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22/06/2015
A short reflection and prayer with Canon Noel Battye.
Last on
Mon 22 Jun 2015
05:43
´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 4
Prayer for the Day with Reverend Noel Battye - Script
Good morning.
On this day in 1633, Galileo was sentenced to prison by the Inquisition for teaching that the earth revolves around the sun - not the other way round.
Even though that sentence was reduced to house arrest for life the on the following day the fact remains as a judgement, not upon him but upon the men who made it – as indeed it still does upon the fundamentalists of every age and every religionÂ
At a time when so many religious people of all persuasions perceive themselves to be under attack it is not altogether surprising that some in our time cannot cope with what is happening and so they go on the defensive while others just retreat into a ghetto mentality where the more reactionary of their number then presume to speak on behalf of all and do so in the most negative and destructive ways.      Speaking personally I’ve always been grateful for the way the Bible was presented to me - not as a scientific text book with precise details of my origins - not as a dictatorial set of rules whose every detail must dominate my life but rather as a collection of testimonies from across the ages all about a living relationship between a Father – Creator God and the children whom he loves - children whom he has always sought to protect by giving them such guidance as would prevent them bringing disaster upon themselves
And since yesterday was Father’s Day, might I add he does so in much the same way as any loving father would provide His child if not with a fancy sports car, at least with a set of rules to keep him safe upon the road!
Father, thank-you for your love surrounding us like protective wings and proclaimed by countless generations.Â
Amen
On this day in 1633, Galileo was sentenced to prison by the Inquisition for teaching that the earth revolves around the sun - not the other way round.
Even though that sentence was reduced to house arrest for life the on the following day the fact remains as a judgement, not upon him but upon the men who made it – as indeed it still does upon the fundamentalists of every age and every religionÂ
At a time when so many religious people of all persuasions perceive themselves to be under attack it is not altogether surprising that some in our time cannot cope with what is happening and so they go on the defensive while others just retreat into a ghetto mentality where the more reactionary of their number then presume to speak on behalf of all and do so in the most negative and destructive ways.      Speaking personally I’ve always been grateful for the way the Bible was presented to me - not as a scientific text book with precise details of my origins - not as a dictatorial set of rules whose every detail must dominate my life but rather as a collection of testimonies from across the ages all about a living relationship between a Father – Creator God and the children whom he loves - children whom he has always sought to protect by giving them such guidance as would prevent them bringing disaster upon themselves
And since yesterday was Father’s Day, might I add he does so in much the same way as any loving father would provide His child if not with a fancy sports car, at least with a set of rules to keep him safe upon the road!
Father, thank-you for your love surrounding us like protective wings and proclaimed by countless generations.Â
Amen
Broadcast
- Mon 22 Jun 2015 05:43´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 4