First, the town is basically being closed down. I've received several departmental emails at work encouraging me to take leave and basically bugger off. So I have, one week rec leave to avoid flagellating hoards of street-blocking pilgrims. (Not going anywhere though, Mr Brown doesn't work in the CBD so he's not got the time off - bugger it.) I may take in a movie or two at the local cinema and read some books.Then we are told access to parks and dozens of secular venues will be stopped and millions and millions of taxpayers' dollars ($95 million or more) has been spent on a religious event catering for only a few (relatively speaking).
And then the final straw. The NSW Government introduces these draconian laws that effectively mean you can't say BOO to a pilgrim. You risk a $5500 fine. Although, as the divine Julian Morrow has pointed out, it's not illegal to annoy World Youth Day participants - it's only illegal to not stop if Mr Plod tells you to, since the rather lovely folk of the Rural Fire Service and State Emergency Service have refused to take on the additional powers.
So the lovely folk over at Remo are encouraging a little gentle fun poking at the event, a t-shirt design competition. I can't decide which one to get - here are some of the favourites.
*Disclaimer*Yes, I am an atheist. No I don't have a problem with the religion of others, only when the morals or values or belief are pressed upon me. Yes, World (Catholic) Youth (except if you are a priest or a bishop) Day (week) is an event many will attend and enjoy and good luck to them, but this religious event should NOT be funded by the tax dollars of a secular government and should not shut down the CBD of Australia's major city.
I bet the French wouldn't let this happen in Paris - now there's a bunch of folk who really believe in the separation of Church and State thing.
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10 comments:
Well, holy shit!! That sounds terrible.
My favorite T-shirt is the one with the lightbulb.
Cookie, it is indeed not a good thing. I too like the lightbulb tee but I'm also rather taken with the Inquisition one (but that may just be because of the skull & crossbones).
High Holy Hell!
I like the inquisition one, and the one about $5500 being a small price to pay to annoy the Catholics.
Tee hee.
I can't decide between the inquisition one, the lion one and then the closing of the minds one... I'll have to try and get one of each.
You could always move to the US, we have a very strict constitution that prevents the State from doing stuff like this - Well at least we used to....
Hi -
I wasn't familiar with the acronym "CBD" so I Googled it. I kid you not, the first two links listed were for "Catholic Book Distributors"!
I then added Australia and learned it means Central Business District.
;o)
- Lee
Well, shopping's been done, A WWRDD & a fine me now!
Lee, you made me laugh & laugh.
You'd think that with all those fervent catholics in one spot, SOMEONE should be able to sort out the catering from a few loaves and fishes, and save the tax dollars???
tee hee (I get to laugh properly, good, long and hard, me being a lapsed gay catholic that has a pre-booked ticket in down town hell - I bet there will be a bloody Starbucks there)
Roo - There certainly is a loaves & fishes shirt in amongst the bunch. I too am allowed to laugh long and hard - I survived Catholic school after all!
The real issue, and one that strikes at the very fabric of our society, is this...
What would have happened if World Youth Day was a Muslim festival?
Anyone who lives in Australia already knows the answer.
(And I must order the "Sponsor a Lion" and the "Still Annoyed About The Inquisition" T-Shirts before it's too late.
Mr Bear, you're right of couse, there would be no such cooperation if the festival wasn't christian. And click my free t-shirt link, it's remo and that's where the shirts are from (never too late!).
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