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
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Permalink Reply by StephenBln on
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Perhaps we should start referring to parks as recreation grounds again. Religion is not a recreation, it is belief and belongs in a place of worship, not in park... I reserve the right to start playing my saxophone during such a service.. because I wouldn't want to hear it..
I noticed Rahman brought up the old chesnut of 'diversity'.. I hope he's not against gay men and women attending these services..? -
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Permalink Reply by Eddie Finnegan on
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Stephen,
"Religion is not a recreation"??
What's this we used to call that 'Seven Day' business at the beginning of 'Genesis'?
Mebbe there's some connection?
And I think you've jumped to some startling conclusions about Rahman! -
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Permalink Reply by rahman on
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what a ridiculous thing to say, stephen. plonker. im sorry if thats rude, but your comment is offensive.
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Yeah yours too, but sticks and stones... I noticed you didn't answer whether its OK for gay men and women to attend..
There are many things that are offensive.. I'm all for 'diversity' as you mentioned.. I just dislike that way that British tolerance is used to promote intolerance, whether that be Christian or some other religion..
I'm amazed how many people still allow themselves to be led up the garden path, by not taking a stand against the promotion of fundamentalist views.. If there's one thing that should have been learnt from the 1930s, that is not to fool oneself that radicals won't try everything to keep on trying to push their views..
What makes me say this.. look here Unfortunately, the site is based in Israel. I have to say here that I have no truck with Israel either.. let that be clear.. But the pictures are real..
And here -
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why do i have to respond to a point that seems to be an accusation about the way i supposedly feel, based on nothing? again, ridiculous.
for the record, i live in birdy2 world. a nice tolerant one where everyone is welcome and entitled to live the way they want to. hence the diversity comment. -
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Permalink Reply by Hugh on
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Oh Steve, what a distressing link that first one is - just the pictures alone tell a distressing tale, no matter the (English version) text.
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Permalink Reply by John D on
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One problem is you have to define "Religious Event"
Would a rally by the Secular Society or a display by the Humanist Association count as religious ?
I would also say that musical events have an impact on people who just happen to be there. -
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Permalink Reply by RuthE on
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why are churches suddenly not good enough for religious groups? Why do they want to take over cinemas, pubs and old dance halls? The only places we got left are parks to have any fun in and now they want to spoil that too. Its enough that they come round your house and ask you ridiculous questions on your doorstep. Keep them out of the parks.
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It's a question of economics
Cinema has been in decline since the 1950s.
Pubs are closing down left right and centre because of supermarket off-licence trade.
Not many people want to do the quickstep nowadays :-)
We could of course leave these fine old buildings to rot, like the George Robey.
And I can think of at least three churches that have been concerted into a) a pub, b) flats -
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Yes, Ruth, why do so many nice rational secularists throw all reason out the window when religion raises its head? I've never seen any armed mobs of christians, muslims, jews or hindus taking over pubs, cinemas or dance halls for their own nefarious uses and banishing the poor paying patrons to outer darkness. And I go to Finsbury Park most days but haven't noticed it under siege from sport-spoiling whirling dervishes. Where's all this mayhem of secularist-cleansing happening? Or is that a ridiculous question?
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those places go up for sale and the religious organisations are entitled to buy them, just as any other private buyer would be able to.
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If there are no byelaws against the holding of religious events, how are you going to enforce your ban ?
You can't ask the police to intervene if no laws are being broken.
What would happen if a football team from the Wightman Road mosque were caught in the open at the appointed time for prayer and they got out their prayer mats? If you tried to stop them there would be an outcry that would make the Tesco warehouseman complaint look very small beer (sorry :-) )
I'm not sure of the status of the Friends of Finsbury Park but do you have executive powers in the park ?
If not, is it relevant that you do or do not support religious events? Or are you going to lobby for restitution of the byelaws? -
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