Well, You Are How You Feel, Eh?

Being sent a shiny new phone in the post that you were not expecting may sound great, but it could well be a sign you have just been scammed. Criminals might have got into your account, added a new handset to your bill, before asking you to "return" it - to their address. Nearly 30,000 cases like this were recorded last year of what a telecommunications boss described as "at scale, organised crime".

Organised, yes, but like any good scam, reliant on the naivety and/or greed of the mark. As Longrider has frequently pointed out...

So, what sort of greedy naive idiot has fallen for this one? 

The Reverend Jenny Seggar, rector of the Two Rivers Benefice near Ipswich, fell victim to this type of fraud last year and told the BBC's Scam Secrets podcast how the "very plausible" technique unfolded.

There follows a story few people wouldn’t have smelled a rat with! 

When Seggar contacted Tesco Mobile, staff told her the QR code led to a private address - meaning the fraudsters had bagged themselves a brand new iPhone and Apple Watch. "I got back into the car and I thought, 'Oh, I think I've just been really stupid. I don't like how this feels'," Seggaar added.

Yes, you have. 

Seggar's experience is part of a pattern of increasingly sophisticated scam activity across the telecommunications industry. 

Not really that sophisticated at all  

So, They DO Believe In Something At Our Top Christian Site After All!

No, of course it isn't God. It's the other fella:

The Wind in the Willows is one of the most beloved books of British children’s literature, but while most people think of the jolly adventures of Toad, Mole and Rat, Kenneth Grahame’s 1908 story has a darker side. And it was a step too far for the Beadle security guards at Westminster Abbey, who told a visitor wearing a sweatshirt with an illustration from the book that she had to take it off because it was “an image of the devil”.

Reader, it wasn't any such thing!  

Chapter seven of the book is entitled Piper at the Gates of Dawn – borrowed by Pink Floyd for the title of their debut album in 1967 – in which the doughty animals encounter a variation of the Greek satyr-like god Pan while searching for Otter’s missing son. It was this image as envisaged by the artist W Graham Robertson for the cover of the first edition of the book that was used by folklore magazine Hellebore on its clothing and merchandise, and which Linsey Teggert – a self-confessed folklore fan and “history nerd” – was wearing on a visit to the abbey on Monday morning.

“We walked through the security scanner at the entrance but then one of the security guards called me back. I just thought he wanted to check my bag or something. “Then he said I’d have to take off the top or cover it up because it was an image of the devil and it might offend people in the abbey.”

If she had nothing but a bra undernreath would that not offend more people? 

Linsey argued that it wasn’t the devil, but a representation of Pan.

Foolish to try to argue theology with some minimum wage security drone - he doesn't have any autonomy, and probably comes from a culture alien to British folklore or Greek mythology - he likely has a list of 'offensive things' spelled out for him he can't - nd won't -  deviate from.

She said: “I started to tell him, because I’m a total history nerd, that there are loads of folklore and mythology-related carvings inside the abbey, and I was talking about the Green Man, but he wasn’t having it. He said: ‘Well, it’s got horns and it’s demonic.’

See? 

A spokesperson for Westminster Abbey said the abbey has a dress code that says: “As Westminster Abbey is a church and place of daily worship, we ask you to show respect and sensitivity in the way you dress.”

She added: “I think it’s possible that the message on the clothing was misinterpreted. We will share this feedback with our security colleagues.”

Might I suggest a new T-Shirt for your next visir, Linsey? Probably get a smile and a thumb's up from security wearing this.... 

That Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act Is Going Well, Then...

A senior academic has been reported to police after allegedly making ­sectarian comments at an anti-racism rally.

Oh. 

Jeanette Findlay, an economics professor at Glasgow University, spoke at the event in Glasgow on Saturday. She is chairman and founding member of Call it Out, a campaign against anti-Irish racism and anti-Catholic bigotry.

And her chosen method is....Protestant bigotry!  

In a recording of her speech to protesters, shared on social media platform X, Professor Findlay said members of the Orange Order were at the event. She said they ‘swim in the same dirty water as the racists who are in Luton or London’ and claimed ‘anti-fascist’ protesters had been ‘kettled’ by ‘political police’ at the event. Professor Findlay said: ‘When you say you won’t allow the Right on your streets, can I remind you that the Right march our streets every week 11 months of the year – and in particular in July, when they take over the whole city from the first hour of the morning to the last hour at night. You need to stand with us and our community and protect our churches, our places of ­worship, when those b******* are going past us.’

Protect them from people marching past, not actually doing anything other than existing? What a snowflake.

The professor is also seen in another video shared on X ­asking a police officer who is telling her to move on: ‘Are you moving the Huns?’

Well, I'm learning new epithets for religious bigotry, not sure of the derivation of that one...  

A Police Scotland spokesman said: ‘A complaint has been received and is being assessed.’

As you have to do now.  

A statement online said the Grand Lodge had ‘written to the Scottish Government, police and other organisations expressing our concern over Professor Findlay’s speech and seeking action’. Todd Ferguson, a Tory councillor in North Ayrshire, tweeted: ‘The speech is at odds with the Scottish Government’s Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021.’

Easy to see why crime is becoming rife in Scotland, if the police are tied up with this nonsense all the time... 

It's About Making A Show Of Power...

If clubs have requested a stoppage before the game, the referee will signal for a break, allowing Muslim players to eat and drink at pitchside. Everton's game against Tottenham was stopped in the 26th minute to allow players that had been fasting during the day to take on energy supplements.

But wait, wasn't that after sunset anyway? Reader, you guessed correctly... 

Although sunset was before kick-off, allowing players to break their fast, a drinks break was pre-agreed with the referee when both teams - including Toffees trio Abdoulaye Doucoure, Amadou Onana and Idrissa Gueye - came to the side of the pitch to take on fluids.

It's not doing its job - which is not the job they claim - if the kuffar don't see it, is it? 

I never thought I'd say this, as an Englishwoman born and bred, but...why can't we be more French?

Meanwhile, France's football federation (FFF) has told referees they must not pause matches to allow Muslim players to break their fast during Ramadan.

"Football does not take into account the political, religious, ideological, or syndical [trade unions] considerations of its actors," read an email to officials. "It is up to all of the parties involved to make sure it is respected."

*sighs* 

H/T: Ian J via email

I Clearly Need To Read My New Testament Again...

...because apart from a little ruckus at the temple, I don't recall anything like this in it:

A transgender pastor from North Dakota has compared the treatment of Nashville shooter Audrey Hale to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ less than a week after the twisted killer murdered six people, including three nine-year-old children.

Yup, you read that right. I had to twice, even though, y'know, 'murica! 

Micah Louwagie, who goes by they/them pronouns, was recently installed as the pastor of St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Fargo, and delivered their first Easter-themed sermon to a small congregation on April 2.

When you employ someone for their identity, don’t be surprised when everything becomes about their identity… 

'Some folks have tried to focus on eradicating trans people as a solution, because they have been waiting, just waiting for an opportunity such as this. They've been waiting for a reason, any reason to stoke their hatred.'

Six dead people, three of them children, all of them completely unconnected to this deranged bitch, seems like a good enough reason. 

The pastor goes on to slam 'allies' who abandon or 'betray' transgender people likening that to Jesus' disciples who fled when he was arrested.

If at this point, no-one got up and walked out, then I guess that makes the congregation as bad too, eh? 

'Marginalized folks, those of us with the least amount of privilege and power, they need those who have more privilege and power than they do to physically place their bodies between them and the people, powers and institutions that are literally killing them,' Louwagie said in the shocking sermon.

Isn't it strange how these 'marginalised people' appear to have every single organisation in thrall to them, and acquiescing​ to their increasingly outrageous and biology-denying claims?

As part of the controversial sermon, Louwagie appeared to also draw comparison between the treatment of trans people in the United States with the Holocaust and Japanese internment camps.

Lutherans everywhere should wonder what the hell happened to their religion that it tolerates this. The rest of us just roll our eyes and wonder when the pandering will stop... 

"We're Shocked, SHOCKED..."

"...to find religion going on in here!"

The row flared on Sunday when the priest gave an outspoken homily at St Mary’s church in Listowel in his native County Kerry, reportedly causing dozens of people to walk out.

The bishop of Kerry, Raymond Browne, apologised and said Sheehy’s views did not “represent the Christian position”.

Now, I'm no bible-basher but even I know there's something in there about unrepentant sinning... 

However, the priest confirmed his view in radio interviews. Asked if he thought Varakdar and other gay politicians who supported gay and abortion rights would go to hell, he replied: “Absolutely.”

And...as Tim points out, this comes as a shock why? 

Sheehy is now retired and delivered the homily in Listowel while covering for a parish priest who was away.

I'm betting he won't get asked again! 

I Guess It's Futile To Expect Him To Know The 9th Commandment...

Justin Welby criticised online platforms for giving people ‘a very loud voice’ and creating colliding ‘waves’ of opinions.

The only voice should be yours, eh, Justin? 

How very dare the hoi-polloi have opinions, especially when they are about you:

And how dare people have a voice to speak out about what you are doing to destroy Christian heritage: 

You know what to do, don't you, Justin?

The utter hypocrisy of this creature posing as a man of God proves there's no god, because if there were, he'd be vaporised the next time he set foot across the threshold.

Another 'Can't Everyone Lose?' Case Here...

A Christian doctor who was sacked because he refused to refer to transgender people by their chosen sex or 'call any 6ft tall bearded man madam' will take his fight to the High Court.

And I expect he'll lose. Because when you work for someone, you call the client whatever your employers wants them to be called. 

Or you find another job. 

Dr Mackereth, an A&E doctor with 28 years' experience, was sacked as a medical assessor for the Department of Work and Pensions in 2018 after refusing to identify clients by their chosen gender instead of their biological sex.

And he thinks that he can claim victimhood: 

In July 2019, supported by the Christian Legal Centre, he took his case to an Employment Tribunal in Birmingham claiming harassment and discrimination based on his Christian beliefs.

He claimed his employer had breached his right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

But, not content with telling him 'No, it's in your contract that you abide by the rules of your employer', the panel decided to go further: 

But a panel condemned his view of what it means to be male and female as 'incompatible with human dignity'.

The tribunal 'found that his beliefs were likely to cause offence and have the effect of violating a transgender person's dignity or creating a proscribed environment, or subjecting a transgender person to less favourable treatment'.

Which is utter round objects. All they needed to do was say 'You're free to believe whatever you want but in work time, you put on your work face and do as your employer asks'. 

But there may be a get-out clause he can use: 

As well as claiming religious discrimination, Dr Mackereth said no effort was made to accommodate his beliefs, such as referring transgender clients at Birmingham's Five Ways assessment centre to another doctor.

If supermarkets let Muslim checkout operators refuse to serve alcohol and bacon, and pharmacists refuse to dispense birth control pills, then they should have granted his request, shouldn't they? 

Let Those Who Are Without Sin...

The Church of England is under fire over the suicide of a priest who took his own life after being wrongly accused of child sexual abuse.

Father Alan Griffin, 76, hanged himself at home in November last year, after spending a year under investigation while denied knowledge of the source of the accusations.

Clearly, the CoE has studied the Spanish Inquisition... 

In a damning report following the inquest into his death, Coroner Mary Hassell exonerated Father Griffin and heavily criticised the Church of England for its handling of the investigation.

“Father Griffin did not abuse children. He did not have sex with young people under the age of 18. He did not visit prostitutes. He did not endanger the lives of others by having sex with people whilst an HIV risk. And there was no evidence that he did any of these things.”

Pshaw, Mary! What need for evidence these days? Even the court system doesn't require it... 

Ms Hassell said she had been driven to writing an unusually detailed report as the Church of England had failed to fully engage in the inquest process until June this year, and had not made “meaningful attempts” to learn the lessons from Father Griffin’s death.

Given 'learning lessons' usually means doing absolutely nothing, one wonders why she's so concerned at this bit. 

How Many Medical Degrees Has The Pope..?

“Some groups protested, refusing to keep their distance, marching against travel restrictions – as if measures that governments must impose for the good of their people constitute some kind of political assault on autonomy or personal freedom,” he said in a new book.

He railed against those who claim “that being forced to wear a mask is an unwarranted imposition by the state”.

“You’ll never find such people protesting the death of George Floyd, or joining a demonstration because there are shantytowns where children lack water or education, or because there are whole families who have lost their income,” he said. “On such matters they would never protest; they are incapable of moving outside of their own little world of interests.”

Yeah, I know, the Pope, virtue signalling! It's not like it doesn't come with the job, right? But it's a strange choice of people to dub sinners, isn't it?

'What an unpleasant, small-minded, grossly insensitive and unChristian thing to say and think.'

Well, yes, Paolo, that's the modern church for you. 

For every Dean of Southwark, willing to host a memorial service for a beloved cat, there's probably ten or more like the Bishop of Burnley, eager to support every right on political move around, yet unable to comprehend that most churchgoers would rather see a cat than a clergyman when they go to church...  

Chancers...

Plans have been revealed to convert a historic pub, believed to be up to 400 years old, into a religious culture centre.

Yeah, we all know just which religion, don't we?

South Essex Islamic Trust has purchased the former Barge Inn, High Road, Vange and is now fundraising for £250,000 to cover the full cost of the site.

The charity refused to comment on the plans but posted about it on its website.

Because it seems their ambitions outstrip their resources, so they are forced to beg for the balance.

“The purchase was £450,000 plus VAT of £90,000 and stamp duty of £12,000 which equals £552,000.

“South Essex Islamic Trust has already collected funds of up to £300,000

“A deposit of £45,000 has been paid by the trust to secure the purchase, which we could lose if the remaining amount is not paid.

“We need your support to raise £250,000 by October 4.”

But it's done quite a done deal, even if they do raise the balance.

Aidan McGurran, Labour councillor for Vange said: “Whoever has bought or ends up buying the Barge site will have to submit plans for consideration – it is not necessarily a case of delivering whatever the landowner wants.

“It seems there is some doubt still over whether the successful bidder will be able to raise the required funds in time – it is a very tight timescale – so we will have to see what happens.”

Another one to watch.

Forgot The Bit About 'Render Unto Caesar', Did You,,,?

For me, then, the health of a just society is measured by the way it treats the poorest, those on the edge of things. That’s why I support the mayor of Liverpool, his colleagues and 10 other councils across the country who are refusing to share sensitive personal data on non-UK rough sleepers with the Home Office.

That's the Bishop of Liverpool, suggesting it's right to take a line of non-co-operation with the state.

I believe that no undocumented person will accept help from homelessness outreach workers if by doing so their details will be shared with officials who want to deport them. This is not a negligible risk. In the Home Office’s own words: “The service is not an enforcement approach, but action may be considered on a case-by-case basis.”

That's what we have a Home Office for - to ensure that those not entitled to be here aren't, for long.

I have a vision for this country – one shared by many others – that has no room for the hostile environment. This is rooted in my faith as a Christian, and in the long traditions of our country as a place of welcome and care for the displaced, traditions enshrined in the NHS, of care for all, of the pursuit of lawful justice certainly. 

That'll be the NHS that's being bled dry by people not entitled to its help? And the lawful justice that says if you want to live here there's a way to do so legally?

I guess religion really does rot the brain, after enough exposure...

You Might As Well Give In, You've Already Lost...

Sarah Hewitt-Clarkson is crying. The headteacher at Anderton Park primary school in Birmingham has suffered eight weeks of protests outside her school gates over her decision to teach LGBT-inclusive content to her young pupils, the vast majority of whom are Muslim.

After repeatedly putting on a brave face when I ask her how she is feeling, she finally admits: “I am in despair”, and then breaks down. She is struggling for control as she continues:

“I know one of the phrases that’s associated with domestic abuse is the crushing of the spirit of a woman. And that’s what I feel is happening. We can’t give in.”

Really? You're a woman of your convictions, then? Pity the same can't be said about your backers...

The local Labour MP, Roger Godsiff, says that...“It was wrong of the government to give headteachers the power to decide what LGBT content to teach children at different ages, he says.

“I think that the government guidance should have been more prescriptive as to when the different elements of the Equality Act were appropriate, in the government’s opinion, to be taught to children. Governments are elected, people have recourse to hold their politicians to account. Headteachers have had this burden put on them, and in some cases are going to end up in the situation Anderton Park is in.”

He blames the academies system. “If schools were still maintained by local councils, in a situation like this Birmingham council could have put down a programme about how the elected representatives of the council believe the protected characteristics of the Equality Act should be taught. And then headteachers could have said: ‘we’re doing what we’ve been told to do.’”

There speaks someone who has no courage, no convictions. "Big boys did it and ran away" "We were only obeying orders!"

What about fellow MP Jess Phillips?

“People have been too scared to stand up to this protest, including the Department for Education,” says Phillips.

...

She is deeply concerned that the protests will spread to other schools and bring in other faiths. “If we allow the protests at Anderton Park Road to change the way we teach in British schools and create a two-tier teaching system, where kids in white neighbourhoods can have all the equalities and kids in Asian neighbourhoods have to have things kept in the dark, they win.”

"We can't let this happen, or we'll lost control, and that will never do!"

But back to Hewitt-Clarkson:

The government is shifting the responsibility for LGBT content – including the highly sensitive question of whether any LGBT content is “age appropriate” for primary school pupils – from politicians on to the shoulders of individual headteachers, she says.

“I’ve had eight weeks of protests as a result. It’s just unforgivable.”

While she is trying to deal with the protests and run a school, policymakers are “sitting in their offices in Whitehall looking at the Thames”: “They’re not working out how we’re going to sort out our deficit budget, our Sats results, all that stuff I’m doing in my job as headteacher. It’s not OK to write policies in Whitehall that affect me in Birmingham so badly.”

When they write policies you agree with, I bet you're all for it.

That's why these protests are a warning sign. It's because you're weak. And they know it.

"To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize..."

Chief inspector John Charlton of GMP’s Bolton district said: “Those who think they can hide behind a keyboard and disseminate this kind of harmful material should expect to be investigated."

Paedophile material?

Terrorist threats?

More anti-semitism from Labour?

Two videos being shared on Facebook of a man pretending to pray to 'Aladdin' in a Muslim prayer room are being investigated as a hate crime.

Well, John, you're gonna be a busy boy, aren't you? Snap to it, son!

A woman from Halliwell who is visiting the hospital said she recognised the room immediately when she was shown the video.

She said: "It's weird to me that people would do that and share it publicly, like it's something normal, it's not normal."

When it's the art world doing it, it's perfectly normal. Even celebrated.

H/T: KeyserSosse via Twitter

"Neighbours, everybody loves good neighbours..."

The neighbour of a business leader has admitted he was behind the brutal attack that left him in hospital for several weeks.

Shahed Mahmood was rushed to hospital in a critical condition after he was punched by Mohammed Shazad Akram following a row over a parking space.

It's the Religion of Peace, don'tchaknow...

Defending the 28-year-old, Simeon Evans said: “There was an argument – Mr Mahmood had come to the defendant’s house to deal with an issue to do with parking.

“As my client tried to usher Mr Mahmood away, he [Mahmood] made a very hurtful and upsetting comment about his dead brother.

“The two males were standing very closely together and Mr Akram believed that Mr Mahmood was going to move his arm towards him. He then struck one blow to Mr Mahmood’s face.

“I have to accept that there are aggravating features in this case – the location of the offence, the ongoing effects on the victim, and the presence of other people in the area.

“But he has no previous convictions, it was a single blow and he has shown evidence of remorse.”

Hah! As if that'll wor...

Oh.

Judge Sara Dodd commented on the neighbourly dispute, saying that both involved parties were ‘probably thoroughly good men’.

Akram pleaded guilty to inflicting GBH and was released on conditional bail. He will be sentenced on June 12.

*sighs*

"Conan, what is best in life?"

The head of a school trust embroiled in a row over classes about LGBT rights says staff have been left "distraught".

Hazel Pulley, chief executive officer of the trust which runs the school, said some staff had lost weight and were not sleeping.

Yes, it's Parkfield again. Bewailing the dilemma their progressive policies have (inevitably) lead to.

Going for the sympathy vote is unlikely to win them any sympathy, but why not try it anyway..?

"We moved what we thought was the issue to one side but we can only do that for so long or otherwise, quite rightly, we will be seen as being discriminatory to one of the protected characteristics."

Nice petard. You look good hoist on it.

H/T: CJ Nerd via email

Israel. It's Always Israel...

Muslim students have berated Chelsea Clinton at a vigil for the victims of the New Zealand mosques massacre, saying she is to blame for the attack.

*blinks*

Wait, what...?

Has Chelsea Clinton been a part of the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy© all along...? Has she been hanging out on 4chan?

Leen Dweik began castigating her in an astonishing moment caught on video. 'This right here is the result of a massacre stoked by people like you and the words that you put out into the world,' says Dweik, gesturing to the vigil for the 49 who were killed in Christchurch when a white nationalist shooter stormed two mosques.

'And I want you to know that and I want you to feel that deeply - 49 people died because of the rhetoric you put out there,' Dweik continues, jabbing her index finger toward Clinton as other students snap their fingers in apparent approval of her words.

And now I'm feeling like I must have missed some vital part of US political news that I really should not have missed.

And then I read on...

According to NYU student Rose Asaf, who posted the video on Twitter, students at the vigil were angry about Clinton's accusation last month that Rep Ilhan Omar, a Minnesota Democrat, used 'anti-Semitic language and tropes' while criticizing Israel.

And these students are the supposed products of progressive US politics. Just as Chelsea Clinton is. There should be no difference between them.

But there appears to be one. And if modern progressive educational opportunities can't fix it, can anything?

Virtuesignalling Olympics - Selection Opens For 2019

A council has launched an investigation into why parents from five schools in Thurrock chose to remove children from lessons covering Islam.

...and Essex has a strong contender!

Further details were revealed during a meeting on Wednesday when the issue was debated with one mother speaking out to confirm why she decided to take the drastic action.

Heather Rogers, 31, from South Ockendon confirmed she had taken the unusual step but not because she disagreed with the religion.

Perish the thought!

She said: "To me this is not about Islam, it is the fact that my kids came home and called it an 'intensive' study. If they said it was an intensive study on Christianity, I would have done the same.

“An intense study just sounds full-on. Maybe if it was worded better and they just said this week we would do such and such and explained it each week it would have sounded better but instead it’s an intense study.

"When I was growing up we would learn about all religions but I don't agree with an intense study. Schools should teach about all of them equally so that children can decide to be part of a religion if they want to."

Sure, sure, that sounds plausible. But what about the people that do this for other reasons?

While she stressed that she did not take issue with the religion of Islam, some parents who had also removed their children at the same time told her that they had done so because they disagreed with Islam being taught in schools at all. She said:

"Unfortunately, with social media a lot of people only see part of the story and are a bit blinkered to understanding the whole religion. When they think of Islam they think of terrorism and destruction, but that is only extremists. Some parents do have the wrong impression because of all the media hype."

Right. Got it. The media hype. Sure. Not all the hundreds of thousands killed, maimed or ruined?

“If they are pulling their children out for the sake of it being Islam then they need educating to know that although terrorists can be linked, that is extremism not the religion."

Clearly, people who say Essex has no philosophers are wrong.

This Month's Winner Of The Abasement Olympics

Adrian Chapman, one of Wishbone Brewery’s founders, said: “We brewed this beer in Keighley. Among its ingredients are coriander and lime and it’s a light, refreshing, fruity edged beer. We were tossing around ideas for a name, with one idea that was turned down being ‘Indian Summer’.

“The name we came up with in the end was ‘Ganesh’ and it was something we did in all innocence.

“The most important thing for us is how the beer tastes, with the name being secondary.

“The only criteria we have for a name is that it isn’t the same as what some other brewery has already used for their beer.

“We’re completely open to changing the name of the beer, as it was never our intention to offend anybody, though as this was a beer we’d made a couple of months ago for this particular festival there’s an 80 per cent chance we won’t be making it again anyway.

“We’d never knowingly pick a name that could hurt anyone. For example, we’re not the kind of brewery that would put a picture of a busty blonde women on a pump clip along with a lewd name. That’s just not us.”

Good grief! Was the brewery besieged by Hindus with flaming torches and pitchforks?

Who complained?

...Rajan Zed, the Nevada-based president of Universal Society of Hinduism.

*blinks*