And thats why i Never speak to the bible bashers ,they are so arrogant in their Belief is better than anyone elses ! God loves us all there is NO exceptions
Goodness me. The dissonance on this is something else. It made me angry listening to the ignorance and hatred. Sad to listen to the way it impacted on you talking to them. You did a great job being respectful, curious and professional in the face of their twisty, windy, made no sense interpretation of this bit of scripture.
oh yes indeed or even vice versa... I've got a knackered back at the mo but should be up and charging about by autumn rather than hobbling around going 'ouch that's certainly a bit of a tweak' and other honest-not-swearing type words :)
Wow. There’s so much to unpick here. Firstly this is an extraordinary podcast. Mike the poet was wonderful and it was lovely to hear him read his poetry. We don’t hear enough poetry in everyday life. Then secondly! Whoah! I could hear the exact moment the conversation turned and I wanted to reach into my speakers and say run Jim. Don’t engage with them. But of course you are a brilliant journalist and that instinct to challenge and call to account kicked in. I wouldn’t have been as brave. This isn’t the place for my opinions on organised religion. Jim knows I’m not a fan. But I’m interested to know if they were out and about representing the church officially or if they had just taken it upon themselves to talk to people. It’ll be interesting to see if the church reacts. The chap seemed uncomfortable with having been recorded saying the things he’d said - but he had been told you were recording. Their opinions obviously evoked a deep and unresolved pain from your childhood Jim. I believe everything happens for a reason and in the power of counselling . There was a reason they came over to talk. Take this experience and turn it into a positive for your life. They are beyond help. You’ll never change the minds of people like that.
Thank you, Georgy. It was quite an afternoon ... I agree we need more poetry in our lives!
I contemplated not engaging with them but hey, the recorder was already running and I wanted to see where it went. I was determined that it wouldn't become a shouting match, that I'd be rigorous but give them the space they needed too.
There's been no response as yet - to the best of my knowledge, at least - from the church itself. I'm slightly surprised about that, but maybe they'll break cover soon, perhaps after Sunday?
And yes, it dredged up a lot from my childhood that could happily have stayed at the bottom of the river. But luckily, I've dealt with most of it over the years through therapy, counselling etc.
Kudos to Michael and his poetry, but the final part filled me with anger and frustration.
Religion is a powerful control, and so many vulnerable people get caught up in bizarre interpretations of ancient scriptures, which may (or not) be the result of cultural constraints at the time they were written... We are all good enough, and deserve to be loved, not judged.
You handled that…encounter…so admirably and nobly. I have nothing but awe and respect. I certainly would not have been able to respond in anywhere near as eloquent a manner as you did, and I am fortunate enough to have absolutely no religious trauma (and admittedly very little knowledge of religion at all). My heartfelt respect and sympathy to you.
Absolutely adored the poetry. I’ve come to appreciating poetry only lately, after hating it for most of my life - I’m 41. Mostly due to not understanding it. Michael’s work was a gift.
Also, if you ever venture to the wilds of Wem, I’ll come sit on a bench with you!!
Thank you, Maaike, that's very kind of you indeed. I'm so glad you enjoyed Michael's poetry, too. If you venture into Shrewsbury, find his books at Pengwern Books https://www.pengwernbooks.co.uk?
I think I should sit on a bench in Wem, if you'll join me! Which would be a good bench to choose? And would any day or time be better for you than others?
That was actually a really fun listen. I mean, it wasn't, but it was – you stayed calm and pleasant, asked reasonable questions, and gave them as much rope as they needed. Sounds to me like your therapy did a damn fine job, you clearly have a grounding now that is just about unbreakable. Shakeable perhaps, but not breakable. Nice work, Jim.
Thank you, Jon. A lot of people seem to have enjoyed it very much! And I suppose I did, once I'd recovered from the after-effects. It was certainly quite satisfying. You're right, therapy/counselling has helped a lot. As you say, I'm still shakeable, but perhaps that's not such a bad thing ...
Those two gentlemen really expose the problem with Religion as opposed to Faith and while they are making a nuisance of themselves in Shrewsbury Square then we can cope, regrettably they and their friends seem to be very close to running the planet.
Maybe it's a good job you left the diazepam at home Jim, with the craziness in the world just now you couldn't take enough not to feel permanently anxious and without a foothold. I feel like I've been in an earthquake and waiting for the aftershocks. Emotionally it's making me walk funny but the pancakes help.
Good point, Paul. I am now carrying diazepam with me - it's prescribed for me to use only at the moments I really need it, like the one you heard - but you're absolutely right, the craziness in the world is far outpacing my or medication's ability to cope with it. But hey, that's what music is for ...
Thank you, Alex. Not quite sure what led me to add that extra pay-off at the end of the episode, but ... it was sincere. The Hello You family means a lot to me.
Goodness me. The dissonance on this is something else. It made me angry listening to the ignorance and hatred. Sad to listen to the way it impacted on you talking to them. You did a great job being respectful, curious and professional in the face of their twisty, windy, made no sense interpretation of this bit of scripture.
And thats why i Never speak to the bible bashers ,they are so arrogant in their Belief is better than anyone elses ! God loves us all there is NO exceptions
Goodness me. The dissonance on this is something else. It made me angry listening to the ignorance and hatred. Sad to listen to the way it impacted on you talking to them. You did a great job being respectful, curious and professional in the face of their twisty, windy, made no sense interpretation of this bit of scripture.
Thank you, Sarah. I think it hit me so hard afterwards, because I'd been trying so hard to stay calm while it was happening!
bloody hell
you're a brilliant interviewer and a really fantastic person Jim. I'm glad I know you.
Thank you, Joe, that's very kind of you indeed. We must catch up over coffee sometime. Wanna be on the podcast?
Would love to but I'm in Liverpool these days boss
Oh! Well, I’m happy to include a coffee meet-up in a day out in Liverpool …
oh yes indeed or even vice versa... I've got a knackered back at the mo but should be up and charging about by autumn rather than hobbling around going 'ouch that's certainly a bit of a tweak' and other honest-not-swearing type words :)
Wow. There’s so much to unpick here. Firstly this is an extraordinary podcast. Mike the poet was wonderful and it was lovely to hear him read his poetry. We don’t hear enough poetry in everyday life. Then secondly! Whoah! I could hear the exact moment the conversation turned and I wanted to reach into my speakers and say run Jim. Don’t engage with them. But of course you are a brilliant journalist and that instinct to challenge and call to account kicked in. I wouldn’t have been as brave. This isn’t the place for my opinions on organised religion. Jim knows I’m not a fan. But I’m interested to know if they were out and about representing the church officially or if they had just taken it upon themselves to talk to people. It’ll be interesting to see if the church reacts. The chap seemed uncomfortable with having been recorded saying the things he’d said - but he had been told you were recording. Their opinions obviously evoked a deep and unresolved pain from your childhood Jim. I believe everything happens for a reason and in the power of counselling . There was a reason they came over to talk. Take this experience and turn it into a positive for your life. They are beyond help. You’ll never change the minds of people like that.
Thank you, Georgy. It was quite an afternoon ... I agree we need more poetry in our lives!
I contemplated not engaging with them but hey, the recorder was already running and I wanted to see where it went. I was determined that it wouldn't become a shouting match, that I'd be rigorous but give them the space they needed too.
There's been no response as yet - to the best of my knowledge, at least - from the church itself. I'm slightly surprised about that, but maybe they'll break cover soon, perhaps after Sunday?
And yes, it dredged up a lot from my childhood that could happily have stayed at the bottom of the river. But luckily, I've dealt with most of it over the years through therapy, counselling etc.
Blimey. That was a roller coaster, Jim!
Kudos to Michael and his poetry, but the final part filled me with anger and frustration.
Religion is a powerful control, and so many vulnerable people get caught up in bizarre interpretations of ancient scriptures, which may (or not) be the result of cultural constraints at the time they were written... We are all good enough, and deserve to be loved, not judged.
❤️
Yes agree the poetry was lovely by Michael
As you've gathered, Annie, it was quite an afternoon!
You handled that…encounter…so admirably and nobly. I have nothing but awe and respect. I certainly would not have been able to respond in anywhere near as eloquent a manner as you did, and I am fortunate enough to have absolutely no religious trauma (and admittedly very little knowledge of religion at all). My heartfelt respect and sympathy to you.
Absolutely adored the poetry. I’ve come to appreciating poetry only lately, after hating it for most of my life - I’m 41. Mostly due to not understanding it. Michael’s work was a gift.
Also, if you ever venture to the wilds of Wem, I’ll come sit on a bench with you!!
Thank you, Maaike, that's very kind of you indeed. I'm so glad you enjoyed Michael's poetry, too. If you venture into Shrewsbury, find his books at Pengwern Books https://www.pengwernbooks.co.uk?
I think I should sit on a bench in Wem, if you'll join me! Which would be a good bench to choose? And would any day or time be better for you than others?
That was actually a really fun listen. I mean, it wasn't, but it was – you stayed calm and pleasant, asked reasonable questions, and gave them as much rope as they needed. Sounds to me like your therapy did a damn fine job, you clearly have a grounding now that is just about unbreakable. Shakeable perhaps, but not breakable. Nice work, Jim.
Thank you, Jon. A lot of people seem to have enjoyed it very much! And I suppose I did, once I'd recovered from the after-effects. It was certainly quite satisfying. You're right, therapy/counselling has helped a lot. As you say, I'm still shakeable, but perhaps that's not such a bad thing ...
Those two gentlemen really expose the problem with Religion as opposed to Faith and while they are making a nuisance of themselves in Shrewsbury Square then we can cope, regrettably they and their friends seem to be very close to running the planet.
Maybe it's a good job you left the diazepam at home Jim, with the craziness in the world just now you couldn't take enough not to feel permanently anxious and without a foothold. I feel like I've been in an earthquake and waiting for the aftershocks. Emotionally it's making me walk funny but the pancakes help.
Good point, Paul. I am now carrying diazepam with me - it's prescribed for me to use only at the moments I really need it, like the one you heard - but you're absolutely right, the craziness in the world is far outpacing my or medication's ability to cope with it. But hey, that's what music is for ...
Love you Jim. X
Thank you, Alex. Not quite sure what led me to add that extra pay-off at the end of the episode, but ... it was sincere. The Hello You family means a lot to me.
Goodness me. The dissonance on this is something else. It made me angry listening to the ignorance and hatred. Sad to listen to the way it impacted on you talking to them. You did a great job being respectful, curious and professional in the face of their twisty, windy, made no sense interpretation of this bit of scripture.
I think 'hell' is where those two people think I'm going! Thank you, Phil, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I've recovered now!