While Martin Amis pens anti-Islamism fiction on behalf of the religion of Atheism, and the Bisexual Word God, Christopher Hitchens, peddles anti-Islamism non-fiction wherever long fancy words are allowed, yet a further sign of religious intolerance is to be found in the hell that's befallen the 200-year-old British Christian bookshop chain, once known as SPCK (Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge). SPCK transferred the chain to the US trust Saint Stephen the Great (SSG) last year. The shops are now called SSG "to reinforce their Christian values."
The trust is run by two Texan Orthodox Christian brothers - Phil and Mark Brewer - whose principal agenda is to "rescue abandoned Christian churches" from the Muslim and Sikh heathen (particularly in areas of "large ethnic populations") who would turn these churches into mosques and temples. The acquisition of SPCK's 23 bookshops will aid this purpose (for cash flow presumably) - bookshop staff have even been asked to look out for abandoned churches in need of saving.
Staff have not warmed to the Brewers who seem afflicted by a Bush-like cloddishness. One hundred have left since their takeover: 11 staff alone resigned en masse from the Exeter branch in October. Many complain of stock censorship: the Qur’an can no longer be bought at SSG shops - a development at odds with the original SPCK objective to "improve understanding between Christians and Muslims." The Brewers' new work contracts have appalled employees: reportedly, all staff will be required to work when told to, including Sundays and bank holidays, and to undertake janatorial duties. Part-timers will be treated as casuals. Questioned on Radio 4 this morning, Mark Brewer claimed that some staff had been unable to make the necessary transition - a nice euphemistic way of saying that many staff will not be treated as shit.
The Brewers admire St Stephen the Great because after each battle fought against the Muslim Turks he built a commemorative Christian church. Blessed are the peacemakers! What was once a liberal Christian chain of shops seems now to be turning into a Christian fundamentalist crusader. Most unfortunate in these fractious times.
Church Times views, click here
Staff resignations, click here
SSG video on rescuing churches for Orthodox Christianity, click here
Radio 4 show on the controversy, click here
14 comments:
What a good idea. Anything to stop those third world primitives setting up here.
Can't we ditch all the Middle Eastern stuff and go back to the Ancient Greeks which is the REAL European heritage? I'd show up for a Temple of Apollo
But Duncan, you could set up a Temple of Apollo now and select a handsome δαφνηφόρος (laurel-bearer - how clever the internet makes one seem). It would make a great realty TV show and I could do the astrology.
You disapprove of the Brewers but how many Muslim shops in Britain sell the Holy Bible? Probably zilch.
Yes, Madame A, you could be my Sybil. I'll start looking for premises right away. We could have a Dionysus chapel at the back. For balance.
I'd wear a gold mask of course - like the Sybil in I, Claudius - and give free consultations to my friends followed by tea and a slice of lemon drizzle cake.
<< Can't we ditch all the Middle Eastern stuff and go back to the Ancient Greeks which is the REAL European heritage? >>
Grand idea, Mr. Fallowell !
<< Yes, Madame A, you could be my Sybil. — I'd wear a gold mask of course - like the Sybil in I, Claudius - >>
To hide your blue beard the mask will do, but your deep voice might give you away, chéri. ;-)
<< and give free consultations to my friends followed by tea and a slice of lemon drizzle cake. >>
Nectar and ambrosia for me, please, and nothing else !
Oh yes, and then you could strap on your dildo and prong Caesar! . . . or am I being carried away?
Could this really be Duralex? I think not. However, on with the charade until you lose self-control ... I know women with deeper voices than mine and moustaches to rival Hitler's. Sybil devotees would be none the wiser.
<< Could this really be Duralex? I think not. >>
Any particular reason to doubt it ?
<< However, on with the charade until you lose self-control ... >>
I never lose self-control. As Augustus says in Corneille's "Cinna" : "Je suis maître de moi comme de l'univers". Are you convinced now ? :-)
Well, you disappeared for a while, Duralex. I can't imagine why. I also have in my possession an email purportedly sent by you to someone I know. Of course, it could have been a hoax, but I am not one to bear grudges.
<< Well, you disappeared for a while, Duralex. I can't imagine why. >>
Well, as a matter of fact I was... But no, this is my private life, if you don't mind.
<< I also have in my possession an email purportedly sent by you to someone I know. Of course, it could have been a hoax >>
It certainly was. Do you think I'd be foolish enough to send personal emails to you or any good friend of yours ?
<< but I am not one to bear grudges. >>
Good fellow. May Jupiter bless you. :-)
Rhydian is not gay, I'm quite sure of it. Being a virgin is the height of fashion.
I wasn't thinking of the late Kenneth Williams, who despite his various neurotic hang-ups, was not a virgin (though what he did in bed I can't imagine).
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