our Presbyterian congregation has more liturgy Sunday morning than this C of E.

Touchy feely I would have thought extended to the peace but no-one greeted me. I was pointed to excellent coffee afterwards though. Booklets handed out about the next months of the church's ministry were very impressive. No so helpful I found was letting young children run free at the front of the building, But their action songs for the children were excellent.

This was my second swig of New Wine. I have several times been to St Mary's Bredin in Canterbury. Both have many young families in growing churches. But I confess I prefer my singing to be Classic FM rather than Radio 2. This is C o E but not so we would really know it.

Housing chief admits demoting Christian to protect award from gay charity

A housing association that demoted a Christian manager Adrian Smith for speaking out on gay marriage has admitted that it feared losing a coveted award from a gay charity.

In his letter from Mr Barrow (the boss of the trust), evangelical Christian Mr Smith was warned about preaching in church. Mr Smith, who now collects rent, was told: ‘I explained that in a private capacity this is your right.'

We have gone from Christians charities losing funding to Christians losing free speech all in the name of homosexuality, the sex that dares you to criticise its name.

Click on the title for the article.

Walter Bagehot (1826 - 1877) - christiansquoting.org.uk/

A man's mother is his misfortune, but his wife is his fault. -- Walter Bagehot

The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.- Walter Bagehot

Democracy is the way to give the people the greatest illusion of power while allowing them the smallest amount in reality - Walter Bagehot, English Constitution, London, 1867

Iran Attempts to Convert Christian Prisoners as Crackdown on Church Intensifies

Authorities Giving Christian Prisoners Islamic Materials in Attempts to Make Them Incriminate Themselves

By Michael Ireland
Senior Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

RASHT, IRAN (ANS) -- A United Kingdom-based Christian human rights group has been informed that Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani, who is currently in prison awaiting a final decision from the Supreme Leader of Iran regarding a death sentence for apostasy, was recently presented with Islamic literature, allegedly as part of an official campaign to convert Christian prisoners.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) www.csw.org.uk says local sources report that a renewed campaign of harassment of Iranian Christians is underway in Iran, and that several members of the Church of Iran denomination, to which Nadarkhani belongs, have recently been called in for questioning.

In its latest media update, CSW says that many have been threatened with charges of blasphemy, while one was informed he would be punished for engaging in “actions against the security of the state,” a term increasingly adopted in reference to taking part in Christian meetings.

CSW was also informed that another Church of Iran member, Mehdi Furutan, was recently transferred from Shiraz prison to an underground cell in Adelabad security prison, where the torture of inmates regularly takes place.

“Mr Furutan has been incommunicado for a week and his current condition is unknown, “ CSW reported, adding: “He had just begun serving a one year prison sentence, after an earlier sentence for ‘crimes against the order’ was upheld at an appeal hearing.

“Whilst in the general prison in Shiraz Mr Furutan had also been presented with Islamic religious books, and sources fear that his transfer to Adelabad may have been prompted by responses he may have made when questioned about them.”

CSW said it has also learned that Pastor Benham Irani of the Church of Iran, who led a church in Karaj, was informed on October 18 that he would immediately begin serving a five-year sentence for an earlier conviction for ‘action against the security of the country,’ which had been suspended since the verdict was confirmed at an appeal hearing in February 2008.

The group added: “The pastor was due to complete a one-year prison sentence for Christian activities on October 20. While a charge of apostasy was not brought against him, the verdict included text that defined Pastor Irani as an apostate and reiterated that apostates ‘can be killed.’’

CSW’s Special Ambassador Stuart Windsor said, “CSW is deeply concerned at news of a further increase in the harassment of Iranian Christians, especially the wording of the verdict against Pastor Irani, which, according to local sources, opens the way for execution or even assassination.

“The condition and treatment of Mehdi Furutan and of all persons held in the Adelabad facility is another source of concern. There is an increasing tendency by Iranian courts and officials to characterize legitimate Christian activities as crimes against the state.”

Windsor added:“In addition, reports that non-Muslim prisoners are being forced to comment on Islamic theological works in a manner that could possibly render them vulnerable to mistreatment, and even to charges of blasphemy, indicates that Iran is violating article 23 of its constitution, which forbids the investigation of an individual’s beliefs. Iran is also in flagrant violation of its obligations under international law to allow all of its citizens to freely manifest their religious beliefs.”

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is a Christian organization working for religious freedom through advocacy and human rights, in the pursuit of justice.

For further information or to arrange interviews please contact Kiri Kankhwende, Press Officer at Christian Solidarity Worldwide on +44 (0)20 8329 0045 / +44 (0) 78 2332 9663, email kiri@csw.org.uk or visit www.csw.org.uk.

---

** Michael Ireland is Senior Correspondent for ANS. He is an international British freelance journalist who was formerly a reporter with a London (United Kingdom) newspaper and has been a frequent contributor to UCB UK, a British Christian radio station. While in the UK, Michael traveled to Canada and the United States, Albania,Yugoslavia, Holland, Germany,and Czechoslovakia. He has reported for ANS from Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Israel, Jordan, China,and Russia. Michael's volunteer involvement with ASSIST News Service is a sponsored ministry department -- 'Michael Ireland Media Missionary' (MIMM) -- of A.C.T. International of P.O.Box 1649, Brentwood, TN 37024-1649, at: Artists in Christian Testimony (A.C.T.) Internationalwhere you can make a donation online under 'Donate' tab, then look for 'Michael Ireland Media Missionary' under 'Donation Category' to support his stated mission of 'Truth Through Christian Journalism.' Michael is a member in good standing of the National Writers Union, Society of Professional Journalists, Religion Newswriters Association, Evangelical Press Association and International Press Association. If you have a news or feature story idea for Michael, please contact him at: ANS Senior Reporter

Happy to let Greece off half its debt?

I do not pretend to understand economics. Perhaps someone who thinks they do can explain this to me. 'The biggest gainers were banks, led by French institutions, which are the most exposed to Greek debt.' So says the BBC after the banks write off half the money Greece owes them. Click on title for the article which seems to say Greece lied to the EU about its economy. The whole attitude seems to be keep the EU together no matter what the cost. Looks like another Tower of Babel to me. 'Forgive us our debts' indeed.

Light bulb changing joke, Christian-style

Most collected but some originals.
Q: How many agnostics does it take to change a lightbulb?A: None, since it is dark they can't be sure there's a light socket

Q How many Amish does it take to change a light bulb?
A "What's a light bulb?"

Q: How many Anglicans does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Eight. One to call the electrician, and seven to say how much they liked the old one better

Q: How many Arminians does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Only one provided the light bulb is prpared to make a bit of an effort as well.

Q: How many Atheists does it take to change a light bulb?
A: One. But they are still in darkness.

Q: How many Baptists does it take to change a light bulb?
A: The whole congregation needs to vote on it!

Q: How many Brethren does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Change?????

Q: How many campfire worship leaders does it take to change a light bulb?
A: One. But soon all those around can warm up to its glowing.

Q: How many charismatics does it take to change a light bulb?
A: One, since his/her hands are in the air anyway.

Q: How many charismatics does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Three, one to cast it out and two to catch it when it falls!

Q: How many charismatics does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Twenty one, one to change it, and twenty to share the experience!

Q: How many Christian Scientists does it take to change a light bulb?
A:None. It is your perception that must be changed, not the bulb.

Q: How many conservative Anglicans does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Three. One to change it and two to storm out in protest if the person
changing it is a woman!

Q: How many evangelicals does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Evangelicals do not change light bulbs. They simply read out the instructions and hope the light bulb will decide to change itself.

Q: How many tv evangelists does it take to change a light bulb?
A: One. But for the message of hope to continue to go forth, send in your donation today.

Q: How many Exclusive Psalmodists does it take to change a light bulb?
A: One. They do it unaccompanied

Q: How many Independent Baptists does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Only one, anymore than that would be considered ecumenical.

Q How many Independent Fundamentalists does it take to change a light bulb?
A Only one, because any more might result in too much cooperation.

Q: How many Irish Protestants does it take to change a light bulb?
A:None. That light bulb ha been there for generations and it would be a betrayal of the faith of our fathers to change it. No surrender!

Q: How many Jehovah's Witnesses does it take to change a light bulb?
A: How many does the book of answers say?

Q: How many liberals does it take to change a light bulb?
A: 10, as they need to hold a debate into whether or not the light bulb exists. Even if they can agree upon the existence of the light bulb they may not go ahead and change it for fear of alienating those who use fluorescent tubes.

Q: How many liberation theologians does it take to change a light bulb?
A: None! It's society that has to be changed.

Q: How many liberation theologians does it take to change a light bulb?
A: None--WE shot out the bulb in the name of Christian revolution!

Q: How many missionaries does it take to change a light bulb?
A: 10. Five to determine how many can be changed by the year 2010, four to raise the necessary funds, one to go find a national to do the job!

Q: How many Mormons does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Five. One man to change the bulb, and four wives to tell him how to do it.

Q: How many Mormons does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Mormon light bulbs are not changed. They are a restoration of the original light bulb through the electrician Joseph Smith.

Q: How many Pentecostals does it take to change a light bulb?
A: 10, one to change it and 9 others to pray against the spirit of darkness.

Q: How many Presbyterians does it take to change a light bulb?
A: At least two, one teaching and one ruling. There must be a plurality and parity of light bulb changers.

Q: How many Reformed Evangelicals does it take to change a light bulb?
A: One to change the bulb after a hundred others have held a study conference to findwhether Calvin, Owen, Whitefield or Spurgeon changed bulbs, how they did it and how we can do it in the same spirit today.

Q: How many Roman Catholics does it take to change a light bulb?
A: None. They always use candles instead.

Q: How many Truly Reformed does it take to change a light bulb?
A: None. Light bulbs are not part of Truly Reformed worship. Scripture says nothing about light bulbs, so by the regulative principle they should not be used in worship..

Q: How many Unitarians does it take to change a light bulb?
A: We choose not to make a statement either in favor of or against the need for a light bulb. However, if in your own journey you have found that light bulbs work for you, that is fine. You are invited to write a poem or compose a modern dance about your personal relationship with your light bulb, and present it next month at our annual Light Bulb Sunday Service, in which we will explore a number of light bulb traditions, including incandescent, fluorescent, three-way, long-life and tinted, all of which are equally valid paths to luminescence.

Q How many United Methodists does it take to change a light bulb?
A This statement was issued: "We choose not to make a statement either in favor of or against the need for a light bulb. However, if in your own journey you have found that a light bulb works for you, that is fine. You are invited to write a poem or compose a modern dance about your personal relationship with your ligh bulb (or light source, or non-dark resource), and present it next month at our annual light bulb Sunday service, in which we will explore a number of light bulbtraditions, including incandescent, fluorescent, three-way, long- life, and tinted, all of which are equally valid paths to luminescence."

Q: How many worship leaders does it take to change a light bulb?
A: One just to hold it in the socket and let the whole world revolve around him.

Q: How many youth ministers does it take to change a light bulb?
A:Youth ministers are not around long enough for a bulb to burn out.

Q: How many Zen Masters does it take to change a light bulb?
A: A tree in a golden forest

English Taxes pay for Scotland's Prosperity

My Scottish friends may wish to dispute this but this is what the English Democrats say and it makes sense to me. Before I am told that whisky and oil from Scotland make an enormous contribution I note this is about how the cake is divided, not who provides the ingredients.

'This week Alex Salmond launched a £1million independence campaign in his speech to Scottish Nationalist Party delegates as it was revealed just how financially better off the Scottish are than the English. But it's not just the Scottish who are better off than the English. When the TaxPayers' Alliance last examined the figures in 'Unequal Shares: The definitive guide to the Barnett Formula', by former Treasury economist Mike Denham, they found that identifiable public spending per head in England is £7,535 pa (2007-08). But in Scotland it is 22 per cent (£1,644) higher, in Wales 14 per cent (£1,042) higher, and in Northern Ireland an extraordinary 30 per cent (£2,254) higher. That makes England the poor relation in the United Kingdom and means that English taxpayers' money is being used to finance a better quality of living for those in the other home nations. The Barnett Formula, which was devised in 1978 to undermine support for the Scottish National Party, is grossly unfair to England. One manifestation of this unfairness is the scandalous situation we have with regard to prescription charges, whereby only patients in England that have to pay these. People in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are exempt. The Barnett Formula was justified on the grounds that there needed to be 20% higher expenditure in Scotland in order to bring its public services up to the standard in England. The allocation of funds was to be based on relative need. There has been no assessment of need since 1976. As Scottish independence looms on the horizon, both the SNP and the Coalition Government are going to have some interesting truths to tell voters. The SNP will face questions about how it proposes to pay the bills without massive injections of cash from English taxpayers and how much it will contribute towards the UK's foreign and defence policy. The Coalition Government – made up of two unionist parties – will have to face up to the unfairness of the Barnett Formula. If they defend it – to reassure Scottish voters that they are financially better off as part of the Union – they will be letting the cat out of the bag to just how much England subsidises Scotland. This will no doubt produce many unhappy voters in England at the next general election, who are sick of reading about free tuition fees and prescriptions in Scotland when the English are seeing such harsh cuts in services. With the impending breakup of the Union and the public becoming more aware of the financial unfairness and inequality in Britain – that always favours everyone but the English – the English more than ever need a political voice. That voice is the English Democrats.'

Hillsborough inquiry by Blair government criticised

Click on title for BBC report.

This is getting to be like Bloody Sunday. 'What's done's done and can ne'er be undone'. What would I think if I were a relative of someone who died? I cannot say but I would want some closure and to move on.

I congratulate my old friend Stewart Jackson

BBC says, 'Tory backbenchers voiced their dismay at the three-line whip - the strongest order a party can give - on Conservative MPs, which meant any who voted against the government would be expected to resign from government jobs.

Conservative MP Stewart Jackson told the Commons he would vote for the motion "with a heavy heart" and "take the consequences", which may mean losing his position as parliamentary private secretary to Northern Ireland Secretary Owen Paterson. He said he wished there could have been a well-informed reasonable debate, instead of "heavy-handed whipping" and "catastrophic management" by his party.'

From 1990 to 1998 Stewart Jackson and I were colleagues on Ealing Council. On the opposite benches were Hilary Benn and Steve Pound who is now my MP and a friend. Stewart used to sit next to me in council meetings and I knew him to be no fan of the EU. So I congratulate him on nailing his colours to the mast against the whips, being a man of principle above party. Well done my friend.

You cannot trust the people

BBC says on parliament rejecting a referendum on the EU, 'A Downing Street spokesman said many people who voted for the motion felt very strongly, and their views were respected.

"However, the government has to do what is in the national interest. The easy thing to do would have been for us to have avoided expressing a view. It was important to take a strong lead - because Britain's best interests are served by being in the EU."'

What arrogance form politicians who think they know best but cannot trust the people to be convinced by their arguments. If we can have a referendum over what for most people was no burning issue, the voting system, why can we not have one over that which has most affected our national life?

But as ever, like with capital punishment and immigration, the politicians know best and will not vote according to the will of the people.

Why no EU referendum.

BBC says, 'The government is facing the prospect of a rebellion by Conservative MPs when Parliament votes on proposals for a referendum on Europe.

All Conservative, Lib Dem and Labour MPs have been instructed to vote against the motion calling for a public vote on the UK's place in the EU.'

The government wants for once to be conservative and not rock the EU boat. For most of MPs, there is no memory of an independent sovereign UK except from our history which seems despised. We went into the then EEC under Heath after the 1970 election. Voters than had no choice, Lab and Lib's manifestos said we will go in. Cons said they would try and negotiate favourable terms. In we went. Life separate from Europe, started under Henry VIII, ended with Heath, Wilson et al. People under 60 have no memory of an independent UK. Is it any surprise that all three parties are where they were in 1970? They want us lost in the EUSSR. It is clearer now and more dangerous. Do we really want that little Frenchman to tell us to mind our own business because we are not in the Euro mess? Yes we do. We should listen, pack our bags and leave the Germans and French to sort out the continent. The previous two centuries are the history of their desire to rule Europe. Let them and let them pay the price of empire; bailing out your poor relatives if you cannot exploit them for profit.

Our legislators are frightened by the prospect of an uncharted future in an independent UK where they have to take responsibility for government. They want the soft life with a sinecure on the EU gravy train when they have to depart from Westminster.

What else can explain it?

Man U 8 Arsenal 2 - Arsenal's worst defeat for over 110 years. Now Man U 1 Man City 6, the best result at Old Trafford for over 50 years, (Yes, best,. I support Leeds ) These are extreme results. Why are they happening at the Theatre of Nightmares?

It seems obvious to me. Sir Alec is not at fault. It is all due to climate change. Whenever there is extreme weather these days, hot or cold, it is due to global warming. It is now accepted green dogma. So obviously it is climate change in Manchester. The thermometer is going from red to blue.

Pulling the plug on Halloween

It is five ears since I posted this which I have now revised.

On Halloween we shall disconnect our door-bell and extinguished as many lights as possible. We will not participate in anything to do with this festival. Why not? We are told it is just harmless fun with children dressing up and getting treats. It would appear that we are kill joys for we beg to differ and seriously consider what is behind Halloween.

This is from the Wikipedia enty on the origins of Halloween.

"According to what can be reconstructed of the beliefs of the ancient Celts, the bright half of the year ended around November 1 or on a Moon-phase near that date, or at the time of first frost. The day is referred to in modern Gaelic as Samhain ("Sow-in" or alternatively "Sa-ven", meaning: End of the Summer). After the adoption of the Roman calendar with its fixed months, the date began to be celebrated independently of the Moon's phases.

As October 31st is the last day of the bright half of the year, the next day also meant the beginning of Winter, which the Celts often associated with human death, and with the slaughter of livestock to provide meat for the coming Winter. The Celts also believed that on October 31, the boundary separating the dead from the living became blurred. There is a rich and unusual myth system at work here; the spirit world, the residence of the "Sídhe," as well as of the dead, was accessible through burial mounds. These mounds opened at two times during the year, Samhain and Beltane, making the beginning and end of Summer highly spiritually resonant."

So the origins of the festival are pagan. It is to do with the occult, contact with the spirits of the dead. This is why as a Christian I reject Halloween.

The normal response to the above objection will admit the truth of the allegation but say that participants believe in no such thing. It is just harmless fun. Participants do not really believe there is any such thing as contact with another world.

My response is two-fold. Firstly participants may regard the whole thing as a myth like Father Christmas, but I take the occult seriously and believe that it is no joking matter. Satan and his fallen angels, the evil spirits are no myth. You mess with them at your peril? Have you seen The Exorcist? The benevolent captain Howdy, contacted through the ouija board, turns out to be The Devil himself.

My second response is I believe even more important. If you devalue Halloween by saying it has no real significance, then you can do the same for the Christian festivals of Christmas and Easter. The first is reduced to the festival of the red faced fat man, eating and drinking too much and giving and receiving presents. The second is merely bunnies and chocolate. Christ has disappeared. So I refuse to celebrate Halloween because I take Christmas seriously.

Finally, I object to trick and treat as a demand for money with menaces, especially when done by stranger teenagers, perhaps not even bothering to dress for the event

I believe this is a festival that has been promoted by venal commercial interests. The shops are full of its junk. It is not healthy and should be shunned. A contemporary from Ulster tells me they celebrated it in his youth. In England there was no such thing. It is the worst import from America, Macdonalds not excluded. Why cannot we celebrate their Christian festival of Thanksgiving? That commemorates Christians thanking God for deliverance. And there is the treat of early turkey

Joan Baez (1941-____) - christiansquoting.org.uk/

Hypothetical questions get hypothetical answers. Joan Baez

You don't get to choose how you're going to die. Or when. You can only decide how you're going to live. Now. -- Joan Baez (1941-____)

Action is the antidote to despair. - Joan Baez

Action is

On unrepresentative democracy

I do not believe in government by referenda but by representative democracy. However there is a two fold problem with it. First of all when representatives are so certain they know better than their electors and when electors do not realise you elect a human being to represent all the electorate. To talk of some group being under represented is to artificially divide the population by some means other than appointed electoral boundaries. The only people under represented are those where Sinn Fein members will not take their seats. Ethnic minorities and women are not under represented in government as neither group elects people to represent those groups. When I hear that minorities are under represented in the police force I say the police are not there to represent anyone. Their purpose is law enforcement.

But politicians know best is the curse of representative democracy. Because of it we stopped executing murderers and around the same time signed up to the Treaty of Rome. The subsequent history of the EU is not even that of any sort of democracy but a juggernaut bureaucracy, a vast gravy train sucking up sustenance from the taxpayers over which it runs. In the past I voted UKIP in European elections. Now I do not see any point in voting as politicians do not run the EUSSR,

Hague, a eurosceptic? Don't make me laugh!

Click on the title and read how according to the BBC, "Mr Hague, a prominent eurosceptic, wrote: "As a Conservative, I want to bring powers back from Europe, as we set out in our election manifesto. But a referendum on Britain's membership of the EU, especially at this time of profound economic uncertainty, is not the answer."

If this is prominent euroscepticism it is worthless. Hague is like a eunuch in the Brussels harem. He has not got the ability to tackle anything there. It is not only hair he lacks.

There are two reasons not to have a referendum. The principled one is that we believe in representative democracy. Yesterday I heard an ignorant lib-dem saying we had a referendum on entry and approved. Historical ignorance or a lie? The referendum was after entrance and about an economic union called the Common Market, not the political EU. No. Lying politicians got us into this without our consent and they cannot be relied upon to get us out. They are men who have emasculated themselves.

The other and real reason not to have one is that the politicians would be told to get out of the EU and start governing in the name of Her Majesty.

Do we want the UK?

Click on the title for news of the SNP's thinking on an independence referendum. Surely England and Wales should also have a referendum too if the UK is to be destroyed? Here are three questions for the ballot paper

I want the status quo of devolution.

I want all UK citizens to be treated equally.

I want independence.

I refrained from saying devolution inequity. Equality would end devolved government and special benefits for two out of three countries.

How do you see yourself?

I remember talking to an employee, born in London to Nigerian parents who had never lived in Nigeria but viewed herself as Nigerian. Fair enough, 'Being born in a stable does not make one a horse' said the Duke of Wellington, when referred to as Irish. I started life identifying with British then English. But that was in rural North Yorkshire in the fifties where our nearest thing to a minority were the Roman Catholics who opted out of RE and school assembly prayers. In Nigeria I was Bature, European. Fair enough but I dislike my passport identifying this subject of Her Majesty as a citizen of the EU. My citizenship is in heaven. My primary identity is Christian but my secondary one is English and Yorkshire to boot. The latter is to do with the context in which I was raised though neither my birthplace nor parents were Yorkshire. They merely met and chose to reside there. But after 47 years since I lived there, that is where I identify in culture, character, accent and sporting allegiances.

My most significant change is the move to being primarily English. I think this is cultural and linked to a white mongrel ethnicity. I do not have to specify white English as I do with British. Mass immigration has changed Britishness. Englishness I see as more resilient in self image. Also in the light of devolution and fiscal favours to the Celtic fringes, I want to say I am English. One thing that strikes me about the self identity of Scottish and Welsh folk is their self definition seems to be as much about what they are not as what they are. They are not ENGLISH. That is what they want the world to know. Perhaps it is like me not wanting to be identified as European.

Frank Baer - christiansquoting.org.uk/

Happiness is often the result of being too busy to be miserable. - Frank Baer

Isn't it curious that narrow-minded people are often the most thickheaded? - Frank Baer

Reforms come from the bottom. No man with four aces requests a new deal. - Frank Baer

To get nowhere, follow the crowd. -Frank Baer

When you don't have an education, you have to use your brains. -Frank Baer

Anti-capitalists - you are no Guy Fawkes

Click on the link for an interesting article on V for Vendetta Fawkes masks being worn by current demonstrators.

So how are this lot like Fawkes and how not?

Like him they are miserable failures in their protest which comes like his from frustration with a government not delivering as hoped. Perhaps like him they are the front foot soldiers for a more sinister plot but I doubt this. Like him they express the frustration of many in a way those many would never do themselves or really approve of. Like Guy they have a fair point of grievance.

Unlike Guy. They are not from Yorkshire. They do not have honourable occupations like mercenary soldier. They are not plotting quietly out of sight. They will not be tortured, hung, drawn and quartered. They have social media to co-ordinate and organise their efforts. It is about economics not religion. No one is going to have a church liturgy for 250 or more years commemorating national deliverance from thir plot. They will soon be forgotten.

Nutory means still no choice on the EUSSR

So Cameron is against a referendum. No surprise there, especially when you see with whom he is in bed.

The whole EUSSR is the biggest fraud ever perpetrated on the British electorate. We were told it was economic, not political by traitorous liars like Heath and Wilson. We were given not real vote over entry. It does not even give us a good deal economically. Why we need to be in a club founded to stop the Germans and French killing one another is beyond me. We should be out and out too of the European court and human rights conventions. While we are at it, let the Celtic fringes say once and for all if they want to be in an integrated UK or pay their own way to do their own thing.

I post from Wales where the writing of the local lingo above the majority tongue on all signs is IMO a hazard and an irritation. Is your bilingual everything necessary or is it merely a nationalistic revenge on the English taxpayer? In the past we banned your children from speaking it so now you shove it at us everywhere.

Muslim Madness?

'Hausa people consider the Arab uprising was engineered by west [U.S and Britain] as grand design to supress Islam and Muslims.' So writes a man from Kano. When my colleague from Pakistan tells me the twin towers was a Zionist plot I can only be silent for I deem such views unworthy of refutation. Is this all the result of Islam which must rule the world miserably failing politically ever since the end of the Ottoman empire? If you have the faith which you reckon gave us modern science but has produced no real technological advances. If you have the world's greatest book but are doing minimal publishing compared with the West. Are not all these part of the frustrations that lead to a persecution complex? We must be superior because we are Muslims but evidently we are not. These Western kaffirs are running the place. Very frustrating it must be. 'Islam is my religion and I am proud of it' was a bumper sticker I used to see in Nigeria. Why, I still wonder.

Zaki Badawi - christiansquoting.org.uk/

Muslim Theology offers, up to present, no systemetic formulation of a status of being a minority - Zaki Badawi (1922 – 2006) I visited him when he was the principal of the Muslim College in Ealing. We had in common residence in Kano, Nigeria.

Francis Bacon. 1561-1626 - christiansquoting.org.uk/

He that will not apply new remedies must expect new evils; for time is the greatest innovator. - Francis Bacon

If money be not thy servant, it will be thy master. The covetous man cannot so properly be said to possess wealth, as that may be said to possess him.- Francis Bacon

Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not; a sense of humor to console him for what he is.- Francis Bacon, 1561 - 1626

Natural abilities are like plants that need pruning by study.- Francis Bacon

Prosperity doth best discover vice, but adversity doth best discover virtue. -Francis Bacon

Prosperity is not without many fears and distastes; and adversity is not without comforts and hopes.- Francis Bacon. 1561-1626.

Silence is the virtue of fools --Francis Bacon

The joys of parents are secret, and so are their griefs and fears: they cannot utter the one, nor will they utter the other.-Francis Bacon

There is no great concurrence between learning and wisdom.-- Francis Bacon

They are ill discoverers that think there is no land, when they can see nothing but sea. -Francis Bacon

Nam et ipsa scientia potestas est. Knowledge is power. -- Francis Bacon (1561-1626), Meditationes Sacrae, De Haeresibus

The ill and unfit choice of words wonderfully obstructs the understanding.-Francis Bacon_New Organon_I, Aphorism 42

This delivering of knowledge in distinct and disjointed aphorisms doth leave the wit of man more free to turn and toss, and to make use of that which is so delivered to more several purposes and applications. -- Francis Bacon, _Novum Organum_, 1620

Discretion of speech is more than eloquence; and to speak agreeably to him with whom we deal is more than to speak in good words or in good order. Francis Bacon. 1561-1626. Of Discourse.

Princes are like to heavenly bodies, which cause good or evil times, and which have much veneration but no rest. -Francis Bacon. 1561-1626. Of Empire.

Chiefly the mould of a man's fortune is in his own hands. Francis Bacon. 1561-1626. Of Fortune.

The desire of power in excess caused the angels to fall; the desire of knowledge in excess caused man to fall. Francis Bacon. 1561-1626. Of Goodness.

All rising to a great place is by a winding stair.-- Sir Francis Bacon, 'Of Great Place', _Essays_,

Nuptial love maketh mankind; friendly love perfecteth it; but wanton love corrupteth and embaseth it.-Francis Bacon Essays "Of Love" (1597)

He that hath wife and children hath given hostages to fortune; for they are impediments to great enterprises, either of virtue or mischief.-Francis Bacon. 1561-1626. Of Marriage and Single Life.

Wives are young men's mistresses, companions for middle age, and old men's nurses.
Francis Bacon. 1561-1626. Of Marriage and Single Life.

The remedy is worse than the disease. -Francis Bacon. 1561-1626. Of Seditions.

Reading maketh a full man, conference a ready man, and writing an exact man.- Francis Bacon. 1561-1626. Of Studies.

Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested.-Francis Bacon. 1561-1626. Of Studies.

Who then to frail mortality shall trust But limns on water, or but writes in dust. -- Francis Bacon. 1561-1626. Of Studies.

No pleasure is comparable to the standing upon the vantage-ground of truth.-- Francis Bacon. 1561-1626. Of Truth.

Young men are fitter to invent than to judge, fitter for execution than for counsel, and fitter for new projects than for settled business.-Francis Bacon. 1561-1626 Of Youth and Age.

---

Sunday Working

An employee of the NHS who did not want to work on Sundays has had his wishes respected. The employee, who has worked with the NHS Trust for 10 years, was initially told that he would be able to opt-out of the rota on Sundays. Yet despite submitting an opt-out application, the employee’s request was disregarded.

Following intervention by the Christian Legal Centre, the employee sent a letter to the NHS Trust, outlining the legal position and explaining that he should not be compelled to work on a Sunday. The NHS Trust has now relented, and the employee will not have to work on Sundays.


Andrea Williams said: “Employers should respect Christian employees who do not wish to work on a Sunday, as in most situations arrangements can be made to accommodate this. This situation is an encouraging example of how Christians can ensure that their faith is respected in the workplace.”

I shall be interested to learn what the employee does. I managed a pharmacy where every few weeks I had to do a one hour Sunday morning rota which coincided with church service times. I regarded this as a work of necessity and mercy and was not bothered by it as part of my employer's NHS contract.

Richard Bach (1936 - ) - christiansquoting.org.uk/

Here is the test to find whether your mission on earth is finished. If you're alive, it isn't. - Richard Bach (1936 - )

There's no disaster that can't become a blessing, and no blessing that can't become a disaster. -- Richard Bach, "ONE".

Mistakes - call them unexpected learning experiencesRichard Bach (1936 -)

J S Bach (1685-1750) - christiansquoting.org.uk/

An agreeable harmony for the honour of God and the permissible delights of the soul.- J S Bach's definition of music, in Derek Watson, Music Quotations, 1911

The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul. If heed is not paid to this, it is not true music but a diabolical bawling and twanging. J.S. Bach

There is nothing to it,. You only have to hit the right notes at the right time and the instrument plays itself.-J S Bach Of the Organ, in K Geiringer, The Bach Family, 1954

Books read in October 2011

1. Paths of Glory by Jeffrey Archer

An historical thriller with some artistic license. Mallory and Everest makes a great story. They go not seem to make Englishmen anymore in the Mallory mould. But he is not presented as a man with the prejudices of his age. He is the opposite; a socialist and feminist. But above all a hero and a most faithful romantic one. Did he get to the summit? We will never know unless the camera is found with film that can be developed. But for me the missing photo of his wife is enough for me to hope mission was accomplished.

2. History of Modern Africa (Blackwell Concise History of the Modern World)' by Richard Reid

Overall a good review of the last two centuries of the history of Africa. My perspective in this review is influenced by 12 years in Nigeria. This account starts with slavery and a good account of the triangular trade. It is also informative on the Arab Muslim dominated slaving from East Africa but silent on the Barbary Corsairs' white slaving which continued into the first decades of the 19th century. There were frequent references to humanitarian concerns in suppressing the Triangular Trade when the major influence stemmed from Christian compassion. I did not find the author giving sufficient credit to the missionary enterprise both in education, health and critique of colonial abuses. In Nigeria it was the missions that brought education and health care, not the colonial government. Also I believe the positive and negative practical effects of Pax Britannica are under reported. There were places where before colonial peace local people would never travel more than a few miles from their birth place until they died. Indirect rule in Nigeria meant Hausa/Fulani rule was confirmed in areas that had never really converted to Islam and enabled Islam to spread and consolidate. Another omission is the migration of Indians to Africa and the ill treatment of Asian minorities since independence. I also think the depletion of Africa's wealth by corrupt politicians deserves more attention. But overall this is a good survey which does inform. Where else will you learn there was slave ownership allowed in the British Empire until 1936?

3. No Balls and Googlies: A Cricket Companion by Geoff Tibballs

There is no sport to match cricket for myriad records, statistics and odd tales. There are lots here to amuse and inform. Not to be read cover to cover but dipped into and savoured, perhaps as or with a night cap.It is particularly informative on historical aspects of the development of the great game.

4. WHAT'S IN A WORD?: THE FASCINATING STORIES BEHIND SOME EVERYDAY WORDS by John. Kahn

The origins of words are interestingly researched with fine cartoons by Larry. A book to dip into, not to go from cover to cover as there is too much to take in. Recommended as a bed side read with a night cap.

5. Wordstruck: A Memoir by Robert Macneil

The author is a very distinguished journalist whose story starts in Halifax, Nova Scotia before WWII. His father was often away at sea and his mother's story reading was the start of a love affair with words. To his father's great disappointment he failed the entrance exams for naval officer training and while studying to try again realised his love was for literature, not the sea. He tried to make a career in acting but realised he did not have the gifts so studied for a degree in English and became a radio announcer then a journalist.

His account of his schooldays is delightful and I can identify with him having a father who failed to tell him the facts of life which he learned from seeing a friend's mother's Gray's Anatomy. His account of his love for cricket, explaining it for Americans and the story about his first over caught and bowled of a pretentious school master are a gem from the great game. One thing of his youth that has now changed so much is that there are no sexual adventures before marriage. His affection for his mother and his father are well told and moving.

One learns some new things about English from this author who so delights in our language. I never knew the rhyming slang origin of 'Bristols' nor how Shakespeare broke the rules of grammar. A book to delight all who delight in our mother tongue and something of a modest part biography. He does not tell us about his part in the drama of President Kennedy's assassination.

Lauren Bacall (1924-____) - christiansquoting.org.uk/

People should tell your children what life is all about -- it's about work. Lauren Bacall (1924-____)

I think your whole life shows in your face and you should be proud of that.Lauren Bacall (1924-____)In "Daily Telegraph" (London), 2 Mar 1988.

Looking at yourself in a mirror isn't exactly a study of life. Lauren Bacall (1924-____) In "Daily Mail" (London), 1 Nov 1990.

IRAN: Pastor Nadarkhani’s case referred to Iran’s Supreme Leader

13/10/2011

The fate of Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani now lies in the hands of Iran’s ultimate political and religious authority. CSW has mobilised mass international prayer and action on behalf of the pastor, who is facing execution for apostasy.

Supreme Leader to decide Pastor Nadarkhani’s case

After several weeks of intense international scrutiny, Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani’s death sentence for apostasy has been referred to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Hoseyni Khamenei, the highest political and religious authority in the country. Referral of court cases to the Supreme Leader is rare, and will almost certainly cause a further delay to the issuing of the written verdict from Pastor Nadarkhani’s recent trial.

CSW’s Advocacy Director, Andrew Johnston, said “no conclusions can be drawn from the latest developments in the case, and the pastor’s life remains in the balance. We therefore urge continuing petitions for his release. Until a written verdict is issued, there should be no let-up in international pressure.”

International pressure to release Pastor Nadarkhani

This week CSW welcomed the EU Foreign Affairs Council’s appeal “for the immediate and unconditional release of ... Yousef Nadarkhani”, which was contained in a statement commenting on the prevailing human rights situation in Iran,
On 9 October, Archbishop Desmond Tutu also spoke out on behalf of the pastor, appealing “to the Iranian authorities to free Yousef Nadarkhani, and allow him and all other members of minority religions in Iran to worship God … forcing anybody to renounce his or her faith is an utter violation of our universal human and religious values, and a renunciation of God.”

CSW continues to call for urgent prayer and action

CSW coordinated an international Day of Prayer for Pastor Nadarkhani on Sunday 9 October, releasing prayer resources in English, Spanish and Portuguese to meet great demand from churches across the world. As part of CSW’s urgent international campaign, over 57,000 emails have been sent to the Iranian authorities petitioning for Pastor Nadarkhani’s release.

I want to...

Pray

Download prayer resources

Protest

Download CSW’s lobbying guide.

Provide

Make a donation to support CSW’s work in Iran and around the world.

Find out more

Visit the Iran country page

Testimony of forced prostitution in India

My name is Rekha. I am from Bangladesh. My father got me married but my husband was not a good person. He don’t give me food. He won’t speak to me. We were staying at my father’s place. My husband’s brother came. He said he can get me a job. I asked him what kind of job? He said, ‘a good job.’ His name is Sagar.

He brought me to the boarder. There another girl was also there. Along with the other girl, he brought us to Pune. He took us to Pramila Didi’s house and kept us there. I was at Pramila’s house for one month. Pramila didi told me I have to do dirty work. I told her, ‘No I’ll do good job here. That is why Sagar has brought me here.’ She said no one does good job here. You’ll have to do dirty job here. If you do the work you’ll get money. I said I will not do this dirty work. She asked if you will not do this, why did you come here? I cried a lot. After 10 days I started doing the work, forcefully. Pramila didi forced me to do it.

After a month, police came in civil dress. There is a girl named Poppy and police came to her. Poppy told them that she is a Bengali. The police took both me and Poppy. There were two lady police and three civil dressed police. They took us to the police station. There they spoke to us in Bengali. I told them the truth. From there we were taken to a government home. We were there for 3 months. We were taken to the doctor. While we were there, eight more girls from Bangladesh were brought there. All of us were sent back to Bangladesh. Then after these past few years, I was called to the office (Rights Jessore) and I came back here and went to the court.

I saw Pramila there. I saw Sagar also. I was overcome with anger even after so many days. I spoke/testified against them.

How do you feel now?

I feel good now. When I spoke about them, Pramila and Sagar got angry with me. They asked me why did I speak like that? The lawyer, Pramila’s lawyer said I am lying. Nothing like that happened. Nothing happened. I replied it happened. I am telling the truth. Now I feel good. I am with sister social worker now. I am feeling very good.

An Obituary

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: - Knowing when to come in out of the rain; - Why the early bird gets the worm; - Life isn't always fair; - and maybe it was my fault. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge). His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition... Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion. Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault. Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement. Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason. He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights I Want It Now Someone Else Is To Blame I'm A Victim Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.