Thought For The day

The former Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks was on the BBC Today programme’s ‘Thought for the Day’ slot this morning. On the morning after Israel’s general election, in which the two leading parties both espouse the annexation of  more Palestinian territory (much of which is already under military occupation) I thought he might have something to say about that. Perhaps some soothing, thoughtful and inspirational insights? Not a bit of it. All we got was a paean of praise for outgoing presenter John Humphrys (who at 76 should have gone ages ago. Ooopps! Ageist!) What a pleasant little club. But I wonder if Sacks could recall what Humphrys said about Though for the Day?  ‘Deeply boring.’ Say no more.
 
But I will say more! According to the British Social Attitudes Survey, conducted by the National Centre for Social Research, the UK population is now 52% non-religious. Perhaps, like the 51.9% who voted for Brexit, our voices must be obeyed! Do or die! Thankfully, for most of the non-religious majority in this country, there is no compulsive behaviour disorder which makes us believe that everybody else has to think as we do—although the time has obviously come to disestablish the Church of England. Only 12% of the population describe themselves as ‘Anglican.’
 
So it was good to see that a British jury unanimously found an 80-year old woman not guilty of the murder of her 81-year old husband who was terminally ill with bowel cancer. This was clearly a case of compassion above all else, not something driven by religious—or any other kind—of dogma.