Theists at State event in Belfast upset

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devogue

Theists at State event in Belfast upset

Post by devogue » Mon Sep 04, 2017 7:29 pm

A row has erupted at City Hall after Belfast’s new Lord Mayor dispensed with prayers before her installation dinner.

Nuala McAllister, an atheist, didn’t invite anyone to say grace at the event on Saturday night in what has been described as an unwelcome departure from tradition.

It is understood she felt some people attending the dinner who are not religious may have been uncomfortable with praying, but others have voiced firm opposition to her decision not to respect the decades-old convention.

Instead, in some cases it fell upon leading clerics to offer up grace for guests at their individual tables ahead of the lavish four-course meal in the building’s ornate Great Hall.

The Alliance Party councillor — who outlined her plan to “promote a Belfast that is open, welcome and inclusive” — was not available for comment when contacted by the Belfast Telegraph last night.

The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Dr Noble McNeely, who attended the event for the first time, said he led prayers at his table when it became apparent that it wasn’t on the agenda for the evening.

“There was no grace on the programme and the Master of Ceremonies didn’t call anyone to lead the gathering in grace,” he said.

“I’m sure Dr Laurence Graham (President of the Methodist Church in Ireland) or myself would have been prepared to say grace but that wasn’t requested. I don’t know why that didn’t happen but maybe it is a sign of the times.”
Continued:

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/ ... 96373.html

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Re: Theists at State event in Belfast upset

Post by Rum » Mon Sep 04, 2017 7:35 pm

Belfast - where saying the wrong type of grace can still get you killed!

Or is this progress?

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Re: Theists at State event in Belfast upset

Post by Animavore » Mon Sep 04, 2017 7:40 pm

I was at a dinner last week where I said Grace.

My girlfriend, Susan, wasn't impressed that I'd said the name of my ex.
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Re: Theists at State event in Belfast upset

Post by JimC » Mon Sep 04, 2017 9:57 pm

Did you ever say "That was amazing, Grace!"?
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Re: Theists at State event in Belfast upset

Post by Svartalf » Mon Sep 04, 2017 10:31 pm

only if hi did her in Scotland
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Re: Theists at State event in Belfast upset

Post by pErvinalia » Tue Sep 05, 2017 12:36 am

Imagine not being able to eat your meal without first thanking magic man... Silly people.
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Re: Theists at State event in Belfast upset

Post by JimC » Tue Sep 05, 2017 12:46 am

The real point is that the Mayor was, quite appropriately, demonstrating the secular principles of the separation of church and state, whereas the god men at the dinner were desperately trying to hold them together as they were in the past. One of them commented "perhaps it is a sign of the times..."

Got that right, for sure...
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Re: Theists at State event in Belfast upset

Post by Brian Peacock » Tue Sep 05, 2017 1:21 am

Awww diddums. The god-bothers can always offer up a silent prayer if they think it's really needed, but really this kind of complaint is about displaying one's holier-than-thou credentials before others (quiet literally).
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