Reactions to "don't label me" campaign

I came across some early reactions from religious people in Belfast regarding the BHA "don't label me" campaign today, here they are plus some comments from me (as you'd expect)..

Reverend David McIlveen from the Free Presbyterian Church frothed:

"It is none of their business how people bring up their children. It is the height of arrogance that the BHA would even assume to tell people not to instruct their children in their religion."

Well, that's plum coming from a Christian in a "Christian" country that legislates communal prayer in all schools (regardless of the wishes of parents) .. pot, kettle, black perhaps?

Sheikh Anwar Mady from the Belfast Islamic Centre said:

"We believe that every child is born as a Muslim. Religion is not given by the family, but it is a natural religion given by our God at birth. The role of the family is to teach the traditions of the faith. But that faith is implanted at birth."

Did you hear that folks, this man "believes" that we are all born Muslim, meaning that anyone who isn't a Muslim now is an Apostate and this crime is punishable by death. People wonder why secularists and Atheists are seriously concerned about Islam and it's spread around the world.

Dean of Belfast Dr Houston McElvey said:

"This humanist poster would have little impact on Christian believers. I am glad to live in a society where people have the right to express their point of view on a God in which I believe doesn’t need defending."

Me thinks Dr Houston has missed the point, he's confusing a comment regarding the human rights of children with an attack on his personal beliefs regarding supernatural entities, an easy mistake to make I suppose.

Fr Gary Donegan, from Holy Cross in north Belfast, said:

"I hope the campaign would open up debate on religious issues. One positive thing that could come from this is if it opens a debate on faith. I am not offended by it, but perhaps the money used for it could have been channelled better into a humanitarian cause."

Oh Gary you started so well, then couldn't resist the dig at the end, I guess it's hard for a leopard to change his spots. I could be childish and point out that the Pope's stock of Prada slippers probably costs more than this poster did, but that would be childish.

Looks like the campaign is having the desired effect! (which is to raise awareness, in case you weren't sure)