"God's Law"
There is something about the Nolan Show and Iris Robinson which inevitably produces sparks. First her comments on homosexuality being an "abomination". Then, this morning, during a discussion on the new abortion guidelines, her assertion that "it is the government's responsibility to uphold God's law". This has prompted a flood of responses, both from those who regard the Strangford MP as a proponent of Christian "Sharia" law and those who maintain she is in touch with the church going majority in Northern Ireland.
I was struck by the caller who quoted the Queen's Coronation oath which makes explicit the continuing link between the state, God and the established Church. However, we all know that, in reality, the Queen is not an absolute theocratic ruler and the UK happily fudges along with a mixture of pluralist democracy and constitutional monarchy.
Of course, Northern Ireland is different when it comes to religion. According to the 2001 census, just under 86% of people here professed to be Christian of one kind or another. That's higher than the 72% figure for Great Britain. In the same census, other religions accounted for only 0.3% of the population - much lower than Great Britain (5.4%). Presumably, given the rise in immigration since 2001, that figure may have shifted by now.
Just under 14% of people here told the 2001 census takers they had no religion or didn't state what religion they were.
A survey on church attendance last year pointed to a disparity between the 45% of regular churchgoers here compared to just 14% in England.
So given those statistics do people in Northern Ireland want a more explicitly Christian form of government or are they happy to "render unto Caesar what is Caesar's"?
The reaction from Sinn Fein and Alliance leaves no doubt that they will not allow the Executive to be pulled down a theocratic route. "When politicians speak of government having a responsibility to uphold 'God's law'" Alliance's Stephen Farry argues, "they invariably mean their own version of 'God's law'. History provides plenty of lessons on the dangers of imposing particular religious views on others."
Sinn Fein's John O'Dowd calls Iris Robinson's comments "ill advised" adding "when it comes to the business of government we must collectively be responsible and deal with the issues and beliefs held by and dear to all our people not one particular section."
Last year evangelicals applauded when Ian Paisley refused to sign off on the EU Gender Goods and Services Directive because it offended his religious sensibilities. Then, in a fudge worthy of the Church of England trying to appease its disparate factions, the OFMDFM sat back as UK ministers implemented the directive over their heads.
However UK ministers know that it would be a step too far to impose the 1967 Abortion Act when so many supporters of parties across the spectrum here oppose it.
Cross community consent and European human rights law mean we aren't going to become a theocracy any time soon. But the gulf between religious observance here and elsewhere in the UK also means that the Nolan show and others will find the relationship between religion, morality and politics provides a rich supply of stories for a long time to come.
I'm 
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With her recent comments on 'The Nolan Show', Irish Robinson has managed to alienate (a) the gay community in Northern Ireland and (b) the majority of right-thinking women. Women in Northern Ireland have been denied the right to abortion which our United Kingdom sisters have had since 1967. There is a supposed reluctance to implement the 1967 law here due to the high-minded religious beliefs of the majority of the population. High-minded indeed. Talk about 'too much religion and not enough Christianity.' Mrs R's opinion smacks of hypocrisy. One way to ensure that the voices of women are heard on this sensitive issue is to have a referendum. And where is Mr Robinson in all this? When Jeffrey Donaldson was defecting to the DUP, Mrs Robinson was vociferous in her taunts of the UUP, demanding 'where's Jeffrey?' We wonder where is Peter, and when will he make his position clear regarding his wife's comments. We can only hope that he will completely disassociate himself from them.
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What is the big problem with God's law?
Loving God with all you heart and loving your neighbour as yourself.
Surely it is wrong to kill human life either inside or outside the womb.
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Very well constructed blog.
The most interesting aspect of Iris Robinson's call for Christian Sharia law is that she obviously wants partial Sharia law, otherwise the State would be far too busy executing those who work on a Sunday, adulterors etc. and she would have to withdraw from public life to become Peter's helper (Genesis 2:18).
It seems that the Bible is manipulated to justify prejudicial attitudes with the spirit of the book ignored such as love, compassion and not judging others.
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Mark
IF SHE OR HE EXISTS, LET US PRAISE GOD FOR GIVING US IRIS
Iris's outbursts are priceless entertainment. That so many people are taking her seriously is the real story emerging from her latest appearance on the Nolan Show. Callers, E-mailers and Texters are bombarding the media with views either for or agin' her. For what? All because Iris didn't engage brain and mouth simultaneously in trying, unsuccessfully, to best Eamonn McCann.
So let us give praise to God for Iris's entertaining contribution to daily life in Ulster. She really does add to the gaiety of the nation.
Susie
Carryduff
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Iris Robinson said nothing controversial. It is not contentious to believe everyone from a street-sweeper or to a Prime Minister has a duty to uphold the law of God. This is what every Christian church professes and what every other religion teaches. It is a fact that both the British and Irish constitutions are founded on Christian principles, as is the whole concept of human rights and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The right to life of the unborn child is all recognised in international human rights law. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child states: "The child, by reason of his physical and mental immaturity, needs special legal protection, before as well as after birth." So her views on abortion are not controversial either.
It appears that Iris Robinson has become the target of a vicious anti-Christian campaign. It also seems that the BBC is instrumental in trying to discredit her because she speaks publicly about Christian values. Politicians from rival parties should be very wary of attempts to silence her by ridicule. Even if they dislike her opinions (which they should remember are shared by many of their voters) they ought to defend freedom of speech rather attacking her for making her views known.
Congratulations to Mrs Robinson for having the courage of her convictions. I hope she continues to speak out.
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She has more in common with the Taleban than with me.
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I agree with FritzGerlich on the issue of Freedom of Speech. I also feel it is right that a politicians personal circumstances should be highlighted where there may be an issue of public interest.
In the circumstances I trust Iris will have no objections to a request under Freedom of Information seeking a breakdown of the £62144.00 Additional Cost Allowances she claimed in the 3 years 2004/2005 to 2006/2007.
Moreover when her husband claimed some £56722 in respect of the same allowance in the same 3 year period it is time to query what the money is used for and if its use squares with the high Christian ideals Iris is so keen to profess.
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You can't say she has a right to freedom of expression if she thinks people who express their sexuality in a way she doesn't like need brain treatment to make them express it differently.
Hitler and Stalin will not be turning in their graves.
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Iris Robinson must resign as chair of the Health Committee after this latest controversy. She is not fit to be a politician any longer. Her job is to serve the people and not preach to them from the old testament and scriptures of Leviticus. She has so far offended, gay people, women who have had abortion, athiests, muslims, buddhists, mormons, with her extreme parochial views .
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God's law applies to all including Governments and individuals, there are no opt outs and like any law those who who break face the consequences.
The Good News is that Jesus Christ suffered and died on the cross at calvary in our place and if we acknowledge we have sinned and accept his offer of salvation we will be saved from the punishment for our breaking the law.
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MORE ROBINSON RANTINGS
According to the Belfast Telegraph (21.07.08) sources within the DUP said they believe the media is being unfair to Mrs Robinson in its coverage of her views and they should stop hounding her.
So now we have it! Those in the DUP and their supporters defend Mrs Robinson in her expressions of free speech but consider that the press should be curtailed in responding to her rants.
Mrs Robinson has only herself to congratulate. She seems to have received unprecedented news coverage to such an extent that she may well become the resident guest on the Nolan Show.
As a TV licence payer, I believe that Mrs Robinson should now be banned from broadcasting and stop hounding the viewer and listener. It is now overdue that she should bog-off for the good of the general public. I am sure for those who are interested; they can read and interpret the Bible for themselves.
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So darrmont, if I get a map of the world and colour in red all the countries where it can safely be assumed the majority of the population do not obey "God's law" I would paint over all Catholic countries, the whole of Asia and probably all of Africa.
Being generous to you, that would leave the US, Canada, the UK and Australia, with a total population of around 420 million. Put another way, "For God so loved 7% of the world."
Don't be ridiculous.
P.S. I see now even Iris can't believe what Iris said: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7517500.stm
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To RJ: Post 13
How did you create that link to BBC News?
This was one of a number of queries I raised with the BBC Blog Team but they never respond to any of my requests..
An early reply would be appreciated.
Love
Susie
Carryduff
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Mark
BY IRIS'S WORDS SHALL YE KNOW HER *
I have always thought that Iris was an eejit, not to be taken too seriously. Not anymore. I believe that her latest remarks, aired in the Northern Ireland Grand Committee, are giving a green light to the many Gay-bashers in our community. Moreover, I believe that in the coming weeks there will be physical and verbal attacks on Gays arising out of and directly as a result of Iris's vile words as recorded by Hansard.
Fellow MPs and MLAs have a moral duty to censure this woman. As a start, I call on non-DUP members of the Health Committee to refuse to sit in Committee while Iris remains its Chair. So, Carmel Hanna, Tommy Gallagher, Claire McGill, Kieran Deeny, John McCallister and other Members of the Health Committee I call on you to oust Iris from her position immediately. If you fail to act you will be giving her a green light to continue spouting her contemptible and inflammatory rants, which put the lives of gay people in danger.
* Source: A reworking of Matthew 7, V. 20 where the exact phrase is: "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." (I'm sure Matthew won't mind)
Susie
Carryduff
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In reply to Susie post 14.
You have to use html. Type <a href="http://www.somewebsite.com/page.html">the bluewriting goes here<\a>
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I must say I am enjoying these bastardizations of Biblical quotes.
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"GAY KING"
If Mrs Robinson is referring to the King James version of the Bible, she should be aware that there is considerable historical evidence as to his sexual preference(s).
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Sorry Susie, got that slightly wrong earlier. You have to use a / not a \ in the last wee bit of that link code.
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So, Sammy Wilson has now chipped in to the Iris debate by accusing the media of harassing her. Has no-one in the DUP told him that she voluntarily phoned in to the Nolan show and that she knew her Grand Committee comments would be recorded in Hansard. I think it more likely that some of our gay and lesbian neighbours are feeling harassed.
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It's funny that Iris Robinson calls herself a 'Christian' and then proceeds to spew her vitriolic hate. There really isn't much Christian about hating thy neighbor is there?
Why isn't she going after all those that don't keep kosher, after all, the 'Bible' uses 'abominable' to describe both homosexuality and not keeping kosher. As a good Christian, I'm surprised she's not calling for her husband to be punished, after all shaving goes against God's Laws. I'm surprised she dares show her face in public without the prescribed head covering!
Of course it's not really about religion, it's about deep-rooted hate that originates somewhere else. It's a shame that she's allowed to say whatever she wants, without any repercussions, as if she's above the law. Oh I forget, both she and her husband are all about equality ... so it's perfectly fine for them to use hate-speech.
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God must be half daft if he chooses the likes of Iris Robinson to enforce his laws.
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RJ.
He didn't. She just thinks he did.
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