In explaining why events took the turn they did, Councillor Webb writes:
On Wednesday 22nd January, the artistic board voted tactically [emphasis mine] to withdraw the play from the programme. They had been shown a letter from a Councillor and member of the artistic board, which had been sent to the Chairman, appealing to him to stop the production. They were also made aware that, if they voted to keep the play in the programme, the likely outcome would be that, at a scheduled meeting of the council on Monday 27th January, the lay [sic] would be pulled.
Had this happened, a media furore would have ensued, similar to what we have witnessed since our original decision to withdraw the production. However, the artistic board would not have been able to reverse the council decision and as a consequence, the performance would not have been staged.
The Chair of the artistic board called a special meeting of the Board on Monday 27th January, prior to the council meeting. At this meeting a proposal was tabled to vote again on the decision made by the artistic board, the previous Wednesday. The vote was carried to reinstate the play by a majority of 9 to 2.
The artistic board have been criticised by some parts of the media, but it should be noted that through their actions, they have ensured that the programme of events for the Theatre at the Mill will go ahead as scheduled and in accordance with their original artistic judgement.
The Board remains committed to providing an artistic programme which aims to offer a diverse range of shows by leading arts performers at a venue we are all very proud of.
Council standing orders forbid an overturning of a Council committee's decision unless the motion is submitted a week in advance. This seems to be the reason why there was no vote on the Artistic Board's decision at the full Council meeting on Monday night.
When an offensive production like this can only be put on the stage at the Theatre at the Mill but such devious tactics, as outlined in this letter, then it goes to show the spirit that inhabits those who are for such productions. The baying mob have won the day! Their cries of tolerance only work one way. Their storm of protest has more to do with the visceral hatred of the Bible truth than it has to do with free speech or anything like that. So much for tolerance and respect for minorities in this Borough!
The next time we are lectured about tolerance and respect we will point to what happened in this case and remind people that no tolerance or respect was shown towards those in this Borough who find this place offensive. Those who oppose this play have been told that a minority don't have the right to impose their will upon the rest of society. It will be interesting to see this principle worked out going forward. Although, no doubt, double standards will come into play the next time it is one of the liberals' pet minority groups that is being offended or issues relating to them.
The conduct outlined above is reminiscent of the words of the Psalmist in Psalm 36:4 when speaking of the conduct of ungodly men: He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.
From concerned catholic - but well done on RTE 1
Congratulations on your interview on RTE News at One today. As a Catholic I fully support your views and stance on this issue. Sadly our Christian beliefs are too frequently the butt of sick humour and snide comments.
2 comments:
" Those who oppose this play have been told that a minority don't have the right to impose their will upon the rest of society."
Exactly. And if you support this (and democracy at large) then you can understand why it is disgusting to most people, that YOUR religious beliefs (the beliefs of a minority in NI, should be allowed to impose themselves on the arts and entertainment other people want to share and experience.
No one cares about your misappropriation of Jesus' word and your religion's misuse of the word of God. Try and consider for a moment that your God may actually have a sense of humour too.
He must do if he appointed wingnuts like you to carry out his work.
All the best.
Marty
The problem is that the majority are not always right. No better example exists than when the majority lobbied for the putting to death of the Saviour. We get the views of the liberal minority foisted upon us continually. You only have to follow the debate on Sodomite marriage in England/Wales and Scotland to see this. The people haven't even been asked. It's majority rule by the liberal elite when it suits and minority rule when it also suits. The common denominator is their hatred of the Word of God and the person of Jesus Christ.
You might discover one day to your eternal cost that God's sense of humour is somewhat different to the likes of you. He doesn't laugh at sin like the fools that populate this world, Prov 14:9. But He will laugh at your folly on the day of judgment. You reap what you sow in this world and in eternity, Prov 1:22-33: How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
Brian McClung
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