Tolerance and intolerance

The BBC got quite agitated this morning over the report that the UK has turned all liberal and tolerant. Actually, I don't think we have. I think we have become more selfish and self-centred and sexuality is just a part of it all. Greed and not caring about others is hardly an outward sign of an inwardly spiritual nation. No, I think that tolerance is not the right word. It's more don't bother me and I won't bother you.

Now if you want a real dose of intolerance this is a prize example. A 16-year-old girl, who was raped in Bangladesh, has been given 101 lashes for conceiving during the assault. She was left to the mercy of mendacious village elders, high on a mixture of second-guessing Allah and keeping to tribal beliefs. The poor girl was horribly abused by a cabal of bearded wonders.

I highlight this because it is allowed to carry on. Bangladesh is seeking to enter the world now as a reformed and reconstructed nation. This kind of do-it-yourself Islam is very distressing. We hear all the time of moderate Muslims not agreeing to all this. Perhaps this girl's wretched experience might shock them into doing something at last.