Civil Eye

National Inter Faith Week and the Big Society

2010-11-23T18:55:00.000+00:00

The consistent message coming from the Coalition Government is that faith communities are at the heart of the Big Society. So how does the second National Inter Faith Week in England and Wales fit into the overall picture? This annual event is taking place between Sunday November 21st and Saturday 27^th 2010 and is a joint venture between the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) and the Inter Faith Network for the UK (IFN).

A CLG spokesperson has advised me that the government is providing financial support for a number of Inter Faith Week events, as well as “Faith in Action” grants of up to £6,000 for inter faith activity generally. Ministers will be attending inter faith activities around the country and the Secretary of State will host a special reception on November 25^th. In addition to all of that, the CLG is currently providing financial support to the Inter Faith Network as an organisation.

Baroness Warsi, Conservative Party Chairman, and Andrew Stunnell, Communities Minister, have both spoken out in support of the contribution faith communities can make to the Big Society. But are they glossing over some of the negative effects faith groups can have on communities - such as the polarised environments created by faith schools and the manner in which inter faith groups may be hijacked by people with various agendas of their own? And is the inter faith dialogue model still fit for purpose in the diverse society in which we live today?

As Sir Winston Churchill said, ‘Jaw jaw is better than war, war’, and over the years inter faith dialogue has made a significant contribution towards a greater understanding between the faiths. However, in the UK today we live in what is predominantly a secular society. Various surveys indicate that the proportion of people in the UK who do not hold religious beliefs is steadily increasing. The 2006 Guardian/ICM poll showed that 63% of people said they were not religious. If the majority of the population is not religious, then perhaps it is right to be concerned about the government’s faith bias.

Maybe it's time to revise the inter faith dialogue model. My suggestion is that the concept of a worldview may be far more relevant because it is not necessarily embedded within a religion, race or culture. The worldview may be applied at both an individual and a society level, reflecting a consistent framework for how people understand the world and order their lives. Since we live in an increasingly secular society within a global village, maybe a Worldwide Worldview Week would be a more appropriate way forward. At a local level, the implications of this could be that Christians, Muslims, Pagans, Atheists, and anyone else who wanted to attend, could air their views and join together in local projects. It could be a far more appropriate focus for the Big Society. A fuller discussion of this issue may be found at the following link: http://www.suite101.com/content/national-inter-faith-week-and-the-big-society-a311984

The Inspiration of Gardens

2010-11-20T11:42:00.000+00:00

In my opinion beautiful Gardens are truly inspiring, but they are not usually at their best at this time of year. This is where good pictures of gardens can be really helpful and I've just come across a website which has a section on the 13 most amazing gardens in the world. Here is the link - http://www.thegrowspot.com/index.php?pageid=amazing-gardens - please check it out because I think you'll love the images.

I know I'll never be able to achieve anything as fantastic as these in my own garden, but at least the pictures do give you ideas. These can then be mulled over during the cold winter months (inside in the warm!) and when spring comes there should be plenty of inspiration to get the garden in shape again.

Meat Free Monday

2010-11-15T16:43:00.002+00:00

Wondering what to cook for your evening meal? Can I suggest you google some of the excellent vegetarian meals that are available on the internet and use one of those? Some months ago I heard Paul McCartney speaking about the idea of adopting "Meat Free Monday", not to cajole everyone into becoming vegetarian, but in order to slow down the process of climate change.

McCartney's campaign is partly based on UN research which shows that producing livestock is responsible for about 18% of global greenhouse gas emissions. This is significantly more than the 13% generated by the entire transport sector. On average people eat about twice the amount of meat that was consumed in 1960. And to produce a single kilogram of beef, farmers need to feed cows 15 kilogrammes of grain and 30 kilogrammes of fodder. So the statistics are actually quite compelling and even if everyone managed to stay meat free for just one day a week it would make a massive difference.

Meat Free Monday is a fantastic idea because it focuses the mind on the issue very neatly and it simply becomes a great habit. I can highly recommend one of my favourite meat free meals which can easily be varied week by week. Its called Vegetable Pie and it's a bit like cottage pie with any combination of vegetables replacing the meat. You can fry the diced vegetables in a pan first with some garlic and various mixtures of herbs or spices and seasoning; then add a small amount of vegetable stock which helps to prevent it sticking to the pan as well as giving it more flavour. After you have placed this mixture in a casserole dish, make the mashed potato to layer on top. You can mix one or two cups of grated cheese to the potato to give it even more flavour.

Make Sure You Check the Menu

2010-11-13T10:02:00.000+00:00

Next time you go out for a meal make sure you check the menu very carefully before choosing your meal. You never know, you just might be ordering a rare species for dinner! This might sound totally ludicrous but scientists have apparently discovered a previously unknown type of lizard which was being served as a delicacy in a restaurant in Vietnam.

The lizard in question, technically called Leiolepis Ngovantrii, was being grilled and served by Vietnamese waiters and waitresses who had no idea what they were handling. This species was completely new to the scientific world and its appearance puts a whole new meaning into a request for "rare" meat. Scientists in California have since said that it is a new lineage consisting of females who use a cloning process to reproduce. This really is a story about the irony of life isn't it?

Armistice Day

2010-11-11T14:20:00.001+00:00

I've said before on this Blog that I could never enter armed combat. I would never want to fight in a war or under any other circumstances, but that doesn't stop me from being grateful for those who literally laid down their lives in order to ensure that our country could enjoy the freedom we enjoy today. I'm thankful too that my dad, now aged 98 and in remarkably good health, safely returned from a horrendous campaign in Burma.

On this date every year, November 11th, we remember the armistice signed between the allies of the First World War. Hostilities ceased at that auspicious moment at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. Nowadays, what was Armistice Day is also known as Remembrance Day and it is a commemoration of both World Wars.

Today at the appointed hour I, like many of you, paused my routine to observe two minutes silence in respect for all those who died or lost loved ones in these horrific campaigns. For those of us who have never experienced war first-hand, it's not easy to appreciate what it means to those who did. But I'm sure it's important for us to try.

I've heard some of the sordid details from my dad. And my mum has spoken movingly about the hardships endured at home during the war years, as Liverpool was heavily bombed by the Germans. No one would ever want to experience the like of this again. So, although our country is relatively peaceful and prosperous in 2010, it's a timely reminder of those who have to endure war, poverty and hardship around the world today.

The Wonder of B Flat

2010-11-06T15:43:00.000+00:00

Here's an interesting item for all the musically inclined. My daughter told me about this on the phone this morning and I have just checked it out. It's certainly weird and wonderful. Is there no end to the creative and whacky ideas people come up with on the internet? Good fun though!

Basically someone has put up a website on which a whole variety of people play different musical instruments in the key of B Flat. There are keyboards, guitars, a banjo, a violin and so on. The idea is that you play them - some of them or all of them. And you can start them at any time and in any order.

It's quite hard to explain really so the best thing to do is to go and have a look for yourself: http://www.inbflat.net

Autumn Colours

2010-10-29T15:20:00.003+01:00

Some years ago I was listening to Gardener's Question time on Radio 4 and one of the experts recommended a Virginia Creeper to an enquirer with a bare-looking brick wall in her garden. He enthused about the colours at autumn time, brightening up everything like a flame. Immediately I thought, I must have one for the garage wall which had always looked so desolate on one side of our landscaped garden, no matter how many plants and flowers were in front of it.

Now is the time of year to enjoy the purchase of my Virginia Creeper (or Quinquefolia to give it the technical name) to the full. As I look out of the kitchen window I can delight in the flame-like beauty and reflect on money well spent! In just over four years it has now covered that barren garage wall.

That does remind me though: I have been rather neglecting the garden recently. I need to get things tidied up out there before it's too late and winter comes with a vengeance. If it's anything like last year, winter will be a testing time again. I suppose I'd better enjoy the autumn colours while I can.

'i' for News

2010-10-27T14:59:00.000+01:00

It’s the first quality newspaper to be launched in Britain for almost 25 years: ‘i’, produced by The Independent. They say it’s a ‘new kind of paper, designed for people with busy, modern lives.’ And I have to admit that I’m impressed. I have paid 20p (yes – that is twenty pence!) for the past two mornings now and it certainly does what it says on the tin.

It’s colourful, well presented for fast consumption, and gives a wide range of news and views in very manageable chunks. I love the user-friendly style which maximises the deployment of graphics and summaries. Even the TV guide gives a snapshot of programmes in well-defined sections, such as comedy, documentary, reality and sport. ‘The Opinion Matrix’ is a masterstroke, giving the ‘i’ opinion, on a range of topical issues from home and abroad, alongside the views of various other newspapers across the world.

This new product has been well thought out, well researched and well executed. It has left me wondering why I even bothered to pick up the free Metro after my morning swim, since there really is no comparison. At 20p it really is hard to find fault, so all I can say is well done!

The Castle in the Pyrenees

2010-10-26T12:14:00.003+01:00

I recently finished reading Jostein Gaarder’s book The Castle in the Pyrenees, which I was inspired to buy after hearing his interview at the Cheltenham Literary Festival. This is the first time I’ve read one of his books since Sophie’s World and it’s certainly a fascinating novel.

It’s written in the form of email correspondence between two ex-lovers who happen to meet again by chance at a beautiful place in Norway, where thirty years previously a strange and unsettling event took place. It was their differing interpretations of what actually happened which ultimately led to the breakdown of their relationship.

The book explores two very different world views through the prism of their memories and dialogue. Solrun takes a spiritual approach to life and believes in an afterlife, whilst Steinn, now a university professor, responds with a purely materialistic understanding of the existence of the universe and life itself.

Their relationship is rekindled through the correspondence and gradually they are forced to reassess the disturbing incident from their past. The Castle in the Pyrenees, a title based on a favourite painting by Magritte, raises serious questions about the human condition and about our understanding of reality.

It Isn't Easy Being Green

2010-10-25T20:31:00.002+01:00

We all know that it isn't easy being green, but maybe the time has come. There is a proud statement on the Green Party website saying that since Spring 2009 membership is up by 50%, so it would seem that a lot of people out there are beginning to think that the Green Party has a lot to offer.

Let's face it - many of us, me included, are totally disillusioned with the mainstream parties. Before the advent of the coalition there was a groundswell of support for the Liberal Democrats, who were less obviously tainted by the muck and mess of politics than Labour and the Tories. And Nick Clegg certainly performed admirably in the leaders' debates. But, since the days of power-sharing have dawned, even the most ardent Liberal Democrats have found it increasingly difficult to justify the ongoing retrenchment from previously inalienable policies and beliefs.

So, can the Greens save the planet? Or even the sinking whirlpool of British democratic politics? Experience would caution us not to expect too much. However, it is impressive that their manifesto takes on and powerfully rebuts the ongoing accusation of it being a one-issue party. It's also very hard to disagree with the Green Party statement that climate change is a far bigger threat than WMD. We all know about the controversy of the climate change experts' emails, but none of that can hide the fact that our planet is warming as a result of human activity. We need to do something about it for the sake of our children and our children's children. I for one am at least going to start looking more closely at the Green Party's credentials. We live in unusual times and maybe it really is time for radical change.

Whistling in The Dark

2010-10-06T17:21:00.005+01:00

I was intrigued to read a newspaper report earlier today which was predicting an Indian Summer for the next few days. Strangely, I was reading it whilst looking out of my window at the most almighty rainfall, followed by hailstones the size of marbles!

It took my mind back to 1987 and the rather unfortunate Michael Fish, then a respected BBC weather reporter. Prior to the worst storm to hit Britain since 1703, he had dismissed a warning from a caller to the BBC. Sadly, trees and buildings were ravaged later that evening and at least 13 people were known to have died as a result.

Listening to David Cameron's predictions about cuts being so good for us made me wonder if politicians and weather forecasters are trained by the same people. He said today that the cuts would deliver growth, investment, jobs and put money in people's pockets. Politicians, like weather forecasters, love their predictions. But I get the impression it's all a case of whistling in the dark.

Football - Sport or Business?

2010-10-01T16:04:00.001+01:00

We hear today that Manchester City have made a financial loss of £121 million in the 12 months to May 31st 2010. This is the second largest financial loss in Premier League history, the largest being £141 million at the end of Roman Abramovich's first full year after his takeover of Chelsea in 2004-05. In Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan's first full year of ownership the club's income of £125 million was exceeded by a wage bill £8 million higher than that figure. Then there was the small matter of assembling an incredibly expensive squad of players.

It begs the question of where the Premier League is heading and whether we now need to turn to the business pages rather than the sports pages for our football news. I can't help but hanker for the 'old days' when virtually any club could aspire to win the First Division. It seems so sad that money now plays such a massive part in our national game and creates an increasingly large gap between the 'haves' and the 'have-nots'. Or maybe I am just being bitter because this month is likely to reveal in which of these two groups my club, Liverpool, will belong.

In any event, at least UEFA has introduced a financial fair-play edict requiring clubs to break even as of next year. This means that clubs are permitted to lose only £39 million up to the year 2014. If they lose more than that they may face sanctions, including exclusion from major European competitions. It's going to be very interesting to see how the clubs with the sugar daddies cope with these regulations.

Dead Man Lives

2010-09-29T15:21:00.002+01:00

I was shocked to read in today's news that a man somewhere in the South of England had been taken by paramedics to the local undertakers while he was, apparently, still alive.The paramedics found no sign of a pulse or of respiration, but later that day the undertakers found him breathing. The report on the incident said that staff at the local Ambulance Service were encouraged to report incidents so that lessons may be learned.

We can only hope that they have now learned that if someone is alive it's never a good idea to deliver them to the undertakers. Indeed, speaking as someone who lives in the North of England I do hope they transfer this important wisdom to their counterparts in my local Ambulance Service. Since my preference is for cremation, I wouldn't like proceedings to continue until everyone concerned was absolutely sure that I was in fact definitely deceased!

Back in the USSR

2010-09-25T07:58:00.008+01:00

The great Russian composer Dmitry Shostakovich was born on this day 104 years ago. I'll never forget the moment when I heard his Tenth Symphony as a student in 1975, the year he died. The sheer power and depth of emotion in his music grabbed my attention like nothing I'd ever heard before. He was presented to the world as a great communist composer, a loyal and contented spokesman for Soviet society. But, despite his patriotism, he has been widely regarded as a dissident in disguise, struggling to express himself as an artist living under a repressive regime. The story of this complex genius raises questions of conscience and creativity, of integrity and identity.

Fifty years ago, in September 1960, Shostakovich was formally inducted as a member of the Communist Party and became a full member a year later. This was a development which mystified friends, colleagues and family alike. What then are we to make of his decision to join the Communist Party? Was it the result of cowardice or commitment? Cowardice was certainly a trait which he admitted to during long periods of introspection, but it is perhaps too harsh a word to use under the circumstances. It is probably more appropriate to say that he recognised the need for self-preservation, since without compromise he may well have ended his life in one of the many labour camps. Then we would have been deprived of the genius of his prodigious musical output and his voice of conscience in a wilderness of repression.

On a personal note, I must say that I am very much looking forward to this evening's celebration of ‘Russian Masters’ at the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. Vasily Petrenko's recordings of the Shostakovich symphonies, with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, have won unanimous critical acclaim. To mark Shostakovich's birthday they have chosen to perform his Fifteenth Symphony, which was his last and probably his most personal. To read my fuller discussion of Shostakovich's troubled relationship with the Soviet state, go to the following link to access an article in the Music & Vision Magazine - http://www.mvdaily.com

Five Minutes Peace

2010-09-21T13:16:00.002+01:00

In a busy day, just five minutes peace can make a massive difference! Fortunately for me, the nearest local park is only a few minutes walk away. It is not the biggest park around. But it is very well kept by locals, who devote a lot of their spare time to continually improving it. They do a great job and have been doing so for many years, long before a certain politician started speaking about 'The Big Society'. And, best of all, it has a fantastic Japanese garden.

This has been designed by the Japanese Garden Society, managed and run by volunteers incidentally, to enable people to connect with the natural world and experience a feeling of calmness and relaxation. It certainly has that effect on me every time I go there, which is becoming an increasingly frequent occurence. A Japanese garden is said to be crafted by people as a form of architecture, so in this sense it is nature as art. So thanks to all those volunteers who have made this artistic experience so enjoyable.

The only negative aspect of the garden is the yellow and black CCTV warning stuck onto one of the trees. It's just a shame that we need to install a system which monitors visitors to a place of peace, to ensure that it is not damaged by vandals. I'm sure that if they took five minutes peace they would never dream of damaging a place like this.

Waterless Places...

2010-09-19T08:50:00.002+01:00

As I look out of my window, it's raining. In fact, the last few days have brought a lot of rain in Manchester. Yesterday I struggled to catch up with jobs in the garden because I needed to go inside to shelter from the rain. But, whilst I was having my power shower this morning, I couldn't help thinking about those places in the world where people struggle to get enough water to drink or to use for sanitation purposes.

Let’s consider some of the facts: one in eight of the world's population does not have access to clean water; in developing countries about 80% of illnesses are linked to poor water and sanitation conditions; over one-third of the world's population has no access to sanitation facilities; half of the world's hospital beds are occupied by patients suffering from water-borne diseases; for too many people worldwide, dirty or diseased water leads to a cycle of sickness, lack of education, poverty and lost hope.

On September 20th 2010 world leaders will meet at the UN headquarters in New York to review the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that were set out in 2000 to halve the proportion of people living in extreme poverty. It’s reassuring that organisations like WaterAid will be campaigning to show governments that without clean water and sanitation the MDGs will not be reached across large parts of the developing world.

Water and sanitation are human rights, vital to reducing poverty around the world. Together with good hygiene these essential services are the building blocks for all other development - improving health, education and livelihoods. It’s so easy to take water for granted. Sadly, many others in the world cannot.

Library Blues

2010-09-15T14:15:00.002+01:00

I am currently in the process of writing an article about the great Russian composer, Dmitry Shostakovich. Last night I searched the local libraries online catalogue for a book I needed for research. Great, I thought! It's in my local library! So I reserved the book online. What a clever electronic system, I thought.

Today, I took a very wet walk down to the local library only to be greeted by three confused librarians. A reserved book like mine should, surprisingly enough, have been on the 'Reserved Books' bookshelf. But it wasn't! After several discussions between various members of staff, the conclusion was that it had been inadvertently placed in the wrong pile. And sent to another library!

Sadly for me, it would have been better not to have reserved the book. Then in all probability it would have still been on the shelf. By the way, would any publisher out there be interested in an article on Dmitry Shostakovich?