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

Back On Air!

I had a short break last week from my show. I promised myself that it would be an opportunity to get some study done. In actual fact I spent a few hours dreaming about being on-air, staring at my pile of notes. No, not particularly productive. It's funny - when you've been doing a particular routine like a show for weeks and weeks on end and take a night off, you actually kind of miss it.  I'll be going back on air in about 24 hours (Who's counting?!!) and I cannot wait. There's a great rush when you're on air - in control of a station and listening to your favourite tunes. There's also a bit of fun in preparing for the show - I try to keep it balanced between entertainment content, reading out requests and throwing in an anecdote here or there. A funny thing about being Irish: I think I inadvertently mention the weather at least twice every show. In fairness, people care about it and  it is definitively the best conversation starter in my book!! ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Everything In Moderation, Including Moderation

We’re approaching the US Presidential Election and a maelstrom of vitriol. In the red corner, a proto facist and the first President to adopt a  govern-by-tweet  approach. In the blue corner, a seasoned operative but one who is gaffe-prone and uncharismatic. This is in the midst of an impending economic recession, low oil prices which have decimated the Texas shale industry, pent-up anger and frustration from the COVID lockdown and a culture war which has emerged from the Black Lives Matter movement and the racist killing of George Floyd. 2016 was a year which changed the course of history. Trump was elected, the UK voted in favour of Brexit and as the Presidential race began in France, the vitriolic, anti-immigrant National Front stormed ahead. Cambridge Analytica mined the data of thousands of people, playing into the psychological vulnerabilities of unsure voters. We realised the fragility of democracy as it is played out via social media. Facebook is no ...
Post a Comment
Read more