THE INDIGNATION OF MR PAUL DACRE
A few years ago when I was working for the probation service I had a client who boasted a strong moral compass, he would not, he explained, burgle anyone who could ‘not take the hit.’ Everyone he burgled was covered by insurance. When I tried to convey to him the sense of invasion and violation experienced by burglary victims he was unmoved, ‘if they didn’t want to risk this they shouldn’t have so many possessions.’
I though of this client the other day whilst watching Paul Dacre editor of the Daily Mail, draped from head to foot in righteous indignation after the Mail was attacked by Hugh Grant.
Incidentally the front page of today’s Mail is worth a laugh.*
'Christianity under attack: Anger as major court rulings go against British worshippers
• Town hall prayers banned in 'assault on Britain's Christian heritage'
• Judge rules tradition unlawful after he upholds discrimination complaint
• Government says it is 'surprised and disappointed' by the decision
• Prayers at Parliament and Forces chaplains could be next to be outlawed*'
Whenever I see this kind of indignant claptrap I think of the poem by G K Chesterton, hardly a member of the atheist camp.
'A Bill which has shocked the conscience of every Christian community in Europe.' -- Mr. F.E. Smith, on the Welsh Disestablishment Bill.
ARE they clinging to their crosses,
F.E. Smith,
Where the Breton boat-fleet tosses,
Are they, Smith?
Do they, fasting, trembling, bleeding,
Wait the news from this our city?
Groaning 'That's the Second Reading!'
Hissing 'There is still Committee!'
If the voice of Cecil falters,
If McKenna's point has pith,
Do they tremble for their altars?
Do they, Smith?
Russian peasants round their pope
Huddled, Smith,
Hear about it all, I hope,
Don't they, Smith?
In the mountain hamlets clothing
Peaks beyond Caucasian pales,
Where Establishment means nothing
And they never heard of Wales,
Do they read it all in Hansard
With a crib to read it with --
'Welsh Tithes: Dr Clifford Answered.'
Really, Smith?
In the lands where Christians were,
F.E. Smith,
In the little lands laid bare,
Smith, O Smith!
Where the Turkish bands are busy
And the Tory name is blessed
Since they hailed the Cross of Dizzy
On the banners from the West!
Men don't think it half so hard if
Islam burns their kin and kith,
Since a curate lives in Cardiff
Saved by Smith.
It would greatly, I must own,
Soothe me, Smith!
If you left this theme alone,
Holy Smith!
For your legal cause or civil
You fight well and get your fee;
For your God or dream or devil
You will answer, not to me.
Talk about the pews and steeples
And the Cash that goes therewith!
But the souls of Christian peoples . . .
Chuck it, Smith!
G. K. Chesterton
Substitute Dacre for Smith and with some alteration, there you have it.
*http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2099300/Councils-BANNED-saying-prayers-meetings-sparking-fury-Government-church-leaders.html#ixzz1m4aRjAMD
I though of this client the other day whilst watching Paul Dacre editor of the Daily Mail, draped from head to foot in righteous indignation after the Mail was attacked by Hugh Grant.
Incidentally the front page of today’s Mail is worth a laugh.*
'Christianity under attack: Anger as major court rulings go against British worshippers
• Town hall prayers banned in 'assault on Britain's Christian heritage'
• Judge rules tradition unlawful after he upholds discrimination complaint
• Government says it is 'surprised and disappointed' by the decision
• Prayers at Parliament and Forces chaplains could be next to be outlawed*'
Whenever I see this kind of indignant claptrap I think of the poem by G K Chesterton, hardly a member of the atheist camp.
Antichrist, or the Reunion of Christendom: An Ode
ARE they clinging to their crosses,
F.E. Smith,
Where the Breton boat-fleet tosses,
Are they, Smith?
Do they, fasting, trembling, bleeding,
Wait the news from this our city?
Groaning 'That's the Second Reading!'
Hissing 'There is still Committee!'
If the voice of Cecil falters,
If McKenna's point has pith,
Do they tremble for their altars?
Do they, Smith?
Russian peasants round their pope
Huddled, Smith,
Hear about it all, I hope,
Don't they, Smith?
In the mountain hamlets clothing
Peaks beyond Caucasian pales,
Where Establishment means nothing
And they never heard of Wales,
Do they read it all in Hansard
With a crib to read it with --
'Welsh Tithes: Dr Clifford Answered.'
Really, Smith?
In the lands where Christians were,
F.E. Smith,
In the little lands laid bare,
Smith, O Smith!
Where the Turkish bands are busy
And the Tory name is blessed
Since they hailed the Cross of Dizzy
On the banners from the West!
Men don't think it half so hard if
Islam burns their kin and kith,
Since a curate lives in Cardiff
Saved by Smith.
It would greatly, I must own,
Soothe me, Smith!
If you left this theme alone,
Holy Smith!
For your legal cause or civil
You fight well and get your fee;
For your God or dream or devil
You will answer, not to me.
Talk about the pews and steeples
And the Cash that goes therewith!
But the souls of Christian peoples . . .
Chuck it, Smith!
G. K. Chesterton
Substitute Dacre for Smith and with some alteration, there you have it.
*http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2099300/Councils-BANNED-saying-prayers-meetings-sparking-fury-Government-church-leaders.html#ixzz1m4aRjAMD
