Barry Duke, the Angry Atheist

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1. 

   As someone who produced dozens of nativity plays as a teacher and a Sunday School leader, that title ‘A Gay…

2. 

   The defence of a Christian view never seems to be settled by debate: exchange of facts, reference to historical events.…

3. 

   But …… Rwanda is a safe place: Parliament says so.https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2024/8/contentsSafety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Act 2024 S 2 Safety…

4. 

   Religion can survive only on the most unquestionable assumptions. The statements made on Sundays on the BBC as if they…

5. 

   Yes, if I’ve got anything remotely like a phobia, as an ex-fundy, its bibles, churches, tracts etc. I like to…

MORE than 1,700 people have signed a “keep the Sabbath sacred” petition, launched by the Rev Alasdair J Macleod, above, of the Free Church (Continuing), who wants to stop Tesco from extending its trading days.

Macleod’s petition says:

By signing this petition, we are not just standing for a day off — we are standing for the glory of Christ, our Christian tradition, our community spirit, and our right to be different!

Reacting to the petition, Tesco bosses said they believe Sunday trading will smooth trade across the week and help to reduce food waste.

Christian Davies, store director for Tesco in the Highlands and Islands, said: 

We will be listening carefully to customers and colleagues about our proposals to open our Stornoway store on a Sunday.. We are confident we can carefully balance the demand for a seven-day opening while remaining respectful to local traditions and culture.

He added:

While shopping on a Sunday is not for everyone, a store that is open seven days a week would significantly improve the shopping experience for all customers, by offering choice to those who do want to shop on a Sunday and reducing congestion during other days of the week, especially on a Saturday.

The store has remained shut on a Sunday since it opened in 2008 to reflect local religious sentiment.

Lewis, with a population of about 20,000, has a long tradition of observing the Sabbath day, meaning that some shops — including both supermarkets – currently keep their doors closed on a Sunday.

Macleod, who started the petition, said:

Many of us hold cherished memories of island Sundays as a guaranteed day of rest, relaxation and no work — a precious day of family time and worship. However, this simple yet profound day is at risk due to the concept of seven-day trading creeping into our culture.  When stores and businesses open their doors on Sunday, it may seem like a convenience at first, but the resulting ripple effect leaves workers with less time to rest, less time for family, less time for church worship and invariably, a lower quality of life.

And he warned

If Tesco Stornoway, one of the largest shops in the Western Isles, opens on a Sunday then other businesses and organisations will be more likely to open on a Sunday too. They will sadly feel pressured too.

The Tesco store in Stornoway is currently closed on a Sunday, although some staff work to restock shelves.

Antiquated views of ‘Wee Free‘ churches

Apart from regarding Sunday shopping as “sinful”, the church holds ridiculously archaic views on a whole bunch of other stuff — especially abortion and homosexuality. As for women and their place in the church and society as whole, well …

One its more prominent members is politian Kate Forbes, above, a Scots politician who campaigned to become leader of the Scottish National Party. Never happened. She lost out to Humza Yousaf after key backers of the Finance Secretary withdrew their support after she said she would have voted against equal marriage laws in Scotland. (Yousaf resigned earlier this year and was replaced by John Swinney.)

In the comments section of The National, Ro Bell wrote:

She is part of an organisation which would refuse to lift her to the highest offices within that faith community because she is a woman and carries all the sins of Eve. Until she can hold that office she should not be acting against the teachings of the Free Kirk by filling herself with pride and speaking out when St Paul instructs: ‘Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.’ 1 Tim 2: 11-12. She seems content to flout this direct instruction but will not speak up for equal marriage. How curious? Maybe the Elders of the Free Kirk, all male (not sure how many will be gay or trans …) will be kind enough to tell us the Kirk’s stand on this brazen impropriety and how they could have Kate as First Minister but not a Minister?

Hat tip: BarrieJohn

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