Grr................. Anne Atkins

Render unto Caesar?

Give me one story from the bible which shows God as having a bias towards powerful people.

He's not powerful himself either. If he ever thought he was he must have given that one up long ago.

I read it too. Thanks for the link, jings. She says at one point: " Judeo-Christian Scripture is full of God’s bias to the vulnerable: the poor, the dispossessed, the underclass" which may well be true, but she omits to mention that the same scripture is also full of stories which suggest the same God's bias towards the powerful, namely himself. Not to mention all the cruelty, primitive tribalism and misogyny

However, some of what she says is worthy (used that word because 'interesting' didn't seem quite right; substitutions welcome).

Having read the text (Thank you, jingle) I do agree with much of what she says, apart from 'Not God’s punishment for sin, but the inevitable consequence of it'- why should the woman be subjugated by the man because they had both sinned?

It is both for me, Jess. She always sounds like a headmistress giving the whole school a good telling-off and I don't like her brand of Christianity.

It is perhaps as much her tone of voice as what she says?

Thank you Greatnan !

Kittylester - no need to duck, all shades of opinion are welcomed (even those with which we don't agree) and we will defend to the death your right to hold them.

If anyone is still interested in listening to it, here is the item

It's actually about a lot more than biological fathers! (I was half asleep when I heard it )

No we didn't, kittlester, but bravo for giving your honest opinion!
Some of her articles contain a lot of common sense; I think it's just her slightly old-fashioned and dare I say smug attitude that irritates me sometimes.

I really dislike watching Ann Leslie, she seems so self important nowadays.

I have followed Ann Atkins for ages, I think she used to write a column in a woman's magazine, and have always felt quite an affinity with her. She has lots of children, dogs and admits to enjoying a drink (she could be my twin !!) and I have always found her to be honest about her family problems, some of them.

Did we ever get a [ducksbehindthesofa] emoticon?

Yes, I always enjoyed his little chuckles! He has been quite ill for some time.

He was great!

Ann Atkins on Radio 4 Thought for the Day slot.
I agree. Pompous.
Sad that the sweet rabbi Blue has pretty much retired. I remember where I was when he "came out" on Thought for the Day. Sigh. They have failed to find anyone else to come even close.

I'm usually dishevelled and inoherent by the end of election night, Anagram. Jeremy Vine often has me losing the will to live

I'll never forget watching her on election night - I think she really was drunk! She was decidedly dishevelled and almost incoherent by the time I stopped watching...(not you, Merlot!)

That's Ann Leslie merlotgran not you! Well not so early in the evening anyway

Yes and Anagram is right she does sound drunk. Her vowels are horribly convoluted.

Anagram Thought you were talking about me for a moment. Cheers!!

HURRAH nightowl Now I can stop googling, Wrinkly, middle east correspondent who goes on Question Time.

I bet she is! I couldn't remember her name - she always seems drunk to me!

merlotgran are you thinking of Ann Leslie?

I think the important thing is to be able to engage in debate without taking it personally, when people disagree with your views. This is not to say I always manage to do that. .
I would much rather the debate remained sparky, lively and challenging. Nice sounds a bit boring to me, though I certainly wouldn't like nasty.
I also think that this forum is a paragon of good behaviour compared with some of the others, where the mods have to tell people off all the time.

Thanks, Anagram, I wonder who I'm thinking of?

Retournons a nos moutons!
I do realise that anecdotal stories from one family do not count as evidence, but I would like to say how hurtful it can be for a mother who is deserted by the biological father and then is told that her son will be damaged.
My daughter was in this position, but married a wonderful man who has been better than most biological fathers. Her oldest son is hugely successful in his career, happy, well balanced and popular. I am sure other members have similar stories to tell.