Unbelievable !!! is it just me?

[nedflanders]

I have just read that we as a nation are being accused of being insensitive to muslims because we serve pork at school dinners? And they wonder why islamaphobia is on the increase. What are your views or is it just me who islamaphobic? http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3789303.stm

[sylvday]

I doubt very much that this report is saying that in schools which are predominantly Christian pork should not be served, so long as there is a non-pork choice for any Muslim pupils. But I don't think it too unreasonable that in those schools where the vast majority of pupils are Muslim pork should be taken off the menu altogether.

[tartanwiz]

Is there a choice of meals in schools or are all kids forced to eat pork on 'pork days'? And if there IS a choice, are the muslim academics who are complaining AWARE that there is a choice?

[ma]

it most probably is just you. It's another example of the biased media reporting on issues taken out of context and emphasising on points that have a negative impact on ISLAM. I haven't read the report yet but hey look the sort of response it has generated from un-enlightened people like yourself who are always looking for something to arouse phobias of some kind and who can't see past their noses. Gentlemen&Ladies and fellow Britons, westerners and all THERE'S NOTHING PHOBIC ABOUT ISLAM. Wake up and see the light at the end of this so called proverbial tunnel.

[flange]

Same story different subject, why are certain parts of the country NOT allowed to display the George cross? this is a story you hear about week after week and now Euro 2004 is with us we will PROBERLY hear it again. Wake up and stop winging.

[flange]

wingeing

[WaldoMcFroog]

Surely this is a non issue?

You would no more serve pork to a Muslim than you would to a Jew than you would to a vegetarian... It's against their beliefs. You could offer it to anyone else who was happy to eat it. There - I've solved the issue.

Where did you read this? Who is doing the accusing? I have to say it sounds like a mountain being made out of a molehill tbh.

[katie83]

I agree with 'ma'. don't believe everything you read. who has accused the nation as being 'insensitive?' every muslim in the UK? i dont think so. and what has it got to do with the increase of so called islamaphobia? the british people are being brain washed. muslims have different dietary requirements because it is their religion not because they are being 'fussy'. all major religions encourage tolerance and acceptance of other cultures and beliefs. that is what this is all about.

[andy hughes]

The report is actually far more balanced than the one aspect that you have highlighted would suggest. It does not infer that 'we as a nation' are being insensitive, but makes the valid point that some schools (not specified in terms of religion ratios) may be failing pupils in terms of appropriate religious and cultural awareness. This is not at all the same as a casr of national insensitivity, but as one of my colleagues points out, it does increase the knee-jerk jingoistic reaction of people who seem to feel some nameless fear at the notion of another relgion being acceptable. Ironically, the people who feel such fear do not in themselves possess any religious faith worth the name, since almost all mainstream religions preach the notion of tolerance and understanding, including Christianity. As a nation, we are not insensitive to Moslems at all, we are just insensitive, full stop.

[nedflanders]

OK points taken on board but I am glad at least Andy bothered to read the link !! i'll post it again for those who couldn't be bothered to click it http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3789303.stm :-( So I am sure that brits who are supposed to be a tolerent society who work and live in muslim countries such as Saudi should be allowed to eat pork over there and drink alcohol because it is part of our culture and beliefs or is it only a one way street.

[nedflanders]

ps. I am not racist or anti-islamic as I am a protestant married to a catholic with two catholic kids. It just pi$$es me off when we (britain) have to change our cultural beliefs to suit others. We are so politically correct in this country it is unreal.

[andy hughes]

Thanks for your response ned. I must argue the point you make about brist eating pork and drinking alcohol in Muslim countries - eating pork and drinking alcohol are not part of the relgious ethos of Christianity, whereas abstention from them is part of the Mohamedan ethos, so the comparison is not strictly fair. I am sure Catholics taking Mass in a Moselm country would not be prevented from taking communion wine, but the Muslim faith is extremely strict in its rules of abstention, and takes a really dim view of Westerners who flout these edicts at gatherings like parties. My wife and children are Catholic, but I am an atheist, and I believe in as large a degree of tolerence for everyone else as I can possibly manage.

[katie83]

ned, i did actually read the link but you said, 'it just pi$$es me off when we have to change our cultural beliefs to suit others......' Muslims are not asking for British people to stop eating pork. Eating pork maybe British 'culture' BUT in Islam eating pork is actually against the 'religion' so there is a difference firstly. Do not confuse culture and religion. There is a big difference. The link is saying that Muslims needs should be met also. Just like any other human beings should in this country. So don't get annoyed that someone who is of a different religion has different needs. No one is asking to change the beliefs of British people but as a nation (who has a long history of immigrants including the Irish and peopel from Asia, Africa and West Indies) we shouldn't expect that whoever comes here should adhere to our rules. Thats just ignorance.

[nedflanders]

Yes katie that's right. when we brits go to arabic countries we eat pigs and get drunk and dance in the streets. Fact is if you go to Saudi and steal you get your hand chopped off. If you come over here and do the same you get legal aid to fight your case and claim racial descrimination and political asylum.

[katie83]

I did not imply that the British conduct themselves in that way but you sound very bitter to people who are not British. The claim that you racist to me is amusing. And the fact that you have a catholic wife does not make you exempt from being RACEist or against Islam. I am proud to be British and do not deny 'fellow human beings' the right to be proud of their religion or heritage. You shouldn't believe everything you read in far right newspapers and the claims that refugees are taking all of our jobs and money. Those are the views of people whoa re trying to stir racial hatred in this country. Finally, take on board what i said previously, alcohol in Britain is a lifestyle choice not a religious requirement so do not confuse the two.

[katie83]

so it seems that ned flanders is not that god loving, happy neighbour as his character in The Simpsons.

[nedflanders]

DAMN RAIN !!!! i was out last night in my front garden when the rain came on. My white robes got soaked and the flames on the burning cross were doused out! Well katie80 the fact that i am married to a catholic does mean i am not racist as racism/sectarianism is pretty much the same thing. ps. i read the far right gaurdian.

[katie83]

Racism is not 'pretty much the same thing' as sectarianism, at all. Someone who is racist discriminates against another because of his/her race. That has got nothing to do with religion. in my opinion anyway neddy.

[mucko]

well i know there's a not a definite answer here - but what i do know is that i think that you should all join the 'mucko religion'! you can eat what the hell you like where you like and when you like! mmmmmmmmm pork!

[ma]

dear ned !! I did read the report after my posting yesterday and I still could not see any relevance to us BRITONS being accused of whatever you thought. I am glad that there are a vast majority of us britons who are of the motto "live and let live". Also, thank Almighty that many of us do know the difference between the cultural and religeous ethos. happy living, All (and ned).

[vittoria]

Do you know, I live in a relatively wealthy London suburb, and there is not (as far as I know) a single state school that serves school dinners! We have to give them a sandwich in a lunchbox - and the dinner ladies check that we don't give them chocolate or other "forbidden" foods. I was really surprised to read that there are school dinners somewhere!