The Issue on UTV, tonight, will be discussing whether Northern Ireland needs to separate politics from religion.
I obviously think it does. We have near-consensus on “moral” issues like abortion, because all of the political parties stifle any healthy debate – and are defined by their religion-based policy postures.
Meanwhile fundamentalist religious groups lobby and cajole the local political parties.
Yet polling indicates that non-voters tend to be much more socially liberal. Non-voters are more likely, for example, to want to see the 1967 Abortion Act extended to Northern Ireland.
So, if you’d like to hear my perspectives on secularism, fundamentalism and flat-earth creationism be sure to watch The Issue, UTV at 11.05 this evening.
I dont watch UTV very often but was drawn to it on this occasion after reading your post.
At the beginning of the programme, we heard the views of some of the politicians, including Catriona Ruane. I never thought I would see the day when I found myself agreeing with her about something.
The debate was interesting, although it did not offer any new arguments from my point of view but it was good to see you batting for reason and enlightenment.
Liam Clarke is has been my favourite journalist on NI affairs for many years. I enjoyed his remarks about “respect creep.” I thought he put the CALEB man in his box. Clarke also made one very important observation. That is that CALEB has more influence at Stormont than throughout the rest of the NI population.
I would put politicians into three categories. There is the one which does not care how he gets re-elected. He will legislate and argue according to pure populism. They are very selfish politicians for whom I have the most contempt. For those politicians, religious beliefs or any belief system does not enter the equation.
There is another group of politicians which allows their belief system to be the predominant influence in the way they argue and legislate. Mr. Poots, who was mentioned on the programme seems to fit into that category.
Then there is a third group of politician. Such a politician uses his moral compass as a starting point but he has an open mind. He weighs up the arguments and adjusts his opion accordingly. He then votes according to where he believes the greater public interest lies.
Unfortunately, we do not have enough politicians in that third category.
I missed this unfortunately Jeff.
Any way of still seeing it? Can’t use BBC iplayer this time
Clare you can watch on UTV Player. I’ve added the link to the post. However I was a bit too grumpy. Liam Clarke was much better.