Albert Einstein: A Deist and not an orthodox Jew or an Atheist? – Is the West ready for Islam?
Albert Einstein: A Deist and not an orthodox Jew or an Atheist?
To know the God, 'who is visible in the mirror of the laws of nature, we need to know those laws. It is not possible to fully appreciate God's creation and sustenance of the universe in physical terms without understanding the basics of physics. The good news is that these concepts are not hard to grasp if we do not dwell on the mathematical precepts supporting the theories of physics.
In 1999 Einstein was named Time magazine's 'Person of the Century', and a poll of prominent physicists named him the greatest physicist of all time. In popular culture the name 'Einstein' has become synonymous with genius.
It is important to understand the religion of Einstein in Muslim paradigm so that we can achieve better 'Islam and science' correlation and are able to communicate better with those who are overawed with science.
Science is the systematic study of nature and different scientists occupy themselves with different questions which may be focused on one element in chemistry or one plant or animal in biology or some other aspect of nature. Einstein did not want to limit the scope of his study. He wanted to focus on the biggest question of all as to where this universe came from. By age 12 Einstein had decided to devote himself to solving the big riddle of the universe. He wanted to occupy himself with the question that if he were God, how he would create the Universe. In a later conversation with Esther Salaman, a student of Physics he said, "I want to know how God created this world. I 'm not interested in this or that phenomenon, in the spectrum of this or that element. I want to know His thoughts, the rest are details." In this article, we embark on a joyful journey of his childhood dream of search of God.
Albert Einstein was born in 1879 at Ulm. When be was four years old his father, who owned an electrochemical works, moved to Munich, and two years later the boy went to school, experiencing a rigid, almost military, type of discipline and also the isolation of a shy and contemplative Jewish child among Roman Catholics-factors which made a deep and enduring impression. From the point of view of his teachers he was an unsatisfactory pupil, apparently incapable of grasping languages, history, geography, and other primary subjects. His interest in mathematics was roused, not by his instructors, but by a Jewish medical student, Max Talmey, who gave him a book on geometry, and so set him upon a course of enthusiastic study which made him, at the age of fourteen, a better mathematician than his instructors. Einstein called it the 'holy little geometry book'. At this stage he began the study of philosophy, reading and re-reading the words of Kant, Hume, Spinoza and other metaphysicians.
After his graduation in the spring of 1900, he became a Swiss citizen, worked for two months as a mathematics teacher. He could not find a job in any of the universities so settled for an employment as an examiner at the Swiss patent office in Bern. With his newfound security, he started working on his scientific pursuits.
Early in 1905 Einstein published in the prestigious physics monthly a thesis, "A New Determination of Molecular Dimensions," that won him a Ph.D. from the University of Zürich. In the same year his monograph on the special theory of relativity was published in a Swiss scientific journal, the Annalen der Physik. Zurich awoke to the fact that it possessed a genius in the form of a patent office clerk, promoted him to be a lecturer at the University. Many useful contributions in Physics were published in the same calendar year of 1905. That turned out to be a miracle year in his life. Four years later in I909 the University installed him as Professor.
Before we can know his religion we need to know a little about the scientist Albert Einstein. He developed the special theory of relativity in 1905 and his general theory of relativity in 1916. He won the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1921 for his explanation of the photoelectric effect that was separate and not related to the theory of relativity. In the first 15 years of the 20th century, Einstein was recognized in his own time as one of the most creative intellects in human history. His theories proposed entirely new ways of thinking about space, time, and gravitation. These theories were a profound advance over the old Newtonian physics and revolutionized scientific and philosophical inquiry.
Einstein postulated that light is composed of individual quanta (later called photons) that, in addition to wavelike behavior, demonstrate certain properties unique to particles. This understanding of the dual nature of light was needed to explain some of the phenomena that had been observed in study of light. For example it was known that when some solids were struck by light, they emitted electrons. This phenomenon is called the photoelectric effect. The wave theory of light did not explain this phenomenon but conceptualizing the light to be also particle beautifully solved this riddle.
Till the time of Einstein mass was considered to be physical and tangible and energy nebulous but he discovered the famous equation E= mc2 . This relationship or equation is now regarded as the foundation of theoretical physics and modern technology, and thanks to the present media, this equation has risen to the level of common knowledge. Here 'E' is the energy and 'm' is the mass and 'c' is the speed of light. As an inference from this equation even a small amount of mass has a very large energy, given the extremely high speed of light. Every gram of matter (of any kind) has stored within it the equivalent of 25,000,000 kilowatt hours of energy.
His theory of General relativity was an explanation of what is the cause of gravity. From Sir Isaac Newton we know that gravity keeps the planets in motion and keeps our feet on the surface of earth but no one knew the underlying cause or source of this. His theory of General relativity, unifies, special relativity, Newton's law of universal gravitation, and the insight that gravitational acceleration can be described by the curvature of space and time. Einstein in simple mathematical models showed that large planets like sun cause distortion in time and space around it and that creates a gravitational pull. In 1919, Sir Arthur Eddington announced that observations of stars near the eclipsed Sun confirmed general relativity's prediction that massive objects bend light. Since then, many other observations and experiments have confirmed many of the predictions of general relativity. Last but not the least, understanding of gravity has come in handy for mankind to enable it to travel in the space.
International fame came to Einstein when in November 1919 the Royal Society of London announced that its scientific expedition to the island of Príncipe, in the Gulf of Guinea, had photographed the solar eclipse on May 29 of that year and completed calculations that verified the predictions made in Einstein's general theory of relativity. Few could understand relativity, but the basic postulates were so revolutionary and the scientific community was so obviously bedazzled that the physicist was acclaimed the greatest genius on Earth.
In Shanghai a cable reached him announcing that he had been awarded the 1921 Nobel Prize for Physics "for your photoelectric law and your work in the field of theoretical physics." Relativity, still the centre of controversy, was not mentioned.
In the spring of 1921 he visited USA. He was frequently treated like a circus freak and feted from morning to night, Einstein nevertheless was gratified by the standards of scientific research and the "idealistic attitudes" that he found prevailing in the United States.
Allah is the Creator, the Maker and the Fashioner of the universe. Einstein was fully appreciative of this and used the phrase Cosmic Creator. Given his scientific and intellectual authority people from different religious or philosophical denominations have tried to claim him. In total objectivity, however, he was a deist. A deist believes in supernatural intelligence, but one whose activities were confined to setting up the laws that govern the universe in the first place. The deist God subsequently does not intervene in the universe and has no specific interest in human affairs. If we look at all the writings and quotes of Einstein in a broader perspective, it becomes amply clear that he was a deist. The founding fathers of USA were also mostly deist. For a better understanding we can place these terms on a continuum for accuracy of nomenclature.
Deism can also be named as Naturalistic Theology. The monotheists believe in a Personal God that is not part of the material universe but has an intimate interest in human affairs. Pantheism, according to Encyclopedia Britannica, is the doctrine that the universe conceived of as a whole is God and, conversely, that there is no God but the combined substance, forces, and laws that are manifested in the existing universe. Most understandings of Pantheism are pluristic in the sense that they do not emphasize the Unity of God.
Einstein was not an atheist by any stretch of the imagination. He would actually get angry when people will make such an insinuation. He believed in Naturalistic Theology. Moreover, he had his priorities well organized, as the concept of Personal God, was preferable over atheism to him. He declared, "A belief in a Personal God seems preferable to the lack of any transcendental outlook to life." Let us examine some of his views that will place him in the category of a deist.
Those individuals to whom we owe the great creative achievements of science were all of them imbued with the truly religious conviction that this universe of ours is something perfect and susceptible to the rational striving for knowledge. If this conviction had not been a strongly emotional one and if those searching for knowledge had not been inspired ….. they would hardly have been capable of that untiring devotion which alone enables man to attain his greatest achievements.
He also realized the limitations of human knowledge and human intellect. He said, "We know nothing about it all (God, the world). All our knowledge is but the knowledge of school children. Possibly we shall know a little more than we do now. But the real nature of things, that we shall never know, never!" This could be considered in line with one of the tenets of the Crown verse of the Holy Quran, namely, "they encompass nothing of His knowledge except what He pleases".
The authors that Einstein was reading at a tender age of 12, had suggested in their writings that rather than God having created man in His image the converse was true, namely, man had created God in his image. Such insinuation is called anthropomorphic concept of God. One of these philosophers was Ludwig Buchner. His critique begins with a historical survey of religions in which animals or combinations of animals and humans are glorified and deified. It concludes with Xenophanes' well-known statement, "If oxen or lions had hands and could paint, they would undoubtedly represent their gods in the form of oxen or lions." It is psychologically understandable that the reading of such texts, at the impressionable age of 12, had a profound impact on Einstein's mind. It led him to the conclusion that "much in the stories of the Bible could not be true." He consequently lost faith in the Bible and renounced his erstwhile religiosity as naive.
This is an unfounded claim that Einstein hoped people will accept on the basis of his intellectual authority. Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad, Khalifah Tul Masih IV has devoted two chapters in his book Revelation, Rationality, Knowledge and Truth, namely, Secular Viewpoints Examined and The Concept of God among the Aborigines of Australia, to answer such criticisms against the divine nature of religion in its pure form. He writes, "So far we have attempted to disprove the currently popular theories of Western sociologists, who by a strange logic of their own, have tried to prove that the idea of God is a creation of man rather than man being His creation. Their so-called evidence in support of their theory is nothing but mere conjecture." He builds his case on the study of Aborigines of Australia. He says, "Let us now draw the attention of the reader to the history of religion in Australia. It is a continent whose culture, social and religious history can be traced back to at least twenty-five thousand years. Many scholars extend it to forty thousand years or beyond. According to some researchers, however, this period could extend even to a past as remote as one hundred and thirty thousand years of unbroken, unadulterated and undisturbed growth of religion. The Australian continent is not only unique in having been completely broken off from the rest of the world, it is also unique in containing within it hundreds of social islands, each comprising tribes that remained entirely isolated from each other." He further stresses, "It is known that between five hundred to six hundred such tribal units had their own independent history of social and religious development, throughout an age of twenty-five to forty thousand years, in complete isolation from each other except for occasional marginal contacts at the boundaries of their territories." He concludes his argument by saying, "In all the tribes of Australia, without exception, there exists a belief in one Supreme Power, who is the first cause of all creation. Their descriptions differ on minor points and their terminology varies slightly, but according to the consensus of the sociologists and anthropologists, they all invariably believe in the existence of that ultimate first cause called 'High Gods'—another name for Allah, God, Brahmâ and Parmatama etc. The central idea of one eternal Supreme Creator remains unadulterated by whatever other superstitions they may have entertained. The superstitions change from tribe to tribe, but not their belief in one God. Nowhere in Australia could the sociologists find any evidence of a gradual evolution of the idea of God." This book is available online at Alislam.org. One needs to search the name of the book in the search menu on the website.
But there is a third stage of religious experience which belongs to all of them, even though it is rarely found in a pure form: I shall call it cosmic religious feeling. It is very difficult to elucidate this feeling to anyone who is entirely without it, especially as there is no anthropomorphic conception of God corresponding to it.
This third stage of Einstein, indeed has a substantial portion of truth in it, when examined in an Islamic paradigm. Promised Messiahas writes about man's pursuit of the creator in his book Hakika Tul Wahee, "Let it be clear that man has been created with the ultimate purpose to recognize his Creator. Man is supposed to have full awareness of his Creator and to understand His attributes to a level that his cognizance reaches a degree of certainty. Therefore, Allah has designed the human mind with two different talents. On the one hand, he has been given intellectual abilities. As a result of these abilities he is able to study Allah's creations, and by observing divine purpose in every particle of nature, by studying the organization and order in the natural systems of the universe, he is able to fully realize that this elaborate infra-structure of the earth and the heaven cannot be by itself, without a creator. He can conclude that there should be a Designer and a Maker of all this!" Promised Messiahas does not call it the final destination. However, it seems that for Einstein it is the final rationale and the last stop of train of religious development. For the ease of communication, this state of religious experience or condition of mind, as described by Promised Messiahas, can be called Naturalistic Theology. He is describing it as the preliminary phase of religious development of an individual. He continues his writing in Hakika Tul Wahee, "On the other hand Allah has gifted man with spiritual powers and perceptions as well. This dual gift from Allah is for the reason, that, whatever limitations and short comings are left from the domain of intellectual capacity should be satisfied with the spiritual abilities. It is obvious that intellectual abilities given to man are only able to study the earth and the heaven and observing individual details declare that this profound and organized universe should have a creator. It is beyond the capacity of the intellectual abilities to go further and declare that such a Creator of this universe does exist! It is not within their scope to announce that there is indeed such a Maker!" The life and religion of Einstein is indeed a testament to the statement of Promised Messiahas, "It is not within the scope of philosophers to announce that there is indeed such a Maker!" Despite being the most astute observer of the nature, Einstein never believed in Personal God. So we cannot find God in His true glory without the direction of the Prophets of God. In other words Einstein's cosmic religion is no more than Naturalistic Theology as described in these quotes of Promised Messiahas. The Guided One, emphasizing the need of this spiritual facility of human mind concludes, "It is, therefore, self evident that man's comprehension needs to advance to the point where he knows that there is indeed a Creator. A mere inference that there aught to be a creator cannot be considered to be a complete understanding." It is through spiritual abilities that mankind finds certain knowledge about its Creator. This certainty of knowledge mankind owes to the prophets of God and not to the philosophers of nature.
Who was this philosopher Spinoza? He was a Dutch-Jewish philosopher, the foremost exponent of 17th-century Rationalism. He was a strict advocate of determinism or causality in the physical universe an idea that is of seminal importance in the writings of Einstein also. According to Einstein, "Spinoza was the first to conceive of extending this idea to an all-pervasive determinism to human thought, feeling and action." Given this paradigm no room was left for Divine revelation. So a refusal of Personal God was a natural consequence of this extreme and strict determinism.
In an interview Einstein was once asked whether modern science can provide 'spiritual help' and inspiration which organized religion seems unable to give. Einstein replied, deep religious feeling, and that without such feeling they would not be fruitful. I also believe that, this kind of religiousness, which makes itself felt today in scientific investigations, is the only creative religious activity of our time. The 'art' of today can hardly be looked upon at all as expressive of our religious instincts.
If such awareness of the Divine, that could be called Naturalistic Theology, in the light of teachings of Quran, is combined with personal humility, and service to mankind, then one is led to Personal God.
Einstein's articles on religion often invited the wrath and fury of both contemporary orthodox Jews and Christians. His insistence on an all-pervading unrestricted causal determinism was the main reason that made him refuse the concept of a Personal God. His denial of Personal God made clergy, regardless of denomination; reject the philosophy of his cosmic religion. For the supreme reign of such a determinism denies, on the one hand, the possibility of a divine interference, even if the existence of a Personal God were admitted by people. Secondly, in the words of Max Jammer, Professor Emeritus of Physics, "The concept deprives man of his free will and, as a consequence, of his moral responsibility. For if man's actions are dictated by this determinism and necessity, he cannot be held responsible and hence cannot be punished or rewarded for what he does".
Einstein had so rightly said, "Science without religion in lame, religion without science is blind". But little did he realize that the verdict of this saying would weigh heavily on thirty five years of his professional effort from 1920 till the time of his death in 1955. Because of his views in Cosmic Creator who cannot influence the universe because of his strict belief in determinism he had completely gone against the developments of quantum mechanics. His religious prejudices were dictating his science. As a result, his science became lame and it seemed that for 35 years or more, this greatest genius of the twentieth century, was following a lame folly.
He ignored the progress in quantum mechanics and continued to work for decades on a theory that will be all embracing and defeat the quantum mechanics. But this burning desire was not to come true, he had to depart with an unfinished symphony. When we compare the fruits of his early professional life with the subsequent thirty five years the contrast becomes stark and painful. He had completely lost touch with the modern research in Physics. In the words of some of the physicist he had become a relic, a historical artifact, who was out of synchrony with modern research.
Out of his initial work on the dual nature of light had come the new born child of quantum physics championed by scientists like Heisenberg and Neils Bohr. But this was no consolation to Einstein. He failed to accept quantum mechanics. He felt that it clashed with his view of determinate God. This lead to his famous quote, "God does not play dice." There in lay his fall! In his self indulgence, he could now read God's mind. He could not have the humility that Niels Bohr was able to demonstrate, in telling Einstein, to stop telling God what to do with His dice.
While he was enjoying the public acclaim and a celebrity status, he was facing professional ridicule among his peers. He had denied quantum Mechanics its due place in science. As a result he pushed himself into the past. The way he intended to defeat quantum mechanics was by mathematically showing the relationship between electromagnetism and gravitation. This turned out to be a fruitless quest for him that occupied the rest of his life. Einstein's peers generally agreed quite early that his search was destined to fail because the rapidly developing quantum theory uncovered an uncertainty principle in all measurements of the motion of particles: the movement of a single particle simply could not be predicted because of a fundamental uncertainty in measuring simultaneously both its speed and its position, which means, in effect, that the future of any physical system at the subatomic level cannot be predicted. Einstein rejected the idea that these theories were absolute and persevered with his theory of general relativity as the more satisfactory foundation to future discovery. He was widely quoted on his belief in an exactly engineered universe: "God is subtle but he is not malicious." On this point he parted company with most theoretical physicists.
At some level, Einstein did understand the limitations of human mind, as he said, "Try and penetrate with our limited means the secrets of nature and you will find that, behind all the discernible concatenations, there remains something subtle, intangible, and inexplicable. Veneration for this force beyond anything that we can comprehend is my religion. To that extent I am, in point of fact, religious." But for his over insistence on Spinoza's determinism kept him from seeing the light of quantum mechanics.
How could Allah have knowledge of all things? How could He be the Manifest and the Hidden at the same time? How could He influence the universe in ways that did not clash with the concepts of physics at every step of the way? How could He grant prayers of His humble servants? If the universe was governed by the Laws of Physics of Newton and Einstein how could man be free? Quantum theory or quantum mechanics was the magical wand revealed to the prophet of physics Werner Heisenberg, to solve all these mysteries and yet leave a new untold mystery! A mystery of physics that Einstein would refuse to accept or even acknowledge all his life.
Quantum mechanics is branch of science which was developed in the first three decades of the last century. It deals with the behavior of matter and light on the atomic and subatomic scale. It attempts to describe and account for the properties of molecules and atoms and their constituents — electrons, protons, neutrons, and other more esoteric particles such as quarks and gluons. These properties include the interactions of the particles with one another and with electromagnetic radiation (i.e., light, X-rays, and gamma rays).
In the era prior to quantum theory, there was only one aspect of uncertainty or indeterminacy, which rose from not knowing the 'initial conditions'. If the 'initial conditions' were known then given the laws of Newton and Einstein, one could always determine for example the path of a projectile or a planet. It was thought that these laws applied equally to the motion of the planets and subatomic particles. So strong was the belief in determinism that Pierre Laplace said that given the knowledge of every atomic motion, the entire future of the universe could be mapped out. This was soon to change. The concepts and the consequences of quantum theory are accordingly difficult to understand and to believe. Its concepts frequently conflict with common-sense notions derived from observations of the everyday world. There is no reason, however, why the behavior of the atomic world should conform to that of the familiar, large-scale world. It is important to realize that quantum mechanics is a branch of physics and that the business of physics is to describe and account for the way the world — on both the large and the small scale — actually is and not how one imagines it or would like it to be.
According to Bohr, the fuzzy and nebulous world of the atom only sharpens into concrete reality when an observation is made. In the absence of an observation, the atom is a ghost. It only materializes when you look for it. And you can decide what to look for. Look for its location and you get an atom at a place. Look for its motion and you get an atom with a speed. But you can't have both. The reality that the observation sharpens into focus cannot be separated from the observer and his choice of measurement strategy. If all this seems too mind-boggling or paradoxical to accept, Einstein would have agreed with you. But the shock is the experiments in sixties and seventies proved that Bohr wins, Einstein loses. The uncertainty of the micro-world is intrinsic. Events without causes, ghost images, reality triggered only by observation – all must apparently be accepted by experimental evidence.
In other words, quantum Physics now tells us that there is a boundary around our ability to grasp reality. We cannot say why it is there, but that does not make the boundary any less real, or any less consistent with the idea that it was the necessary handiwork of a Creator who is Al Baatin or the Hidden, Who fashioned it in a manner that it has a dual nature. There is a macro or the larger aspect that is comprehensible and yields to human study and a quantum level that is hidden to a degree from human perceptions. This dual nature allows us the freedom and independence consistent with His design. This is the attribute Al Baatin of Allah that combines with it the attribute Al Sameeh, the hearer of prayers. Classical physics had prepared everyone to think of physical events as governed by fixed laws, but the quantum revolution quickly destroyed this Newtonian or Einsteinian certainty or strict determinism.
Uncertainty is the fundamental ingredient of the quantum theory. Does every event have a cause? In classical physics the fundamental belief is in cause-effect chain. The quantum factor, however, apparently breaks the chain by allowing effects to occur that have no cause. How complete can knowledge be when it cannot link cause and effect for something as basic as the movement of an electron? How can it claim to fully describe the universe when it cannot tell me whether something as humble as a single atom of carbon will persist into the next instant or disintegrate in a burst of radioactive energy?
What a stroke of Divine genius! The quantum indeterminacy not only allows for the free will but also a portal for Divine Providence. As had been predicted in the throne verse of the Holy Quran, "Allah knows what is before them and what is behind them; and they encompass nothing of His knowledge except what He pleases", the universe, at a quantum level is bound up in a series of inherently unpredictable events that science, even in principle, can never master completely.
The speed of light is the fastest speed that can be imagined as far as the material world is concerned, yet it takes light, billions of years to travel from one end of the universe to the other. But, Allah can influence any part of the universe instantaneously, as has been said, "Indeed, We have created everything in due measure, and our command is carried out instantaneously, like the twinkling of any eye." (54:50-51) Moreover, Allah is omnipresence and He is extremely close to each individual man, "And assuredly, We have created man and We know what his mind whispers to him, and We are nearer to him than even his jugular vein." (50:17) These verses lend support to the concept that Allah influences the world at the subatomic or the quantum level.
Here Allah is raising the tangible parts of the universe and their deeper understanding in the form of the science of sun and moon and gravity as a proof of the life after death. So the separation between science and religion is somewhat artificial and one needs proficiency in both to fully comprehend the Holy Quran.
The first part of the quote, 'science without religion in lame, religion without science is blind', can be understood from the short comings of a genius like Einstein, that have been described above. His inability to understand the merit in quantum mechanics, was certainly not intellectual, but stemmed from an erroneous concept of God. He was fixed on the idea that Allah cannot influence this universe even when He so willed. In other words he had a limited concept of the attributes of Allah. Any conceptualization of physics that defies the attributes of Allah as explained in the Holy Quran is likely to fall short and will be proven wrong in due course of time.
The second part of the above quote of Einstein, 'science without religion in lame, religion without science is blind', can be understood from the fact that The Holy Quran urges us to reflect on the Laws of Nature. It draws examples from cosmology and physics among other branches of science, as signs for all men of understanding.
Seven hundred and fifty verses of the Quran (almost one‑eighth of the Book) exhort believers to study Nature, to reflect, to make the best use of reason in the search of ultimate, the Creator, the Almighty Allah.


Rickenbacker International Corporation - Forum • View topic - My '76 4001 restoration.
Post subject: My '76 4001 restoration.
So, I purchased a 1976 Rickenbacker 4001 used from a guy in 1982. Why? Because I was 17 and a HUGE Rush fan! I loved it! Some minor problems but it was great.
In March of 1986, I bought a brand new Fender Jazz Bass Special. It quickly became my main bass. The guitar player in my band was interested in refinishing my Rick. Since I really wasn't playing it much and being young, I said sure. Needless to say, my Rick turned into an 1980's horror show!
Fast forward 26 years. My Fender was still my main bass, but I always had regret over the condition of my Rick and that it just sat in a closet, untouched! So, living in NJ I was fortunate enough to find a store in Lindenwold called "Pick of the Ricks". I wanted them to restore my Rick to it's original glory.
Here you go! Check out my new, main bass!
Thank you Chris, from "Pick of the Ricks"!
Post subject: Re: My '76 4001 restoration.
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Home » News » Opinion » Section 28 was a shameful piece of legislation prompted by fake news
Section 28 was a shameful piece of legislation prompted by fake news
Posted: Wed, 23 May 2018 by Terry Sanderson
Thirty years after the government banned local authorities from 'promoting' homosexuality, Terry Sanderson reflects on the hysteria that prompted Section 28, the fear it caused and the backing religious fanatics gave it.
The struggle for gay rights in this country over the past fifty years could easily be perceived, by those who weren't involved, as a relatively quick transition from total illegality to near equality.
The anti-gay legislation that for centuries had tormented and destroyed gay people was being challenged. But it was a long, slow and tortuous process, punctuated by enormous setbacks.
Not least of these was the introduction by the Thatcher government in 1988 of Section 28 of the Local Government Act, which banned something that didn't exist – namely, "the promotion of homosexuality" by local authorities.
It seems almost surreal now, looking back, to imagine that such a regressive and repressive piece of legislation could even have been contemplated, let alone enacted, in the late 20th century. It was, of course, the initiative of ostentatiously religious parliamentarians such as David Wilshire and Dame Jill Knight and enthusiastically taken up by pious peers and the Bench of bishops.
In a way it wasn't really about homosexuality. At the time of its implementation there was a battle royal going on between the Labour Party and Mrs T's old-fashioned authoritarian Conservatives. The media was mostly backing the Conservatives of course, and newspapers such as The Sun and the Daily Mail had taken it upon themselves to act as the propaganda arm of the Tory Party.
The new brashness that the tabloids had embraced since Kelvin McKenzie became editor of The Sun saw the birth of what was later to be known as 'fake news'. This was a battle not only between the political parties but also between the tabloids, who were fighting their own bitter circulation wars. The result was an increase in crudeness and extremism in the redtops as they fought for a diminishing number of readers.
Caught in the middle of this was a very handy scapegoat – the gay community, a ready-made unpopular minority. The lives of gay people were ruthlessly used to discredit the Labour party. The tabloids lied, distorted and invented 'gay scandals' and as part of this propaganda war, the 'Loony Left' was created.
If you took your information from The Sun, the Daily Express or, in fact, any of the papers with the exception of The Guardian and The Independent, you would have imagined that huge amounts of taxpayers' money was being spent by Labour-controlled councils on gay causes. You would think gay activists (the 'gay mafia' as we were known) were infiltrating schools with the intention of 'turning pupils into homosexuals' by some alchemy never explained.
Remember, this was at a time before the internet, when the traditional media – newspapers, TV and radio – had almost total control over what we knew about world and domestic events. Mass circulation newspapers were abusing this power, presenting a distorted and biased view of the news that was difficult to contradict without a similar platform.
The Times columnist Bernard Levin was, like so many others, alarmed by the way the press was behaving towards gay people and it prompted him to write: "Homosexuals are being portrayed – portrayed literally as well as metaphorically – as creatures scarcely human; they are being abused not in the old mocking way but in the foulest terms, meant with deadly seriousness; they are experiencing an increasing discrimination over a whole range of situations; already voices have been raised demanding the 'cleansing' of schools as they have been for purging the church."
The catalyst came in the form of a modest little book called Jenny Lives with Eric and Martin, aimed at helping children who were living in a same-sex household to find some validation. It had been originally published in Denmark where it had been regarded as unremarkable. But suddenly in the English translation, this book (little more than a pamphlet really) became, in the eyes of the tabloids, almost equivalent to Mein Kampf in its promotion of evil. They claimed it was being widely distributed in schools run by Labour local authorities, which was an out and out lie. When a complaint was made to the Press Council about The Sun's coverage, the watchdog described it as "exaggerated and misleading" but that was long after the damage had been done.
The increasingly hysterical attacks on the book went on day after day and eventually it led to the now notorious speech by Mrs Thatcher at the Tory party conference in 1987 in which she said: "Children who ought to be taught traditional moral values are being taught they have an inalienable right to be gay. All of those children are being cheated of a sound start in life."
This, again, was entirely untrue but Thatcher was building on the propaganda that her press lapdogs had conjured up from nothing.
The stage was set for Section 28.
As the legislation went through parliament, the abusive language and the anti-gay rhetoric that attended the debate increased in volume. The present prime minister, Theresa May, was an enthusiastic supporter of the legislation, saying parents would find comfort in knowing that Section 28 was in place.
The legislation caused genuine fear among LGBT people. Many of us wondered what it might lead to, what new repression could be built on the back of it.
However, rather than cowing the community into silence, it had an electrifying effect on activism. New pressure groups formed, free speech advocates joined civil rights campaigners and there were huge demonstrations in both London and Manchester.
Mrs Thatcher and her press lackeys had intended Section 28 to be a lethal blow to the increasingly assertive gay community and, at the same time, a reassurance to her heartlands that 'perversion' would not triumph. But it had the opposite effect. It created a new generation of activists who thought nothing of invading the BBC News and abseiling into the House of Lords.
Although no-one was ever prosecuted under the terms of Section 28, its intention had been to show the voting public that Mrs Thatcher was, like them, a traditionalist. She would not tolerate anything that challenged her idea of the moral order. Although it was never tested in court, there is no doubt that Section 28 caused widespread self-censorship among artists and academics.
In the end, Thatcher's attempted exploitation of homophobia for political advantage backfired. The electorate were not, in the main, as outraged about homosexuality as she was. Despite the relentless tabloid hysteria and prurience, there was an increasing liberality in society. The elderly parliamentarians who had driven much of this bigotry in Westminster were dying out.
After Thatcher, John Major tried to reinvent the Conservatives as the party of compassion and caring. The country had had enough of Mrs Thatcher's bossy prudery.
But Major had his own disaster when, in 1993, he tried to launch a campaign he called Back to Basics. He had not meant it as a finger-wagging exercise about moral laxity (the sort of thing Mrs Thatcher would have revelled in) but that is how the press had perceived it.
Within days of his speech the tabloids started a campaign aimed at outing every gay Tory it could find and unearthing and poring over the sexual shenanigans of straight MPs, too. Politicians waited with keen apprehension each Sunday for the News of the World to arrive, to find out who the next victim of its cruel exposés would be.
It all paved the way for Tony Blair's triumphant entry into Downing Street.
But it took until 2003 for Section 28 to be finally removed from the statute book. Even that took several attempts. The first, in 2000, was carried with the three-line whip in the House of Commons, but was then defeated in the House of Lords by the bishops and a cabal of right-wing, religiously-motivated peers. Among these was Baroness Janet Young who was, at the time, a patron of the Christian Institute – which had led a mischievously dishonest campaign in favour of Section 28 and against its repeal.
Throughout its existence, Section 28 was enthusiastically supported by the Salvation Army, the Afro-Caribbean Evangelical Alliance, Christian Action and Research and Education, the Muslim Council of Britain, the Catholic Church and elements within the Church of England.
Looking back, the whole thing seems ridiculous. In hindsight, Mrs Thatcher seems like some grotesque comic figure and Lady Young a religious fanatic. How did we ever take them seriously?
But we should not forget that a very similar law to Section 28 was enacted in Russia only a few short years ago and still applies today. Where did Vladimir Putin get the idea for this? Our very own version was surely the model.
Putin's law is used to justify all kinds of violence and persecution against gay people now and, in that sense, the British LGBT community may have had a narrower escape than we realise.
Terry Sanderson
Terry Sanderson is the former president of the National Secular Society. The views expressed in our blogs are those of the author and may not necessarily represent the views of the NSS. You can follow Terry on Twitter @TerrySanderson4
Secularism isn't just about moral or theoretical arguments, it's about people's real lives. Telling your story can help our campaigns and others in similar situations.
Tags: Equality & Human Rights, LGBTQ rights
We challenge this harmful pseudo-medical practice promoted by some religious groups.
Defend equality laws
Religious freedom isn't a 'right' to discriminate, we vigorously defend our equality laws.
Posted: Fri, 16 Aug 2019
NSS: don't let religious groups discriminate on civil partnerships
The NSS has warned against allowing religious groups to host opposite-sex civil partnerships while opting out of hosting same-sex ones.
Posted: Fri, 17 May 2019
Ofsted's new inspection framework returns focus to inclusion
The NSS has welcomed a commitment to inclusion in an updated school inspection framework for 2019 from the education watchdog Ofsted.
Posted: Thu, 02 May 2019
NSS: government not doing enough on caste discrimination
The National Secular Society has warned that new guidance "does not do enough" to tackle the problem of caste discrimination.
University revokes sultan of Brunei's degree after NSS request
The NSS has welcomed a university's revocation of a degree from the sultan of Brunei after his country introduced draconian Islamic laws....
NSS urges support for teachers amid anti-LGBT protests and threats
The NSS has urged the government to reconsider a requirement on schools to take pupils' "religious background" into account when teaching...
The current wave of religious protests outside schools began with objections to the No Outsiders scheme of work. As its author prepares to give the NSS's Bradlaugh Lecture, Megan Manson asks what the fuss...
'No Outsiders' offers a vision of tolerance and equality
Tags: Education, LGBTQ rights, RSE
Posted: Wed, 31 Jul 2019
The campaign against inclusive relationships and sex education risks spreading from the school gates to sympathetic faith school authorities. Alastair Lichten argues the government must act now to save...
The new education secretary must resist the reactionary campaign against RSE

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The West Midlands Homelessness Taskforce and the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) are joining forces to step up to battle against homelessness – with a focus on prevention.
Set up in May 2017 by Mayor Andy Street, the Taskforce aims to 'design out' homelessness in all its forms.
Now, the taskforce is working with CIH to invite public service organisations across the region to get involved in its work to address the systemic and structural issues which can cause homelessness.
According to reports, the single biggest cause of homelessness in the West Midlands is eviction from a private rented property following the end of a tenancy, with other key causes including that of domestic violence and relationship breakdown.
The Homelessness Reduction Act, which came into force last year, means that many organisations – including Jobcentres and adult and children's social services teams – have a new 'duty to refer' people who may be homeless or threatened with homelessness within 56 days to a local authority of the individual's choice.
But the systems are said to be struggling under demand, with 58,660 West Midlands households owed a homelessness duty.
Latest statistics show that 2,670 West Midlands households – including about 5,000 children – are in temporary accommodation such as B&Bs and hostels; twice the national average rate (outside of London).
The taskforce and CIH have said that they believe there is an opportunity to embed homelessness prevention and early intervention measures into a range of services and systems across the region.
The new 'duty to refer' only requires a service to make a referral, while the new project aims to develop a 'commitment to collaborate' which demands a higher standard.
It's hoped that greater engagement between organisations will ensure a joined-up approach to preventing people from becoming homeless and, if successful, the approach could be replicated nationwide.
CIH CEO, Terrie Alafat CBE, is said to be writing to chief executives of organisations across the West Midlands to invite them to take part in a series of roundtables to develop a shared commitment to collaborate, and to identify any barriers and challenges.
"Together we can design out homelessness but it does require a co-ordinated approach – that means all of us pulling out all the stops. In a country as rich as ours everyone should have access to a decent and affordable home", she said.
"This is an opportunity for all the key players in the West Midlands to get around the table to come up with solutions together.
"The aim is to take the duty to refer to a whole new level by getting as many organisations as possible involved in designing homelessness out of our systems and the ways that public services are delivered. Collaboration will be absolutely vital to the success of this work", Alafat added.
On the announcement, Andy Street said: "There is a tremendous will in the West Midlands to work together to prevent homelessness happening in the first place.
Councillor Sharon Thompson, cabinet member for housing at Birmingham City Council and chair of West Midlands Homelessness Taskforce members' advisory group added: "I am thrilled that CIH is working with us to take our prevention approach into its next phase.
"A commitment to collaborate will build on the conversations that are already being had and start to put in place the necessary measures that will ensure, in the West Midlands, no-one will suffer the indignity of becoming homeless.
"In Birmingham, we launched a city-led prevention strategy, where clear commitments were made by over 30 organisations across the public, private and third sectors, many of who operate on a regional level.


WIPWednesday 12-7-16 — Knit'n Kitten Fiber Arts, Inc.
Turned out the internet problem was the router/modem. One new piece of hardware later and everything is good to go.
Last week's sari thrums that are now shredded, except the aqua ones that are already chopped into spinning length.
Last week's doubleknit, lace, and filet crochet wrap.
This week's WIP. Another brioche bag. This one uses Red Heart Painted Desert and a number of different grey yarns. If that seems familiar it's because, yes, I took out the crocheted bag *again*. I'm thinking of using the grey as the outside color this time, but it'll take me a bit to do the basic brioche rib for the bottom so I won't have to decide until then. The fabric is a linen-blend blouse that was too worn at the seams. I'm taking it apart to use as the lining and my current plan is to use some of the threads from extra pieces to do the sewing. So far I've closed the buttonholes and side slits that way, but the thread breaks more easily than I would like as well as having slubs that catch the fabric (and then cause the thread to break).


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Baby2Baby CEOs Talk Nonprofit Work During COVID-19
Home » Journey to Parenthood » Baby2Baby CEOs Talk Nonprofit Work During COVID-19
Photo: Courtesy of Ramona Rosales
Baby2Baby CEOs Kelly Sawyer Patricof and Norah Weinstein are at the forefront of relief for children and families during COVID-19. Through their organization and constant innovation, they have distributed over 40 million essential items to families most in need during the pandemic.
Baby2Baby went from a local volunteer group to a national organization when you took it over in 2011. How did you manage to spearhead that?
From day one, we were strategic about our mission and made sure that we were responding to an actual need. We took meetings with homeless shelters and Head Start centers, and we directly asked them what the children in poverty were lacking so we could respond to actual needs in the community. The answer was always the same — they needed diapers and other basic essentials. We focused on that mission and didn't veer from it. Nine years later, we are still fulfilling that need — just on a much larger scale and across the country.
Baby2Baby has been at the forefront for COVID-19 relief. What are some of the greatest challenges you have faced?
Since March, Baby2Baby has distributed over 40 million essential items including diapers, formula, soap, shampoo, hand sanitizer, masks, baby food, and more to the most vulnerable children across the country. We were tasked with doing more with less resources — we had no volunteer force behind us, limited staff working in rotating shifts to keep our team safe, and the inability for thousands of social workers to pick up critical goods from our headquarters. We quickly adapted our distribution model to be 100 percent delivery based, increased our weekly distribution by 420 percent, and grew our COVID-19 emergency program to 90 cities across the country, all while facing unique challenges compounded by the pandemic.
How does the work of a nonprofit CEO vary day to day?
Every day is different, which keeps it interesting. Sometimes, we're in meetings all day with our internal teams, negotiating corporate sponsorships, fundraising, and developing program initiatives. Other days, we are visiting homeless shelters, school districts, or hospitals. Before COVID-19, we were traveling to Sacramento to lobby for diaper bills, or Dallas or New York to host events with the children we serve there. Right now, we are on a lot of Zoom calls.
Although you're a nonprofit, you operate as a traditional business. How has that been advantageous?
We operate like a traditional business because we have essentially the same goals as a for-profit company, even though we raise our money for the benefit of children in poverty. We have 30 full-time employees, a 21,000 square foot headquarters, and a $40 million operating budget between cash and in-kind values. We believe this mindset has allowed us to grow at a rapid pace and distribute 100 million basic essentials to families across the country over the last nine years.
What are the biggest challenges that you see new parents are currently facing?
Diapers have always been the number one item we distribute. One out of 3 moms in the United States struggle to afford diapers. Low-income families pay up to 14 percent of their after-tax income on diapers, and they are the fourth-highest household expenditure (after rent, food and utilities) for these families. Most importantly, daycares require a full day's supply for children to be dropped off, so when moms can't provide the requisite amount, they can't get back to work or even go to a job interview.
Now during COVID-19, the families that we serve are struggling even more to afford diapers after months of lost income, lost jobs, and increased lack of access to these basic essentials. Moms and dads in our program have resorted to making homemade diapers out of newspapers and towels. When Baby2Baby can provide diapers and other essentials, families can use their extremely limited income to focus on food and shelter.
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Archives|MOVEMENT OF GOLD HERE LIGHT IN JULY; Only $2,100,000 Exported and $500,000 Imported in the First 28 Days. MUCH ACTIVITY IN LOANS Out-of-Town Banks Drew Heavily on New York in First Week, but Repaid Quickly.
MOVEMENT OF GOLD HERE LIGHT IN JULY; Only $2,100,000 Exported and $500,000 Imported in the First 28 Days. MUCH ACTIVITY IN LOANS Out-of-Town Banks Drew Heavily on New York in First Week, but Repaid Quickly.


Most businesses that we will be looking at during the course operate in the private sector of the economy. That is, they are privately owned by individuals or shareholders and we assume that their main aim is to maximise profits.
However, there are many other types of business organisation that you may also come across during your course. One of these is a non-profit or not for profit organisation. In a way the name speaks for itself, but this doesn't mean that they don't make a profit; just that it is called a surplus. They may have a surplus of income over expenditure, but this will be ploughed back into the organisation not distrbuted to owners. Non-profit organisations may be clubs, charities (NGOs), pressure groups or other similar organisations that have some of the same aims as a private business, but profit isn't one of them!
Non-governmental organisations (NGO's for short) are organisations that may take part in business activity (as we have described it) and operate in the private sector, but their interests are more likely to be the development of the community and run for the benefit of others.
NGO's are non-profit organisations, which are independent from government. In the US they may be more commonly known as PVO's - private voluntary organisations.
Why not browse around their web sites to see what they do? These are large international NGO's. Can you find examples of local and regional NGO's where you live?
For more detail, why not have a look at the Wikipedia article on NGO's. You can do that in the window below, or follow the previous link to open the article in a new window.
Charities are a form of non-profit organisation with the key function of fundraising to support a chosen cause or a group of individuals. Charities tend to be run along business lines, because they aim to maximise their donations and minimise costs.
They seek to educate and inform the public about the cause they are supporting and may act as a pressure group by lobbying government to increase resources allocated to underprivileged or excluded groups with the aim of improving social welfare. They may also seek to raise awareness of a social problem such as homelessness or medical issues such as AIDS.
Since charities do not sell in the conventional sense, they still use marketing to increase profile of their cause and to create brand awareness. Many charities use celebrity endorsement to raise their public profiles. Charities are often run by a combination of professional managers and full-time employees working alongside individual volunteers.
Charities need to be registered and restrictions may be placed on their operations. Governments impose obligations to report fully on their financial position. It is not unknown for bogus charities to be setup and for funds to end up in the pockets of unscrupulous founders.
Large companies may wish to associate themselves with charitable organisations to raise their ethical credentials. Donors to charities may receive tax allowances.
Oxfam works with more than 3,000 local partner organizations to assist people living in poverty exercise their human rights, assert their dignity as full citizens and take control of their lives.
People need help in an emergency. Oxfam delivers aid, support and protection and helps communities develop the capacity to cope with future crises. Click on this link to see examples of current emergencies.
With the right support poor people can take control, solve their own problems, and rely on themselves. Oxfam funds long-term work to fight poverty in thousands of communities worldwide. Click on this link to see where Oxfam works.
Poverty isn't just about lack of resources. In a wealthy world it's about bad decisions made by powerful people. Oxfam campaigns hard, putting pressure on leaders for real lasting change.
Explaining how a donation to Oxfam can help a company's marketing and corporate image and provide competitive advantage.


The Bulls point guard said he would get back to his previous level, and he looks like he's doing exactly that.
I know it's early in the season, and I know that only the playoffs matter -- heck, only June matters -- but goodness, Derrick Rose looks like Derrick Rose.
Finally. Rose finally looks like the guy he continually said he would be – said he would return to being.
He didn't just play back-to-back games against Toronto and Washington, he starred in victories over two good Eastern Conference teams, which isn't easy to find.
Rose's surgically repaired knees looked pretty well repaired as he hit off-balance shots, runners, hard drives to the hoop, whatever was needed.
The Bulls beat the Raptors with a franchise-record 49-point fourth quarter Monday as Rose scored 15 of his 29 points in the final period.
Then the Bulls flew to Washington, and Rose was at his assassinating best Tuesday. The Bulls had given up a double-digit lead and were desperately trying to hold a one-point advantage with more than three minutes to go when Rose ripped off eight straight points. It was winning time. Rose won.
I know it's early and Rose could suffer more injuries, but you can see Rose growing into what the Bulls have needed -- what the Bulls used to have -- only with a better roster. This is the most talented team Rose has led, and the best part is, he doesn't have to lead it.
Pau Gasol plays and acts with championship character. It's easy to see how players follow him, and that includes Rose, who played through pain that he previously seemed reluctant to battle until Gasol had words for him earlier in the season.
What's more, the Bulls have made their move despite injuries to everyone, and they've made their move by beating teams from the Western Conference, where actual basketball is played.
And what's still more, the Bulls have shown they can play the game the way it develops, especially offensively.
They can still guard people, but it doesn't make Tom Thibodeau reach for the Xanax if they don't. Thibodeau actually looks comfortable with modern offensive basketball. He might not like allowing 120 points, but he has found lineups that can put up 129.
Thibodeau's ability to handle a versatile and offensively gifted roster, even at the expense of defense, was a question entering the season. We have an answer. We have the right answer.
We have an answer on the value of Gasol over the statue formerly known as Carlos Boozer. Gasol is a perfect player for a Bulls team that looks serious and capable of winning the NBA title. Boozer is the perfect player for a Lakers team that looks serious and capable of winning the lottery.
We have an answer on Jimmy Butler's case for a max contract. We have many answers for a front line that could include two 7-footers and extend to a total Death Star at the defensive rim. We have and answer on the new version of a "Bench Mob.'' We have the answers we were looking for.
Thibodeau finally is right: The Bulls have more than enough to win.
VOTE: Will the Bulls reach the NBA Finals this season?


Love for history, respect for the traditions of every place and culture know no boundaries and represent a heritage of the whole mankind, to be defended and maintained with pride and passion.
There are many ways to maintain this extraordinary richness, which everywhere in the world has different forms and expressions. It can sometimes be enough to experience them, choosing to live in them, even just for the emotion of a journey through time, that however gives a special value to our time. Choosing as a travel destination and accommodation a place where history and traditions of a family, of a city, of a region are cherished with lovingly awareness, involves the participation to a project that makes us not just travellers in history, but for history.


ELLENSBURG, Wash. (AP) — Congregants in the Methodist church where the Rev. Karen Dammann used to preach celebrated her acquittal yesterday, a day after she was cleared of violating church doctrine by living in a lesbian relationship and "marrying" her partner.
The United Methodist Church has repeatedly voted against changing its policies on homosexuality, but the response to the verdict in this small, central Washington town was warm.
A 13-pastor jury Saturday acquitted Miss Dammann, 47, of violating a church ban on ordaining "self-avowed, practicing homosexuals." If nine jurors had voted to convict, she could have lost her ministry.
Miss Haight said she arrived at church early expecting protesters, but there were none.
At one point during yesterday's service, during the sharing of joys and concerns, choir member Charlie McKinney said Miss Dammann had taught the congregation about the power of truth.
But there was concern about the fallout for the United Methodist Church, the nation's third-largest denomination with 8.5 million U.S. members.
Since the late 1980s, Pacific Northwest Methodist leaders have petitioned for eased policies on homosexuality at each of the denomination's General Conferences, held every four years. During past international General Conferences, most attendees have refused. The next General Conference begins next month.
"I believe the vast majority of United Methodists are in grief and shock today. I'm personally heartbroken," said Indiana state Sen. Patricia Miller, executive director of the Confessing Movement, a conservative movement within the United Methodist Church.


If there is one thing that Akshay Kumar values above everything else, it is relationships.
Like his relationship with his father.
The actor, who stars in the recently released film, Boss, spoke to Rediff.com's Savera R Someshwar about his ambitions and explains why certain relationships are such an important part of his life.
You come across as a very easy-going person, so what it is like to be a boss in real life?
The first rule of my office is that I am not the boss.
My staff has been with me for 15, 20 years. I find that impressive because it is a reflection of their character. They have stuck it out with me. They have been loyal.
My driver has been with me for the last 20 years.
My make-up man has been with me for 24 years; he joined me when I entered this industry.
I believe that you have to look forward to your work; you should not have to do it reluctantly.
If my staff comes to work on time, it is because they enjoy their work. I make sure they enjoy their work.
I have another simple premise. If you want your staff to be happy, if you want them to stay with you forever, ensure that their families are happy.
I believe that, if your family is happy, then you are happy.
For someone who believes that you are your own boss, do you have a boss?
My bosses are all my producers; all the corporates I work for.
Image: Akshay Kumar talks about the relationships that he values the most.
Relationships seem to be very important to you. Is it true that one of the reasons you did Boss is because the film is, among other things, about the relationship between a son and his father?
Yes. I love this relationship.
I also did Waqt and Ek Rishtaa because they were about the father-son relationship. Then I did Jaanwar, where I played a father.
I cherish the fact that I had a great rapport with my father.
The father-son relationship is generally the underdog relationship in this world, especially in this industry.
Do you know we don't have a single song dedicated to fathers?
Maa ke upar kayi gaane hain (There are many songs dedicated to mothers).
Rakhi ke bandhan pe gaane hain (There are songs dedicated to Raksha Bandhan).
Behen ke upar gaane hain (There are songs dedicated to sisters).
Dostana pe gaane hain (There are songs dedicated to friendship).
Do doston ke upar gaane hain (There are songs dedicated to friends).
Lekin bechare baap pe kisi ne gaana hi nahi banaya (But the poor father, there is no song dedicated to him).
This relationship has been taken for granted.
Yes, I understand that mothers are very, very important. Without them, you are incomplete. But do give a little credit to your father too. Make a song for that poor man also.
He goes out to work, brings home the money, toota haara ghar aata hai (returns home exhausted), then makes his son study or helps with other stuff.
We have that song, dedicated to fathers, in Boss. It's called Pitah Se Hi Naam Tera.
Image: Akshay Kumar with his son Aarav.
You've reached a certain landmark in terms of your age. Looking ahead, how do you see your career shaping up? What do you see yourself doing?
I have spent 25 years of my life in this industry; I don't know how to do anything else.
If you pull me out of this industry and ask me to survive somewhere else, it will be difficult for me.
I see myself in this industry only. I'll be here till they shoot me.
Is there any actor whose lifestyle you admire?
He is a man who has, literally, lived his life completely. He is still living his life as if he were a young boy.
Image: Akshay Kumar is fond of using the word Khiladi in his movie titles.
After completing a quarter of a century in the industry, what do you think is your legacy?
What, do you think, are the highlights of your career?
I cannot specify any particular thing.
Every day is a big highlight.
Something or the other keeps happening every day.
When you look back, you do you feel most of proud?
What future do you see for your production company? What kind of films you see yourself making?
I may be doing commercial cinema, but I want my company, Grazing Goat, to make films which will make a difference to society.
That is why my partner (Ashwini Yardi) and I have made films like Oh My God and 72 Miles Ek Pravas.
We are making Marathi films too.
Image: Akshay Kumar plays Krishna in his home production, Oh My God.
You are known to be a very savvy investor. Where did that come from?
Maybe because my father was an accountant (smiles).
Fame kills privacy. Does that bother you?
My family and I have our private moments, even in Mumbai.
I don't think fame has killed our privacy.
Image: Fans gather to watch Akshay Kumar shooting for Boss.
You have great comic timing as an actor.
The fact that you can make people laugh -- how does that make you feel?
Oh, I feel very good when I make anybody laugh.
When people ask my co-actors what working with Akshay was like, and they say he makes us laugh all the time, it makes me feel very good.
The fact you have the knack to make people laugh is a very big thing.
I believe laughter is the best medicine. This means I am carrying a medicine around with me that allows me to make people happy.
Image: Akshay Kumar poses for photographer Daboo Ratnani.
Review: Akshay Kumar's Boss: All title, no thunder!
PIX: Have you noticed Amitabh Bachchan's eyes before?


As December draws near the festivities can finally begin, and Nottinghamshire is no exception.
There are Christmas-themed events all over Nottinghamshire this week that are sure to appeal to the whole family.
If you head down to Newstead Abbey on November 25-26 you will be able to see the house and gardens in all their festive glory.
The Abbey has been fully decorated for Christmas, fully equipped with baubles, twinkling lights and even foliage cut from the garden.
The event will also let you look around the Victorian Kitchen and try your hand at decorating a tree.
If you go down early enough you will also be able to see Santa Claus himself at his special grotto and tell him what you want for Christmas.
Sherwood Forest Country Park will be hosting a medieval-style grotto from November 25 - December 17.
You do not need to book in advance and you will even get a present from Santa himself for £5.
Welbeck will be hosting its annual Welbeck Winter Weekend from November 24-26.
This popular event is to celebrate all things hand-made, with 30 food stalls provided all day by the Welbeck Farm Shop.
You could even get lucky and win £1,000 in the raffle, with many more prizes on offer for those with a winning number.
Wollaton Hall is offering the chance to see Santa Claus in his grotto, follow a Christmas trail, or even a ghost story in the depths of the hall.
If this hasn't tempted you there will also be the chance to taste some freshly-brewed mulled wine at the event, from November 25 - December 23.
There really is something for everyone this holiday season, so be sure to visit at least one to get into the festive spirit this Christmas.


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Home Movies Review: Fanboys Want to Kill "Ghostbusters" But Four Comic Superstars Are Worth...
Review: Fanboys Want to Kill "Ghostbusters" But Four Comic Superstars Are Worth the Ticket
by Roger Friedman - July 10, 2016 3:28 pm
Who you gonna call? Not the old Ghostbusters. They'd been trying to work out a new chapter of their series when Harold Ramis died in 2014. I talked to Ivan Reitman a lot about it but then Ramis fell ill, and the rest is history.
Someone had the smart idea for an all-female cast version. Why not? The original "Ghostbusters" wasn't "The Godfather." It's sturdy enough to take this route. A new generation, same song (Ray Parker via Huey Lewis). Paul Feig is very clever. What could go wrong?
I'll take the stand that the new "Ghostbusters" is a lot of fun. You're never going to recapture the novelty of the original — even with cameos from all the old stars. The surprise is over. But new productions of old plays are common on stage. There's nothing so sacrosanct about "Ghostbusters." Get over it.
The Feig movie basically retells the same story as the original, just updated to 2016. Ghosts are attacking, scientists with weird inventions must combat them. The squad this time is Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones. A Hemsworth is their Annie Potts (I'm never sure which one, but I think it's Chris. Or Liam.) Andy Garcia and Cecily Strong are New York's mayor and his aide de camp. Ed Begley and Zach Woods run a haunted house . This isn't rocket science.
The good news is that the actresses are terrific fun, each enjoyable as heck. McCarthy and Wiig are better known quantities from "Bridesmaids" and their TV shows, and they're solid as the central 'straight men' (comic– not preference). I adore both Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones, and they don't fail to entertain. Neither does Cecily Strong. Lorne Michaels has a current crop of female superstars, and they are all unleashed here.
Hemsworth is very funny and self-deprecating although it might have been more interesting to have Paul Rudd in there instead.
Special effects? This isn't "Avatar," They're fine. I saw the 2D version. "Ghostbusters" is about characters and fun, so it didn't bother me that the whole thing looks a little cheesy. What bothered me was there was no story. With all these characters, there's no flirting, no romance, no frisson. One more draft and maybe Wiig and Andy Garcia might have hooked up. Leslie Jones could have had one of her Colin Jost things happening. I was sure Cecily Strong's mayoral aide and McKinnon's inspectress gadget would at least wink at each other. But nada. Nothing happens. And so the film never feels like it takes off to a higher plane.
But Harold Ramis gets a lovely nod with a bust-wearing-glasses, and all the old actors roll through (you have to wait til the bitter end to see Sigourney Weaver). Begley and Woods fade away (the latter could have developed a crush on Jones). Dan Aykroyd has a drive by, and Murray has a bewildering cameo that ends nowhere. I really clapped when I saw Annie Potts– she could have been their den mother, the elder lady with all the secrets. (Next time, if there is a next time.)
This "Ghostbusters" also has a lot of product placements, notably H&M (which is the only name on a New York skyscraper) and 7-11. For some reason, when the scenes turn to Times Square, stores that don't exist anymore like Woolworth's and Bonds are featured. Was this a retro thing? I couldn't figure it out. But it does say that I was getting a little bored toward the end so that checking for Easter eggs was on my mind.
Is it fun? Yes. Is it a good summer comedy? Yes. And it's absolutely worth seeing these ladies go for it. They're a hoot. So plug your ears to the nay-sayers. Don't let them slime this film.
Box Office: "Pets" More Popular Than Ever with $103 Mil, "Mike and Dave" Can't Get Dates
Aerosmith's Joe Perry Collapses Onstage During Hollywood Vampires Show in Coney Island


text:
Q: Setting restriction to `mixed` element Hello I want to be able to define something like this:
<Infos>
      <Mileage>9987
          <UseIn>POS_DISPLAY</UseIn>
          <UseIn>READER_DISPLAY</UseIn>
      </Mileage>
</Infos>

Mileage is mixed type. 9987 is its value, and UseIn are some properties.
The problem is that I can't find a way to define restriction for Mileage content.
Is there any way to define the structure above, without falling back to:
<Infos>
      <Mileage>
          <MileageValue>9987</MileageValue>
          <UseIn>POS_DISPLAY</UseIn>
          <UseIn>READER_DISPLAY</UseIn>
      </Mileage>
</Infos>

A: For historical reasons I won't bother to describe, XSD types with mixed content allow character data to appear at any location.  It's easy to define a type that allows the structure you show, but it's not so easy to define a type that allows what you show while rejecting variants like
<Mileage>
    <UseIn>POS_DISPLAY</UseIn>
    9987
    <UseIn>READER_DISPLAY</UseIn>
</Mileage>

or
<Mileage>99
    <UseIn>POS_DISPLAY</UseIn>
    8
    <UseIn>READER_DISPLAY</UseIn>
    7
</Mileage>

My advice, fwiw, is to fall back to the second design, which will work better with most XML infrastructure.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


There is a little Halloween party taking place a McGregor park this coming Saturday (Oct 27th). Things start at 2:00 and end at 4:00. There will be live Tibetan music, food, story-teller Jane Wells, and candy apples. If you have children I imagine it'll be well worth checking out. McGregor park is about halfway between Bloor and College on Lansdowne.


Very fine and warm cardigan.This is allready the second colour I bought.
Very pleased with the cardigan and it is very warm. Received very quickly after placing the order.
Lovely cardigan and exellent service.
I love this cardigan which I received at the beginning of the cold snap and have been wearing ever since! Am seriously thinking of ordering another one, such a pity it doesn't come in a light grey.
Very comfortable. Looks smart. Soft wool. I am pleased with it.
I have 3 of these cardigans. Perfect fit for me - cosy to wear - very good value. They wash beautifully either by hand or gentle machine wash. Fantastic selection of colours. Thank you.
I am delighted with this cardigan which has the style and warmth of a jacket, and as I already have one in a different colour I know that they wash and wear very well and never lose their shape.
Lovely soft wool cardigan excellent quality style and fit. Quick ordering and delivery.
This is the 3rd cardigan in this style I have bought. Quality and choice of colours are excellent. They are nice and warm too!
Delighted. I have several colours of this cardigan and love them all.
This cardigan looks good, fits well and keeps me nice and warm.
Warm and cosy cardigan. Good value as always from James Meade.
Delighted with the cardigan. Did not have to wait long for the order to arrive.
This is the forth cable cardigan that I have purchased so obviously I am well satisfied. I am still hoping to see that this cardigan is available in grey.
The cardigan was for my mother who loves it although her comment was, "it doesn't have pockets for my hankies"! Lovely fit and will be nice and warm when weather gets cooler.
Ladies crew neck style pure lambswool cardigan, with front cable knit design and plain back. This is a great staple item that will go with any garment in your wardrobe and help keep you warm on cold nights.
Bust (Actual Bust Measurement) XS-38", S-41", M-43", L-45", XL-47"
"Very fine and warm cardigan.This is allready the second colour I bough ..."


text:
NSU Jazz Bands to host Fall Jazz Concert on Nov. 13
ABERDEEN, S.D. – The Northern State University School of Fine Arts will present their fall Jazz Concert at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 13 in the Johnson Fine Arts Center Harvey and Cynthia Jewett Theater.
Ensembles performing on the concert include the 2 O'Clock Jazz Ensemble, directed by Dr. Grant Manhart, NSU professor of music; Vocal Jazz Ensemble, directed by Dr. Wendy van Gent, NSU associate professor of music; and the NSU Jazz Combo, directed by Mr. Fred Hemke, NSU assistant professor of music.
The concert will feature performances of pieces such as Count Basie's "Basie Straight Ahead," "Here's That Rainy Day" by Stan Kenton, Frank Sinatra's "Saturday Night is the Loneliest Night of the Week." In addition to these pieces, the 2 O'Clock Jazz Ensemble will be joined by Dr. Alan LaFave on Artie Shaw's "Begin the Beguine," as a tribute to Dr. LaFave's long-standing tenure at NSU. In December, Dr. LaFave will begin his new position as President of Valley City State University in Valley City, N.D.
Admission is $5 for adults, $2.50 for NSU faculty/staff, and free for school-aged children or NSU students with ID. For ticket information, please call 605-626-2900.
Tickets can be purchased at the Johnson Fine Arts Center Box Office or online via the School of Fine Arts Page (northern.edu/artsnsu). Box office hours are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, noon-4 p.m. The box office opens two hours before the show begins on performance nights.
About Northern State University
Northern State University is a regional university that offers outstanding academics and exceptional extracurricular activities at an affordable price on a safe, welcoming campus. Northern State recently announced its Educational Impact Campaign, with a goal of raising $45 million for a new South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, new athletic and recreation fields, and an on-campus regional sports complex. Once the campaign is complete, NSU will be the recipient of more than $100 million in privately funded building projects and scholarships within a decade. To learn more, visit NSU Admissions.