Schadenfreude

It's probably very wrong that I am overjoyed by the fact that my local tory candidate Phillipa Stroud has been revealed as a bit of a nutter.  Hopefully this will mean that she doesn't get in this time around.  It does need to be noted though that this consituancy voted in "Lady" Olga Maitland - a raving mini me Margaret Thatcher if ever there was.

The concept of a parliamentary candidate who believes homosexually can be cured by driving out demons, while amusing, is also deeply disturbing to me.  While I can appreciate that one can hold personal beliefs that contradict one's professional role, without diminishing the abilty to perform, the idea of a representative member of Parliament who believes c. 10% of those she represents are under demonic influence indicates that these people may not get the best representation.  It's also not exactly a good message to send out to schools, who already have to deal with endemic homophobia from primary age. 

In my mind it is akin to a member of the BNP being on the equalities commission.  They say they can do their job without recourse to their personal beliefs but how much of what we do and how we act is down to the subconscious? Current psychological thinking is that the unconscious is responsible for c.80% of our actions and decision making processes.  Bearing that in mind, how can a bigot honestly believe that their deeply held beliefs are not influencing their day to day reactions?  How could you guarantee it?

I am not calling all christians bigots, and I do appreciate the good work the church does but, as our society grows and changes, how do we ensure we change and grow with it? A multicultural society thrives in a tolerant society, but how do we reconcile religious and societal beliefs with a need for tolerance? 
If you truly believe that you are right (in your choice of God, lifestyle, even fashion) then it follows that everyone who doesn't agree with you is wrong.  If for example your are a christian and deeply believe that your way is the way to salvation and eternal life, that God is good and God is Love, and that you have found the right path then how could you not want to spread the word, to convince as many people as possible to join you.  If you believe that everyone outside of your faith will go to hell, what sort of Christian would you be if you just left them to it? 
This sort of faith does not allow for alternatives, but it surely it can be used to encourage tolerance.  How else are you to get your message across but through talking to (not condemning)  the very people who need saving the most? 
I do not believe in demons, I do not believe in God and I have to say a follower (indeed founder) of a church that literally demonises those not on the same path as them is not a fit representative of of the people she is claiming to stand for, nor is it fitting for a public servant of the multicultural society we do live in and tolerant society we need to live in today.