It is about time that people of all religions simply practiced their beliefs in the comfort of their own home or, if they really must, in a recognised place of worship which should, as far as possible be “out of town”. They could then keep themselves and their beliefs to themselves, not trouble the rest of us with their ideas and we’d all get on splendidly.
The idea that a town (or worse, a part of a town) should be “Catholic” or whatever, and another area should be “Protestant” or whatever is preposterous. Where I live I don’t even know what religion, if any, my immediate neighbours follow and nor do I want to. It is nothing to do with me. People that promote or encourage such divisions need to grow up, mind their own business and get on with their lives. All manifestations of these divisions should banned because there is no doubt that events such as the “marches” described in the article cause unnecessary distress and inconvenience to many people who have not the slightest interest in the participants’ causes.
The local authority’s reaction to the request to hold such an event was as interesting as it was predictable:
“The authority said its powers to refuse were restricted by the European Convention on Human Rights.”
Of course they were. And if ever any evidence was needed to support this country’s withdrawal from such an absurd piece of legislation this is it. The State has no power to protect the rights of the majority by preventing a group of people causing inconvenience and distress to many others because the ”rights” of those taking part may be infringed.
There is no reason at all why those promoting any cause need to march the streets in the UK. There may have been a need a hundred years ago, but today the plethora of communication methods available is such that they restrict the promotion