Vogon poetry, no doubt.
Posted on 12/11/2008 8:29:34 PM PST by nickcarraway
CHRISTIAN protesters demonstrated outside the Welsh Assembly today against a poetry reading by a controversial writer.
About 250 people gathered in Cardiff Bay as Patrick Jones was preparing to read his work inside the Assembly, after being invited to appear there by two AMs.
Their objections, and those of several politicians, have not been able to stop the reading from going ahead.
The Conservative leader in the Assembly, Nick Bourne, said he thought that Mr Jones’ work may even breach laws on inciting religious hatred.
Mr Bourne said: “I have great concern about the home of Welsh democracy being used to promote poetry that is anti-Christian.
“I would say the same if it was against any known religion.”
Mr Jones was invited to give a reading at the Assembly when the book chain Waterstone’s cancelled a book signing at a shop in Cardiff last month, following a complaint by the group Christian Voice.
Liberal Democrat AM Peter Black asked Mr Jones to read from his latest book, Darkness Is Where The Stars Are, to make sure the poet was not “gagged”.
One of his poems that has offended Christians, called Hymn, includes a reference to Mary Magdalene having sex with Jesus.
Christian voice leader Stephen Green condemned he use of the Welsh Assembly building for what he dubbed a ``blasphemous'' poetry reading, claiming: ``Britain is a theocracy, like it or not.''
Mr Jones was due to give a reading at midday while Mr Green addressed a crowd of 250 outside who sang hymns and prayed.
“The Queen in her Coronation swore on the Holy Bible to abide by the laws and rules of the land,” he said.
“That should apply to all seats of her government everywhere in the UK.”
Mr Jones was invited to speak at the Senedd by Mr Black and his Labour colleague Lorraine Barrett AM.
Mr Green said: “I didn’t want to get party political about this, but I’ve had a number of letters of support from members of the Assembly.
“The Conservative group has come out against this locally and many Plaid Cymru members have too.
“I am not taking sides, I’m just telling it how it is.”
As My precious Welsh Grandmother would always say “God is Not Mocked!” Gal.6.7
Vogon poetry, no doubt.
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