Skip to main content

The 'A Word'

"YOU support murdering children?" 

It was a simple exchange. We were talking about faith in the modern world, and I foolishly dropped the 'A Word'. Hinting my feelings in relation to this controversial topic, I was immediately stopped in my tracks. My words had led to a judgement being made about my character and my personality.

This headline from Waterford Whispers News summarises what has happened to the debate in Ireland:



It's ironic, because since the debate has come into general public consideration in Ireland, it has almost become more of a taboo. A highly emotionally-charged debate, both sides will shoot the other down with provocative statements. People are afraid to open their mouths about it in case they are ridiculed for their views. This is exacerbated by the far-left and far-right musings on social media, suggesting that there is little or no middle-ground in this debate.

Whatever side of the tracks you are on, or whether you have made up your mind, I would encourage you to be tolerant and listen. Maybe don't interject and insist that the other side is wrong, instead respect that people have views that differ from yours. There will be people who don't agree with you, and that's just the way of the world.

"Give every man thine ear, but few thy voice" - Shakespeare.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

@rtesecretpro - An account that should never have gotten legs

Recently a controversial Twitter account by the name of ' RTE Secret Producer ' has emerged. Its premise: a brave RTE staff member stands up against their employer and sets out to expose the hidden culture which prevails within the organisation. It sounds like a plot to a low-budget thriller. The account has spurred much debate and has riled up many of the anti-RTE cynics who inhabit our country. Moreover, some of the Irish media - in competition with RTE and unlike RTE, not subsidised by the license fee - are probably happy to have a go at their media nemesis. I have a few thoughts about this Twitter account... First of all  I have read Facebook comment after Facebook comment praising this mystery staffer for their bravery and for being the good Samaritan to expose the ' flawed ' organisation. Although when one examines the level of 'exposure' through the Twitter account, one notices that this secret producer's ramblings amount to little more th...
Post a Comment
Read more

Lyric Hits the Right Note

Why does every radio station play the same music?   Given my occupation, I'm regularly asked naive questions about radio from lay people:  Has anyone ever overheard you in conversation and interjected 'I recognise your voice'?  and Can you get me free tickets to X gig/festival?  are classics. The respective answers are 'No... don't be ridiculous'; and 'No... don't be ridiculous'. There is one question however which comes up regularly enough and I think it's important that it is being asked. Why does every station seem to play music from the likes of Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, Adele and Pink? Have they found the golden formula for pop music? Perhaps they have, but here's the thing. Most music radio stations in Ireland have what's known as an Adult Contemporary format . This was imported from America in the 1980s when aggressive heavy metal and crude rap were emerging as genres, but the soccer moms and 9-5 office workers wanted a more pre...
Post a Comment
Read more