The importance of choice

The Guardian released an article today about a manifesto for women who are paired with Isis fighters. Women should be in the home to serve their husbands and children. It supposedly talks against females being in the workplace being westernised and evil.

In some respects these men are worshipping the females in their lives by saving them from the harshness of the workplace or of the catcalling on the street. In some ways I can even begin to understand this way of thinking.

However and it is a big however, countless women and men haven’t fought for equality for decades for nothing. If a woman or man wants to stay home and look after the children then there should be no one judging them for doing so. On the other hand if the same woman or man wants to return to work following the birth of their children then we shouldn’t have a problem for this either. 

The issue with these manifestos is that is takes away choice. I can understand that a person will do everything they can to protect their husbands or wives from the issues of daily lives. When a client has been shouting at me at work my husband doesn’t like it but at no point would he say I shouldn’t do my job. I am a 21st century woman who wants to follow in the footsteps of countless women before her by trying to enact change.

Protection of your loved ones whilst ever harm will not be done to them cannot prevent them from their choices. 

This way of thinking is of course limited to a small number of people in the world compared to the overall population. Given the billions which exist of this planet I do doubt that this way of thinking will ever take hold on a large scale. 

I like my liberty and I like my choice. I am that person who when someone says don’t do it, I do it (apart from jumping from a building, I am not stupid). Rightly or wrongly we should protect our ability to walk, talk, work and be stupid for stupid’s sake. I am not a huge fan of religion but if people want to worship the grant banana in the sky they can, but don’t expect me to. 

Religious Rock 'N' Roll

On Friday last week I attended a gig in Sheffield, Slipknot and Korn. On entering the arena’s car park I happened upon several people preaching and giving out leaflets which essentially informed me that rock ‘n’ roll deaths including Freddie Mercury’s were a product of sin associated with rock ‘n’ roll. Damning the lustful and greed lifestyle that our beloved musicians fall into and that when taking this type of music into my life I should get ready to face the consequences when meeting my maker.

Now I had been at work all week, I was designated driver and over tired. I was looking forward to spending an evening seeing some live bands whose music I enjoy. So when I am handed these leaflets I thought several things.

Firstly it names Freddie Mercury has a victim of rock ‘n’ roll. I would not agree. The great Freddie Mercury died because he contracted a disease which at the time did not have a method of management which would have allowed the great man to live longer. People who contract AIDs now are able to live better lives. Obviously I am not missing the real reason why these people are listing him as a sinner (sexuality) but quite frankly I think it is distasteful and wrong he be listed next to people that did die through drug and alcohol related incidents. He was a remarkable man and he didn’t hurt anyone.

Many have died through drug and alcohol related deaths and it is extremely sad this be the case. Unfortunately many of our revered musicians are tortured souls and therefore feel they need to turn to substances to help ease their pain whether mental or physical. But it comes down to choice. As long as you’re not hurting another unfortunately we can do what we like with our own bodies. Even if this does mean putting harmful chemicals in your body.

Furthermore this lust the leaflet talked about is a funny thing. People have sex. Most people like sex. Sex is sex. It is something which between two people who love one another is scared and special. But hey, if you want to have sex with someone you don’t love, who gives a fuck? As long as they are consenting does it really matter?

I don’t mind faith. I am fascinated by it. I have faith. Not in a god or particular religion. I have faith in the world. I have faith that one day, even if that day is not today, everything is going to be fine. We have hate in this world but we have love. People have the ability of giving out a lot of love. I do not need a god to give me that but I understand if there are some who need that to help them.

But don’t interrupt my Friday night to inform me that I shall face the consequences of listening to metal music. I am married and faithful. I don’t take drugs. I do drink but who doesn’t? But even if I did have rampant sex every Saturday night with a stranger snorting cocaine off his butt cheeks, does it matter to anyone but me, the individual involved and the laws of the land? It wouldn’t matter to a god especially when that god doesn’t even exist.

The beauty about the country we inhabit is that we have a certain amount of freedom. Not endless obviously otherwise it’d be chaos. But enough to keep things interesting. I am critical of some laws but in the grand scheme of things England is doing fine. We have the freedom to seek solace in whatever religion we see fit.

There are only a handful of religions that will respect me despite my gender. Paganism is a wonderful religion for this fact. In Paganism and Wiccan the female gender are seen as sacred as we are a giver of life. The goddess in some depictions are seen as a shapely women with large hips in order that they can give birth to life. The goddess is seen in some opinions as a stronger deity however both male and female must exist equally together in order for life to keep on being produced.

Many mainstream religions will seek to ensure that I am a “good girl” full of chastity and virtue. They would seek to silence me for I am only the server of my father, then my husband and then my sons. I am sorry I shall not be put in a corner and I shall damn well listen to whatever music I want despite its image of being unclean, lustful and sinful.

So now you religious nuts, next time I want to go and listen to a band I don’t want to see you. I hear Marilyn Manson may do some dates in England this year; you’d better not be there otherwise I will inform you kindly and politely I worship the devil.