Last night I popped along to a meeting of the Humanist Association of Northern Ireland (HUMANI), hoping to hear a presentation from the “Press Officer” of an organisation called the Caleb Foundation. For those of you who haven’t heard of Caleb, the organisation gained some degree of notoriety recently because of an article by Liam Clarke in the Belfast Telegraph. The article questioned the relationship between the Caleb Foundation and the DUP – suggesting that it had spread a ‘web of influence’ across Stormont.
That would be worrying as Caleb has some truly bizarre viewpoints (and even more bizarre taste in font colours judging from its website). For example in the “points for prayer” section Caleb encourages its followers to pray for the Royal Family and to “Pray that the Royal Family would turn to the Lord and seek to set a godly example to the nation.” Hmm, prayers haven’t worked then…what with all those frolics in Las Vegas and topless sun-bathing. Dirty birds.
More worryingly the organisation asks for prayer for “our ongoing campaign for balance and fairness in the Ulster Museum and at the Giant’s Causeway in relation to displays and presentations on the origins of the universe and of life.” Not so much praying for “balance and fairness” than lobbying both visitor attractions to display and present mumbo jumbo. And having, unfortunately, some degree of success.
Rumour has it that this oddball collection of (mostly male) flat-earth creationists have, indeed, quite a lot of support in Stormont. It’s rumoured that Mervyn Storey, North Antrim MLA, and Nelson McCausland, Minister for Social Development, are among its supporters – and Chief Wizards within its Coven.
Anyway, the reason I popped along last night was to hear one of their number be verbally kebabed by a bunch of very intelligent and well-read Humanists. But, unfortunately, the Caleb chap chickened-out (or was told by his masters to chicken-out). Pity.
I asked Ian Deboys, Chairman of HUMANI, what he reckoned. His interview is below.
