Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Should Finsbury Park be a secular space?
The Friends of Finsbury Park are revisiting our events policy.One of the questions we need to answer is whether or not we support religious events in the Park. The old byelaw against preaching and singing hymns has gone but some people strongly believe the Park should be a secular space.
My opinion is that if people want to get together to worship their god that's fine but promotional events are not fine.
We're also discussing this at our meeting this Sunday (2:00pm at the art hut, by the Finsbury Gate, if you're interested).
My opinion is that if people want to get together to worship their god that's fine but promotional events are not fine.
We're also discussing this at our meeting this Sunday (2:00pm at the art hut, by the Finsbury Gate, if you're interested).
Tags for Forum Posts: finsbury, park, religion
Replies are closed for this discussion.
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Danzigger on
-
But that just demonstrates my point. It's obvious to (nearly) everyone that the KKK, or Al-Qaeda are morally abhorrent to our society. But where do you draw the line? There are many "mainstream" religious groups with some pretty unpleasant views (in my opinion) on homosexuality, or disability, or women's rights.
A public space, like FP has to be a shared public space all the time, and everyone must feel welcome there all the time. Religion is rarely inclusive, and all exclusion is intolerance. -
-
Permalink Reply by Birdy_Too on
-
Neither are all women fun runs, but that too doesn't bother me, no matter how sexist I think it maybe.
-
-
Permalink Reply by Liz on
-
I'm beginning to think the short answer to this question is yes, given the very strong opinions that this debate has provoked. Can I remind people of the guidelines of this site regarding comments to each other and to please ask people to avoid using language that could be offensive to others. One of the great strengths of this site is the way that we (on the whole) remain courteous to each other even while debating very emotive subjects, I would ask that people keep it that way.
-
-
Permalink Reply by John D on
-
With respect and IMHO :-)
Strong opinions have been expressed on both sides. It would be equally logical to suggest that this indicates that the Friends should respect the status quo. -
-
Permalink Reply by Eddie Finnegan on
-
Anne Barwick said that "some people strongly believe the Park should be a secular space." What isn't clear is whether any or many people had expressed strong beliefs that the Park should be a religious space, or at least open to religious events - formal, informal, promotional or other. In other words, what has led to the Friends of FP needing to revisit their events policy or answer this question just now?
Did the Friends reach any conclusions yesterday afternoon? -
-
-
I think that religion is divisive, and that goes against the idea of a shared, public space. Eddie's question leads me to wonder what the park, and the community which uses it has to gain from hosting a religious event. I can't see any benefit. Rather I see the possibility that from time to time, should such events be allowed, it would make some people feel unwelcome.
-
-
Permalink Reply by rahman on
-
christmas concerts/ easter egg hunt/ eid in the park/ diwali in the park/ hannukah in the park/ vaisakhi in the park etc.
are these promotional events? the organisers of them are usually religious bodies and they all have an element of 'find out more about us' as part of the day. most of them have a prayer or religion related speach at some point too.
its the done thing in trafalgar square and well received by everybody there.
why not in finsbury park? what makes it so special that it couldnt cope?
not all 'religious gatherings' are sinister.
i find the idea of banning such gatherings more divisive than anything else. and im not even religious!
'dont a big bunch of you people come in to my park wearing your robes - you'll put me off my frisbee throwing'.
the police do a pretty good job of restricting any gatherings that will cause offence, so i wouldnt worry about anything getting out of hand. There is seriously a sense of melodrama about this whole thing if you ask me. and its unneccesary. -
-
Permalink Reply by matt on
-
> 'dont a big bunch of you people come in to my park wearing your robes - you'll put me off my frisbee throwing'.
:)
> There is seriously a sense of melodrama about this whole thing if you ask me.
The whole world is full of melodrama at the moment. Just down the road in 'the city' they're praying to their different gods for their jobs.
> christmas concerts/ easter egg hunt/ eid in the park/ diwali in the park/ hannukah in the park/ vaisakhi in the park etc.
These are generally seen as 'cultural' events and are accepted as part of everyday London life. I think the discussion here is about the potential for rallies from organisations who wish to promote 'extremist' views, whatever their religion maybe.
But as you say, the police (and I'd add, the council & GLA) would watch carefully as to who is applying to hold rallies within FP, assuming there would be a permit or licensing process. -
-
-
I assume that the people who are so against religious events (not extremists) to take place in FP would also be against non-religious meetings taking place on Religious property?
The church at the end of Allison Road, the Greek Orthodox Church and St Paul’s on Cavendish are used for non-religious events and meetings on a daily basis. How very dare they! -
-
Permalink Reply by StephenBln on
-
OK.. Birdy, would you allow a fascist party the use of the park to demonstrate and sign up more members?
It's fine to open the park to anyone but those who by their actions, wish to restrict the freedoms of the majority...
That's a good reason for banning(not allowing) such groupings..
You can't compare that with a church allowing the WI, the Lesbian Knitters Association or others to use their premises for meetings. -
-
-
Why do you insist on linking all religious groups to extemism, is it such a strange concept to grasp that most religious folk are like me and thee?
I can compare church premises and community premises, and I have. Churchs haven't said that non religious groups can use their premises, so why is it any differant? I am sure if St Pauls was approached by the NF to hold a meeting, they would decline.
Let see some common and rational sense instead of prejudice rhetoric. -
© 2024 Created by Hugh.
Powered by
