Lost child - Madeleine McCann

[SeanMacGabhann]

Tillie

I think you answered the question - by the "extent" of emotion I meant the ribbons, candles, scrapbooks of every paper cutting etc

I don't see anything wrong with any of us being emotional to some degree - I wasn't pointing the finger at anyone on here

[James]

Well said Huguenot, I think you've hit the nail on the head there - so eloquently too.

The thing that fascinates me is that many of the well-wishers and people who seem to need some kind of masturbatory "collective outpouring" are exactly the sort who lead totally insular, individualistic lifestyles.

They would probably never say hello to a neighbour or put anything back into society. I think events like these (like the whole Diana thing) provide a means of doing so. Effectively the gap created by the lack of community/society (thanks Margaret Thatcher et al) has been filled by the ever-present tabloid media. Heaven help us all.

[TillieTrotter]

Cheers for that Sean, I do feel abit weary of having to explain myself, so this will without doubt be my last posting on this thread. Hurrah they all cry!!

[SeanMacGabhann]

eek Tillie - I didn't mean to upset you (or anyone) - come back!

Serves me right for trying to post on a complex subject in between work moments

[Keef]

dulwichmum Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I am sure the McCann family are not agonising over

> the motives of the newspapers, simply hoping that

> blanket coverage will shame someone into telling

> them where she is, alive or dead.

But what if she herself wondered off, got hit by a car, and the driver is so scared because of all this hype, s/he can't come forward? Don't dismiss theories like that, because she could have gone walkabout and fell in the sea or something.... All is possible.

Alan Dale, I personally am not the type to prey for people, but if that's what someone wishes to do, it is not for you to tell them not to... It's also not for you to argue that this whole thing proves there is no God, I think you're a bit off there mate.

[Alan Dale]

I am not telling anyone to do anything I am asking how such an event squares with their adopted beliefs. Beliefs that they seem happy to air on the forum.

You might think that I'm capitalising on this thread to push an athiest agenda but surely it was the Christian agenda which first inappropriately impressed itself on the thread.

I'd argue that it's not for others to bring God into this in the first place but apparently their sensibilities have to observed ahead of mine...

[Keef]

No, to be honest, I don't think people should be encouraging others to pray on this forum either, but I have no issue with someone saying that they personally pray. I also appreciate the If there's a God how can s/he let this happen, debate, but I think we should take it elsewhere...

[dulwichmum]

I am genuinely not looking for any kind of confrontation here. I just feel that the media attention is positive and I applaud the family for encouraging it. I genuinely don't remember a call to prayer initiated by me, but admit that I am prone to fits of hysteria from time to time. You do know where I am from don't you? What do expect?

;-)

[Nero]

DM, As a journalist I can promise you that the newspapers are supporting this campaign and moving it forward mainly because it is a 'good story'. That means that it shifts newsprint. Which means it makes money. I do not deny that there is an element of sympathy and empathy, but you can bet your bottom dollar that the eds of the Sun, Star, Mirror etc. will be thinking of their sales, subconsciously or consciously. There will be no effort to conceal their desire for a new angle, a scoop, a natty headline when they are discussing this at meetings. They're not dragons or immoralists, but they are tabloid journalists first and foremost when they are at work. Once Big Brother comes along, if "Maddy" isn't found by then, watch their interest wane. Nero

[snorky]

A depressing if realistic viewpoint Nero.

I did note that the Mirror Journoette who got the filth involved in that Brit bloke ( cant remember his name ) was rather forthcoming to all and sundry aftet he was taken in for questioning - even to the point of saying things along the lines of " there was something funny about him that I couldnt put a finger on" and " he had funny eyes"

a rather irresponsible brace of statements that will define the future career path of this sad little attention seeking hackette one way or another.

Unless there is a dramatic development very soon - I dont have to say much more I think - the papers will let this whole storys slide as nee subjects come into focus - you can see it already, the tabloids are moving this to page 4+ rather than 1&2 .

[katgod]

I was not aware that Christianity had a monopoly on the idea of prayer? Sad for you that you can't interpret a wider intention into DM's original "say a prayer" - one person's prayer is anothers thought or wish or reflection.

To suggest that a Christian agenda was inappropriately imposed upon the thread is a bit of an over reaction. The debate was pottering along quite nicely without reference to religion until your post. No one said your sensibilities should be ignored. You can just ignore Dm's, as I am sure she and others will ignore yours.

KG

[*Bob*]

Yes.. let's not rehearse the 'If There Is A God Why Does He Allow Bad Things To Happen To Good People' debate.

Most of us left school at least a decade ago.

[Alan Dale]

I am genuinely interested to know how people of faith reconcile their faith with such arbitrary unpleasant occurrences. The McCann's themselves have sighted their faith as being a driving force in their continued struggle. I have no such religious comforts in my life and find people who do lean on the church in times of hardship completely baffling.

I'm sorry if individuals feel that such a question is intellectually beneath them but I'd ask them to find something else to talk about rather than trying to belittle me personally. Unless you can remember the answer from GCSE R.E. then perhaps you could share it and we could move on.

You are right Katgod - it was prejudiced of me to assume that DM was a Christian. Sorry if I misclassified you DM.

I don't accept that I am not allowed to take issue people making statements that assume a general acceptance of the existence of a God without that being up for debate.

That said I do accept Keef's assertion that this might be better discussed on a different thread. Perhaps you could start a 'Religion for Dummies' thread Bob and take questions on faith and theology. I have lots I'd like to ask you...

[snorky]

Established heirachical religion invariably has to deal with such questions on a daily basis and have had a millenia to come up with answers that are enought to saite the proles simple queries ,yet keep the religions themsleves in control. You also have to remember that for a long long time, if you had brains - like propa hard core genuis - the only places you were likely to get educcated until recently wuiz by the church directly or indirectly - most of the brains of society were skimmed off by gods followers and put to task spending their life on such philisophical cobblers as " do babies who die at birth go to heaven ?"

when you have the best brains in the country employed by the church, thye can get away with more than you would beleive

this is probably better suited to a God thread tho'

[dulwichmum]

Thanks Katgod,

I just revisited my original post, and I would like to say that I really meant spare a thought/reflection or prayer to any God you have as Katgod kindly pointed out.

Dear Nero,

I realise that perhaps the newspapers may be running this story cynically, I suppose I don't really mind as it means this childs profile continues to remain high.

Has anyone spotted my rosary beads? I appear to have mislaid them...

[Keef]

Anyone seen this? All sounds very dodgy...

[spadetownboy]

much as i hate to say it,lets hope it correct information and at least we can get a degree of closure on this

[Keef]

I know what you're saying.

[dulwichmum]

Thanks for pointing this out Keef. I hadn't seen it.

[Keef]

Doesn't sound too good though does it :(

[dulwichmum]

No, indeed lovely Keef. It does not.

[Asset]

but it is better than if they never found her

[Alan Dale]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,2164354,00.html

No smoke without fire?

[*Bob*]

Phew! It's a good job we didn't tie Robert Murat to a stake and burn him after all then. About face, mob.. lead the way to the McCann residence!

OR, we could wait for the possibility of any actual evidence or charges - against anyone.

[Alan Dale]

But if you had to bet on it?