From BBC News 29th August 2019.
Jo Brand battery acid joke 'went too far', BBC rules.
Jo Brand's controversial joke about throwing battery acid "went beyond what was appropriate" for a Radio 4 comedy show, the BBC has ruled.
The corporation has partially upheld complaints about the quip made by the comedian on Radio 4's Heresy in June.
Referring to political figures who had been hit by milkshakes, she said: "I'm thinking, why bother with a milkshake when you could get some battery acid?"
But the BBC dismissed complaints that her remark amounted to incitement.
Following the broadcast, Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage, who had a milkshake thrown at him by protesters several weeks earlier, accused Brand of "inciting violence."
A BBC spokesperson said:
"We note the findings and that the BBC's Editorial Complaints Unit concluded the comments did not condone violence and that no subject matter should be beyond the scope of comedy."
"The comments did not condone violence"
Does the BBC not have any grasp of the English language?
"No subject matter should be beyond the scope of comedy"?
Maybe Ms Brand would like to make a few quips about Allah or the prophet Mohammed; the Koran, and put the BBC to the test on this? methinks a fatwa would be coming her way..rather pronto!
But then, she is not so daft, for she knows that to go down the road of jesting about Islam is completely and utterly out of bounds, it is forbidden ground.
Perhaps when the spokesman-oops! sorry-spokesperson made this statement it was taken as read that Islam, LGBTQ, ethnic minority groups, militant disabled groups etc, etc, were excepted. We wouldn't want to hurt their sensibilities for the hate speech brigade would be out in force!
As for white European Caucasians and anything to do with the Christian Faith....are we not fair game? sitting ducks by another name!
It is widely known that the BBC has a great many LGBTQ and multi-cultural/diverse ethnic minority employees, of which no doubt many are Muslims. The head of religious programming is a Muslim....
Thursday 29 August 2019
Sunday 11 August 2019
Its all random...isn't it?
This great 'theatre' that is taking place under the Almighty's feet; to the rank unbeliever and nominal Christian alike appears to all intents and purposes random and chaotic. However, to many that believe in biblical and absolute predestination; we see God's hand in every minute detail, in other-words, God's absolute predestination and election at work. Yet man is a 'free' agent to do as he will! Try outfoxing God-drive up to a junction planning to make a left turn, and then turn right in the last split second-I fooled you! you can change your mind as many times as you will, but God's sovereign rule will overrule man's 'free will' to bring His great prophetic plan of the ages to pass. Yes He will make the wrath of man to praise Him (Psalm 76:10, Exodus 9:16, Philippians 2:10). Shakespeare was right when he wrote "all the world's a stage." Many sing hymns in church and cathedral saying "how great Thou art" or "Almighty God" and such, yet think Him not so almighty as to order all events down to the last minuscule jot! Mighty, but not that mighty! When we say God in Christ is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent, is this only in a partial sense? to listen to some, you would think so! Some Christians are even offended at the thought of God micro managing everything, but to those with the eyes to see it, it is everyplace in God's Book. Haman put a noose around his very own neck, yet he knew not that God had ordered it so! (Esther 7:10)*.
There is a secular proverb that contains much wisdom (many of them do!) "it is not what you know, but who you know". This is said in regard to perceived fortuitous events where gain, be it financial, or fame, or both, can be had due to the fact that you are within a circle of influence. Oftentimes in the past I would bemoan the fact that I had lost out, not through any perceived lack of skill or knowledge on my part, but because I didn't have the right contacts. For some reason, I wasn't within their circle or network as it were, and try as I would to be in it, somehow it just didn't happen. It is in "the old boys network" so to speak where in the upper echelons of society; friendships and acquaintances are formed through the private/public schools and universities where you "rub shoulders" with the 'right' people. This is the top (one percent?) of society where your background and privileged upbringing make all the difference, many contacts are formed within the elite private/public school network. At the present moment some two thirds of prime minister Johnson's cabinet went to fee-paying private schools such as Eton. Is this any accident? Certainly, some 'break the ranks' from the state system and rub shoulders with these elites, but the truth is, they are never accepted as "one of the boys", they remain outsiders. Back in the mid 1980's I fell on the wrong side of the law, and needed to enlist a barrister, whom my solicitor employed from London (there were only two Barrister houses back then-London & Cardiff; for England & Wales). 'Fortunately' having gotten ahead financially early on in my business, the cost wasn't a problem to me, but it was only then that it hit me how different I was to the solicitor/barrister class! I distinctly felt different, that they were almost looking at me as if I were a piece of dirt on their shoes! They spoke in a different way, used words I had never learned, had certain airs and graces which I never did (or have), I subsequently learned that they were the product of private and university education, to all intents and purposes, they were aliens to me! listening to them converse, they just as well had been speaking in Hebrew-I was Shibbolethed! (Judges 12:6).Having had a state-education from a working class background, you really are in a different class to these people, and they know it, and we feel it.
But, for all this 'advantage' "not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called: but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty, and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in His presence." 1 Cor.1:26-29.
Let us praise God for this!
It is no easy thing for a 'successful' worldling to humble himself and "become as little children..to..enter into the kingdom of heaven." Matt.18:3. Many years back I was a guest on a few occasions to a Masonic lodge for an evening black tie event; the masons would have "worshipful brother" and "worshipful master" prefixed to their name cards at dinner! What a way to become pumped up with pride!?
There is no school like God's school: "The truth shall make you free." John 8:32.
It can be clearly seen from Scripture that the "grace and favour" of the world is a major stumbling-block to entering God's mansions in the kingdom of heaven. God doesn't play dice, and "The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD." Prov.16:33.
I remember my mother telling me that a great, great grand mother on her side of the family was a French noble-woman that was executed by guillotine in the French Revolution. It mattered not how you would disguise yourself to escape the revolutionaries, as soon as you opened your mouth, or they looked at your hands to see whether they had been worked-they knew! I have never bothered to search the family tree, to what end? A neighbour once told me some years ago that he went to Somerset House in London to see how far back his lineage went, to which I said "don't waste your time, we all came from Adam and Eve!" As Del Boy would say "do you Adam and Eve it?"
*God is not mentioned by name in this book, yet we see His unseen hand throughout. If Saul had obeyed God and executed Agag, Haman the Jewish adversary would never have been born! (1 Sam.15:3). I believe the only other book He is not mentioned by name is Song of Solomon.
There is a secular proverb that contains much wisdom (many of them do!) "it is not what you know, but who you know". This is said in regard to perceived fortuitous events where gain, be it financial, or fame, or both, can be had due to the fact that you are within a circle of influence. Oftentimes in the past I would bemoan the fact that I had lost out, not through any perceived lack of skill or knowledge on my part, but because I didn't have the right contacts. For some reason, I wasn't within their circle or network as it were, and try as I would to be in it, somehow it just didn't happen. It is in "the old boys network" so to speak where in the upper echelons of society; friendships and acquaintances are formed through the private/public schools and universities where you "rub shoulders" with the 'right' people. This is the top (one percent?) of society where your background and privileged upbringing make all the difference, many contacts are formed within the elite private/public school network. At the present moment some two thirds of prime minister Johnson's cabinet went to fee-paying private schools such as Eton. Is this any accident? Certainly, some 'break the ranks' from the state system and rub shoulders with these elites, but the truth is, they are never accepted as "one of the boys", they remain outsiders. Back in the mid 1980's I fell on the wrong side of the law, and needed to enlist a barrister, whom my solicitor employed from London (there were only two Barrister houses back then-London & Cardiff; for England & Wales). 'Fortunately' having gotten ahead financially early on in my business, the cost wasn't a problem to me, but it was only then that it hit me how different I was to the solicitor/barrister class! I distinctly felt different, that they were almost looking at me as if I were a piece of dirt on their shoes! They spoke in a different way, used words I had never learned, had certain airs and graces which I never did (or have), I subsequently learned that they were the product of private and university education, to all intents and purposes, they were aliens to me! listening to them converse, they just as well had been speaking in Hebrew-I was Shibbolethed! (Judges 12:6).Having had a state-education from a working class background, you really are in a different class to these people, and they know it, and we feel it.
But, for all this 'advantage' "not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called: but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty, and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in His presence." 1 Cor.1:26-29.
Let us praise God for this!
It is no easy thing for a 'successful' worldling to humble himself and "become as little children..to..enter into the kingdom of heaven." Matt.18:3. Many years back I was a guest on a few occasions to a Masonic lodge for an evening black tie event; the masons would have "worshipful brother" and "worshipful master" prefixed to their name cards at dinner! What a way to become pumped up with pride!?
There is no school like God's school: "The truth shall make you free." John 8:32.
It can be clearly seen from Scripture that the "grace and favour" of the world is a major stumbling-block to entering God's mansions in the kingdom of heaven. God doesn't play dice, and "The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD." Prov.16:33.
I remember my mother telling me that a great, great grand mother on her side of the family was a French noble-woman that was executed by guillotine in the French Revolution. It mattered not how you would disguise yourself to escape the revolutionaries, as soon as you opened your mouth, or they looked at your hands to see whether they had been worked-they knew! I have never bothered to search the family tree, to what end? A neighbour once told me some years ago that he went to Somerset House in London to see how far back his lineage went, to which I said "don't waste your time, we all came from Adam and Eve!" As Del Boy would say "do you Adam and Eve it?"
*God is not mentioned by name in this book, yet we see His unseen hand throughout. If Saul had obeyed God and executed Agag, Haman the Jewish adversary would never have been born! (1 Sam.15:3). I believe the only other book He is not mentioned by name is Song of Solomon.
Thursday 8 August 2019
Jephthah's vow, and why we shouldn't be rash when making promises, especially to God!
What a barmy vow from the ninth judge of Israel?
Whatever 'possessed' him to say it to the Almighty God?
"And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, if thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands, then it shall be that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, it shall surely be the LORD'S, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering."
Judges 11:30-31.
The biblical narrative then goes on to say that "the LORD delivered them (Ammon) into his hand."
Job done, Jephthah journeys triumphantly back home...
"And Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house, and behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances: and she was his only child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter. And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he rent his clothes, and said, Alas, my daughter! thou hast brought me very low, and thou art one of them that trouble me, for I have opened my mouth unto the LORD, and I cannot go back."
Judges 11:34-35.
Mizpeh/Mizpah-(watchtower/lookout) is a town in Gilead.
Now, I know not what sort of household Jephthah maintained in Mizpeh, but I can only believe that being the 'king' of all Israel that it was not an insignificant dwelling place (not bedsit land!). He would have had many servants running the place, and it may be that he thought it would be one of these 'dispensable' hirelings that may have come "to meet me". Perhaps he had never once seen his only child near the front of his mansion? it may be that upon going to war with Ammon, he commissioned a guard to protect his household-a sentry at the front door? The guards may have allowed Jephthah's daughter to have the run of the place, ever having their watchful eye over her, but on the day of his return, she heard the returning cavalry, and the guards let her enthusiastically go out to meet her father? We can speculate on these things, but the Bible doesn't tell us any more than it does; in any event, Jephthah should never have made such a rash vow.
Our words have consequences, oftentimes things we say in jest come true! hence the secular proverb "many a true word spoken in jest." Certainly, the true Christian should have few words and choose them wisely (especially when praying to God), and before making any promissory undertaking to whomever, verbal or written, should make sure he can fulfill it.
"I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." Matt.12:36-37.
These "things were written aforetime were written for our learning .." Rom.15:4. "Now all these things happened unto them by way of example; and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come." 1 Cor.10:11 (RV).
Commentators are divided as to whether Jephthah actually offered up his daughter to the LORD for a "burnt offering" for such an "offering" was not prescribed in God's law, and would be an abomination to Him. Such sacrifices were pagan and were offered to Molech. Idolatry prevailed at the time of the Judges, Having said this, verse 39 says Jephthah "did with her according to his vow which he had vowed." Some think that Jephthah had a house built for his daughter where she lived in isolation perpetually "bewailing her virginity"; it is said that the convents were built to house nuns in the Romish tradition came from this account.
Whatever 'possessed' him to say it to the Almighty God?
"And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, if thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands, then it shall be that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, it shall surely be the LORD'S, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering."
Judges 11:30-31.
The biblical narrative then goes on to say that "the LORD delivered them (Ammon) into his hand."
Job done, Jephthah journeys triumphantly back home...
"And Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house, and behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances: and she was his only child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter. And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he rent his clothes, and said, Alas, my daughter! thou hast brought me very low, and thou art one of them that trouble me, for I have opened my mouth unto the LORD, and I cannot go back."
Judges 11:34-35.
Mizpeh/Mizpah-(watchtower/lookout) is a town in Gilead.
Now, I know not what sort of household Jephthah maintained in Mizpeh, but I can only believe that being the 'king' of all Israel that it was not an insignificant dwelling place (not bedsit land!). He would have had many servants running the place, and it may be that he thought it would be one of these 'dispensable' hirelings that may have come "to meet me". Perhaps he had never once seen his only child near the front of his mansion? it may be that upon going to war with Ammon, he commissioned a guard to protect his household-a sentry at the front door? The guards may have allowed Jephthah's daughter to have the run of the place, ever having their watchful eye over her, but on the day of his return, she heard the returning cavalry, and the guards let her enthusiastically go out to meet her father? We can speculate on these things, but the Bible doesn't tell us any more than it does; in any event, Jephthah should never have made such a rash vow.
Our words have consequences, oftentimes things we say in jest come true! hence the secular proverb "many a true word spoken in jest." Certainly, the true Christian should have few words and choose them wisely (especially when praying to God), and before making any promissory undertaking to whomever, verbal or written, should make sure he can fulfill it.
"I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." Matt.12:36-37.
These "things were written aforetime were written for our learning .." Rom.15:4. "Now all these things happened unto them by way of example; and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come." 1 Cor.10:11 (RV).
Commentators are divided as to whether Jephthah actually offered up his daughter to the LORD for a "burnt offering" for such an "offering" was not prescribed in God's law, and would be an abomination to Him. Such sacrifices were pagan and were offered to Molech. Idolatry prevailed at the time of the Judges, Having said this, verse 39 says Jephthah "did with her according to his vow which he had vowed." Some think that Jephthah had a house built for his daughter where she lived in isolation perpetually "bewailing her virginity"; it is said that the convents were built to house nuns in the Romish tradition came from this account.
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