PeckhamRose

If I remember rightly the BHA wanted "Do you have a religion?" which is an open question. "What religion are you?" is a closed question.

A small point. The Sikhs said they thought it was unfair they had to wear helmets because they want to wear turbans. It was accepted that they should be exempted. The facts as I understand it from the few Sikhs I know is that they don't have to wear turbans; they just don't cut their hair so they use turbans to keep all their hair in place. Well I have longish hair, I tie it up and put the helmet on it but they conned the government to let them not wear helmets. I think that's brilliant. I am envious, I love riding without a helmet. But you see my point - the government bend over backwards to please religious folk, even when it means commonsense loses.

I do not know, David. I just said a crazy idea. I don't work in the industry. But something has to change!

Oh I am so sorry, that's awful. As well as the police it may well be useful to post this news on the Motorcycle Action Group website as well as The London Bikers website. MrPR's bike was stolen in Rotherhithe years ago and an eagle eyed biker who was a member of TheLondonBikers saw it in someone's garage as he was passing! Am SO sorry for your loss! He has an Aprilia too!

How so? Well unless you subscribe to the view that I am God!

No. Enterprise Allowance is helping people set up their own businesses; helping us all be self employed. Lots of courses on marketing and selling and so on. It was very popular among the stand up comedians in the 80s who are now multi million pound earners!

I understand. And now the government are reintroducing an Enterprise Allowance Scheme. I was on that in Thatcher's day. Brilliant, it was. Got paid ?40 a week whether I earned nothing or millions. It was nearer nothing. But it was a start. Of course now that I hardly earn anything I am not allowed to claim any benefits being self employed. But hey swings and roundabouts.

There are several books devoted to what Humanism means. When asked, I merely say that the difference is humanism is conscientious atheism, ie. you're consciously aware you are living life without a religion, and consciously trying to live a good life, too!

Yep that's all right and fair and I agree. MrPR's mate who does a similar thing in the west country, reports exactly the same story as he did to me which I reported above. Kids turn up, get their money then go, but the college bosses tell their teachers that failure is not an option. So absentee kids are paid all that money and they get the qualifications and the college gets the money. If it happened in Mr PR and MrPR's mate's college, it may have happened around the country. So linking EMA to results and not making colleges rely on funding according to results makes more sense. I think!

I would be so tempted to enter the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster as my religion.

"then just make the assumption that everyone else is of no religion". That's the problem with the census. People just put CofE because that's what they're habit is or their parents did. It's an interesting concern. It's better in court than in government. I have to go to court about 5 times a year for work and they always ask if you have faith, rather than "what is your faith?" (making the assumption you have one, which is something the government does). My word in court is taken no less seriously because I have merely promised to tell the truth, yet I stand against those who promise to God they'll speak the truth and lie blatantly in front of me!

Governments make decisions based on what is in the census. Why lie? We're all going to die, so let's all try and be useful for others while we're alive?

If 'most' people don't believe but our taxes and gov't philosophy is still geared around religion, would that be representative? Of course we can lead good lives without god. In fact local councils do this more successfully (create a society without special regard to the idea that everyone has faith) than governments. And Santa doesn't demand lots of money and insist on special treatment (though marketing companies do that for him). However, I have yet to hear a representative of Santa have a Thought For The Day so may be that should be changed! I'll write to Radio Four immediately. Yes please everyone follow the links.

The British Humanist Society's Census Campaign.

MrPR was teaching at a college in South West London. The EMA kids would turn up, not stay, then demand they got their qualification at the end of it. The college was told Failure was not an option, because the college needed the funds too. So the kids got their EMA, their qualification, and the college got its funds and nobody (including the government) learns anything. In one case a load of very expensive equipment was stolen from the college by two teenagers at the college, and they were not allowed to be dismissed because the college needs their money. So the kids learn no boundaries or any sense of wrong or right. This year, the college were told they had to specifically encourage 16-18 year olds and that other age groups were very definitely not encouraged in case they took the place of the 16-18 year olds. Opening day arrived. No-one came. The 16-18 year olds didn't come in enough numbers to fill classes and the older people who REALLY wanted to learn what MrPR and others had to teach, did not turn up because they assumed there would not be room. Please tell me how this is right!

I'd love to have gone but had not even heard of a Big Draw Festival!

It's looking fabulous. Have been watching its progress from our flat. And yes, to walk around it is fun, specially by St Thomas Hospital. Can also see I think the cranes at the base of Pinnacle! They've done the foundations. Looked in there the other day.

Seen two little kids with rickets on Peckham Rye recently. Sooooooo sad. A 'Mercury' telephone box. A Gold Wing (HOnda Motorcycle) A Pembrokeshire Corgi

Love it love it. There'll be a BetFred next, and a little gambling shop with a nice vase in the front...

Is iPod Nano sponsoring you?

But no, I promise it ain't just sarf London. Such muggings and kids muggings goes on in (shock horror) Chelsea and North London too.

Oh well done. Well done for posting a Good news Story about the Police and a stranger. Our thoughts go with your son! Change his name! He ain't so silly for changing course and riding straight towards the police!

I believe England's first school to teach creationism as a 'fact' opened in the west country? Can't remember now but I think it was on the British Humanist Association's website last year.

Oh good for you! Very community minded! :D

The British Humanist Association's take on it, and what it is trying to do to make things fairer. Just in case anyone is interested!