AK Soufflé: Terrible times

Anyone who knows me will tell you that I am seldom stuck for words but last Tuesday, after a great night out, I awoke to the appalling news of the terrorist attack in Manchester. Callous, cowardly, unforgivable, words that hardly touch the sides of what is becoming all too often a part of our lives.

On my show Queersay each week I struggle to find a balance of good news and bad news stories, there are so many dreadful things happening in the world on a daily basis – and that area of weekly research is only looking at things that affect the LGBT+ world. If I were to be charged with looking beyond that world for my show then I might find a few more good news stories, discounting the clutter of fake news and PR spin of course.

What I don’t want to do here is downplay the atrocities that are being perpetrated against LGBT+ people around the world, far from it and on Queersay each week I talk very frankly with my guests about these stories. But when you read about a suicide bomber who is prepared to murder indiscriminately then your heart sinks.

I am writing as the news is still coming in, I am filled with dread

As I write this, and I am writing as the news is still coming in, I am filled with dread that once again this act has been carried out in the name of some god, but what possible kind of god could believe that this is right. I no longer believe in any god, I’m not a rampant atheist, far from it – but my once held faith has now gone. I have many friends who are believers, not just in a Christian god but in all manner of deities. I hope and believe that those people who have such faiths are equally dismayed that such acts can be carried out in the name of their chosen god. Surely this must be true, I mean how can you have faith in a violent and vengeful god?

One of my favourite guests on Queersay is Michael Hydes, the vicar at the Village Metropolitan Community Church. He is a man of real integrity and intelligence. He looks at faith and his faith with a remarkably open mind and heart and I hold him in great stead when we have to discuss atrocities carried out in the name of religion.

Right now though all I can think of is the terrible grief of those affected by that terrible bomb. By the time this hits the streets no doubt we will know more, we may know who and why. My heart goes out to the families of those who suffered the loss or injury of a loved one. My heart goes out equally to those genuine believers, and I know they are out there, members of churches and faiths whose good hearts and good intentions are sullied by the evil minds of the few.

I normally try to add a fun image to illustrate these words but this week I will simply add a single simple flower in respect of the innocent lives lost.