http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7135087.stm
QUOTE "
Dr John Sentamu has been a consistent critic of Mr Mugabe...
The Archbishop of York has cut up his dog collar and said he will not replace it until Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe is out of office. " UNQUOTE
Religion and politics irrevocably intwined yet again...?....
2007-12-09 00:32:18 · 8 answers · asked by Hello 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Re Lordkelvin
IN ANY of my constructed question did I imply my criticism of the Archbishop?
NO !
I BELIEVE IN FREEDOM OF SPEECH.
Why do you think we put our lives on the line in AFGHANISTAN AND Iraq every day?.. politics? .. oil?...
MY QUESTION WAS.. IS.. IF YOU believed his protest would make any difference?... SHOULD it make a difference?
NOT.. I repeat.. NOT that the Archbishop should not have made such a visual protest on live tv.
Simple As !!
I so hope people will READ.. digest and cogitate over my question before a gut response like yours...
2007-12-09 01:16:13 · update #1
Re aab1976
Going on YOUR theory, WHY then, did it take an ARCHBISHOP to go on live tv and make such a visula and verbal protest rather than ... oh.. let me think.. ahh .. a "politician"???
Surely you can't be implying that politicians are not privy to Freedom of Speech?.. or maybe it's because they are too afraid to speak out UNLESS COVERED BY PARLIAMENTARY PRIVILEGE. ie they speak up IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.. NOT ON LIVE tv...?
As far as I was led to believe, an ARCHBISHOP is a religious title NOT a political one... BUT... in this day of spin, I could be wrong of course........ !!
2007-12-09 01:19:54 · update #2
I'm not really sure why he cut up his dog collar, had the church of England supported the Mugabe regime I could understand it, but they don't so why his dog collar did he explain ? If he wanted to make a symbolic protest he should have used a symbol of Zimbabwe or the EU. Hes always been a bit of a publicity hound anyway.
2007-12-09 01:12:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You make a common logical error.
A Secular Government (like a Secular Chess Game) does not mean you cannot be informed by your religion or even hold a religious office. It only means that you have to play by the same rules as everyone else. Just because a Pope plays chess, does not mean that his bishops get any special powers!
That Mugabe believes in a unitary executive and has an agenda to eliminate Democracy and Freedom is a different matter all together. If he would just sell out to the approved Corporate interests the Gang Of Pirates and their lapdog press would hail him as a great statesman no matter how big a thug he was to his people.
2007-12-09 00:42:00 · answer #2 · answered by Dragon 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I am pretty sure although he is, the Archbishop,the cutting up of the dog collar, would not be the extent of his protest if, he was allowed to make such a protest, He is a man of the cloth, But,, he is also a man who cares very deeply, about people. I hope the gesture he made would have an effect on this abomination,
2007-12-09 01:24:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It might do. It has made more people here aware of what is occuring in Zimbabwae, and his acts will continue to make sure that many people think about it.
But Mugabe does not care about the views of others. He does not even care about his own country, if he did, he would have given up power as his country has got worse and worse under his rule. Put it this way, if the UK was getting worse, and by leaving my job, it would get better, then I would leave my job (which for the record, I love).
And Anti theist, I hope you do not get a violation e-mail.
2007-12-09 01:08:26 · answer #4 · answered by The Patriot 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think the protest is going to change anything in that situation, and religion doesn't seem to be involved yet, however it didn't say anything about it in that story either, it seems like so far its strictly politics, Zimbabwe and other African countries have some serious issues, it makes me wonder why we can spend so much time helping countries in Europe and in the middle east but we cant do anything for an African country, the last time the united states did anything for an African country was Liberia, and they had to beg for our help, our government didn't really want to bother with them, but we helped them so we could save face and attempt to prevent our country from getting a bad image of discrimination, but its all clear to those who pay attention.
2007-12-09 00:49:44 · answer #5 · answered by ARTY 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a symbolic act, and it can only alienate Mugabe further, so in that respect it's a good thing to do.
About the question of religion and politics being entwined i totally agree with you.
At the risk of a violation, why don't you visit http://www.secularism.org/uk - The site of the National Secular society, who campaign (amongst other things) to break the links between church and parliament.
It's only about £18 a year to join and you get regular newsletters etc.
Another good read is a publication called "The Freethinker" You can learn about the horrors committed in the name of religion.
2007-12-09 00:53:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anti theist 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
And why do you think that you have the right to deprive him of his right to express his opinion?
2007-12-09 00:49:21 · answer #7 · answered by lordkelvin 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
wont make any difference of course. but it was good that he did it i think.
2007-12-09 07:35:51 · answer #8 · answered by bruce m 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋