Why Attack Religion
UNCONTROLLED KNEE JERK SYNDROME
What you are about to read below is an e-mail message sent to me on the 8/12/03 , the message proves to me that there is now a wide spread epidemic called uncontrolled knee jerking. But wait for it, the dipstick sent the message to a society that does not even mention the religion in its bonfire celebration, never has done and is never likely to either.
That person entered my old site, blinked, coughed and spluttered and thought I've got a knee jerk coming without looking any further and not understanding the fact that a village bonfire society is a village society and Lewes is Lewes.
Why are outsiders so ignorant of the fact that today's Lewes Bonfire Celebrations have nothing to do with the hatred of the Catholic Faith and its modern day Pope, and it certainly has no comparison with the Northern Ireland troubles or the modern Catholic Church.
Lewes does not use Bonfire Night to express the Catholic issues, it is the other way round, Freedom from the old Popery regime and its outdated Roman Catholic Views (Pope Paul IV) was celebrated first then it was the failure of the Guy Fawkes Gunpowder Plot , (Guy Fawkes under Pope Paul V) was added etc etc.
Not one single person in any bonfire society in Lewes or the surrounding areas would give a hoot as to what religion anybody follows, as for encouraging children to be hateful to others . . . (B %&&%$£ S) the only thing that happens is a bit of Mickey taking depending on what bonfire society you are in, no worse than declaring love for your favorite football team or Pop Star.
All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit . . . Thomas Paine
The Lewes Bonfire Night Celebrations is probably the safest place to bring the kids without any fear of injury, verbal, mentally or physical at least within the ranks apart from the odd idiot that chooses to throw fireworks from the crowds, remembering that the celebrations are for the Lewes Bonfire Societies not Joe Public, if they choose to come then they will be most welcome providing they learn a bit about it first and understand the reasons behind it all.
Lewes is probably the most tolerant town to live in in the U.K. for lots of reasons, religion, arts, and music to name a few. What is the definition of religion ?, in my dictionary it says " system of belief in and worship of a supernatural power or god " notice it says " or god not a person " my religion is belief and worship of my drumming in a pipe band and my pc , they both have a supernatural power over me.
I believe in the Bible as a basic history book , No more No Less , Dont believe in God but believe that there was a guy called Jesus who tried to get society to get on with each other.
For my wife it is Teddy Bears, for my Daughter it is Meatloaf and her family, for my Son it is Stock car racing and heavy metal music, for others it might be walking the hills, their pets, reading or the local pub etc etc, none of which have ever caused wars and such like.
Religion is what you believe in and makes you happy and today, we in this country at least have the choice to believe in whatever we like, only because we disposed of the Pope of the 16th century and other such tyrants since and are still at it now. If it had been a protestant ordering the killings it would be a Vicar meeting his yearly firework display, it matters not what the religion, it was the act that prompted the celebrations..........( Celebration of Freedom )
"In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return"
One final thing............why do churches have a cross with a man nailed to it ? surely it would be better to show him in happier times rather than dying on the cross and why is it, a catholic cannot become part of the monarchy ?.........just a thought !!!!!!
In 1701 the act of settlement was passed by parliament that forbade any catholic subjects either direct or married to, Any rights to the sucession to the throne and still stands to this day. Chew on that boyes and belles and I rest my case.
Click Above Image To See The Act . . ( Be Patient As It Is A Large File )
By the way I was christened catholic, went to a catholic primary school, my wife is c.o.e. and we got married in a c.o.e. church, my deceased parents were c.o.e. my deceased grand parents were Irish Catholics, deceased aunties were catholic nuns, my wife's side of the family are all c.o.e. truly a case of what you believe in !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lewes Bonfire Celebrations is about freedom of speech , remembrance and No Popery .
Popery . . . The practice of absolute power under the religion of the old Roman Catholic Church, comprehending doctrines and practices, which included control of what creed you followed , your effects , finances , family , politics , law etc etc . Generally used in an opprobrious sense. It Does Not Mean No Catholics 
" In fact, Popery is not a religion at all ; and it is a sad delusion to suppose, that a mere difference of creed is all that exists between Protestants and Papists. Popery is a political conspiracy to subjugate empires, kingdoms, thrones, and states, to one tyrant, "who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he, as God, sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God" (2 Thess. ii. 4).
To accomplish this political purpose, his agents assume a priestly authority, and arrogate to themselves the power to save or to damn souls. Thousands of their infatuated vassals believe this, and, consequently, dare not refuse to do and say anything and everything which these vested wretches command. They wear the name of Christianity, as Satan transforms himself into an angel of light, to deceive (2 Cor. ii. 14).
They are his ministers, and not Christ’s; and they are going out "to deceive the nations," in order to put all people, all power, and all property—yea, and every man’s conscience and life, under their despotic sway; and will Englishmen - will Christians, submit to this monster ? "
Rev. Joseph Irons, Grove Chapel, Camberwell, London, 5th November 1837.
Lest We Forget
The Carnival held on the Fifth of November,
Is a sight if once seen you will ever remember,
Such rousers and squibs,
Such torches and fire,
Gigantic processions, fantastic attire.
Nor would we forget how it once was the scene,
Of the burning of Martyrs when Mary was Queen,
The truth which led them to die at the stake,
May the people of Lewes never forsake.
A Native C/O Bernard Whiteman
The E-mail Message
Am all in favour of festivals and events that bring people out from their homes to mix as a real community.
Have recently been party to the Hastings Jack-in -the -Green Festival and Rochester's Sweeps and pre - Christmas Dickensian Festivals, the spirit of the locals and the enjoyment of the faces of visitors were sights well worth seeing and not to be forgotten. These towns should be proud of their efforts.
Why is it that Lewes uses its Bonfire night to display such hatred of the Catholic faith and a Pope whose example for good and peace in the World is second to none? It reminds me so much of the venom exhibited by Northern Ireland protestants against Catholic children simply trying to get to school.
Lewes may be a fun place to be in on the 5th Nov. but if this is what it is encouraging its children to do, then I fear for the lives of those living in Lewes who have a right to pursue their own choice of worship via Catholicism.
"Get A Life And Read The Bible"
Those That Shout The First And Mostest
Tend To Know The Leastest !
Name Withheld And God Knows Why ! By
