Abuse in the name of god

DZ has posted in the past about the physical abuse inflicted on children in the name of religious observance. Female genital mutilation comes top of the list, an utterly barbaric practice that kills an unguessed at number of girls each year, and severely affects the physical and mental health of those who undergo it. Male circumcision is less drastic, but more common, and circumcision without medical indication is highly prevalent even in the USA where there is usually no religious imperative.

But it seems even baptism can be a form of torture and murder, as is illustrated by this case, where the unfortunate victim was immersed until he drowned. What sort of people subject babies to this vile abuse. To add insult to injury there seems no regret or commitment to change from the church hierarchy.

And the mental abuse suffered by millions of children of devout (ie fanatical) devotees of multiple religions in the name of their particular superstitious delusion can not be quantified.

All over the world supposedly civilised liberal societies persist in tolerating these practices in the name of “religious freedom” What a bunch of disgusting cowards we all are. By failing to stand up for the rights and welfare of these children we are as guilty as those who wield the knife.

As Christopher Hitchens said “religion poisons everything”

Demand

 I thought I'd reassure any regulars who follow me that I'm still here. Still working, now some years past retirement age, and desperately longing for the current situation to come to an end.

And yet DZ has precious little to complain about. He works in a covid free environment, in a job he loves, with fabulous staff, and is well paid. His professional commitments and social contact makes him rarely privileged and keeps him on an even keel. He has incentive, and purpose. And little cause for fear. Especially since he has now been vaccinated.

I keep in touch with many friends and colleagues at the very sharp end. People who have now borne the brunt of professional and psychological demand for almost a year. I can not begin to imagine the strain they are under. Many are building up psychological problems that will only surface when they allow themselves to stand down. Their experience, and trauma they will carry with them for the rest of their lives and I have no doubt that many will retire early, utterly burned out and exhausted.

While most of the general population appreciates their conduct, there is a minority in the population who have an incomprehensible, to me, desire to vilify and denigrate these people. A vociferous minority of people who have the deluded belief that the pandemic is a hoax, and those doctors who express their experiences are liars and party to some bizarre conspiracy. Anti maskers, antivaxers and covid denialists who, in their narcissism believe they alone possess knowledge denied the rest of us. 

These are people who believe that the covid vaccine contains a chip that allows Bill Gates to monitor their every move. Fuck me, who do these people think they are that Bill Gates is interested in when they go to Tescos. 

No pic, or video on this post. Too sombre.  I hope you all stay healthy and come through this. There is now light at the end of the tunnel. But even when this is over, it will take years for the NHS to catch up on the backlog of work building up. And it's staff will be depleted and exhausted. 

The late hero of the orthopaedic world, Sir John Charnley worked at Wrightington Hospital right up to his death at the age of 72. The NHS may well be asking others to do the same.