Dare to be a Daniel, Dare to stand alone

In recent days I have carried two posts on the issue of climate change. One in response to the suggestion that "sin" is the cause of climate change. The other an open ended question about the non-Christian spirituality which seems to be attaching itself to the issue.

I personally am aware that climate can change and may be undergoing one of its recurrent changes at the moment. I have no evidence to suggest that any climate will stay the same indefinitely - and neither has anyone else.

Some cite the plight of those who live in developing countries. Those problems have been with us for generations. The solutions are far deeper and far more costly than focusing on climate change and the fantasy that humankind is powerful enough to control the weather.

Like any other member of the Methodist Church I am entitled to express my view, as are others who comment on this blog.

No one is forced to read my ideas. If they disagree they are free to say so. I rarely censor comments.

In recent days however I have been taken aback by the sheer ferocity of the attacks on myself and others from a handful of Ministers, all active bloggers. I think the pits were reached when I was described as an "arse".

These people try to portray me as someone who doesn't care for the plight of the poor and the powerless. That they somehow have a monopoly of righteousness.

Let me tell you I joined a trades union when I was 16. I have been involved in industrial disputes and stood my ground on picket lines. I demonstrated against the war in Vietnam, Aparthied in South Africa, and actively worked for the liberation of Zimbabwe.

I supported the miners as their livelihoods and communities were destroyed. I backed asylum seekers long before it was fashionable. I have taken on the rich and powerful and have known defeat and sometimes victory.

I have been spat at, beaten up by police, soldiers and racists, had bullets whizzing around me in the Ardoyne, threatened, lost jobs, been subject to press harassment, betrayed, dragged before the courts (on one occasion by the gambling industry) and spent many, many hours trudging the streets arguing for the cause in which I have believed since my conversion.

The personal abuse of a handful of blogging Ministers. Methodists or URC, is hardly going to make me change my mind or cower me into silence. They should bear in mind that Methodist Preacher may hold his views just as deeply and with as much sincerity as they do.