I've been enjoying a variety of science theory and fact based documentaries/lectures on television over the last few weeks. Though one reoccurring aspect has, I found, distracted and detracted from that.
Now while I appreciate that there are probably going to be various moments when others won't agree with me - having a different belief system - I also don't expect insult, or at best, discriminatory/inflammatory comment direct from institutions or others publicly associated with higher education, with all due respect.
I don't like feeling, nor do I expect does anyone else, that my views aren't being adequately expressed or that there's a particularly aggressive negative one being prejudicially pedalled and persuasively portrayed at my expense. Especially when it's communicated through a public medium (television) and from a stand view of (more or less) higher intellect.
Perhaps it's only my view that it appears that if one believes in anything of a spiritual nature you're openly mocked, ridiculed and/or otherwise stygmatised as fair game for attack by the instruments of the media and that this at least encourages political dismissal. In effect, by virtue of pedestalled accept, and as thus placed in front of any class of camera, the speaker can appear above the law by dispensing their own perspective as fact by actively demoting another to - that held only by idiots, fools or otherwise (to keep it simple) the stupid.
Point in principle, if there's no need to mention then the implication by the choice to make reference is that a potential discrimination is inherent. To whit:-
To "Woo Woo" - used in description and explained by Brian Cox (of whom, I'm otherwise a fan of).
The BBC's Christmas Lectures (2011), when Professor Bruce Hood mentions mind reading as some belief considered possible only by the deluded.
In particular: -
Definition
Although non-specific concepts of madness have been around for several thousand years, the psychiatrist and philosopher Karl Jaspers was the first to define the three main criteria for a belief to be considered delusional in his 1913 bookGeneral Psychopathology.[2] These criteria are:
- certainty (held with absolute conviction)
- incorrigibility (not changeable by compelling counterargument or proof to the contrary)
- impossibility or falsity of content (implausible, bizarre or patently untrue)[3]
Furthermore, when a false belief involves a value judgment, it is only considered as a delusion if it is so extreme that it cannot be or ever can be proven true (example: a man claims that he flew into the sun and flew back home. This would be considered a delusion). [4]
Now in my humble opinion that description seems more accurately applied to those that decry the ability or potential in terms already outlined.
So, anyway......
A few quotes....
"Guidance on new measures to outlaw discrimination on grounds of religion or belief in the provision of goods, facilities and services
(Part 2, Equality Act 2006)
"Foreword
We are delighted to introduce this guidance on new measures outlawing discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and religion or belief in the provision of goods, facilities and services, education, the use and disposal of premises and the exercise of public functions.
Modern British society is founded on the principles on which this legislation is based: fairness, tolerance, decency and respect. These are the principles that have seen this Government take great strides towards a more equal society over the last decade, not least through similar legislation outlawing discrimination on these grounds in employment.
The new protections are mutually supportive. While the case for new legislation in both areas was widely accepted, there was concern that in safeguarding the rights of one group, the sometimes competing rights of another may be infringed. The Government recognised the sensitivity of these issues, which go to the very heart of our society. These measures we have brought forward protect the rights of individuals and organisations to hold religious beliefs while also ensuring that everyone lives a life free from harmful discrimination. "
"This document sets out guidance on Part 2 of the Equality Act 2006, and its implications for organisations within the private, public and voluntary sectors. The religion or belief provisions of Part 2 prohibit discrimination on grounds of religion or belief (or lack of religion or belief) in the provision of goods, facilities and services, in education, in the use and disposal of premises, and in the exercise of public functions. They provide protection from religion or belief discrimination that is on a par with the protection already provided on grounds of race and sex, as well as new measures prohibiting discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. The religion or belief provisions of Part 2 do not deal with employment.1 Nor do they make specific provision to cover harassment2"
."Commencement
The religion or belief provisions of Part 2 of the Act came into effect on 30th April 2007.3"
"1 Discrimination on grounds of religion or belief in employment and vocational training has been unlawful since December 2003 under the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003. The Act however does make one minor change to the definitions of religion or belief and of direct discrimination in the 2003 Regulations.
2 Specific consideration is to be given through the Discrimination Law Review to the subject of harassment on the grounds of religion or belief outside the employment context (harassment in the workplace is covered by the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003).
3 The Act and its Explanatory Notes, can be found at http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2006.htm
4 Further information about the Commission For Equality and Human Rights can be obtained on their website, at http://www.cehr.org.uk/."
"Making claims
Complaints may be made to the courts under Part 2 by individuals who believe that they have been discriminated against on the grounds of religion or belief. This process is explained in more detail in the section below on ‘making a claim’, including advice on what to do if you feel that you have been discriminated against."
"Further information on the Equality Act in general, or on this guidance (but not on individual claims) can be obtained from the Department for Communities and Local Government at EqualityActEnquiries@communities.gsi.gov.uk
(please head your enquiry “Part 2 of the Equality Act 2006”)"
"Part 2 also outlaws discrimination on grounds of lack of religion or belief. It will therefore be unlawful to discriminate against someone on the grounds, for example, that they do not belong to a particular religion (or any religion at all), or that they do not adhere to a particular belief, such as Humanism."
Incidentally,
Regarding questions of legitimacy, may I point out, (if anyone's prepared to be childish), I was first to say "You started it" and, before anyone says "My Dad's Bigger", are we talking about "Our Father" ?
A few more quotes:-
Instructing or causing discrimination
The religion or belief provisions of Part 2 make it unlawful for a person to instruct, or cause, another person to discriminate in a way which is unlawful under Part 2. Only the Commission for Equality and Human Rights will be entitled to bring proceedings in respect of a contravention which, once it is fully operational, it may do using its powers set out in section 25 of the Act.
Aiding unlawful acts
It is unlawful knowingly to help another person to do anything which is unlawful under the religion or belief provisions of Part 2.
Territorial application
The religion or belief provisions of Part 2 apply to anything done in Great Britain5; and to the provision of facilities for travel on, and benefits, facilities or services provided on, a British aircraft, ship or hovercraft. Goods, facilities and services where individuals or organisations enter the public realm to provide a service to the public at large, they should accept business from people of all walks of life and provide services to the public as it is constituted – not pick and choose who will benefit or be served.
The provisions of Part 2 of the Equality Act require providers of goods, facilities and services to ensure that they are not treating their customers unfairly on the grounds of religion or belief, just as they are already required not to treat their employees unfairly on these grounds.6
Unlawful treatment of customers on the grounds of religion or belief includes:
Providing goods facilities or services in a less favourable manner or on less favourable terms than would normally be the case (eg in a hostile or less courteous way).
The religion or belief provisions of Part 2 apply to all forms of goods, facilities and services. The Act gives as examples the following goods, facilities and services in the provision of which discrimination on grounds of religion or belief would be unlawful:
– Access to and use of a place that the public is permitted to enter;
– Accommodation in establishments such as hotels and boarding houses;
– Facilities for banking/insurance, or for grants, loans, credit or finance;
– Facilities for entertainment, recreation or refreshment;
– Facilities for transport or travel;
– Professional or trade services.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive.
Discrimination is unlawful whether or not a charge is made for the goods, facilities or services concerned.
Actions instigated by the Commission For Equality and Human Rights
The Commission for Equality and Human Rights will be responsible for enforcement of the discriminatory advertising and discriminatory practice provisions of Part 2. The only criminal offences created by the Regulations relate to the making of false statements that acts or advertisements are not discriminatory.
Among other things the Commission may:
• conduct an investigation where it suspects that a person or organisation may have contravened these Regulations;
• apply to a court for an injunction (in England and Wales) or an interdict (in Scotland) where it suspects that a person or organisation will, unless stopped, commit an act of unlawful discrimination under these Regulations.
Guidance on new measures to outlaw discrimination on grounds of religion or belief in provision of goods, facilities and services (Part 2, Equality Act 2006)1
